Command-Line Interface

LinkCAD can be driven entirely from the command line for scripted and automated conversions.

Basic Syntax

linkcad.exe [options]

Core Parameters

File I/O

Parameter	Short	Description
`--import <path>`	`-i`	Input file path
`--export <path>`	`-o`	Output file path
`--input-format <fmt>`		Force input format (auto-detected from extension by default)
`--output-format <fmt>`		Force output format (auto-detected from extension by default)

Layer Mapping

Parameter	Description
`--layer-map <path>`	Load a layer map file
`--apply-layer-map`	Apply the loaded layer map during conversion

Processing

Parameter	Short	Description
`--config <path>`	`-c`	Load a command file (`.lsn` format)
`--top-cell <pattern>`		Select the top cell for hierarchical formats
`--apply-tool <tools>`		Apply tools after import (semicolon-separated)
`--batch-combine`		Combine multiple input files into a single output
`--units <value>`	`-u`	Set display units (1–1 000 000)

Control

Parameter	Short	Description
`--quit`	`-q`	Exit after processing (required for unattended operation)
`--console`		Enable console output for logging
`--trace`		Enable detailed TRACE-level logging
`--save-settings`		Save settings on exit (default behavior)
`--no-save-settings`		Do not save settings on exit
`--load-defaults`		Reset to default settings before processing

Python

Parameter	Description
`--python-script <path>`	Run a Python script and exit (headless mode)
`--python-cmd <code>`	Execute a Python code string and exit
`--python-interactive`	Open the interactive Python console (with GUI)

Information

Parameter	Description
`--help`	Show help text
`--help-all`	Show all options, including format-specific dynamic options

Valid Format Names

Use these names with --input-format and --output-format:

Name	Import	Export
`DXF`	Yes	Yes
`DWG`	Yes	Yes
`GDSII`	Yes	Yes
`GDS-TXT`	Yes	—
`CIF`	Yes	Yes
`OASIS`	Yes	Yes
`Gerber RS-274X`	Yes	Yes
`SVG`	Yes	Yes
`PostScript/EPS`	Yes	—
`PostScript`	—	Yes
`PDF`	Yes	—
`ACIS SAT`	Yes	Yes
`Parasolid XT`	Yes	—
`STEP`	—	Yes
`IGES`	—	Yes
`IE3D`	Yes	Yes
`ANF`	—	Yes
`Sonnet`	Yes	Yes
`LASI TLC`	Yes	Yes
`Compass Layout`	Yes	—
`ASCII Data`	Yes	—
`Raster Image`	Yes	—
`Raster`	—	Yes

Examples

Simple conversion

linkcad.exe --import chip.gds --export chip.dxf --quit

Conversion with console output

linkcad.exe -i chip.gds -o chip.dxf --console -q

Conversion with layer map

linkcad.exe -i chip.gds -o chip.dxf `
  --layer-map mapping.lmap --apply-layer-map -q

Select a specific top cell

linkcad.exe -i chip.gds --top-cell "TOPCELL" -o chip.dxf -q

Apply tools during conversion

linkcad.exe -i input.gds -o output.gds `
  --apply-tool "Merge;SanitizePolygons" -q

Run a Python script headless

linkcad.exe --python-script process.py --console

Use a command file

linkcad.exe --config my_settings.lsn --console -q

Override format-specific options

linkcad.exe -i chip.gds -o chip.dxf --DxfOutScaling 1000 -q

Use --help-all to see all available format-specific options.

Automation Options

These options control unattended operation and can be set on the command line or in command files. They correspond to Lc* internal key names.

Parameter	Command-File Key	Description
`--load-defaults`	`LcLoadDefaults`	Reset to default settings before processing
(command file only)	`LcSkipImportOptions`	Skip the import options dialog
(command file only)	`LcSkipExportOptions`	Skip the export options dialog
(command file only)	`LcSkipSteps`	Wizard steps to skip (comma-separated)
(command file only)	`LcSelectTopCell`	Auto-select the top cell without prompting
(command file only)	`LcConvertBatch`	Enable batch conversion mode
`--batch-combine`	`LcBatchCombineFiles`	Combine multiple files into single output
`--apply-layer-map`	`LcApplyLayerMap`	Apply layer map during processing
(command file only)	`LcNoRestart`	Disable automatic restart on crash
(command file only)	`LcDeleteEmtpyCells`	Delete empty cells after import
(command file only)	`LcDeleteUnresolvedRefs`	Delete unresolved cell references
(command file only)	`LcAutoAlternatePolarity`	Auto-alternate polarity on multi-layer import
(command file only)	`LcAutoNumberMaterialValues`	Auto-number material values
(command file only)	`LcAutoNumberZValues`	Auto-number Z values
(command file only)	`LcHideUnusedLayers`	Hide unused layers after import
(command file only)	`LcInResolveLayers`	Resolve layer references during import

Tip

Options marked "command file only" can be set in .lsn command files using their key names (e.g. LcSkipImportOptions=true).

Dynamic Options

Format-specific options (e.g., DxfOutScaling, GbrInUnits, GdsOutDbScalingUnits) can be passed directly on the command line using their internal key names. Run linkcad.exe --help-all to see the complete list organized by format.

Each format page lists the available option keys under a "CLI / Command-File Options" section.

Legacy Parameters

LinkCAD also accepts legacy -Lc* style parameters for backward compatibility. See the CLI Parameters Reference for the full mapping.

Tips

Always use --quit (or -q) for unattended/scripted operation — without it, the GUI will remain open
Use --console to see progress and error messages on stdout
Format is auto-detected from file extension; use --input-format / --output-format to override
Use --no-save-settings in scripts to avoid modifying the user's defaults
A command file can set any option; explicit CLI arguments take precedence over values in the command file