diff --git a/src/db/db/db.pro b/src/db/db/db.pro
index 188abf0d8..ce2f3cc3e 100644
--- a/src/db/db/db.pro
+++ b/src/db/db/db.pro
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ SOURCES = \
   gsiDeclDbRecursiveInstanceIterator.cc \
   gsiDeclDbRecursiveShapeIterator.cc \
   gsiDeclDbRegion.cc \
+  gsiDeclDbSaveLayoutOptions.cc \
   gsiDeclDbShape.cc \
   gsiDeclDbShapeProcessor.cc \
   gsiDeclDbShapes.cc \
diff --git a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbLayout.cc b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbLayout.cc
index 54c97cded..9d76ae5e9 100644
--- a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbLayout.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbLayout.cc
@@ -2864,236 +2864,4 @@ Class<db::Layout> decl_Layout ("db", "Layout",
   "@/code\n"
 );
 
-static db::SaveLayoutOptions *new_v ()
-{
-  return new db::SaveLayoutOptions ();
-}
-
-static std::string set_format_from_filename (db::SaveLayoutOptions *opt, const std::string &fn)
-{
-  auto ff = opt->set_format_from_filename (fn);
-  if (! ff.first) {
-    throw tl::Exception (tl::to_string (tr ("Cannot determine format from filename")));
-  }
-  return ff.second;
-}
-
-Class<db::SaveLayoutOptions> decl_SaveLayoutOptions ("db", "SaveLayoutOptions",
-  gsi::constructor ("new", &new_v,
-    "@brief Default constructor\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This will initialize the scale factor to 1.0, the database unit is set to\n"
-    "\"same as original\" and all layers are selected as well as all cells.\n"
-    "The default format is GDS2."
-  ) +
-  gsi::method_ext ("set_format_from_filename", &set_format_from_filename, gsi::arg ("filename"),
-    "@brief Select a format from the given file name\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method will set the format according to the file's extension.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method has been introduced in version 0.22. "
-    "Beginning with version 0.23, this method always returns true, since the "
-    "only consumer for the return value, Layout#write, now ignores that "
-    "parameter and automatically determines the compression mode from the file name.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "Starting with version 0.30.7, this method allows specifying the desired format's extension in square brackets "
-    "after the file name (e.g. 'file.txt[def]'). This allows writing files with non-standard extensions. "
-    "The return value of this function now the is actual file name used without the square brackets ('file.txt' in the example case)."
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("format=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_format, gsi::arg ("format"),
-    "@brief Select a format\n"
-    "The format string can be either \"GDS2\", \"OASIS\", \"CIF\" or \"DXF\". Other formats may be available if\n"
-    "a suitable plugin is installed."
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("format", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::format,
-    "@brief Gets the format name\n"
-    "\n"
-    "See \\format= for a description of that method.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("add_layer", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_layer, gsi::arg ("layer_index"), gsi::arg ("properties"),
-    "@brief Add a layer to be saved \n"
-    "\n"
-    "\n"
-    "Adds the layer with the given index to the layer list that will be written.\n"
-    "If all layers have been selected previously, all layers will \n"
-    "be unselected first and only the new layer remains.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The 'properties' argument can be used to assign different layer properties than the ones\n"
-    "present in the layout. Pass a default \\LayerInfo object to this argument to use the\n"
-    "properties from the layout object. Construct a valid \\LayerInfo object with explicit layer,\n"
-    "datatype and possibly a name to override the properties stored in the layout.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("select_all_layers", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_all_layers,
-    "@brief Select all layers to be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method will clear all layers selected with \\add_layer so far and set the 'select all layers' flag.\n"
-    "This is the default.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("deselect_all_layers", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::deselect_all_layers,
-    "@brief Unselect all layers: no layer will be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method will clear all layers selected with \\add_layer so far and clear the 'select all layers' flag.\n"
-    "Using this method is the only way to save a layout without any layers."
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("select_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
-    "@brief Selects a cell to be saved (plus hierarchy below)\n"
-    "\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method is basically a convenience method that combines \\clear_cells and \\add_cell.\n"
-    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method has been added in version 0.22.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("select_this_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_this_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
-    "@brief Selects a cell to be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method is basically a convenience method that combines \\clear_cells and \\add_this_cell.\n"
-    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method has been added in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("clear_cells", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::clear_cells,
-    "@brief Clears all cells to be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method can be used to ensure that no cell is selected before \\add_cell is called to specify a cell.\n"
-    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method has been added in version 0.22.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("add_this_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_this_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
-    "@brief Adds a cell to be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The index of the cell must be a valid index in the context of the layout that will be saved.\n"
-    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "Unlike \\add_cell, this method does not implicitly add all children of that cell.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method has been added in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("add_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
-    "@brief Add a cell (plus hierarchy) to be saved\n"
-    "\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The index of the cell must be a valid index in the context of the layout that will be saved.\n"
-    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method also implicitly adds the children of that cell. A method that does not add the "
-    "children in \\add_this_cell.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("select_all_cells", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_all_cells,
-    "@brief Select all cells to save\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method will clear all cells specified with \\add_cells so far and set the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
-    "This is the default.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("write_context_info=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_write_context_info, gsi::arg ("flag"),
-    "@brief Enables or disables context information\n"
-    "\n"
-    "If this flag is set to false, no context information for PCell or library cell instances is written. "
-    "Those cells will be converted to plain cells and KLayout will not be able to restore the identity of "
-    "those cells. Use this option to enforce compatibility with other tools that don't understand the "
-    "context information of KLayout.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The default value is true (context information is stored). Not all formats support context information, hence "
-    "that flag has no effect for formats like CIF or DXF.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("write_context_info?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::write_context_info,
-    "@brief Gets a flag indicating whether context information will be stored\n"
-    "\n"
-    "See \\write_context_info= for details about this flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("keep_instances=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_keep_instances, gsi::arg ("flag"),
-    "@brief Enables or disables instances for dropped cells\n"
-    "\n"
-    "If this flag is set to true, instances for cells will be written, even if the cell is dropped. "
-    "That may happen, if cells are selected with \\select_this_cell or \\add_this_cell or \\no_empty_cells is used. "
-    "Even if cells called by such cells are not selected, instances will be written for that "
-    "cell if \"keep_instances\" is true. That feature is supported by the GDS format currently and "
-    "results in \"ghost cells\" which have instances but no cell definition.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The default value is false (instances of dropped cells are not written).\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("keep_instances?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::keep_instances,
-    "@brief Gets a flag indicating whether instances will be kept even if the target cell is dropped\n"
-    "\n"
-    "See \\keep_instances= for details about this flag.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("dbu=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_dbu, gsi::arg ("dbu"),
-    "@brief Sets the database unit to be used in the stream file\n"
-    "\n"
-    "By default, the database unit of the layout is used. This method allows one to explicitly use a different\n"
-    "database unit. A scale factor is introduced automatically which scales all layout objects accordingly so their physical dimensions remain the same. "
-    "When scaling to a larger database unit or one that is not an integer fraction of the original one, rounding errors may occur and the "
-    "layout may become slightly distorted."
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("dbu", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::dbu,
-    "@brief Gets the explicit database unit if one is set\n"
-    "\n"
-    "See \\dbu= for a description of that attribute.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("no_empty_cells=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_dont_write_empty_cells, gsi::arg ("flag"),
-    "@brief Don't write empty cells if this flag is set\n"
-    "\n"
-    "By default, all cells are written (no_empty_cells is false).\n"
-    "This applies to empty cells which do not contain shapes for the specified layers "
-    "as well as cells which are empty because they reference empty cells only.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("no_empty_cells?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::dont_write_empty_cells,
-    "@brief Returns a flag indicating whether empty cells are not written.\n"
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("libname=|#gds2_libname=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_libname, gsi::arg ("libname"),
-    "@brief Sets the library name\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The library name is an attribute and specifies a formal name for a library, if the layout files is to be used as one.\n"
-    "Currently, this attribute is only supported by the GDS2 format. Hence the alias.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "By default or if the libname is an empty string, the current library name of the layout or 'LIB' is used.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "The 'libname' alias has been introduced in version 0.30.5. The original name \\gds2_libname= is still available."
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("libname|#gds2_libname", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::libname,
-    "@brief Gets the library name\n"
-    "\n"
-    "See \\libname= for details.\n"
-    "The 'libname' alias has been introduced in version 0.30.5. The original name \\gds2_libname is still available."
-  ) +
-  gsi::method ("scale_factor=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_scale_factor, gsi::arg ("scale_factor"),
-    "@brief Sets the scaling factor for the saving \n"
-    "\n"
-    "Using a scaling factor will scale all objects accordingly. "
-    "This scale factor adds to a potential scaling implied by using an explicit database unit.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "Be aware that rounding effects may occur if fractional scaling factors are used.\n"
-    "\n"
-    "By default, no scaling is applied."
-  ) + 
-  gsi::method ("scale_factor", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::scale_factor,
-    "@brief Gets the scaling factor currently set\n"
-  ),
-  "@brief Options for saving layouts\n"
-  "\n"
-  "This class describes the various options for saving a layout to a stream file (GDS2, OASIS and others).\n"
-  "There are: layers to be saved, cell or cells to be saved, scale factor, format, database unit\n"
-  "and format specific options.\n"
-  "\n"
-  "Usually the default constructor provides a suitable object. Please note, that the format written is \"GDS2\" by default. Either explicitly set a "
-  "format using \\format= or derive the format from the file name using \\set_format_from_filename.\n"
-  "\n"
-  "The layers are specified by either selecting all layers or by defining layer by layer using the\n"
-  "\\add_layer method. \\select_all_layers will explicitly select all layers for saving, \\deselect_all_layers will explicitly clear the list of layers.\n"
-  "\n"
-  "Cells are selected in a similar fashion: by default, all cells are selected. Using \\add_cell, specific\n"
-  "cells can be selected for saving. All these cells plus their hierarchy will then be written to the stream file.\n"
-  "\n"
-);
-
 }
diff --git a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbSaveLayoutOptions.cc b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbSaveLayoutOptions.cc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c6c445db4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbSaveLayoutOptions.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+
+/*
+
+  KLayout Layout Viewer
+  Copyright (C) 2006-2026 Matthias Koefferlein
+
+  This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+  the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+  (at your option) any later version.
+
+  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+  GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+  along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+  Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+
+*/
+
+
+#include "gsiDecl.h"
+#include "dbSaveLayoutOptions.h"
+
+namespace gsi
+{
+
+static db::SaveLayoutOptions *new_v ()
+{
+  return new db::SaveLayoutOptions ();
+}
+
+static std::string set_format_from_filename (db::SaveLayoutOptions *opt, const std::string &fn)
+{
+  auto ff = opt->set_format_from_filename (fn);
+  if (! ff.first) {
+    throw tl::Exception (tl::to_string (tr ("Cannot determine format from filename")));
+  }
+  return ff.second;
+}
+
+Class<db::SaveLayoutOptions> decl_SaveLayoutOptions ("db", "SaveLayoutOptions",
+  gsi::constructor ("new", &new_v,
+    "@brief Default constructor\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This will initialize the scale factor to 1.0, the database unit is set to\n"
+    "\"same as original\" and all layers are selected as well as all cells.\n"
+    "The default format is GDS2."
+  ) +
+  gsi::method_ext ("set_format_from_filename", &set_format_from_filename, gsi::arg ("filename"),
+    "@brief Select a format from the given file name\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method will set the format according to the file's extension.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.22. "
+    "Beginning with version 0.23, this method always returns true, since the "
+    "only consumer for the return value, Layout#write, now ignores that "
+    "parameter and automatically determines the compression mode from the file name.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Starting with version 0.30.8, this method allows specifying the desired format's extension in square brackets "
+    "after the file name (e.g. 'file.txt[def]'). This allows writing files with non-standard extensions. "
+    "The return value of this function now is the actual file name used without the square brackets ('file.txt' in the example case)."
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("format=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_format, gsi::arg ("format"),
+    "@brief Select a format\n"
+    "The format string can be either \"GDS2\", \"OASIS\", \"CIF\" or \"DXF\". Other formats may be available if\n"
+    "a suitable plugin is installed."
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("format", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::format,
+    "@brief Gets the format name\n"
+    "\n"
+    "See \\format= for a description of that method.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("add_layer", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_layer, gsi::arg ("layer_index"), gsi::arg ("properties"),
+    "@brief Add a layer to be saved \n"
+    "\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Adds the layer with the given index to the layer list that will be written.\n"
+    "If all layers have been selected previously, all layers will \n"
+    "be unselected first and only the new layer remains.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The 'properties' argument can be used to assign different layer properties than the ones\n"
+    "present in the layout. Pass a default \\LayerInfo object to this argument to use the\n"
+    "properties from the layout object. Construct a valid \\LayerInfo object with explicit layer,\n"
+    "datatype and possibly a name to override the properties stored in the layout.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("select_all_layers", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_all_layers,
+    "@brief Select all layers to be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method will clear all layers selected with \\add_layer so far and set the 'select all layers' flag.\n"
+    "This is the default.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("deselect_all_layers", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::deselect_all_layers,
+    "@brief Unselect all layers: no layer will be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method will clear all layers selected with \\add_layer so far and clear the 'select all layers' flag.\n"
+    "Using this method is the only way to save a layout without any layers."
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("select_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
+    "@brief Selects a cell to be saved (plus hierarchy below)\n"
+    "\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method is basically a convenience method that combines \\clear_cells and \\add_cell.\n"
+    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been added in version 0.22.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("select_this_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_this_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
+    "@brief Selects a cell to be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method is basically a convenience method that combines \\clear_cells and \\add_this_cell.\n"
+    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been added in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("clear_cells", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::clear_cells,
+    "@brief Clears all cells to be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method can be used to ensure that no cell is selected before \\add_cell is called to specify a cell.\n"
+    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been added in version 0.22.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("add_this_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_this_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
+    "@brief Adds a cell to be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The index of the cell must be a valid index in the context of the layout that will be saved.\n"
+    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "Unlike \\add_cell, this method does not implicitly add all children of that cell.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been added in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("add_cell", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::add_cell, gsi::arg ("cell_index"),
+    "@brief Add a cell (plus hierarchy) to be saved\n"
+    "\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The index of the cell must be a valid index in the context of the layout that will be saved.\n"
+    "This method clears the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method also implicitly adds the children of that cell. A method that does not add the "
+    "children in \\add_this_cell.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("select_all_cells", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::select_all_cells,
+    "@brief Select all cells to save\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method will clear all cells specified with \\add_cells so far and set the 'select all cells' flag.\n"
+    "This is the default.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("write_context_info=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_write_context_info, gsi::arg ("flag"),
+    "@brief Enables or disables context information\n"
+    "\n"
+    "If this flag is set to false, no context information for PCell or library cell instances is written. "
+    "Those cells will be converted to plain cells and KLayout will not be able to restore the identity of "
+    "those cells. Use this option to enforce compatibility with other tools that don't understand the "
+    "context information of KLayout.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The default value is true (context information is stored). Not all formats support context information, hence "
+    "that flag has no effect for formats like CIF or DXF.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("write_context_info?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::write_context_info,
+    "@brief Gets a flag indicating whether context information will be stored\n"
+    "\n"
+    "See \\write_context_info= for details about this flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("keep_instances=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_keep_instances, gsi::arg ("flag"),
+    "@brief Enables or disables instances for dropped cells\n"
+    "\n"
+    "If this flag is set to true, instances for cells will be written, even if the cell is dropped. "
+    "That may happen, if cells are selected with \\select_this_cell or \\add_this_cell or \\no_empty_cells is used. "
+    "Even if cells called by such cells are not selected, instances will be written for that "
+    "cell if \"keep_instances\" is true. That feature is supported by the GDS format currently and "
+    "results in \"ghost cells\" which have instances but no cell definition.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The default value is false (instances of dropped cells are not written).\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("keep_instances?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::keep_instances,
+    "@brief Gets a flag indicating whether instances will be kept even if the target cell is dropped\n"
+    "\n"
+    "See \\keep_instances= for details about this flag.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method was introduced in version 0.23.\n"
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("dbu=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_dbu, gsi::arg ("dbu"),
+    "@brief Sets the database unit to be used in the stream file\n"
+    "\n"
+    "By default, the database unit of the layout is used. This method allows one to explicitly use a different\n"
+    "database unit. A scale factor is introduced automatically which scales all layout objects accordingly so their physical dimensions remain the same. "
+    "When scaling to a larger database unit or one that is not an integer fraction of the original one, rounding errors may occur and the "
+    "layout may become slightly distorted."
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("dbu", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::dbu,
+    "@brief Gets the explicit database unit if one is set\n"
+    "\n"
+    "See \\dbu= for a description of that attribute.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("no_empty_cells=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_dont_write_empty_cells, gsi::arg ("flag"),
+    "@brief Don't write empty cells if this flag is set\n"
+    "\n"
+    "By default, all cells are written (no_empty_cells is false).\n"
+    "This applies to empty cells which do not contain shapes for the specified layers "
+    "as well as cells which are empty because they reference empty cells only.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("no_empty_cells?", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::dont_write_empty_cells,
+    "@brief Returns a flag indicating whether empty cells are not written.\n"
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("libname=|#gds2_libname=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_libname, gsi::arg ("libname"),
+    "@brief Sets the library name\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The library name is an attribute and specifies a formal name for a library, if the layout files is to be used as one.\n"
+    "Currently, this attribute is only supported by the GDS2 format. Hence the alias.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "By default or if the libname is an empty string, the current library name of the layout or 'LIB' is used.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "The 'libname' alias has been introduced in version 0.30.5. The original name \\gds2_libname= is still available."
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("libname|#gds2_libname", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::libname,
+    "@brief Gets the library name\n"
+    "\n"
+    "See \\libname= for details.\n"
+    "The 'libname' alias has been introduced in version 0.30.5. The original name \\gds2_libname is still available."
+  ) +
+  gsi::method ("scale_factor=", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::set_scale_factor, gsi::arg ("scale_factor"),
+    "@brief Sets the scaling factor for the saving \n"
+    "\n"
+    "Using a scaling factor will scale all objects accordingly. "
+    "This scale factor adds to a potential scaling implied by using an explicit database unit.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Be aware that rounding effects may occur if fractional scaling factors are used.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "By default, no scaling is applied."
+  ) + 
+  gsi::method ("scale_factor", &db::SaveLayoutOptions::scale_factor,
+    "@brief Gets the scaling factor currently set\n"
+  ),
+  "@brief Options for saving layouts\n"
+  "\n"
+  "This class describes the various options for saving a layout to a stream file (GDS2, OASIS and others).\n"
+  "There are: layers to be saved, cell or cells to be saved, scale factor, format, database unit\n"
+  "and format specific options.\n"
+  "\n"
+  "Usually the default constructor provides a suitable object. Please note, that the format written is \"GDS2\" by default. Either explicitly set a "
+  "format using \\format= or derive the format from the file name using \\set_format_from_filename.\n"
+  "\n"
+  "The layers are specified by either selecting all layers or by defining layer by layer using the\n"
+  "\\add_layer method. \\select_all_layers will explicitly select all layers for saving, \\deselect_all_layers will explicitly clear the list of layers.\n"
+  "\n"
+  "Cells are selected in a similar fashion: by default, all cells are selected. Using \\add_cell, specific\n"
+  "cells can be selected for saving. All these cells plus their hierarchy will then be written to the stream file.\n"
+  "\n"
+);
+
+}