Systems and methods for selection and operation on multiple groups of layout objects via a graphic-based layout editor

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

• presenting a plurality of groups of layout objects in a layout on a display of the host to a user, wherein each group comprises one or more layout objects sharing the same or similar topology in the layout;
• identifying a first section of a first group of one or more layout objects in the layout by recognizing a first single line of directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout, wherein the first single line of cursor movement intersects with the first section of the first group of layout objects;
• identifying a second section of a second group of one or more layout objects in the layout by recognizing a second single line of directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout, wherein the second single line of cursor movement intersects with the second section of the second group of layout objects;
• performing a layout operation on the first section of the first group of layout objects and/or the second section of the second group of layout objects all at once based on retrieved metadata and/or one or more design rules associated with the first and/or second group of layout objects from a layout database;
• presenting the groups of layout objects affected by the layout operation on the display to the user following the layout operation.

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

• present a plurality of groups of layout objects in a layout on a display of the host to a user, wherein each group comprises one or more layout objects sharing the same or similar topology in the layout;
• identify a first section of a first group of one or more layout objects in the layout by recognizing a first single line of directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout, wherein the first single line of cursor movement intersects with the first section of the first group of layout objects;
• identify a second section of a second group of one or more layout objects in the layout by recognizing a second single line of directional and continuous cursor movement by the user across the layout, wherein the second single line of cursor movement intersects with the second section of the second group of layout objects;
• perform a layout operation on the first section of the first group of layout objects and/or the second section of the second group of layout objects all at once based on retrieved metadata and/or one or more design rules associated with the first and/or second group of layout objects from a layout database;
• present the groups of layout objects affected by the layout operation on the display to the user following the layout operation.