# LinkCAD Documentation

> LinkCAD converts between 26 CAD, CAM, simulation, and image formats including GDSII, OASIS, DXF, DWG, Gerber RS-274X, ODB++, CIF, SVG, STEP, and IGES. This documentation covers installation, usage, file formats, tools, automation, and the Python scripting API.

## Getting Started

- [Getting Started](https://docs.linkcad.com/getting-started/): Overview of setup and first steps
- [Installation](https://docs.linkcad.com/getting-started/installation/): System requirements and installation instructions
- [Quick Start](https://docs.linkcad.com/getting-started/quick-start/): Convert your first file in minutes
- [Registration & Licensing](https://docs.linkcad.com/getting-started/registration/): License activation, transfer, and bundle features

## User Guide

- [User Guide](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/): Core concepts and workflow overview
- [The Conversion Workflow](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/conversion-workflow/): Import, configure, and export steps
- [Working with Layers](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/layers/): Layer naming, filtering, and mapping
- [Layer Maps](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/layer-maps/): Mapping layer names and numbers between formats
- [File Structure Browser](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/file-structure/): Navigating cells, hierarchy, and references
- [Sessions](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/sessions/): Saving and restoring conversion settings
- [Default Settings](https://docs.linkcad.com/user-guide/default-settings/): Global preferences and format defaults

## Viewer

- [Viewer](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/): Interactive geometry viewer overview
- [Zooming & Panning](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/zooming-panning/): Navigation controls and shortcuts
- [Measuring](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/measuring/): Distance, area, and coordinate measurement
- [Display Modes](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/display-modes/): Outline, filled, and X-ray rendering
- [Broken Polylines](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/broken-polylines/): Detecting and highlighting open polylines
- [Hierarchy Navigation](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/hierarchy/): Drilling into cell references
- [Performance](https://docs.linkcad.com/viewer/performance/): Hardware acceleration and large file tips

## File Formats

- [File Formats](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/): All supported formats overview
- [GDSII](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/gdsii/): GDSII stream format (import and export)
- [OASIS](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/oasis/): OASIS compressed layout format (import and export)
- [DXF](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/dxf/): AutoCAD DXF (import and export)
- [DWG](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/dwg/): AutoCAD DWG binary format (import and export)
- [Gerber RS-274X](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/gerber/): PCB photoplotter format (import and export)
- [ODB++](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/odbpp/): PCB manufacturing data format (import and export)
- [CIF](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/cif/): Caltech Intermediate Form (import and export)
- [SVG](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/svg/): Scalable Vector Graphics (import and export)
- [STEP](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/step/): STEP 3D/2D exchange format (import and export)
- [IGES](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/iges/): Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (import and export)
- [PDF & PostScript](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/pdf-postscript/): PDF and PostScript export
- [ACIS SAT](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/acis/): ACIS solid model format
- [ANF](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/anf/): Artwork Netlist Format
- [ASCII Text](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/ascii/): Plain-text coordinate format
- [Binary Die Format](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/bdf/): BDF binary format
- [Bitmap Images](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/bitmap/): PNG, BMP, TIFF raster export
- [Compass](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/compass/): Compass EDA format
- [DBSF](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/dbsf/): DBSF format
- [GDS-TXT](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/gdstxt/): Human-readable GDSII text form
- [IE3D](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/ie3d/): IE3D EM simulation format
- [LASI TLC](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/lasi-tlc/): LASI layout format
- [Modla](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/modla/): Modla format
- [Parasolid XT](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/parasolid/): Parasolid transmit format
- [Sonnet](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/sonnet/): Sonnet EM geometry format
- [TETIN](https://docs.linkcad.com/formats/tetin/): TETIN mesh format

## Tools

- [Tools](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/): All built-in geometry processing tools
- [Shape Operations](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/): Per-shape geometry processors
- [Explode to Polygons](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/explode-to-polygons/): Convert shapes to simple polygons
- [Repair Open Polylines](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/repair-open-polylines/): Close gaps in open polylines
- [Join Polylines](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/join-polylines/): Merge end-to-end polyline segments
- [Convert Quasi-Circles](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/convert-quasi-circles/): Replace polygon approximations with true circles
- [Convert Quasi-Arcs](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/convert-quasi-arcs/): Replace polygon approximations with true arcs
- [Detect Arc Segments](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/detect-arc-segments/): Identify arc-like polygon segments
- [Force Clockwise](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/force-clockwise/): Normalize polygon winding order
- [Remove Duplicates](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/remove-duplicates/): Delete identical overlapping shapes
- [Sanitize Polygons](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/shape-operations/sanitize-polygons/): Fix self-intersecting and degenerate polygons
- [Boolean Operations](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/): Layer-level set operations
- [Merge Overlapping](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/merge-overlapping/): Union all overlapping shapes on a layer
- [Merge Hole Output Modes](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/merge-hole-modes/): Compare cut-line, sliced, and extracted-hole representations
- [De-embed Polygons](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/de-embed/): Remove polygons contained inside others
- [Extract Holes](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/extract-holes/): Subtract inner rings to create holes
- [Layer Boolean](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/layer-boolean/): Boolean operation between two layers
- [File Boolean](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/file-boolean/): Boolean operation between two files
- [Layer Mask](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/boolean-operations/layer-mask/): Clip a layer to a mask layer
- [Drawing Operations](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/): Whole-drawing transformations
- [Flatten Hierarchy](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/flatten/): Inline all cell references
- [Merge File](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/merge-file/): Import a second design into the current drawing
- [Crop to Bounds](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/crop/): Clip all geometry to a bounding box
- [Move Origin](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/move-origin/): Shift all coordinates by an offset
- [Align to Grid](https://docs.linkcad.com/tools/drawing-operations/align-to-grid/): Snap vertices to a grid resolution

## Automation

- [Automation](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/): Scripted and headless conversion overview
- [Command-Line Interface](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/cli/): Full CLI reference for batch and CI use
- [Batch Mode](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/batch/): Run multiple conversions in one session
- [Command Files](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/config-files/): Saved option sets for repeatable workflows
- [Layer Maps](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/layer-maps/): Layer mapping files for CLI use
- [Units](https://docs.linkcad.com/automation/units/): Specifying units on the command line

## Python Scripting API

- [Python Scripting](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/): Embedded Python overview and features
- [Setup & Requirements](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/setup/): Plugin location, Python version, API versioning
- [Your First Script](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/tutorial-first-script/): Hello World and drawing inspection
- [Writing a Tool Plugin](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/tutorial-tool-plugin/): Menu-integrated tools with options dialog
- [Writing a Format Plugin](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/tutorial-format-plugin/): Custom import/export format support
- [Panel Assembly Tutorial](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/tutorial-panel-assembly/): Advanced real-world panelization example
- [API Reference](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/): All Python API modules
- [linkcad.v1.plugin](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/plugin/): Plugin framework — @tool(), @format_reader(), @format_writer(), Option, TableColumn
- [linkcad.v1.db](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/db/): Drawing database — Drawing, Cell, Layer, Polygon, Polyline, Ref, Transaction
- [linkcad.v1.geom](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/geom/): Geometry — Point, Vector, Bounds, Transformation, Angle, Resolution
- [linkcad.v1.edit](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/edit/): Geometry tasks — MergeTask, FlattenTask, SnapToGridTask, ExplodeToPolygonTask
- [linkcad.v1.env](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/env/): Options and logging — get_option_boolean, EventLog, Severity
- [linkcad.v1.conv](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/conv/): File conversion — Conversion, Conversions, FormatRegistry
- [linkcad.v1.libgraph](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/libgraph/): Boolean geometry — boolean_and, boolean_or, boolean_difference, ShapeProcessor
- [linkcad.v1.controller](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/api/controller/): High-level conversion controller — ConversionController
- [Option Types Reference](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/reference/option-types/): integer, real, boolean, string, choice, path, color, table, cell_choice
- [Tool Decorator Reference](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/reference/tool-decorator/): @tool() parameters and Tool base class
- [Format Decorators Reference](https://docs.linkcad.com/python/reference/format-decorators/): @format_reader(), @format_writer(), FormatReader, FormatWriter

## Rust Plugin API

- [Rust Plugin API](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/): Native Rust plugin API for custom import and export formats
- [Getting Started with Rust Plugins](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/getting-started/): Minimal Rust reader plugin setup and registration pattern
- [Rust API Reference](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/): Overview of lc-plugin modules, traits, and plugin lifecycles
- [Rust Core Traits and Registration](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/lib/): Reader, Writer, FormatDescriptor, plugin registration macros, and shared enums
- [Rust Format Metadata](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/format/): Format, FormatAttributes, and format capability descriptors
- [Rust DrawingBuilder](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/builder/): Import-side cell, layer, shape, text, reference, progress, and logging API
- [Rust WriterController](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/writer_ctrl/): Export-side layer/cell/font enumeration, rendering, transforms, progress, and logging API
- [Rust Entity Wrappers](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/entity/): Read-only polygon, polyline, arc, ellipse, donut, NURBS, text, reference, layer, and cell wrappers
- [Rust Dialog Specification](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/dialog/): Declarative host-rendered options dialogs and widget model
- [Rust Options](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/options/): Typed persistent plugin option registration, getters, and setters
- [Rust Drawing Helpers](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/drawing/): Reader post-processing helpers for layer boolean, polarity merging, destroy, and rename operations
- [Rust Event Logging](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/log/): EventLog and Severity for import/export diagnostics
- [Rust Source Inspection](https://docs.linkcad.com/rust/api/inspect/): SourceInspector, SourceMeta, and dynamic dialog metadata lists

## Reference

- [CLI Parameters](https://docs.linkcad.com/reference/cli-parameters/): Complete command-line parameter listing
- [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://docs.linkcad.com/reference/keyboard-shortcuts/): All keyboard shortcuts
- [Glossary](https://docs.linkcad.com/reference/glossary/): Key terms and definitions
- [License Bundles](https://docs.linkcad.com/reference/license-bundles/): Feature availability by license tier

## Support

- [FAQ](https://docs.linkcad.com/faq/): Frequently asked questions
- [Troubleshooting](https://docs.linkcad.com/troubleshooting/): Common issues and solutions
- [Changelog](https://docs.linkcad.com/changelog/): Release history and what's new