A schematic modifier editor that works in concert with a shapes modifier editor so that changes to a design layout are reflected in the schematic. The shapes modifier editor tracks the changes made to the cell hierarchy and saves the changes to a list file. The schematic modifier editor processes the list file and edits the schematic file so that its cell hierarchy corresponds with that of the modified shapes file. The modified schematic file and modified shapes file can then be compared by a conventional verification program to ensure that the modified shapes file implements the desired circuit.