diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepEdgePairs.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepEdgePairs.cc
index 123c72050..316da3271 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepEdgePairs.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepEdgePairs.cc
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ DeepEdgePairs::DeepEdgePairs (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &
 }
 
 DeepEdgePairs::DeepEdgePairs (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &dss, const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
-  : AsIfFlatEdgePairs (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_edge_pair_layer (si))
+  : AsIfFlatEdgePairs (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_edge_pair_layer (si, trans))
 {
-  tl_assert (trans.is_unity ()); // TODO: implement
+  //  .. nothing yet ..
 }
 
 DeepEdgePairs::DeepEdgePairs (const DeepEdgePairs &other)
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepEdges.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepEdges.cc
index 6363e8ddc..29977a324 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepEdges.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepEdges.cc
@@ -102,11 +102,9 @@ DeepEdges::DeepEdges (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &dss, boo
 }
 
 DeepEdges::DeepEdges (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &dss, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, bool as_edges, bool merged_semantics)
-  : AsIfFlatEdges (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_edge_layer (si, as_edges)), m_merged_edges ()
+  : AsIfFlatEdges (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_edge_layer (si, as_edges, trans)), m_merged_edges ()
 {
   init ();
-
-  tl_assert (trans.is_unity ()); // TODO: implement
   set_merged_semantics (merged_semantics);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
index ce1b5a6e0..9e0f34f90 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
@@ -108,11 +108,9 @@ DeepRegion::DeepRegion (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &dss, d
 }
 
 DeepRegion::DeepRegion (const RecursiveShapeIterator &si, DeepShapeStore &dss, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, bool merged_semantics, double area_ratio, size_t max_vertex_count)
-  : AsIfFlatRegion (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_polygon_layer (si, area_ratio, max_vertex_count)), m_merged_polygons ()
+  : AsIfFlatRegion (), m_deep_layer (dss.create_polygon_layer (si, area_ratio, max_vertex_count, trans)), m_merged_polygons ()
 {
   init ();
-
-  tl_assert (trans.is_unity ()); // TODO: implement
   set_merged_semantics (merged_semantics);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
index 2d43f7e8c..4bb5fb661 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ DeepLayer::check_dss () const
 
 struct DeepShapeStore::LayoutHolder
 {
-  LayoutHolder ()
-    : refs (0), layout (false), builder (&layout)
+  LayoutHolder (const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
+    : refs (0), layout (false), builder (&layout, trans)
   {
     //  .. nothing yet ..
   }
@@ -364,22 +364,22 @@ void DeepShapeStore::remove_ref (unsigned int layout, unsigned int layer)
 }
 
 unsigned int
-DeepShapeStore::layout_for_iter (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si)
+DeepShapeStore::layout_for_iter (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
 {
-  layout_map_type::iterator l = m_layout_map.find (si);
+  layout_map_type::iterator l = m_layout_map.find (std::make_pair (si, trans));
   if (l == m_layout_map.end ()) {
 
     unsigned int layout_index = (unsigned int) m_layouts.size ();
 
-    m_layouts.push_back (new LayoutHolder ());
+    m_layouts.push_back (new LayoutHolder (trans));
 
     db::Layout &layout = m_layouts.back ()->layout;
     layout.hier_changed_event.add (this, &DeepShapeStore::invalidate_hier);
     if (si.layout ()) {
-      layout.dbu (si.layout ()->dbu ());
+      layout.dbu (si.layout ()->dbu () / trans.mag ());
     }
 
-    m_layout_map[si] = layout_index;
+    m_layout_map[std::make_pair (si, trans)] = layout_index;
     return layout_index;
 
   } else {
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ DeepShapeStore::layout_for_iter (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si)
   }
 }
 
-DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, double max_area_ratio, size_t max_vertex_count)
+DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, double max_area_ratio, size_t max_vertex_count, const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
 {
   if (max_area_ratio == 0.0) {
     max_area_ratio = m_max_area_ratio;
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator
     max_vertex_count = m_max_vertex_count;
   }
 
-  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si);
+  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si, trans);
 
   db::Layout &layout = m_layouts[layout_index]->layout;
   db::HierarchyBuilder &builder = m_layouts[layout_index]->builder;
@@ -426,9 +426,9 @@ DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator
   return DeepLayer (this, layout_index, layer_index);
 }
 
-DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_edge_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, bool as_edges)
+DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_edge_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, bool as_edges, const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
 {
-  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si);
+  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si, trans);
 
   db::Layout &layout = m_layouts[layout_index]->layout;
   db::HierarchyBuilder &builder = m_layouts[layout_index]->builder;
@@ -456,9 +456,9 @@ DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_edge_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &s
   return DeepLayer (this, layout_index, layer_index);
 }
 
-DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_edge_pair_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si)
+DeepLayer DeepShapeStore::create_edge_pair_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, const db::ICplxTrans &trans)
 {
-  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si);
+  unsigned int layout_index = layout_for_iter (si, trans);
 
   db::Layout &layout = m_layouts[layout_index]->layout;
   db::HierarchyBuilder &builder = m_layouts[layout_index]->builder;
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.h b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.h
index cc6df29e1..0ea2bba60 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.h
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.h
@@ -201,9 +201,13 @@ private:
 
 struct DB_PUBLIC RecursiveShapeIteratorCompareForTargetHierarchy
 {
-  bool operator () (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &a, const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &b) const
+  bool operator () (const std::pair<db::RecursiveShapeIterator, db::ICplxTrans> &a, const std::pair<db::RecursiveShapeIterator, db::ICplxTrans> &b) const
   {
-    return db::compare_iterators_with_respect_to_target_hierarchy (a, b) < 0;
+    int cmp_iter = db::compare_iterators_with_respect_to_target_hierarchy (a.first, b.first);
+    if (cmp_iter != 0) {
+      return cmp_iter < 0;
+    }
+    return a.second < b.second;
   }
 };
 
@@ -257,7 +261,7 @@ public:
    *  into parts satisfying the area ratio (bounding box vs. polygon area)
    *  and maximum vertex count constraints.
    */
-  DeepLayer create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, double max_area_ratio = 0.0, size_t max_vertex_count = 0);
+  DeepLayer create_polygon_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, double max_area_ratio = 0.0, size_t max_vertex_count = 0, const ICplxTrans &trans = db::ICplxTrans ());
 
   /**
    *  @brief Inserts an edge layer into the deep shape store
@@ -270,7 +274,7 @@ public:
    *  only edge objects are taken from the shape iterator. Note that the shape iterator
    *  must be configured to deliver all shape types if "as_edges" is true.
    */
-  DeepLayer create_edge_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, bool as_edges);
+  DeepLayer create_edge_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, bool as_edges, const ICplxTrans &trans = db::ICplxTrans ());
 
   /**
    *  @brief Inserts an edge pair layer into the deep shape store
@@ -279,7 +283,7 @@ public:
    *  working copy of the original layer. This method creates a layer
    *  for edge pairs.
    */
-  DeepLayer create_edge_pair_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si);
+  DeepLayer create_edge_pair_layer (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, const ICplxTrans &trans = db::ICplxTrans ());
 
   /**
    *  @brief Inserts the deep layer's shapes into some target layout
@@ -522,13 +526,13 @@ private:
   void add_ref (unsigned int layout, unsigned int layer);
   void remove_ref (unsigned int layout, unsigned int layer);
 
-  unsigned int layout_for_iter (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si);
+  unsigned int layout_for_iter (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &si, const db::ICplxTrans &trans);
 
   void require_singular () const;
 
   void issue_variants (unsigned int layout, const std::map<db::cell_index_type, std::map<db::ICplxTrans, db::cell_index_type> > &var_map);
 
-  typedef std::map<db::RecursiveShapeIterator, unsigned int, RecursiveShapeIteratorCompareForTargetHierarchy> layout_map_type;
+  typedef std::map<std::pair<db::RecursiveShapeIterator, db::ICplxTrans>, unsigned int, RecursiveShapeIteratorCompareForTargetHierarchy> layout_map_type;
 
   //  no copying
   DeepShapeStore (const DeepShapeStore &);
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
index 65206e91a..a9e239d88 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
@@ -135,14 +135,14 @@ static std::pair<bool, std::set<db::Box> > compute_clip_variant (const db::Box &
   return std::make_pair (true, clip_variant);
 }
 
-HierarchyBuilder::HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, unsigned int target_layer, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe)
-  : mp_target (target), m_initial_pass (true), m_cm_new_entry (false), m_target_layer (target_layer)
+HierarchyBuilder::HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, unsigned int target_layer, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe)
+  : mp_target (target), m_initial_pass (true), m_cm_new_entry (false), m_target_layer (target_layer), m_trans (trans)
 {
   set_shape_receiver (pipe);
 }
 
-HierarchyBuilder::HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe)
-  : mp_target (target), m_initial_pass (true), m_cm_new_entry (false), m_target_layer (0)
+HierarchyBuilder::HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe)
+  : mp_target (target), m_initial_pass (true), m_cm_new_entry (false), m_target_layer (0), m_trans (trans)
 {
   set_shape_receiver (pipe);
 }
@@ -283,6 +283,7 @@ HierarchyBuilder::new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellIn
     if (m_cell_stack.back ().first) {
       db::CellInstArray new_inst (inst, &mp_target->array_repository ());
       new_inst.object () = db::CellInst (m_cm_entry->second);
+      new_inst.transform_into (m_trans);
       for (std::vector<db::Cell *>::const_iterator c = m_cell_stack.back ().second.begin (); c != m_cell_stack.back ().second.end (); ++c) {
         (*c)->insert (new_inst);
       }
@@ -332,6 +333,7 @@ HierarchyBuilder::new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db:
     //  for a new cell, create this instance
     if (m_cell_stack.back ().first) {
       db::CellInstArray new_inst (db::CellInst (m_cm_entry->second), trans);
+      new_inst.transform_into (m_trans);
       for (std::vector<db::Cell *>::const_iterator c = m_cell_stack.back ().second.begin (); c != m_cell_stack.back ().second.end (); ++c) {
         (*c)->insert (new_inst);
       }
@@ -347,7 +349,7 @@ HierarchyBuilder::shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shap
 {
   for (std::vector<db::Cell *>::const_iterator c = m_cell_stack.back ().second.begin (); c != m_cell_stack.back ().second.end (); ++c) {
     db::Shapes &shapes = (*c)->shapes (m_target_layer);
-    mp_pipe->push (shape, region, complex_region, &shapes);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape, m_trans, region, complex_region, &shapes);
   }
 }
 
@@ -360,54 +362,54 @@ ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (Hi
 }
 
 void
-ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   static db::Box world = db::Box::world ();
 
   if (region == world || is_inside (shape.bbox (), region, complex_region)) {
 
-    mp_pipe->push (shape, world, 0, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape, trans, world, 0, target);
 
   } else if (! is_outside (shape.bbox (), region, complex_region)) {
 
     //  clip the shape if required
     if (shape.is_text () || shape.is_edge () || shape.is_edge_pair ()) {
-      mp_pipe->push (shape, world, 0, target);
+      mp_pipe->push (shape, trans, world, 0, target);
     } else if (shape.is_box ()) {
-      insert_clipped (shape.box (), region, complex_region, target);
+      insert_clipped (shape.box (), trans, region, complex_region, target);
     } else if (shape.is_polygon () || shape.is_simple_polygon () || shape.is_path ()) {
       db::Polygon poly;
       shape.polygon (poly);
-      insert_clipped (poly, region, complex_region, target);
+      insert_clipped (poly, trans, region, complex_region, target);
     }
 
   }
 }
 
 void
-ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   static db::Box world = db::Box::world ();
 
   if (! complex_region) {
     db::Box r = shape & region;
     if (! r.empty()) {
-      mp_pipe->push (r, world, 0, target);
+      mp_pipe->push (r, trans, world, 0, target);
     }
   } else {
-    insert_clipped (shape, region, complex_region, target);
+    insert_clipped (shape, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   }
 }
 
 void
-ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   static db::Box world = db::Box::world ();
 
   if (region == world || (shape.box ().inside (region) && ! complex_region)) {
-    mp_pipe->push (shape, world, 0, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape, trans, world, 0, target);
   } else {
-    insert_clipped (shape, region, complex_region, target);
+    insert_clipped (shape, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   }
 }
 
@@ -465,22 +467,22 @@ ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::is_outside (const db::Box &box, const db:
 }
 
 void
-ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::insert_clipped (const db::Box &box, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::insert_clipped (const db::Box &box, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   db::Box bb = box & region;
   static db::Box world = db::Box::world ();
 
   if (complex_region) {
     for (db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type::overlapping_iterator cr = complex_region->begin_overlapping (bb, db::box_convert<db::Box> ()); ! cr.at_end (); ++cr) {
-      mp_pipe->push (*cr & bb, world, 0, target);
+      mp_pipe->push (*cr & bb, trans, world, 0, target);
     }
   } else {
-    mp_pipe->push (bb, world, 0, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (bb, trans, world, 0, target);
   }
 }
 
 void
-ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::insert_clipped (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::insert_clipped (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   std::vector<db::Polygon> clipped_poly;
   static db::Box world = db::Box::world ();
@@ -495,7 +497,7 @@ ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::insert_clipped (const db::Polygon &poly,
   }
 
   for (std::vector<db::Polygon>::const_iterator p = clipped_poly.begin (); p != clipped_poly.end (); ++p) {
-    mp_pipe->push (*p, world, 0, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (*p, trans, world, 0, target);
   }
 }
 
@@ -508,44 +510,44 @@ ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (Hi
 }
 
 void
-ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (shape.is_text () || shape.is_edge () || shape.is_edge_pair ()) {
-    mp_pipe->push (shape, region, complex_region, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   } else if (shape.is_box ()) {
-    mp_pipe->push (shape.box (), region, complex_region, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape.box (), trans, region, complex_region, target);
   } else if (shape.is_polygon () || shape.is_simple_polygon () || shape.is_path ()) {
     db::Polygon poly;
     shape.polygon (poly);
-    reduce (poly, region, complex_region, target);
+    reduce (poly, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   }
 }
 
 void
-ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
-  mp_pipe->push (shape, region, complex_region, target);
+  mp_pipe->push (shape, trans, region, complex_region, target);
 }
 
 void
-ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
-  reduce (shape, region, complex_region, target);
+  reduce (shape, trans, region, complex_region, target);
 }
 
 void
-ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::reduce (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::reduce (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (poly.vertices () > m_max_vertex_count || poly.area_ratio () > m_area_ratio) {
 
     std::vector <db::Polygon> split_polygons;
     db::split_polygon (poly, split_polygons);
     for (std::vector <db::Polygon>::const_iterator sp = split_polygons.begin (); sp != split_polygons.end (); ++sp) {
-      reduce (*sp, region, complex_region, target);
+      reduce (*sp, trans, region, complex_region, target);
     }
 
   } else {
-    mp_pipe->push (poly, region, complex_region, target);
+    mp_pipe->push (poly, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   }
 }
 
@@ -560,17 +562,23 @@ PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderS
   }
 }
 
-void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (shape.is_box () || shape.is_polygon () || shape.is_simple_polygon () || shape.is_path ()) {
 
     db::Polygon poly;
     shape.polygon (poly);
+    if (! trans.is_unity ()) {
+      poly.transform (trans);
+    }
     target->insert (db::PolygonRef (poly, mp_layout->shape_repository ()));
 
   } else if (shape.is_text () && m_text_enlargement >= 0) {
 
     db::Polygon poly (shape.text_trans () * db::Box (-m_text_enlargement, -m_text_enlargement, m_text_enlargement, m_text_enlargement));
+    if (! trans.is_unity ()) {
+      poly.transform (trans);
+    }
     db::PolygonRef pref (poly, mp_layout->shape_repository ());
 
     if (m_make_text_prop) {
@@ -588,14 +596,14 @@ void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape
   }
 }
 
-void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
 {
-  target->insert (db::PolygonRef (db::Polygon (shape), mp_layout->shape_repository ()));
+  target->insert (db::PolygonRef (db::Polygon (shape.transformed (trans)), mp_layout->shape_repository ()));
 }
 
-void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+void PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
 {
-  target->insert (db::PolygonRef (shape, mp_layout->shape_repository ()));
+  target->insert (db::PolygonRef (shape.transformed (trans), mp_layout->shape_repository ()));
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -606,34 +614,34 @@ EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeRece
   //  .. nothing yet ..
 }
 
-void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
+void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (m_as_edges && (shape.is_polygon () || shape.is_simple_polygon () || shape.is_path ())) {
     db::Polygon poly;
     shape.polygon (poly);
-    push (poly, region, complex_region, target);
+    push (poly, trans, region, complex_region, target);
   } else if (m_as_edges && shape.is_box ()) {
-    push (shape.box (), region, complex_region, target);
+    push (shape.box (), trans, region, complex_region, target);
   } else if (shape.is_edge ()) {
     target->insert (shape.edge ());
   }
 }
 
-void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &box, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Box &box, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (m_as_edges && ! box.empty ()) {
-    target->insert (db::Edge (box.p1 (), box.upper_left ()));
-    target->insert (db::Edge (box.upper_left (), box.p2 ()));
-    target->insert (db::Edge (box.p2 (), box.lower_right ()));
-    target->insert (db::Edge (box.lower_right (), box.p1 ()));
+    target->insert (db::Edge (box.p1 (), box.upper_left ()).transformed (trans));
+    target->insert (db::Edge (box.upper_left (), box.p2 ()).transformed (trans));
+    target->insert (db::Edge (box.p2 (), box.lower_right ()).transformed (trans));
+    target->insert (db::Edge (box.lower_right (), box.p1 ()).transformed (trans));
   }
 }
 
-void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+void EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (m_as_edges) {
     for (db::Polygon::polygon_edge_iterator e = poly.begin_edge (); ! e.at_end (); ++e) {
-      target->insert (*e);
+      target->insert ((*e).transformed (trans));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -645,10 +653,10 @@ EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderS
   //  .. nothing yet ..
 }
 
-void EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box & /*region*/, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, db::Shapes *target)
+void EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver::push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, db::Shapes *target)
 {
   if (shape.is_edge_pair ()) {
-    target->insert (shape.edge_pair ());
+    target->insert (shape.edge_pair ().transformed (trans));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
index 747a44819..a42e251bc 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
+++ b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ public:
   HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver () { }
   virtual ~HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver () { }
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target) = 0;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -69,19 +69,29 @@ class DB_PUBLIC HierarchyBuilderShapeInserter
 public:
   HierarchyBuilderShapeInserter () { }
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
   {
-    target->insert (shape);
+    tl::ident_map<db::Layout::properties_id_type> pm;
+    target->insert (shape, trans, pm);
   }
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
   {
-    target->insert (shape);
+    if (trans.is_ortho ()) {
+      target->insert (shape.transformed (trans));
+    } else {
+      db::Polygon poly (shape);
+      target->insert (poly.transformed (trans));
+    }
   }
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target)
   {
-    target->insert (shape);
+    if (trans.is_unity ()) {
+      target->insert (shape);
+    } else {
+      target->insert (shape.transformed (trans));
+    }
   }
 };
 
@@ -94,13 +104,13 @@ class DB_PUBLIC ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver
 public:
   ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0);
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
 
 private:
-  void insert_clipped (const db::Box &box, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
-  void insert_clipped (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
+  void insert_clipped (const db::Box &box, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
+  void insert_clipped (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
   static bool is_inside (const db::Box &box, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region);
   static bool is_outside (const db::Box &box, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region);
 
@@ -116,12 +126,12 @@ class DB_PUBLIC ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver
 public:
   ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0, double area_ratio = 3.0, size_t max_vertex_count = 16);
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
 
 private:
-  void reduce (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
+  void reduce (const db::Polygon &poly, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *complex_region, db::Shapes *target);
 
   HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *mp_pipe;
   double m_area_ratio;
@@ -137,9 +147,9 @@ class DB_PUBLIC PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver
 public:
   PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (db::Layout *layout, int text_enlargement = -1, const tl::Variant &text_prop_name = tl::Variant ());
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
 
 private:
   db::Layout *mp_layout;
@@ -157,9 +167,9 @@ class DB_PUBLIC EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver
 public:
   EdgeBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver (bool as_edges);
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
 
 private:
   bool m_as_edges;
@@ -174,9 +184,9 @@ class DB_PUBLIC EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver
 public:
   EdgePairBuildingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver ();
 
-  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
-  virtual void push (const db::Box &, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *) { }
-  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *) { }
+  virtual void push (const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *target);
+  virtual void push (const db::Box &, const db::ICplxTrans &, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *) { }
+  virtual void push (const db::Polygon &, const db::ICplxTrans &, const db::Box &, const db::RecursiveShapeReceiver::box_tree_type *, db::Shapes *) { }
 };
 
 /**
@@ -203,8 +213,8 @@ public:
   typedef std::map<db::cell_index_type, std::vector<db::cell_index_type> > original_target_to_variants_map_type;
   typedef std::map<db::cell_index_type, db::cell_index_type> variant_to_original_target_map_type;
 
-  HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, unsigned int target_layer, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0);
-  HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0);
+  HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, unsigned int target_layer, const db::ICplxTrans &trans = db::ICplxTrans (), HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0);
+  HierarchyBuilder (db::Layout *target, const db::ICplxTrans &trans = db::ICplxTrans (), HierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver *pipe = 0);
   virtual ~HierarchyBuilder ();
 
   /**
@@ -306,6 +316,8 @@ private:
   unsigned int m_target_layer;
   std::vector<std::pair<bool, std::vector<db::Cell *> > > m_cell_stack;
   db::Cell *mp_initial_cell;
+
+  db::ICplxTrans m_trans;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/src/db/unit_tests/dbDeepRegionTests.cc b/src/db/unit_tests/dbDeepRegionTests.cc
index 8f10a29e1..365fb797c 100644
--- a/src/db/unit_tests/dbDeepRegionTests.cc
+++ b/src/db/unit_tests/dbDeepRegionTests.cc
@@ -1135,6 +1135,49 @@ TEST(21_Processors)
   db::compare_layouts (_this, target, tl::testsrc () + "/testdata/algo/deep_region_au21.gds");
 }
 
+TEST(22_TwoLayoutsWithDifferentDBU)
+{
+  db::Layout ly1;
+  {
+    std::string fn (tl::testsrc ());
+    fn += "/testdata/algo/deep_region_area_peri_l1.gds";
+    tl::InputStream stream (fn);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (ly1);
+  }
+
+  db::cell_index_type top_cell_index1 = *ly1.begin_top_down ();
+  db::Cell &top_cell1 = ly1.cell (top_cell_index1);
+
+  db::Layout ly2;
+  {
+    std::string fn (tl::testsrc ());
+    fn += "/testdata/algo/deep_region_area_peri_l1_dbu2.gds";
+    tl::InputStream stream (fn);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (ly2);
+  }
+
+  db::cell_index_type top_cell_index2 = *ly2.begin_top_down ();
+  db::Cell &top_cell2 = ly2.cell (top_cell_index2);
+
+  db::DeepShapeStore dss;
+
+  unsigned int l11 = ly1.get_layer (db::LayerProperties (1, 0));
+  db::Region r11 (db::RecursiveShapeIterator (ly1, top_cell1, l11), dss);
+
+  unsigned int l12 = ly2.get_layer (db::LayerProperties (2, 0));
+  db::Region r12 (db::RecursiveShapeIterator (ly2, top_cell2, l12), dss, db::ICplxTrans (ly2.dbu () / ly1.dbu ()));
+
+  db::Layout target;
+  unsigned int target_top_cell_index = target.add_cell (ly1.cell_name (top_cell_index1));
+
+  target.insert (target_top_cell_index, target.get_layer (db::LayerProperties (1, 0)), r11.sized (1000) ^ r12);
+
+  CHECKPOINT();
+  db::compare_layouts (_this, target, tl::testsrc () + "/testdata/algo/deep_region_au22.gds");
+}
+
 TEST(100_Integration)
 {
   db::Layout ly;
diff --git a/src/db/unit_tests/dbHierarchyBuilderTests.cc b/src/db/unit_tests/dbHierarchyBuilderTests.cc
index c5eb117ca..9bc86b860 100644
--- a/src/db/unit_tests/dbHierarchyBuilderTests.cc
+++ b/src/db/unit_tests/dbHierarchyBuilderTests.cc
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ TEST(2_WithClip)
 
   db::Layout target;
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip;
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ TEST(2_WithClipAndSimplification)
   db::Layout target;
   db::ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver red(0, 1.2, 4);
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip(&red);
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ TEST(2_WithClipAndRefGeneration)
   db::Layout target;
   db::PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver ref(&target);
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip(&ref);
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ TEST(2_WithEmptyResult)
   db::Layout target;
   db::PolygonReferenceHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver ref(&target);
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip(&ref);
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ TEST(2_WithClipAndSimplificationAndEmptyLayer)
   db::Layout target;
   db::ReducingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver red(0, 1.2, 4);
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip(&red);
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ TEST(3_ComplexRegionWithClip)
 
   db::Layout target;
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip;
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ TEST(4_ComplexRegionAndLayoutWithClip)
 
   db::Layout target;
   db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip;
-  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, &clip);
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (), &clip);
 
   db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
 
@@ -620,3 +620,76 @@ TEST(7_DetachFromOriginalLayout)
   db::compare_layouts (_this, target, tl::testsrc () + "/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au_l5.gds");
 }
 
+TEST(8a_SimpleWithTrans)
+{
+  db::Layout ly;
+  {
+    std::string fn (tl::testsrc ());
+    fn += "/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_l1.gds";
+    tl::InputStream stream (fn);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (ly);
+  }
+
+  db::Layout target;
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (2.0, 45.0, false, db::Vector ()));
+
+  for (db::Layout::layer_iterator li = ly.begin_layers (); li != ly.end_layers (); ++li) {
+
+    unsigned int li1 = (*li).first;
+    unsigned int target_layer = target.insert_layer (*(*li).second);
+    builder.set_target_layer (target_layer);
+
+    db::cell_index_type top_cell_index = *ly.begin_top_down ();
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter (ly, ly.cell (top_cell_index), li1);
+
+    iter.push (&builder);
+
+  }
+
+  CHECKPOINT();
+  db::compare_layouts (_this, target, tl::testsrc () + "/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8a.gds");
+}
+
+TEST(8b_ComplexRegionWithTransformation)
+{
+  db::Layout ly;
+  {
+    std::string fn (tl::testsrc ());
+    fn += "/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_l2.gds";
+    tl::InputStream stream (fn);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (ly);
+  }
+
+  db::Layout target;
+  db::ClippingHierarchyBuilderShapeReceiver clip;
+  db::HierarchyBuilder builder (&target, db::ICplxTrans (2.0, 45.0, false, db::Vector ()), &clip);
+
+  db::cell_index_type target_top = target.add_cell ("CLIP_TOP");
+
+  for (db::Layout::layer_iterator li = ly.begin_layers (); li != ly.end_layers (); ++li) {
+
+    builder.reset ();
+
+    unsigned int li1 = (*li).first;
+    unsigned int target_layer = target.insert_layer (*(*li).second);
+    builder.set_target_layer (target_layer);
+
+    db::cell_index_type top_cell_index = *ly.begin_top_down ();
+    db::Region reg;
+    reg.insert (db::Box (5000, 13000, 18500, 20000));
+    reg.insert (db::Box (11000, 20000, 18500, 36000));
+    reg.merge ();
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter (ly, ly.cell (top_cell_index), li1, reg);
+
+    iter.push (&builder);
+
+    target.cell (target_top).insert (db::CellInstArray (db::CellInst (builder.initial_cell ()->cell_index ()), db::Trans ()));
+
+  }
+
+  CHECKPOINT();
+  db::compare_layouts (_this, target, tl::testsrc () + "/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8b.gds");
+}
+
diff --git a/testdata/algo/deep_region_area_peri_l1_dbu2.gds b/testdata/algo/deep_region_area_peri_l1_dbu2.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bc2ecc13d
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/algo/deep_region_area_peri_l1_dbu2.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/algo/deep_region_au22.gds b/testdata/algo/deep_region_au22.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d6eb6242a
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/algo/deep_region_au22.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8a.gds b/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8a.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..44fb9379b
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8a.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8b.gds b/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8b.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e500867d
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/algo/hierarchy_builder_au8b.gds differ