Introduction
- A layout is a collection of multiple designs (or components), within a single workspace or sheet.
- The designs within a layout are often referred to as blocks (a generic term often used to describe a group of entities which behave as a single geometric structure), although the term layer insert is perhaps the most accurate label. Layer inserts have certain attributes which are not applicable to any other type of block. Similarly, blocks have certain attributes which are not applicable to Layer Inserts.
- A layout can consist of multiple copies of a single design or single copies of multiple designs (a composite layout).
- Layouts are created (and stored) as a new layer within an Impact project. They are linked to the originating/source layers – change the source layer and the layout updates automatically.
- Layouts have associated database information – such as the number of designs within the layout, sheet dimensions and sheet utilisation.
Advantages
- When multiple samples of a product are required, cutting multiple samples from a single sheet saves time.
- Many manufacturing applications and workflows need a step & repeat drawing (or the step & repeat data which is created by a layout drawing).
- Manufacturing times and costs are often estimated upon a layout drawing, which typically include common knives between any overlapping sections of design profiles.
- When designs are nested for manufacture, certain design flaws/restrictions may become apparent. Using the layout tools may highlight these early within the product life cycle.
- Data – from percentage scrap to waste volumes and waste weights. Impact generates a wealth of useful data, at the touch of a button.
Layout tools
Impact provides a number of tools to assist in the creation of Layouts and to retrieve information from them.