---
name: "vcd2lxt2"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "gtkwave"
version: "3.3.128-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vcd2lxt2"
---

# vcd2lxt2(1)

Converts VCD files to LXT2 files

## NAME

vcd2lxt2 - Converts VCD files to LXT2 files

## SYNTAX

vcd2lxt2 \[*option*\]... \[*VCDFILE*\] \[*LXTFILE*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Converts VCD files to LXT2 files.

## OPTIONS

- **-v,--vcdname** \<*filename*\>

  Specify VCD input filename.

- **-l,--lxtname** \<*filename*\>

  Specify LXT2 output filename.

- **-d,--depth** \<*value*\>

  Specify 0..9 gzip compression depth, default is 4.

- **-m,--maxgranule** \<*value*\>

  Specify number of granules per section, default is 8.  One granule is equal to 32 timsteps.

- **-b,--break** \<*value*\>

  Specify break size (default = 0 = off).  When the break size is exceeded, the LXT2 dumper will dump all state information at the next convenient granule plus dictionary boundary.

- **-p,--partialmode** \<*mode*\>

  Specify partial zip mode 0 = monolithic, 1 = separation.  Using a value of 1 expands LXT2 filesize but provides  fast access for very large traces.  Note that the default mode is neither monolithic nor separation: partial zip is disabled.

- **-c,--checkpoint** \<*mode*\>

  Specify checkpoint mode.  0 is on which is default, and 1 is off.  This is disabled when the break size is active.

- **-h,--help**

  Show help screen.

- Note that you should specify dumpfile.vcd directly or use "-" for stdin.

  ## EXAMPLES

- vcd2lxt dumpfile.vcd dumpfile.lxt --depth 9 --break 1073741824

  This sets the compression level to 9 and sets the break size to 1GB.

- vcd2lxt dumpfile.vcd dumpfile.lxt --depth 9 --maxgranule 256

  Allows more granules per section which allows for greater compression.

## LIMITATIONS

*vcd2lxt2* does not store glitches as these are coalesced together into one value change during the writing of the LXT2 file.

## AUTHORS

Anthony Bybell \<bybell@rocketmail.com\>

## SEE ALSO

[*lxt2vcd*(1)](/lxt2vcd/1.md) [*vcd2lxt2*(1)](/vcd2lxt2/1.md) [*gtkwave*(1)](/gtkwave/1.md)