Viewing Messages and Logs

The Efinity software has several methods for viewing messages and log entries that result from the compilation flow.

Console

The Console provides verbose messages and reports for all aspects of the tool flow. Additionally, it functions as the Tcl message console when you turn on the Tcl Command Console.

  • You can clear the Console and remove all messages.
  • You can prevent the Console from scrolling when the tool issues new messages.
  • You can enable/disable text and background color (Efinity software v2024.1 and higher).

The Console supports output in color. Info, warning, and error messages are highlighed in different colors (blue, purple, and red, respectively). To turn color on or off, use Accessibility > Console Color. You can also turn on a dark mode for the Console background using Accessibility > Console Dark Theme.

If you are running the Efinity software at the command line, the output is also in color by default. Use these environment variables to control the output color:
  • Use color—EFINITY_COLOR_PRINTING=1
  • Do not use color—EFINITY_COLOR_PRINTING=0
Tip: It can be hard to find specific messages in the Console as they scroll by. Instead, use the Message Browser or Log Browser to see specific messages like warnings and errors. Additionally, you can use the Search button in the Console to jump to a specific string.

Message Browser

The Message Browser gives synthesis-specific messages that result when you elaborate the netlist.

Timing Browser

The Timing Browser shows the critical paths in your design. Refer to Analyzing Timing for more details.

Log Browser

The Log Browser gives you a way to sort and browse through all of the messages resulting from the compilation flow. It shows some of the same content as the Console (the Console is more verbose). You can filter by where the message appeared in the flow (synthesis, placement, routing, programming) and the type of message (info, warning, or error). The Log Browser lets you search messages using keywords or regular expressions.