This topic explains the basic terms, navigation, and data operations used throughout the program. The same methods for adding, editing, sorting, filtering, and selecting data apply to plans and inventory.
Basic terms
Term |
Meaning |
Plan |
A cutting job containing available stocks, required parts, cutting settings, and optimization results - cutting layouts. |
Stock |
A piece of material available for cutting, such as a sheet, panel or roll. Stocks can include new material and reusable remnants. |
Part |
A piece to be cut from stock, defined by its dimensions, required quantity, and other properties. |
Optimization |
The process of calculating cutting layouts from the plan's stocks, parts, and settings to reduce waste and meet the specified production requirements. |
Cutting layout |
An arrangement of parts and cuts within a stock piece. A layout may be repeated to produce the required quantities. |
Remnant |
A reusable piece left after cutting, which can be retained for future plans. |
Scrap |
Material left after cutting that is not retained for reuse. |
A plan consists of available stocks, required parts, and cutting parameters. Optimization produces cutting layouts, which can be reviewed, printed as cutting instructions and labels, or exported. Reusable remnants left after cutting can be used in future plans.
Section |
Purpose |
Shortcut |
Plans |
Prepare and manage cutting plans, including stocks, parts, settings, and results |
Ctrl+1 |
Materials |
Manage materials and inventory stocks, predefined parts, and cutting settings |
Ctrl+2 |
Assemblies |
Define groups of parts that can be reused when preparing plans |
Ctrl+3 |
Storages |
Organize inventory stocks by physical or logical storage location |
Ctrl+4 |
Edgebands |
Define the edgebands used to cover part edges |
Ctrl+5 |
Machines |
Configure CNC machines and generate G-code |
Ctrl+6 |
Section paths in this manual use > to separate a program section from its tab. For example, Plans > Stocks means go to the Plans section and select the Stocks tab.
Main window
The main window provides access to cutting plans, inventory, and the tools used to prepare and manage your data.
Menu and toolbars
The main menu provides access to program commands. The main toolbar gives quick access to commonly used commands, including Reports, Filter, Import, and starting or stopping optimization.
The toolbar above the current data area contains its data navigator and any additional controls for that tab. For example, controls available for plan parts differ from those available for optimization results.
Menu paths in this manual use > to separate menu levels. For example, Tools > Options means open the Tools menu and select Options.
Data navigators
The data navigator allows you to navigate, add, edit, and delete records.
Button |
Action |
Shortcut |
First |
Moves to the first record |
Ctrl+Home |
Previous |
Moves to the previous record |
Up |
Next |
Moves to the next record |
Down |
Last |
Moves to the last record |
Ctrl+End |
Insert (+) |
Adds a new record |
Ins |
Delete (-) |
Deletes the current record |
Ctrl+Del |
Edit |
Edits the current record |
- |
Post |
Saves changes to the current record |
- |
Cancel |
Cancels changes to the current record |
Esc |
Refresh |
Refreshes data or performs another form-specific action |
- |
Not all buttons are available in every navigator. Their availability and some actions depend on the current form.
Data grids
Most data is displayed in grids. Each row represents a record, such as a plan, stock, or part. Each column represents a field, such as a description, dimension, or quantity.
The current row is highlighted in light blue, and the current field in dark blue. Read-only fields have a gray background.
You can edit values, sort and filter rows, select multiple records, and choose which columns are displayed. These operations are described in the following subtopics.
Tabs and the current record
The first tab in a section lists its main records, such as plans or materials. The other tabs show details of the selected main record.
For example, select a plan on the Plans tab, then open Stocks, Parts, Settings, or Results tabs to work with that plan. The toolbar above the detail area identifies the current plan.
When a detail tab is active, the navigator in the main toolbar lets you move to the first, previous, next, or last main record without returning to the list. For example, you can stay on the Parts tab and move to another plan to view its parts.
The data navigator above a grid moves through the rows within that grid.
Status bar
The status bar at the bottom of the main window displays contextual information.