MapBoards Pro Description

By default, when the option Map Output Type is Component Bodies, a map with copies of the bodies in the model are arranged on one or more boards. The entire arrangement will be created under a component named "map" in the brower tree.

There are a number of alternative output types including SVG File, DXF File or Report which can be created directly without providing a map of Component Bodies or you can create these alternate outputs using tasks on the created map object. See Post-Mapping Tasks

When MBP 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 allowing 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 MBP the first time on a model to match the standard material size available to you as sheet goods, board lumber, etc. in the material and thickness found in your model.  MBP will create as many boards of this size needed to map all components of this type in your model.

If you have remnants of this material, or scraps, of various sizes you can optionally create a list of these scraps and include them to be filled when creating a map.  The included scraps will be filled first and when the list is exausted mapping will resume using the standard material size you had entered. The scrap lists that you create are available to all other designs that contain the same material type (material and thickness) you just need to select the edit icon next to the material type and select which scraps you want included in the resulting scap list table displayed. These scrap lists can be viewed as inventory and modified as scraps are added and/or used up.

The standard material sizes and included scraps you entered for a model will persist and be included the next time you run MBP on the model.

In this example the dimensions for materials Walnut and Mahogany are large enough to contain all components of their material type. Also note that no scraps have been used since the scrap counts are zero next to each material type.

By default all component bodies are included in the created map. Alternatively you can select which component bodies that you want included in the map.  When MBP is launched, selecting a component occurrence or a component body from the browser tree or a body in the design view then a second selection table is displayed.  The selected component bodies are displayed in this table. This example shows two components selected of type Plywood 0.739 allowing their quantities and grain direction to be changed while still allowing the entire model to be included in the created map. In addition you can select a material from the list of board material types presented by MBP. The following image shows the material type Frames-Top (0.750) selected adding 10 additional parts to the previous selection for a total of 12 selected parts. All selected parts are highlighted in the model. The following options are available when parts have been selected which have an affect when the map is created.

A flat pattern of the created map can be exported as a DXF or SVG file with a number of options including kerf thickness.  The DXF file exported is layered as viewed from the top and will include perimeter, cutouts, insets, and labels.  Inset layer names will describe either a depth or depth range. The same view is created with an SVG file export with layers represented as lines with selectable colors and adjustable thicknesses.

You can perform the export as part of the map creation in one step or produce a map first then export the flat pattern with tasks from the map object context menu in the browser tree. Since you can manually rearrange the components on the resulting map you may prefer the stepwise process of creating the map, rearrange the map then export the flat pattern.

Advantages of exporting or labeling after the creation of a map:

• allows components to be manually rearranged before export
• fine tune export parameters such as kerf before exporting
• relabel to fine tune font, font size or units after rearranging map
• can elect to label or export one board at a time, useful on large models

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

MBP can create a Map Report instead of a Map with bodies by selecting Report as a Map Output Type in the Options tab. It will generate informative HTML report on the map and components in the model. The resulting HTML can be saved as a PDF or printed.

Using Derived Using Linked