Install and run through the demos to get a overview of the package.
The user interface guides you through a job session. Simply go through all the Pages in the order they appear.
You can sort the items in the tables, by DOUBLE Clicking on the Column heading.
You can change width of the columns to the size you require.
If you enter keywords in the summary information (file menu), these can be used for quick searches using the windows explorer.
You can highlight the same parts in the "Layout details" diagram, by using the setting.
By default the cost is minimized. If you want to maximize utilization, then give the sheet cost proportional to the area of the stock.
By increasing the cost of a sheet, you can assign a lesser priority to it.
You can output the layouts into a DXF file and than edit it further in a drafting package.
You can put On/Off different layers of the drawing generated by the DXF file, to view different elements in the output.
The part information is displayed in a tool tip, in the Layout details.
Various information on parts with joints is displayed in a tool tip, in preview window of shape page.
Different length information is displayed in a tool tip, in the table of Add large part and Edit Large parts dialog, to help the user to minimize error while defining User cuts.
Use color to mark off same parts in the layout.
You can control the size of the text in the printout using the Tools->Font menu.
For quickly getting results adjust slider bar at "Quick Results" in Settings.
Reuse stock by allowing offcuts.
Before Sending Output to Word, it is advisable to save the job.
Before Sending Labels to Word , it is advisable to save the job.
Before Exporting Layouts as DXF Files , it is advisable to save the job.
Before Clicking Optimize Button Visit all Input Pages, If any Particular Input is flagged in Red then it is Wrong Input.
While Viewing Layout In ZOOM Mode, Use Scroll bars for better viewing.
While naming file give meaningful names, so that it can be used without confusion in future.
All the dimensions are by default input in millimeters ("mm").
You can zoom into and out of the layout drawings in Details Page. This can be achieved by Right Click inside Window showing the layout diagram. On Right Click a menu appears where user can specify the Required Zoom Factor.
You can Change drawing settings in Details Page itself. This can be achieved by Right Click inside Window showing the layout diagram. On Right Click a menu appears where user has to select Drawing Settings.
Watch the tutorial (Help->Tutorial), to get an overview of the package.
Press TAB in the rightmost column of the last row to create a new row in the table.
Double-click on the column header to sort the column.
Add, delete and edit the material and their properties using the Material Library.
Pause the mouse and see useful information as tool tips.
Enter keywords in the summary information (file menu). These can be used for quick searches using the windows explorer.
Change to INCHES or mm or Taiwanese Inches, using the Tools->Select Units menu.
You can import the stock and Cutlist data from Comma Separated Value (CSV) and other text files with the "Import from CSV file" wizard.
To work with multiple materials select "Specify Material & Thickness for each stock" in the "Select Material" dialog.
Reuse remaining stocks by saving offcuts in the offcut file, and adding them as new stocks.
The stock and part quantities can even be ZERO. Use this facility to do a "WHAT IF" analysis (say, only one stock is available)
Copy and paste data from spreadsheets and databases through simple cut and paste.
Use INCHES and enter lengths like 20 7/32"
Report in Sq. meters or Sq. feet, simply change the unit settings.
De-Coil problem: simply check the "Stock in the form of Coils" setting.
Reset the material cost and densities and add your preferred materials to the material library.
Enable part rotation, if permissible. This can improve the utilization.
Want another column in the PARTS table for additional information. Simply add a custom column to the parts Table.
Often used objects made of many parts: use the Product Library facility, to simplify input.
Add non-rectangular parts via DXF input in the profiles page.
Add multiple DXF files in a single interaction using the "Add Multiple DXF Profiles" button in the profiles page.
Use pre-defined parametric shapes for many standard shapes.
Add your own shape to the list of standard shapes by selecting the profile and using the "save as standard shape" in the profiles page.
Disable pairing for ONLY the profiles you do not want paired.
To improve the utilization with Non-Rectangular parts, try to define some high utilization patterns in the Patterns page.
Use the Ortho and Grid snaps for moving the parts precisely while defining a pattern.
Download the latest updates, tutorials and samples from the download center at http://www.nirvanatec.com/
Reject inferior layouts and try RENEST, this may improve the overall utilization.
Renest the remaining problem after rejecting some of the layouts, and increasing the quantity of stocks.
You can CHANGE (increase) the quantities of remaining stocks and the parts during RENEST.
Highlight the same parts in the layout by checking the "Same Parts" checkbox in the "Tools->Drawing Settings" menu.
To remove COLORS from output, disable "Use colors" setting using the "Tools->Drawing settings" menu.
Customize the RTF output (content and order), using the "RTF Output Settings" button
Use the Cost page to quickly estimate the overall cost of the project. Customize your settings and SAVE them so that they are available the next time you go to the Cost page.
The part information is displayed in a tool tip, in the Layout details.
Use Part Name Aliases in the DXF output, to print shorter names instead of the full part name.
You can add custom field in the output page, which can be used to add custom information to labels.
Write back with your feedback and comments to support@nirvanatec.com
Press F3 for the unit conversion tool at any time.
Use the combine parts button, to combine parts of the same size and material.
You can customize the output header, to add your company logo using the "Tools->Customize Header" menu.
To copy an entry in a cell, to many cells of the same row, move the mouse to lower-right corner of the cell, and when you see fill handle (+ cursor), just click and drag it over the desired cells.
You can Right Click on the layout drawing to Zoom or access the Drawing settings menu or to set the layout font size.
You can save your most used data and setting by clicking on the "Save Settings as Default" button on the toolbar.
To customize the Plus2d miscellaneous settings select "Tools > Options..." menu.
To stop the cut sequence process in the details page, press 'Esc' key
To add a number of different non-rectangular parts of same type use "Add multiple Parametric Profiles" button on profiles page.
Include Edge banding calculations for each part in your report. See help for more details...
If you often optimize the same set of parts, try saving them as a product. Check out help of Product library for more details...
Set the directory for CNC files by using "NC Links -> NC Options..." menu.
You can easily add/subtract/multiply/divide the selected values in Stocks, Parts and Profile Page by clicking right mouse button and selecting "Evaluate Expression" option.
You can attach additional information to stocks and parts. These are shown in the output and on labels.
Margin for each stock can be added using "Stock Margins..." button on stock page and selecting appropriate option.
You can speedup or slow down the cut simulation speed, using Tools->Options menu.
If you are using Wordviewer (or Office 97) to view the RTF output, you may like to turn on Word 97 compatibility. (Tools->Options menu).
You can join co-linear segments when you import a DXF file (Tools->Options menu).
You can highlight the internal offcuts (Tools->Options menu).
You can set ‘Display Fractions and numbers in compact form’ using "Tools->Unit Settings" menu.
Trailing zeros after decimal are truncated, and fractions are reduced to the lowest form.
You can print labels for offcuts using button Update Inventory->Print Offcut Labels.
You can set Chargeable sizes for parts on cost page using button Charged Sizes->Set Charge Sizes option.
You can combine data of two or more columns in a single column using either "Evaluate Expression" or "Format Expression" option available on right click mouse menu.
You can set Grinding Margins for each part using the Set Grinding button on the Parts page.
Print labels with Bar Codes from PLUS 2D using the Bar Code Labels module (Optional Add-On).
Generate machine codes for number of cutting tables and panel saws (Optional Add-On).
Use "Minimum Breakout Distance" setting available on Settings tab to make patterns which are simple to break out.
Click "Re-Arrange" button on Details Tab, to improve the arrangement of parts in the pattern, if possible.
Scroll through the Layouts with the help of scroll wheel on the mouse, instead of clicking Prev or Next buttons.
Many tools that are frequently used are available as ToolBar buttons for easy access.
Automatically generate the Part Names using "Auto Names" on the Parts tab.
Use "Rotate part" option to rotate the part by 90 degrees or such that the lengths or the widths of all the parts coincide with that of stocks.
Check the number of parts nested and number of parts remaining on the summary tab under "summary of parts".
The parts marked with Red color tells that either 'No stocks are available' or 'the parts cannot fit in the stocks that are available'.
Add Ellipse, made using PELLIPSE set to 'ON' in CAD package, via DXF file.
Use the close polyline option while making the DXF file for importing in PLUS 2D.
Each profile should be made in separate DXF files, so that they get correctly imported.
If the profile needs grinding after cutting, Offset it by that amount while making the DXF file and than import it in PLUS 2D.
To send the job file to us in case of some problem, just goto "File->Send To Mail Recipient(as attachments)" menu.