1. A method comprising the steps of using a background process to install at least one system hook for message interception of integrated circuit chip layout display software; intercepting a call message through said system hook; responsive to said call message, reading current layout coordinates from said integrated circuit chip layout display software; entering a representation of said current layout coordinates into tool control software configured to control a physical tool for analyzing integrated circuits; and controlling said physical tool for analyzing integrated circuits with said tool control software, based on said representation of said current layout coordinates.