MapBoards Description
Latest Version: 1.874

This doumentation is based on the latest version. Updates, which include bug fixes and enhanced features, will be made available on the app store to entitled subscribers here. The MapBoards (MB) toolbar icon image will show and download indicator image when an update to your currently installed version is available.

Installs can be downloaded from the Autodesk App Store. App Store

View version history here.

What is a map?

MapBoards (MB) will create a map which is the arrangement of component bodies in a model on one or more targeted boards. The arrangement is done with copies of the bodies leaving the model in tact. Placement of the bodies is based on a tight retangular bounding box for the bodies. This provides quick results and reasonable nesting.

Material List

When MB starts the length, width, thickness and material type are determined for each component body in the model. The list of all material and thickness pairings are presented allow the targeted board dimensions to be specified. The initial default dimensions filled in will be a size large enough to fit one component, the largest component for each material type. You will needs to updated these dimensions before you run MB the first time on a model to match the size of the material you plan to use. The dimensions will persist and be included the next time you run MB on this model. Selecting Save as Default on the option tab will save the dimensions entered for each material type and thickness pairing and used as defaults by MB with other models. In this example the dimensions for materials Walnut and Mahogany are large enough to contain all components of their material type.

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Rearranging Map
Component bodies in the map created can be manually moved within or between boards by performing the following steps.
  • Click Top on the view cube to align the top facing forward.  This assumes the Map Orientation option matches the user preferences for modeling orientation.
  • Click and drag the components within or between the boards
Exporting Map

A flat pattern of the created map can be exported as a DXF file with a number of options including kerf thickness by selecting DXF File for Map Type in the options tab.  The DXF file exported is layered as viewed from the top and will include perimeter, cutouts, and labels. 

Printing Map
Steps for printing or creating a PDF of the map.
  • Run MB selecting DXF File as a map type and include labels if desired
  • Print the DXF file using the program eDrawings Viewer which is free and available for both Windows and Mac. It will resize the DXF image for convenient printing.
Cut List and Label Printing
Save Cutlist is an option available in the options tab when creating a map. The resulting CSV file contains a list of all components included in the map with dimensions and material type. It is sorted by board number, width and length. It can be imported into a spreadsheet program and formated for viewing. You can also easily print labels by importing the CSV file into Avery's online Design and Print utility.  By creating a free account you can save your custom label printing template for reuse. Avery 5160 is good choice for label printing. This video will provide guidance.  Avery Data and Mail Merge
Using Linked Components and Assemblies
In order to create a relocatable copy of a body found in a linked component or assembly, without breaking the link, a local copy of that linked component is made from its datafile. The following are best practices when using linked components and assemblies with MB in order to avoid errors.
  • Always ensure the saved assemblies you linked in have MB created maps removed. Clear the map by invoking MB and pressing Cancel.
  • Name all component and do NOT use Fusion's automatically created component names, i.e. ComponentX. Instead provide your own unique names.
  • Remember to save any updates you make to the assembly and refresh the model where linked.
Options

There are a number of options available in the options tab. Trying the different arrangement types, the Can Rotate setting and boards dimensions will result in varied results. All options and dimensions will persist and be includes the next time you run MB on this model. You can save your option selections as default by pressing Save as Default in the Option tab.

View all available options here.  Option Descriptions

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