AutoNest File Formats

In order to establish an open architecture for users to have full flexibility in using AutoNEST, various file formats must be maintained both at input levels and for output purposes.

 

Input Files:

For input, there are 2 files required, namely:-

 

1) .VEC file

The .VEC file contains the geometry of a part in ASCII file format.

 

2)  .JOB file

This ASCII file contains the parameters of a task that need to be nested. For examples, number of stocks, stock size and quantity; number of parts, part quantity and orientation constraints; edge allowance, cutting gap …etc.

 

The 3rd file is optional depending whether there is irregular stock.

 

3) .STK file (optional)

    The format of a .STK file is the same as the .VEC file. Where the .VEC describes the profile of a part, .STK describes the profile of an irregular stock

 

4) .CLS file (optional – for Cluster-part)

   

The .CLS file contains the relative coordinates of the insertion points of the individual parts in relation to the Cluster’s insertion point. Each Cluster requires the individual parts’ .VEC files, .VEC of the Cluster’s outline as well as the .CLS file.

 

Output Files:

There are four (4) output files. These files are generated automatically upon a successful nesting. The fifth (DXF) file is generated if the nesting is invoked from Nest Manager instead of in AutoCAD. The sixth file will only be generated if  “Common-Line /Toolpath” is invoked.

 

1) .SYM file

    This ASCII file gives the layout information by making reference to the Parts position co-ordinates, orientation, color …etc. and the Stock information.

 

2) .SUM Format

    This file contains the nesting summary report in ASCII format.

 

3)  .XLS or .XLSX Format

    This file contains the nesting summary in Excel format.

 

4)  .XML file (the contents are similar to .SYM)

    Two .XLM files, similar in contents to .SUM and .SYM are created in Extensible Markup Language.

 

5) .DXF file (created only in the Nest Manager environment)

    This file contains the full geometric information of the nested layout(s). As such, it will be very much larger in size when compared to say the .SYM file.

 

6) .SGD file

    Similiar in concept to .SYM file except this ASCII file presents the layout information by “partitions blocks” or grids.