Importing and creating ready-made shapes

Complex shapes adds geometry to your drawing. Preview first, choose where it belongs and decide whether to create operations at the same time.

What is the difference between Open and Import file?

Open loads a drawing or saved project as the current document. To add another drawing to the document you are already editing, use Complex shapes > Import file. Choose a DXF/DWG, then place its base point in the existing drawing using snap or typed coordinates.

The imported base point is often (0,0), but can be defined differently in the source file. Imported layers and blocks are preserved; conflicting names are distinguished automatically. DXF is interpreted in mm, DWG uses its declared units, and appended geometry is converted into the current drawing units. Esc or right-click cancels the pending placement.

How do I insert a parametric shape, gear, polygon or finger-joint box?

Choose the corresponding command in Complex shapes. Parametric shapes offers dimensioned templates; the other commands have their own parameters. Fill in the dimensions in the unit shown by the dialog and press Preview. Check holes, widths, quantities and any reference image before insertion.

Use Pick insertion point (snap) to place it on the drawing after accepting, or choose Coordinates and enter X/Y. Create operations adds machining assignments using the current preference when available. If it is off, the geometry is inserted without operations and you can assign them later.

How do I create lettering in a straight line or around a circle?

Use Linear text or Circular text in Complex shapes. Enter the text, choose a font and set the requested size or circular placement parameters. Preview the resulting outlines before inserting them. A different font changes both the appearance and the openings inside letters.

The created outlines can be cut or engraved according to your chosen operation. Inspect the operations already created before adding a second one. For cut-out lettering, the inner-first order helps machine the openings before the letter outline. Letters with enclosed islands may need bridges in your design if those islands must remain attached to a surrounding sheet.

How do I arrange many rectangular parts on sheets?

Open Rectangular nesting, specify the sheet dimensions and the part sizes and quantities. Set spacing and whether rotation is allowed, then preview the arrangement. The total quantity limit is 100,000 parts, but a large job can require more time and several sheets.

Review each sheet using the sheet selector. Insertion uses the selected sheet, so repeat for other sheets when required. Allow enough spacing for the intended cut width, compensation and entry paths. A packing result that looks compact on screen is not by itself a suitable machining clearance.

How do I nest parts from DXF drawings?

Choose DXF nesting. Add the drawing files and quantities, enter the sheet dimensions, spacing and available rotation settings, then run the nesting calculation. Review the result, including holes and orientation, before inserting a selected sheet.

Changing quantities or dimensions invalidates the previous result: run the calculation again. Use clean, closed part outlines and check the imported dimensions. Nesting places parts; the operation settings and selected post still determine how those parts are machined.