Product Applications
How do I change the printed Diagram format?
You have four choices for your printed format
- A 1/2 page diagram with a printed part list below the diagram
- Two 1/2 page diagrams
- Four 1/4 page diagrams printed landscape
- One full page diagram printed landscape
Click "Setup/Setup Options" from the main menu then click the "Diagram Format" tab. You will be able to visually select the Diagram format from this window.
Can I change the location of the dimensions on my diagrams?
Yes. You have three choices;
- Top
- Sides
- or Centered
Select your choice real time in the Layout window to see the updates immediately.
Note that Sheet Layout will automatically scale the font size to fit your diagrams. This is particularly beneficial on diagrams that have smaller parts.
Can Sheet Layout pick the best stock sizes and the quantity of raw materials to purchase?
Yes, very easily.
First, enter the sizes for each stock raw material that you can buy. Enter a large quantity for each stock size, 1000 for example.
Set the Raw Material stock selection option to "Best Fit".
Enter and layout your project part list as you normally would. During the layout optimization Sheet Layout will evaluate each stock material size and pick the stock size with the "Best Fit" to provide the best overall material efficiency.
You can then print a report showing the quantity of each size of stock material that you need to purchase.
How many Layout Diagrams can I have?
The number of Diagrams per Project depends on which registered version of Sheet Layout you own. Please see the Version comparison page for details.
How do I display edge banding on my layout Diagrams?
The ability of Sheet Layout to automatically compensate your cutting sizes for Edge Banding is a very valuable and powerful feature. Sheet Layout provides you further error proofing features by printing Edge Banding indicators on diagrams as well as labels.
To show edge banding indicators there are several options for you to choose from in the Layout window options. Just check the edge banding features you want to use.
Can I specify lengthwise (rip) cuts only?
Sheet Layout allows you to specify lengthwise (rip) or widthwise (cross) cutting. This is the "First Cut Direction" parameter which you can set for individually for each material.
Sheet Layout can also determine which cutting direction (rip or cross) will provide the best material yields. Often, Sheet Layout will provide significantly better yields if you allow it to pick the First Cut Direction. This is the recommend setting.
Furthermore, Sheet Layout will still control the grain direction for each part in your Project List no matter what setting you choose.
Can Sheet Layout pick the best stock sizes and the quantity of raw materials to purchase?
Yes, very easily.
First, enter the sizes for each stock raw material that you can buy. Enter a large quantity for each stock size, 1000 for example.
Set the Raw Material stock selection option to "Best Fit".
Enter and layout your project part list as you normally would. During the layout optimization Sheet Layout will evaluate each stock material size and pick the stock size with the "Best Fit" to provide the best overall material efficiency.
You can then print a report showing the quantity of each size of stock material that you need to purchase.
Can Sheet Layout control the part grain direction?
Yes. “Part Rotation” is sometimes referred to as “Grain Direction” control. Sheet Layout can control part rotation or the part grain direction very easily.
You can even allow part rotation on a part-by-part basis. This allows you to achieve maximum optimization efficiency by only controlling the grain on the parts that require a specific grain direction.
If the part grain direction isn't important, always allow part rotation to achieve the maximum optimization efficiency.
How many different projects can I have?
You can have an unlimited number of Projects in Sheet Layout.
What are "Fast Fractions" and how do I use them?
Fast Fractions is a great time saving feature of Sheet Layout that allows you to enter fractions without typing the fraction. Here is a simple example. Suppose your part dimensions are 23 3/16" x 19 1/16. Normally you would type.
23 3/16 (tab) 19 1/16 (tab). With Fast Fractions you would type
23 3 (tab) 19 1 (tab). The tab key moves from one column to the next. SL will automatically complete the "/16" for each of your entries.
Of course, you can set Sheet Layout to use 8ths, 32nds, or 64ths with one mouse click.
How do I delete a Project?
You use the traditional windows dialog box. When the Project Parts tab is active, select File/Open from the menu. This will display a list of all projects for you. RIGHT click on any project name and a context menu will pop-up with delete as one of your options.
I keep getting an error when I try to import an Excel File, why?
It could be several items.
- First, each line must have the same data in the same order.
- The data must be of the proper type, for example the part length must be a number as opposed to text
- There can't be any other data in the spreadsheet including spaces and you must start at row one (1) , column one (1)
- After checking the first three items, here's a trick that saves a lot of frustration on finding random data in your spreadsheet.
- Format the spreadsheet columns as you desire starting in row 1 and column 1
- Highlight only the the columns that contain data.
- Copy and paste that data to a NEW spreadsheet. This makes sure that any random data (including spaces that you can't seen in a spreadsheet) have been removed.
How can I purchase Sheet Layout?
Sheet Layout can only be purchased online through our secure web site store.
If I buy the Hobbyist version, do I have to pay full price to upgrade to a larger version?
No. Productivity Systems LLC offers a no-penalty upgrade.
For example; If you purchased the Hobbyist version and you want to upgrade to the Small Shop version, you just pay the difference in price between the Hobbyist and Small Shop version.*
In a similar manner, you can upgrade to any version of Sheet Layout by just paying the difference between the version you purchased, and the version you want to upgrade to.
* Each time you place an order, there may be a small transaction fee to cover the electronic and credit card processing fees and applicable taxes.
How long does it take to get my Password?
Immediately!
When you place your order and it is approved by the credit card processor can receive your password online immediately. In order to receive your Password, you will need to enter the Activation Key that is unique to your computer. You must;
- Install the Sheet Layout software on the computer you intend to use if you haven't already.
- From Sheet Layout's main menu select "Help/Activation" and you will see a bright yellow box with your Activation Key.
- Enter the Activation Key into the online web registration form at www.SheetLayout.com to receive your Password.
Note: The Activation Key and matching Password is unique to a single computer. If you do not have Sheet Layout installed on the computer you intend to use it on Do NOT complete the registration process. You can revisit www.SheetLayout.com at any time to get your one-time Activation Key.
How many Raw Materials can I have, and how many different Raw Materials can be used in a single Project?
You can have an unlimited number of Raw Materials saved for your use and there is no limit on the number of different Raw Materials that can be used in a Project.
Depending on your registered version, you may be limited on the number of diagrams that you can display in a single project.
How can I change the Raw Material icon?
RIGHT click on the icon you want to change and a menu will appear. Click on "Change Icon" and browse the list of icons pre-loaded for you.
You can also create your own material icon using almost any graphic or paint program.
How do I rename a Raw Material?
There are two ways to rename a Raw Material.
1) You can open the Raw Material file, then select "Save As" to make a copy and rename it.
2) You can RIGHT click on the Raw Material item you want to change and select "Rename Item" from the pop-up menu?
Can I customize my Reports?
Yes, you can customize the report formats. You have many reports to choose from and each report can be formatted individually.
You can customize the position of the columns, the width of the columns in the same manner as the Raw Material and Project windows.
You can also select options to subtotal or total relevant data columns.