In one embodiment, a dummy pattern having a plurality of dummy features
(e.g., waffles) are employed to help achieve a relatively planar surface
by chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP). The dummy features are placed
based on a dielectric pattern density of a region of an integrated
circuit. The dummy features may be added to the design of the integrated
circuit using a one pass or two pass approach. The dummy features in a
second pass may be fragmented using an AndNot algorithm, for example.