diff --git a/compiler/base/design.py b/compiler/base/design.py
index c8bf3070..f5cc47fb 100644
--- a/compiler/base/design.py
+++ b/compiler/base/design.py
@@ -48,7 +48,10 @@ class design(hierarchy_design):
             self.add_pin_indices(prop.port_indices)
             self.add_pin_names(prop.port_map)
             self.add_pin_types(prop.port_types)
-            
+
+            def debug_writer(self):
+                self.gds_write("/home/jesse/output/direct_rw.gds")
+
             (width, height) = utils.get_libcell_size(self.cell_name,
                                                      GDS["unit"],
                                                      layer[prop.boundary_layer])
@@ -56,7 +59,12 @@ class design(hierarchy_design):
             self.pin_map = utils.get_libcell_pins(self.pins,
                                                   self.cell_name,
                                                   GDS["unit"])
+            import gdsMill
+            reader = self.gds
+            writer = gdsMill.Gds2writer(reader)
+            writer.writeToFile('/home/jesse/output/direct_rw.gds')
 
+            self.gds_write("/home/jesse/output/direct_rw.gds")
             self.width = width
             self.height = height
 
diff --git a/compiler/base/utils.py b/compiler/base/utils.py
index ed016964..c1ac53eb 100644
--- a/compiler/base/utils.py
+++ b/compiler/base/utils.py
@@ -148,12 +148,15 @@ def get_gds_pins(pin_names, name, gds_filename, units):
             cell[str(pin_name)] = []
             pin_list = cell_vlsi.getPinShape(str(pin_name))
             for pin_shape in pin_list:
-                (lpp, boundary) = pin_shape
-                rect = [vector(boundary[0], boundary[1]),
-                        vector(boundary[2], boundary[3])]
-                # this is a list because other cells/designs
-                # may have must-connect pins
-                cell[str(pin_name)].append(pin_layout(pin_name, rect, lpp))
+                if pin_shape != None:
+                    (lpp, boundary) = pin_shape
+                    rect = [vector(boundary[0], boundary[1]),
+                            vector(boundary[2], boundary[3])]
+                    # this is a list because other cells/designs
+                    # may have must-connect pins
+                    if isinstance(lpp[1], list):
+                        lpp = (lpp[0], None)
+                    cell[str(pin_name)].append(pin_layout(pin_name, rect, lpp))
 
         _GDS_PINS_CACHE[k] = cell
         return dict(cell)
diff --git a/compiler/gdsMill/gdsMill/vlsiLayout.py b/compiler/gdsMill/gdsMill/vlsiLayout.py
index bd9968dc..06e4cc66 100644
--- a/compiler/gdsMill/gdsMill/vlsiLayout.py
+++ b/compiler/gdsMill/gdsMill/vlsiLayout.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from datetime import *
 import numpy as np
 import math
 import debug
-
+from tech import use_purpose, no_pin_shape
 
 class VlsiLayout:
     """Class represent a hierarchical layout"""
@@ -215,9 +215,13 @@ class VlsiLayout:
         self.deduceHierarchy()
         # self.traverseTheHierarchy()
         self.populateCoordinateMap()
-
+        #only ones with text
         for layerNumber in self.layerNumbersInUse:
-            self.processLabelPins((layerNumber, None))
+            #if layerNumber not in no_pin_shape:
+                if layerNumber in use_purpose:
+                    self.processLabelPins((layerNumber, use_purpose[layerNumber]))
+                else:
+                    self.processLabelPins((layerNumber, None))
 
     def populateCoordinateMap(self):
         def addToXyTree(startingStructureName = None,transformPath = None):
@@ -903,6 +907,16 @@ def sameLPP(lpp1, lpp2):
     if lpp1[1] == None or lpp2[1] == None:
         return lpp1[0] == lpp2[0]
 
+    if isinstance(lpp1[1], list):
+        for i in range(len(lpp1[1])):
+            if lpp1[0] == lpp2[0] and lpp1[1][i] == lpp2[1]:
+                return True
+
+    if isinstance(lpp2[1], list):
+        for i in range(len(lpp2[1])):
+            if lpp1[0] == lpp2[0] and lpp1[1] == lpp2[1][i]:
+                return True
+
     return lpp1[0] == lpp2[0] and lpp1[1] == lpp2[1]
 
 
diff --git a/technology/freepdk45/tech/tech.py b/technology/freepdk45/tech/tech.py
index 436d2ff4..03cbf2f9 100644
--- a/technology/freepdk45/tech/tech.py
+++ b/technology/freepdk45/tech/tech.py
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ layer["m10"] = (29, 0)
 layer["text"]    = (239, 0)
 layer["boundary"]= (239, 0)
 
+use_purpose = {}
+
 # Layer names for external PDKs
 layer_names = {}
 layer_names["active"]  = "active"
diff --git a/technology/scn3me_subm/tech/tech.py b/technology/scn3me_subm/tech/tech.py
index 0bd12162..018a15da 100755
--- a/technology/scn3me_subm/tech/tech.py
+++ b/technology/scn3me_subm/tech/tech.py
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ layer["text"]           = (63, 0)
 layer["boundary"]       = (63, 0)
 layer["blockage"]       = (83, 0)
 
+use_purpose = {}
 ###################################################
 ##END GDS Layer Map
 ###################################################
diff --git a/technology/scn4m_subm/tech/tech.py b/technology/scn4m_subm/tech/tech.py
index 6591fbbc..8b857eb5 100644
--- a/technology/scn4m_subm/tech/tech.py
+++ b/technology/scn4m_subm/tech/tech.py
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ layer["m4"]         = (31, 0)
 layer["text"]           = (63, 0)
 layer["boundary"]       = (63, 0)
 
+use_purpose = {}
+
 # Layer names for external PDKs
 layer_names = {}
 layer_names["active"]  = "active"