The Layout Manager is an optional advanced feature that helps you maximize the use of your materials with a graphical representation of the finished size and quantity against the material. Use of the layout manager can also allow you to see material waste. If using Cost-Plus pricing on the material, you'll also have pricing options for the waste portion.
Enabling the Layout Manager
- Navigate to Management Module > Machines. Select one of the available machines from your machine list.
- Select an existing machine profile from the dropdown list or create a new profile by clicking Add Profile.
NOTE: Each machine can have multiple profiles. You may choose to have one profile which uses the layout manager, and one that does not. - Click Enable Layout Manager.
- Click Save Machine Settings.
- Once the profile has been updated, click on the Layout Manager tab.
- Enter the Layout Margin which is the unprintable area around the edges of the material. This will be taken into account when the system lays out the finished items.
- Enter the Maximum Width of the machine.
- Enter the Leading Edge, how much material is not printable due to a gripper or leader needed on the machine.
- Select the Orientation from the dropdown menu. For sheetfed machines with a leading edge, choose either Portrait or Landscape. For roll-fed machines choose Roll.
- If your machine prints a Color Bar, enable it by entering the width of the color bar. To disable, select None.
- Check Custom Waste Calculation to charge for waste.
NOTE: Changes made here will affect the final retail price on parts using Cost-plus pricing. - Click Save Machine Settings.
Layout Manager in Order Entry
- (A) Set Gutter: Set gutter for the part.
- (B) Set Bleed: Set bleed for the part. Bleed will automatically add the necessary Gutter.
- (C) Ignore Machine Margin: Check the box to remove the machine margin and leading edge.
- (D) Use Cutting: Will add the cost and retail for cutting to the order.
- (E) Rotate Finish Item: Rotating the item may allow the job to be laid out more optimally and use less material.
- (F) Use Color Bar: Remove or include Color Bar.
- (G) Length of Roll Required: Length of roll needed based on how the part fits on the material.
- (H) Roll Waste: Material waste based on how the part fits on the material.
- (I) Number Of Finished Cuts: Number of cuts needed to remove the part from the material.
- (J) Leading Edge: The leading edge as set in the machine settings.
- (K) Machine Margin: The unprintable area around the edges of the material as set in the machine settings.