diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
index 32b7988a6..d57c364e4 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepShapeStore.cc
@@ -953,7 +953,7 @@ DeepShapeStore::cell_mapping_to_original (unsigned int layout_index, db::Layout
     //  collects the cell mappings we skip because they are variants (variant building or box variants)
     std::map<db::cell_index_type, db::HierarchyBuilder::CellMapKey> cm_skipped_variants;
 
-    if (into_layout == original_builder.source ().layout () && &into_layout->cell (into_cell) == original_builder.source ().top_cell ()) {
+    if (into_layout == original_builder.source ().layout () && &into_layout->cell (into_cell) == original_builder.source ().top_cell () && original_builder.source ().global_trans ().is_unity ()) {
 
       //  This is the case of mapping back to the original. In this case we can use the information
       //  provided inside the original hierarchy builders. They list the source cells and the target cells
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
index 5a6751f87..66fbc8a41 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.cc
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ int
 compare_iterators_with_respect_to_target_hierarchy (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &iter1, const db::RecursiveShapeIterator &iter2)
 {
   if ((iter1.layout () == 0) != (iter2.layout () == 0)) {
-    return (iter1.layout () == 0) < (iter2.layout () == 0);
+    return (iter1.layout () == 0) < (iter2.layout () == 0) ? -1 : 1;
   }
   if ((iter1.top_cell () == 0) != (iter2.top_cell () == 0)) {
-    return (iter1.top_cell () == 0) < (iter2.top_cell () == 0);
+    return (iter1.top_cell () == 0) < (iter2.top_cell () == 0) ? -1 : 1;
   }
 
   //  basic source (layout, top_cell) needs to be the same of course
@@ -70,6 +70,11 @@ compare_iterators_with_respect_to_target_hierarchy (const db::RecursiveShapeIter
     return iter1.enables () < iter2.enables () ? -1 : 1;
   }
 
+  //  compare global transformations
+  if (! iter1.global_trans ().equal (iter2.global_trans ())) {
+    return iter1.global_trans ().less (iter2.global_trans ()) ? -1 : 1;
+  }
+
   //  if a region is set, the hierarchical appearance is the same only if the layers and
   //  complex region are identical
   if ((iter1.region () == db::Box::world ()) != (iter2.region () == db::Box::world ())) {
@@ -338,7 +343,7 @@ HierarchyBuilder::make_cell_variant (const HierarchyBuilder::CellMapKey &key, co
 }
 
 HierarchyBuilder::new_inst_mode
-HierarchyBuilder::new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
+HierarchyBuilder::new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
 {
   if (all) {
 
@@ -349,6 +354,7 @@ 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 (new_cell);
+      new_inst.transform (always_apply);
       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);
@@ -367,7 +373,7 @@ HierarchyBuilder::new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellIn
 }
 
 bool
-HierarchyBuilder::new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
+HierarchyBuilder::new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
 {
   if (all) {
 
@@ -386,7 +392,7 @@ 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 (new_cell), trans);
+      db::CellInstArray new_inst (db::CellInst (new_cell), always_apply * 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);
@@ -399,11 +405,11 @@ HierarchyBuilder::new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db:
 }
 
 void
-HierarchyBuilder::shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region)
+HierarchyBuilder::shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &apply_always, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region)
 {
   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, m_trans, region, complex_region, &shapes);
+    mp_pipe->push (shape, m_trans * apply_always, region, complex_region, &shapes);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
index 2bb1eca0a..27601e8ae 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
+++ b/src/db/db/dbHierarchyBuilder.h
@@ -273,9 +273,9 @@ public:
   virtual void end (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter);
   virtual void enter_cell (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::Cell *cell, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region);
   virtual void leave_cell (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::Cell *cell);
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all);
-  virtual bool new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all);
-  virtual void shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region);
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all);
+  virtual bool new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all);
+  virtual void shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region);
 
   /**
    *  @brief Sets the target layer - shapes will be put there
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc b/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
index a72fc5e1e..7cb884550 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator &RecursiveShapeIterator::operator= (const RecursiveShapeI
     m_current_layer = d.m_current_layer;
     m_shape = d.m_shape;
     m_trans = d.m_trans;
+    m_global_trans = d.m_global_trans;
     m_trans_stack = d.m_trans_stack;
     m_inst_iterators = d.m_inst_iterators;
     m_inst_array_iterators = d.m_inst_array_iterators;
@@ -286,6 +287,7 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::init ()
   m_shape_quad_id = 0;
   mp_cell = 0;
   m_current_layer = 0;
+  m_global_trans = cplx_trans_type ();
 }
 
 void
@@ -318,6 +320,26 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::init_region (const RecursiveShapeIterator::region_type &
   }
 }
 
+void
+RecursiveShapeIterator::set_global_trans (const cplx_trans_type &tr)
+{
+  if (m_global_trans != tr) {
+    m_global_trans = tr;
+    m_needs_reinit = true;
+  }
+}
+
+const db::RecursiveShapeIterator::cplx_trans_type &
+RecursiveShapeIterator::always_apply () const
+{
+  if (m_trans_stack.empty ()) {
+    return m_global_trans;
+  } else {
+    static cplx_trans_type unity;
+    return unity;
+  }
+}
+
 void
 RecursiveShapeIterator::set_region (const box_type &region)
 {
@@ -420,13 +442,13 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::validate (RecursiveShapeReceiver *receiver) const
   m_inst_quad_id_stack.clear ();
   m_inst_array_iterators.clear ();
   m_cells.clear ();
-  m_trans = cplx_trans_type ();
+  m_trans = m_global_trans;
   m_current_layer = 0;
   m_shape = shape_iterator ();
   m_shape_quad_id = 0;
 
   m_local_region_stack.clear ();
-  m_local_region_stack.push_back (m_region);
+  m_local_region_stack.push_back (m_global_trans.inverted () * m_region);
 
   m_local_complex_region_stack.clear ();
   if (mp_complex_region.get ()) {
@@ -749,8 +771,8 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::down (RecursiveShapeReceiver *receiver) const
   box_type new_region = box_type::world ();
 
   //  compute the region inside the new cell
-  if (new_region != m_local_region_stack.front ()) {
-    new_region = m_trans.inverted () * m_local_region_stack.front ();
+  if (new_region != m_region) {
+    new_region = m_trans.inverted () * m_region;
     new_region &= cell ()->bbox ();
   }
   m_local_region_stack.push_back (new_region);
@@ -911,7 +933,7 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::new_inst (RecursiveShapeReceiver *receiver) const
 
     RecursiveShapeReceiver::new_inst_mode ni = RecursiveShapeReceiver::NI_all;
     if (receiver) {
-      ni = receiver->new_inst (this, m_inst->cell_inst (), m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back (), all_of_instance);
+      ni = receiver->new_inst (this, m_inst->cell_inst (), always_apply (), m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back (), all_of_instance);
     }
 
     if (ni == RecursiveShapeReceiver::NI_skip) {
@@ -956,7 +978,7 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::new_inst_member (RecursiveShapeReceiver *receiver) const
   }
 
   while (! m_inst_array.at_end () && receiver) {
-    if (receiver->new_inst_member (this, m_inst->cell_inst (), m_inst->complex_trans (*m_inst_array), m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back (), is_all_of_instance ())) {
+    if (receiver->new_inst_member (this, m_inst->cell_inst (), always_apply (), m_inst->complex_trans (*m_inst_array), m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back (), is_all_of_instance ())) {
       break;
     } else {
       ++m_inst_array;
@@ -999,7 +1021,7 @@ RecursiveShapeIterator::push (RecursiveShapeReceiver *receiver)
     validate (receiver);
 
     while (! at_end ()) {
-      receiver->shape (this, *m_shape, m_trans, m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back ());
+      receiver->shape (this, *m_shape, always_apply (), m_trans, m_local_region_stack.back (), m_local_complex_region_stack.empty () ? 0 : &m_local_complex_region_stack.back ());
       next (receiver);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.h b/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.h
index 0afdd5423..95c2b0e99 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.h
+++ b/src/db/db/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.h
@@ -391,6 +391,30 @@ public:
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Sets a global transformation
+   *
+   *  The global transformation will be applied to all shapes delivered by biasing the "trans" attribute
+   */
+  void set_global_trans (const cplx_trans_type &tr);
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Gets the global transformation
+   */
+  cplx_trans_type global_trans () const
+  {
+    return m_global_trans;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Gets the transformation which is to be applied always in push mode
+   *
+   *  The reasoning behind this method is that in push mode and with the presence of a global transformation we need to
+   *  somehow reflect the fact that the top-level is transformed. Instead of transforming every shape and instance we use
+   *  this attribute. It is unity for all cells below top level and equal to the global transformation for the top cell.
+   */
+  const cplx_trans_type &always_apply () const;
+
   /**
    *  @brief Reset the iterator
    */
@@ -727,6 +751,7 @@ private:
   bool m_shape_inv_prop_sel;
   bool m_overlapping;
   std::set<db::cell_index_type> m_start, m_stop;
+  cplx_trans_type m_global_trans;
 
   const layout_type *mp_layout;
   const cell_type *mp_top_cell;
@@ -881,7 +906,7 @@ public:
    *   - NI_single: iterate a single member (the first one)
    *   - NI_skip: skips the whole array (not a single instance is iterated)
    */
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray & /*inst*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/) { return NI_all; }
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray & /*inst*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/) { return NI_all; }
 
   /**
    *  @brief Enters a new array member of the instance
@@ -894,14 +919,14 @@ public:
    *
    *  If this method returns false, this array instance (but not the whole array) is skipped and the cell is not entered.
    */
-  virtual bool new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray & /*inst*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/) { return true; }
+  virtual bool new_inst_member (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray & /*inst*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/) { return true; }
 
   /**
    *  @brief Delivers a shape
    *
    *  @param trans The transformation which maps the shape to the top cell.
    */
-  virtual void shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape & /*shape*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/) { }
+  virtual void shape (const RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape & /*shape*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/) { }
 };
 
 }  // namespace db
diff --git a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
index 72070d1e7..091f3ba83 100644
--- a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc
@@ -70,6 +70,27 @@ static db::DCplxTrans si_dtrans (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *r)
   return db::CplxTrans (ly->dbu ()) * r->trans () * db::VCplxTrans (1.0 / ly->dbu ());
 }
 
+static db::DCplxTrans si_global_dtrans (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *r)
+{
+  const db::Layout *ly = r->layout ();
+  tl_assert (ly != 0);
+  return db::CplxTrans (ly->dbu ()) * r->global_trans () * db::VCplxTrans (1.0 / ly->dbu ());
+}
+
+static db::DCplxTrans si_always_apply_dtrans (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *r)
+{
+  const db::Layout *ly = r->layout ();
+  tl_assert (ly != 0);
+  return db::CplxTrans (ly->dbu ()) * r->always_apply () * db::VCplxTrans (1.0 / ly->dbu ());
+}
+
+static void si_set_global_dtrans (db::RecursiveShapeIterator *r, const db::DCplxTrans &gt)
+{
+  const db::Layout *ly = r->layout ();
+  tl_assert (ly != 0);
+  r->set_global_trans (db::VCplxTrans (1.0 / ly->dbu ()) * gt * db::CplxTrans (ly->dbu ()));
+}
+
 static void select_cells1 (db::RecursiveShapeIterator *r, const std::vector<db::cell_index_type> &cells)
 {
   std::set<db::cell_index_type> cc;
@@ -270,7 +291,47 @@ Class<db::RecursiveShapeIterator> decl_RecursiveShapeIterator ("db", "RecursiveS
     "\n"
     "This method has been introduced in version 0.23.\n"
   ) +
-  gsi::method ("region", &db::RecursiveShapeIterator::region, 
+  gsi::method ("global_trans=", &db::RecursiveShapeIterator::set_global_trans, gsi::arg ("t"),
+    "@brief Sets the global transformation to apply to all shapes delivered\n"
+    "The global transformation will be applied to all shapes delivered by biasing the \"trans\" attribute.\n"
+    "The search regions apply to the coordinate space after global transformation.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("global_trans", &db::RecursiveShapeIterator::global_trans,
+    "@brief Gets the global transformation to apply to all shapes delivered\n"
+    "See also \\global_trans=.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method_ext ("global_dtrans=", &si_set_global_dtrans,
+    "@brief Sets the global transformation to apply to all shapes delivered (transformation in micrometer units)\n"
+    "The global transformation will be applied to all shapes delivered by biasing the \"trans\" attribute.\n"
+    "The search regions apply to the coordinate space after global transformation.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method_ext ("global_dtrans", &si_global_dtrans,
+    "@brief Gets the global transformation to apply to all shapes delivered (in micrometer units)\n"
+    "See also \\global_dtrans=.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("always_apply_trans", &db::RecursiveShapeIterator::always_apply,
+    "@brief Gets the global transformation if at top level, unity otherwise\n"
+    "As the global transformation is only applicable on top level, use this method to transform shapes and instances into their local (cell-level) version "
+    "while considering the global transformation properly.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method_ext ("always_apply_dtrans", &si_always_apply_dtrans,
+    "@brief Gets the global transformation if at top level, unity otherwise (micrometer-unit version)\n"
+    "As the global transformation is only applicable on top level, use this method to transform shapes and instances into their local (cell-level) version "
+    "while considering the global transformation properly.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("region", &db::RecursiveShapeIterator::region,
     "@brief Gets the basic region that is iterator is using\n"
     "The basic region is the overall box the region iterator iterates over. "
     "There may be an additional complex region that confines the region iterator. "
diff --git a/src/db/unit_tests/dbRecursiveShapeIteratorTests.cc b/src/db/unit_tests/dbRecursiveShapeIteratorTests.cc
index cf559bb1f..2f5577c58 100644
--- a/src/db/unit_tests/dbRecursiveShapeIteratorTests.cc
+++ b/src/db/unit_tests/dbRecursiveShapeIteratorTests.cc
@@ -113,6 +113,19 @@ TEST(1)
   x = collect_with_copy(i1, g);
   EXPECT_EQ (x, "[$1](0,100;1000,1200)/[$2](0,100;1000,1200)/[$3](100,0;1100,1100)");
 
+  i1.set_global_trans (db::ICplxTrans (db::Trans (db::Vector (10, 20))));
+  i1.set_region (db::Box (10, 20, 110, 120));
+  x = collect(i1, g);
+  EXPECT_EQ (x, "[$1](10,120;1010,1220)/[$2](10,120;1010,1220)/[$3](110,20;1110,1120)");
+  x = collect_with_copy(i1, g);
+  EXPECT_EQ (x, "[$1](10,120;1010,1220)/[$2](10,120;1010,1220)/[$3](110,20;1110,1120)");
+
+  i1.reset ();
+  x = collect(i1, g);
+  EXPECT_EQ (x, "[$1](10,120;1010,1220)/[$2](10,120;1010,1220)/[$3](110,20;1110,1120)");
+  x = collect_with_copy(i1, g);
+  EXPECT_EQ (x, "[$1](10,120;1010,1220)/[$2](10,120;1010,1220)/[$3](110,20;1110,1120)");
+
   db::RecursiveShapeIterator i1_1inf (g, c0, 0, db::Box (0, 0, 100, 100));
   i1_1inf.min_depth(1);
   x = collect(i1_1inf, g);
@@ -731,7 +744,7 @@ namespace {
   public:
     FlatPusher (std::set<db::Box> *boxes) : mp_boxes (boxes) { }
 
-    void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
+    void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
     {
       mp_boxes->insert (trans * shape.bbox ());
     }
@@ -766,6 +779,8 @@ TEST(4)
 
   }
 
+  // ...
+
   db::Box search_box (2500, 2500, 7500, 7500);
 
   std::set<db::Box> selected_boxes;
@@ -794,6 +809,45 @@ TEST(4)
   EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
   EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
 
+  //  with global trans
+
+  selected_boxes.clear ();
+  selected_boxes2.clear ();
+  db::ICplxTrans ctr (db::Trans (db::Vector (10, 20)));
+
+  {
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter (g, c0, 0, search_box, true);
+    iter.set_global_trans (ctr);
+    for ( ; !iter.at_end (); ++iter) {
+      selected_boxes.insert (iter->bbox ().transformed (iter.trans ()));
+    }
+  }
+
+  {
+    for (std::set<db::Box>::const_iterator b = boxes.begin (); b != boxes.end (); ++b) {
+      if (search_box.overlaps (b->transformed (ctr))) {
+        selected_boxes2.insert (b->transformed (ctr));
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
+  EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
+
+  //  push mode
+  {
+    selected_boxes.clear ();
+    FlatPusher pusher (&selected_boxes);
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter (g, c0, 0, search_box, true);
+    iter.set_global_trans (ctr);
+    iter.push (&pusher);
+  }
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
+  EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
+
+  // ...
+
   db::Box search_box2 (500, 500, 1000, 1000);
 
   selected_boxes.clear ();
@@ -882,6 +936,40 @@ TEST(5)
   EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
   EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
 
+  selected_boxes.clear ();
+  selected_boxes2.clear ();
+
+  db::ICplxTrans ctr (db::Trans (db::Vector (10, 20)));
+
+  {
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter = db::RecursiveShapeIterator (g, c0, 0, search_box, true);
+    iter.set_global_trans (ctr);
+    for ( ; !iter.at_end (); ++iter) {
+      selected_boxes.insert (iter.trans () * iter->bbox ());
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (std::set<db::Box>::const_iterator b = boxes.begin (); b != boxes.end (); ++b) {
+    if (search_box.overlaps (b->transformed (ctr))) {
+      selected_boxes2.insert (b->transformed (ctr));
+    }
+  }
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
+  EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
+
+  //  push mode
+  {
+    selected_boxes.clear ();
+    FlatPusher pusher (&selected_boxes);
+    db::RecursiveShapeIterator iter (g, c0, 0, search_box, true);
+    iter.set_global_trans (ctr);
+    iter.push (&pusher);
+  }
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (selected_boxes.size () > 100, true);
+  EXPECT_EQ (db::compare_layouts (boxes2layout (selected_boxes), boxes2layout (selected_boxes2), db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0, 100 /*max diff lines*/), true);
+
   db::Box search_box2 (500, 500, 1000, 1000);
 
   selected_boxes.clear ();
@@ -936,7 +1024,7 @@ public:
     m_text += std::string ("leave_cell(") + iter->layout ()->cell_name (cell->cell_index ()) + ")\n";
   }
 
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
   {
     m_text += std::string ("new_inst(") + iter->layout ()->cell_name (inst.object ().cell_index ());
     if (all) {
@@ -946,9 +1034,9 @@ public:
     return NI_all;
   }
 
-  virtual bool new_inst_member (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
+  virtual bool new_inst_member (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool all)
   {
-    m_text += std::string ("new_inst_member(") + iter->layout ()->cell_name (inst.object ().cell_index ()) + "," + tl::to_string (trans);
+    m_text += std::string ("new_inst_member(") + iter->layout ()->cell_name (inst.object ().cell_index ()) + "," + tl::to_string (always_apply * trans);
     if (all) {
       m_text += ",all";
     }
@@ -956,7 +1044,7 @@ public:
     return true;
   }
 
-  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
+  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
   {
     m_text += "shape(" + shape.to_string () + "," + tl::to_string (trans) + ")\n";
   }
@@ -971,9 +1059,9 @@ class ReceiverRejectingACellInstanceArray
 public:
   ReceiverRejectingACellInstanceArray (db::cell_index_type rejected) : m_rejected (rejected) { }
 
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
   {
-    LoggingReceiver::new_inst (iter, inst, region, complex_region, all);
+    LoggingReceiver::new_inst (iter, inst, always_apply, region, complex_region, all);
     return inst.object ().cell_index () != m_rejected ? NI_all : NI_skip;
   }
 
@@ -987,9 +1075,9 @@ class ReceiverRejectingACellInstanceArrayExceptOne
 public:
   ReceiverRejectingACellInstanceArrayExceptOne (db::cell_index_type rejected) : m_rejected (rejected) { }
 
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
   {
-    LoggingReceiver::new_inst (iter, inst, region, complex_region, all);
+    LoggingReceiver::new_inst (iter, inst, always_apply, region, complex_region, all);
     return inst.object ().cell_index () != m_rejected ? NI_all : NI_single;
   }
 
@@ -1003,9 +1091,9 @@ class ReceiverRejectingACellInstance
 public:
   ReceiverRejectingACellInstance (db::cell_index_type rejected, const db::ICplxTrans &trans_rejected) : m_rejected (rejected), m_trans_rejected (trans_rejected) { }
 
-  virtual bool new_inst_member (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
+  virtual bool new_inst_member (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans &always_apply, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box &region, const box_tree_type *complex_region, bool all)
   {
-    LoggingReceiver::new_inst_member (iter, inst, trans, region, complex_region, all);
+    LoggingReceiver::new_inst_member (iter, inst, always_apply, trans, region, complex_region, all);
     return inst.object ().cell_index () != m_rejected || trans != m_trans_rejected;
   }
 
@@ -1127,6 +1215,100 @@ TEST(10)
     "end\n"
   );
 
+  LoggingReceiver lr1_gt;
+  db::RecursiveShapeIterator i1_gt (g, c0, 0);
+  i1_gt.set_global_trans (db::ICplxTrans (db::Trans (db::Vector (10, 20))));
+  i1_gt.push (&lr1_gt);
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (lr1_gt.text (),
+    "begin\n"
+    "new_inst($2,all)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($2,r0 *1 10,20,all)\n"
+    //  It's a bit weird to have shape events after new_inst_member, but remember, new_inst_member is a query callback, not an event.
+    "shape(box (0,0;1000,1000),r0 *1 10,20)\n"
+    "shape(box (-1000,0;0,1000),r0 *1 10,20)\n"
+    "enter_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst($3,all)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,0,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 10,20)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,2000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 10,2020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,1000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 3010,1020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,3000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 3010,3020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "leave_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($2,r0 *1 10,6020,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst($3,all)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,0,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 10,6020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,2000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 10,8020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,1000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 3010,7020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,3000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 3010,9020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "leave_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($2,r0 *1 6010,20,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst($3,all)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,0,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 6010,20)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,2000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 6010,2020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,1000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 9010,1020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,3000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 9010,3020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "leave_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($2,r0 *1 6010,6020,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($2)\n"
+    "new_inst($3,all)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,0,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 6010,6020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 0,2000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 6010,8020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,1000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 9010,7020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "new_inst_member($3,r0 *1 3000,3000,all)\n"
+    "enter_cell($3)\n"
+    "shape(box (1000,-500;2000,500),r0 *1 9010,9020)\n"
+    "leave_cell($3)\n"
+    "leave_cell($2)\n"
+    "end\n"
+  );
+
   ReceiverRejectingACellInstanceArray rr1 (c2.cell_index ());
   db::RecursiveShapeIterator ir1 (g, c0, 0);
   ir1.push (&rr1);
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
index 65c76b590..5b60a23e5 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
@@ -63,6 +63,36 @@ module DRC
       @in_context = nil
 
     end
+
+    def shift(x, y)
+      self._context("shift") do
+        RBA::DCplxTrans::new(RBA::DVector::new(_make_value(x) * self.dbu, _make_value(y) * self.dbu))
+      end
+    end
+    
+    def magnify(m)
+      self._context("magnify") do
+        RBA::DCplxTrans::new(_make_numeric_value(m))
+      end
+    end
+    
+    def rotate(a)
+      self._context("rotate") do
+        RBA::DCplxTrans::new(1.0, _make_numeric_value(a), false, RBA::DVector::new)
+      end
+    end
+    
+    def mirror_x
+      self._context("mirror_x") do
+        RBA::DCplxTrans::new(1.0, 0.0, true, RBA::DVector::new)
+      end
+    end
+    
+    def mirror_y
+      self._context("mirror_y") do
+        RBA::DCplxTrans::new(1.0, 180.0, true, RBA::DVector::new)
+      end
+    end
     
     def joined
       DRCJoinFlag::new(true)
@@ -1494,6 +1524,22 @@ CODE
       nil
     end
 
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name global_transform
+    # @brief Gets or sets a global transformation
+    # @synopsis global_transform
+    # @synopsis global_transform([ transformations ])
+    #
+    # Applies a global transformation to the default source layout.
+    # See \Source#global_transform for a description of this feature.
+  
+    def global_transform(*args)
+      self._context("global_transform") do
+        @def_source = layout.global_transform(*args)
+      end
+      nil
+    end
+
     # %DRC%
     # @name cheat 
     # @brief Hierarchy cheats
@@ -1679,8 +1725,6 @@ CODE
       pull_overlapping 
       rectangles
       rectilinear
-      rotate
-      rotated
       rounded_corners
       scale
       scaled
@@ -2440,7 +2484,7 @@ CODE
       end
     end
 
-    def _input(layout, cell_index, layers, sel, box, clip, overlapping, shape_flags, cls)
+    def _input(layout, cell_index, layers, sel, box, clip, overlapping, shape_flags, global_trans, cls)
     
       if layers.empty? && ! @deep
 
@@ -2454,6 +2498,7 @@ CODE
           iter = RBA::RecursiveShapeIterator::new(layout, layout.cell(cell_index), layers)
         end
         iter.shape_flags = shape_flags
+        iter.global_dtrans = global_trans
         
         sel.each do |s|
           if s == "-"
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_source.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_source.rb
index 4750c0b1f..d36fd2675 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_source.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_source.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ module DRC
       @clip = false
       @overlapping = false
       @tmp_layers = []
+      @global_trans = RBA::DCplxTrans::new
     end
 
     # Conceptual deep copy (not including the temp layers)
@@ -70,6 +71,24 @@ module DRC
     def cell_obj
       @cell
     end
+
+    def inplace_global_transform(*args)
+      gt = RBA::DCplxTrans::new
+      args.each do |a|
+        if a.is_a?(RBA::DVector) || a.is_a?(RBA::DTrans)
+          gt = RBA::DCplxTrans::new(a) * gt
+        elsif a.is_a?(RBA::DCplxTrans)
+          gt = a * gt
+        else
+          raise("Expected a transformation spec instead of #{a.inspect}")
+        end
+      end
+      @global_trans = gt
+    end
+
+    def global_transformation
+      @global_trans
+    end
     
     def finish
       @tmp_layers.each do |li|
@@ -245,8 +264,40 @@ module DRC
     # \touching is a similar method which delivers shapes touching
     # the search region with their bounding box (without the requirement to overlap)
     
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name global_transform
+    # @brief Gets or sets a global transformation
+    # @synopsis global_transform
+    # @synopsis global_transform([ transformations ])
+    #
+    # This method returns a new source representing the transformed layout. It is provided in the spritit of 
+    # \Source#clip and similar methods.
+    #
+    # The transformation
+    # is either given as a RBA::DTrans, RBA::DVector or RBA::DCplxTrans object or as one of the 
+    # following specifications:
+    #
+    # @ul
+    # @li "shift(x, y)": shifts the input layout horizontally by x and vertically by y micrometers
+    # @li "rotate(a)": rotates the input layout by a degree counter-clockwise
+    # @li "magnify(m)": magnifies the input layout by the factor m (NOTE: using fractional scale factors may result in small gaps due to grid snapping)
+    # @li "mirror_x": mirrors the input layout at the x axis
+    # @li "mirror_y": mirrors the input layout at the y axis
+    # @/ul
+    #
+    # Multiple transformation specs can be given. In that case the transformations are applied right to left.
+    # Using "global_transform" will reset any global transformation present already.
+    # Without an argument, the global transformation is reset.
+    #
+    # The following example rotates the layout by 90 degree at the origin (0, 0) and then shifts it up by 
+    # 100 micrometers:
+    #
+    # @code
+    # source.global_transform(shift(0, 100.um), rotate(90.0))
+    # @/code
+
     # export inplace_* as * out-of-place
-    %w(select cell clip touching overlapping).each do |f|
+    %w(select cell clip touching overlapping global_transform).each do |f|
       eval <<"CODE"
         def #{f}(*args)
           @engine._context("#{f}") do
@@ -274,7 +325,7 @@ CODE
         if @box
           layer.insert(RBA::DBox::from_ibox(@box) * @layout.dbu)
         else
-          layer.insert(RBA::DBox::from_ibox(@cell.bbox) * @layout.dbu)
+          layer.insert((RBA::DBox::from_ibox(@cell.bbox) * @layout.dbu).transformed(@global_trans))
         end
         layer
       end
@@ -326,7 +377,7 @@ CODE
     def input(*args)
       @engine._context("input") do
         layers = parse_input_layers(*args)
-        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SAll, RBA::Region))
+        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SAll, @global_trans, RBA::Region))
       end
     end
 
@@ -350,7 +401,7 @@ CODE
     def labels(*args)
       @engine._context("labels") do
         layers = parse_input_layers(*args)
-        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::STexts, RBA::Texts))
+        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::STexts, @global_trans, RBA::Texts))
       end
     end
 
@@ -373,7 +424,7 @@ CODE
     def polygons(*args)
       @engine._context("polygons") do
         layers = parse_input_layers(*args)
-        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SBoxes | RBA::Shapes::SPaths | RBA::Shapes::SPolygons | RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs, RBA::Region))
+        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SBoxes | RBA::Shapes::SPaths | RBA::Shapes::SPolygons | RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs, @global_trans, RBA::Region))
       end
     end
 
@@ -399,7 +450,7 @@ CODE
     def edges(*args)
       @engine._context("edges") do
         layers = parse_input_layers(*args)
-        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SBoxes | RBA::Shapes::SPaths | RBA::Shapes::SPolygons | RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs | RBA::Shapes::SEdges, RBA::Edges))
+        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SBoxes | RBA::Shapes::SPaths | RBA::Shapes::SPolygons | RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs | RBA::Shapes::SEdges, @global_trans, RBA::Edges))
       end
     end
 
@@ -425,7 +476,7 @@ CODE
     def edge_pairs(*args)
       @engine._context("edge_pairs") do
         layers = parse_input_layers(*args)
-        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs, RBA::EdgePairs))
+        DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SEdgePairs, @global_trans, RBA::EdgePairs))
       end
     end
 
@@ -437,7 +488,7 @@ CODE
 
     def make_layer
       layers = []
-      DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SAll, RBA::Region))
+      DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._cmd(@engine, :_input, @layout_var, @cell.cell_index, layers, @sel, @box, @clip, @overlapping, RBA::Shapes::SAll, @global_trans, RBA::Region))
     end
 
     # %DRC%
diff --git a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
index b1508b821..b1923f9cc 100644
--- a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
+++ b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
@@ -1168,3 +1168,23 @@ TEST(30_density)
   run_test (_this, "30", false);
 }
 
+TEST(31_globaTransformation)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "31", false);
+}
+
+TEST(31d_globalTransformation)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "31", true);
+}
+
+TEST(32_globalTransformationWithClip)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "32", false);
+}
+
+TEST(32d_globalTransformationWithClip)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "32", true);
+}
+
diff --git a/src/rdb/rdb/rdbUtils.cc b/src/rdb/rdb/rdbUtils.cc
index 931da36c0..336ed963e 100644
--- a/src/rdb/rdb/rdbUtils.cc
+++ b/src/rdb/rdb/rdbUtils.cc
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public:
     m_cell_stack.pop_back ();
   }
 
-  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/)
+  virtual new_inst_mode new_inst (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::CellInstArray &inst, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/, bool /*all*/)
   {
     db::cell_index_type ci = inst.object ().cell_index ();
     if (m_id_to_cell.find (ci) != m_id_to_cell.end ()) {
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ public:
     }
   }
 
-  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
+  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
   {
     tl_assert (! m_cell_stack.empty ());
     create_item_from_shape (mp_rdb, m_cell_stack.back ()->id (), mp_cat->id (), m_trans, shape);
@@ -209,9 +209,9 @@ public:
     }
   }
 
-  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator *iter, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*trans*/, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
+  virtual void shape (const db::RecursiveShapeIterator * /*iter*/, const db::Shape &shape, const db::ICplxTrans & /*always_apply*/, const db::ICplxTrans &trans, const db::Box & /*region*/, const box_tree_type * /*complex_region*/)
   {
-    create_item_from_shape (mp_rdb, mp_rdb_cell->id (), mp_cat->id (), m_trans * iter->trans (), shape);
+    create_item_from_shape (mp_rdb, mp_rdb_cell->id (), mp_cat->id (), m_trans * trans, shape);
   }
 
 public:
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.drc b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.drc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6f3480b6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.drc
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+
+source $drc_test_source
+target $drc_test_target
+
+if $drc_test_deep
+  deep
+end
+
+def self_test(id, a, b)
+  a == b || raise(id + ": self-test failed (" + a.inspect + " != " + b.inspect + ")")
+end
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *1 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *2 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0), rotate(90.0))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r90 *2 0,0")
+
+global_transform(mirror_x, mirror_y)
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r180 *1 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0), shift(10.um, 20.um))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *2 10,20")
+
+
+# The actual DRC test
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+
+l1.output(1, 0)
+l2.output(2, 0)
+
+l1.merged.output(10, 0)
+l1.sized(100.nm).output(11, 0)
+l2.sized(100.nm).output(12, 0)
+
+# reset
+global_transform
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+
+
+l1.output(101, 0)
+l2.output(102, 0)
+
+l1.merged.output(110, 0)
+l1.sized(100.nm).output(111, 0)
+l2.sized(100.nm).output(112, 0)
+
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..735cbfe7c
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_31.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.drc b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.drc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a6660946c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.drc
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+
+source $drc_test_source
+target $drc_test_target
+
+clip(0.um, 0.um, 26.um, 45.um)
+
+if $drc_test_deep
+  deep
+end
+
+def self_test(id, a, b)
+  a == b || raise(id + ": self-test failed (" + a.inspect + " != " + b.inspect + ")")
+end
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *1 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *2 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0), rotate(90.0))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r90 *2 0,0")
+
+global_transform(mirror_x, mirror_y)
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r180 *1 0,0")
+
+global_transform(magnify(2.0), shift(10.um, 20.um))
+
+self_test("magnify(2.0)", source.global_transformation.to_s, "r0 *2 10,20")
+
+
+# The actual DRC test
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+
+l1.output(1, 0)
+l2.output(2, 0)
+
+l1.merged.output(10, 0)
+l1.sized(100.nm).output(11, 0)
+l2.sized(100.nm).output(12, 0)
+
+# reset
+global_transform
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+
+
+l1.output(101, 0)
+l2.output(102, 0)
+
+l1.merged.output(110, 0)
+l1.sized(100.nm).output(111, 0)
+l2.sized(100.nm).output(112, 0)
+
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..735cbfe7c
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_32.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9a33e4995
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31d.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31d.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..38514972a
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au31d.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6b9829294
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32d.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32d.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..414bb2ff4
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au32d.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/ruby/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.rb b/testdata/ruby/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.rb
index cbec7ee84..58f33c023 100644
--- a/testdata/ruby/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.rb
+++ b/testdata/ruby/dbRecursiveShapeIterator.rb
@@ -63,6 +63,25 @@ class DBRecursiveShapeIterator_TestClass < TestBase
 
   end
 
+  def acollect(s, l)
+
+    res = []
+    while !s.at_end?
+      r = "[#{l.cell_name(s.cell_index)}]"
+      if s.shape.is_box?
+        box = s.shape.box
+        r += box.transformed(s.always_apply_trans).to_s
+      else 
+        r += "X";
+      end
+      s.next
+      res.push(r)
+    end
+
+    return res.join("/")
+
+  end
+
   def test_1
 
     # Recursive shape iterator tests
@@ -197,6 +216,19 @@ class DBRecursiveShapeIterator_TestClass < TestBase
     
     ii = RBA::RecursiveShapeIterator::new(l, c2, [0, 1], RBA::Box.new(-100, 0, 2000, 101), false)
     assert_equal(collect(ii, l), "[c2](0,100;1000,1200)/[c3](1100,100;2100,1200)/[c3](1101,101;2101,1201)")
+    ii.reset
+    assert_equal(acollect(ii, l), "[c2](0,100;1000,1200)/[c3](0,100;1000,1200)/[c3](1,101;1001,1201)")
+    
+    ii = RBA::RecursiveShapeIterator::new(l, c2, [0, 1], RBA::Box.new(-100, 20, 2000, 121), true)
+    ii.global_trans = RBA::ICplxTrans::new(RBA::Vector::new(10, 20))
+    assert_equal(ii.global_trans.to_s, "r0 *1 10,20")
+    assert_equal(collect(ii, l), "[c2](10,120;1010,1220)/[c3](1110,120;2110,1220)")
+    ii.global_dtrans = RBA::DCplxTrans::new(RBA::DVector::new(0.01, 0.02))
+    ii.reset
+    assert_equal(ii.global_dtrans.to_s, "r0 *1 0.01,0.02")
+    assert_equal(collect(ii, l), "[c2](10,120;1010,1220)/[c3](1110,120;2110,1220)")
+    ii.reset
+    assert_equal(acollect(ii, l), "[c2](10,120;1010,1220)/[c3](0,100;1000,1200)")
     
     ii = RBA::RecursiveShapeIterator::new(l, c2, [0, 1], RBA::Box.new(-100, 0, 2000, 101), true)
     assert_equal(collect(ii, l), "[c2](0,100;1000,1200)/[c3](1100,100;2100,1200)")