Systems and methods for layout objects selection and replication via a graphic-based layout editor

A computer-implemented method to support layout objects selection and replication, comprising:

• presenting a plurality of layout objects in a layout on a display of the host to a user, wherein each of the layout objects is of certain geometric properties;
• recognizing a directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout along a single line from a starting point to an ending point in the layout, wherein the directed single line of cursor movement intersects with a starting group of one or more layout objects of the plurality of the layout objects in the layout, wherein the directed single line of cursor movement selects the starting group of the one or more layout objects, and wherein the starting group of layout objects share at least some of their geometric properties;
• retrieving metadata and/or one or more design rules associated with the starting group of layout objects from a layout database;
• creating an expanded group of layout objects by simultaneously replicating and including one or more additional layout objects to the starting group of the layout objects along a direction of the directed single line of cursor movement;
• removing certain layout objects from the starting group of layout objects to create a contracted group of layout objects along the direction of the directed single line of cursor movement;
• presenting the expanded group of edited layout objects on the display following the replication operation;
• and
• updating the metadata in response to the creating and removing.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having software instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a system to:

• present a plurality of layout objects in a layout on a display of the host to a user, wherein each of the layout objects is of certain geometric properties;
• recognize a directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout along a single line from a starting point to an ending point in the layout, wherein the directed single line of cursor movement intersects with a starting group of one or more layout objects of the plurality of the layout objects in the layout, wherein the directed single line of cursor movement selects the starting group of the one or more layout objects, and wherein the starting group of layout objects share at least some of their geometric properties;
• retrieve metadata and/or one or more design rules associated with the starting group of layout objects from a layout database;
• create an expanded group of layout objects by simultaneously replicating and including one or more additional layout objects to the starting group of the layout objects along a direction of the directed single line of cursor movement;
• remove certain layout objects from the starting group of layout objects to create a contracted group of layout objects along the direction of the directed single line of cursor movement;
• present the expanded group of edited layout objects on the display following the replication operation;
• and
• update the metadata in response to the creating and removing.