Nesting
Quick Add Part — Parametric Shapes Without a DXF
Create rectangles, circles, brackets, and structural profiles from dimensions—live preview, queue multiple parts, and add them straight into nesting or cost quotes.
Skip a CAD export when you only need simple blanks: pick from built-in parametric templates, tune dimensions with validation and dimension overlays, stack parts in a queue with quantities, then commit them into your nesting project or cutting-cost quote as first-class geometry—alongside any DXF parts you already uploaded.
How it works
A four-step flow from template pick to committed parts—no DXF export required for simple geometry.
Step 1
Open Quick Add Part
From the parts review, quantities step, or cost calculator upload area.
Use the Quick Add Part button beside your parts list—available while you review parsed DXF geometry or set quantities, and on the cost calculator upload step.
Step 2
Pick a template
Browse Basic, Sheet Metal, Structural, or saved Custom templates.
Fourteen built-in shapes cover common blanks—from rectangles and rings to mounting plates, gussets, and T-bars. Expand a category, select a template, and the editor loads its parameters.
Step 3
Configure & preview
Enter dimensions with validation, dimension overlays, and live stats.
The center panel renders an SVG preview you can zoom and pan. A stats strip shows area, perimeter, cut length, and pierce count as you type—so you know what you are committing before nesting runs.
Step 4
Queue & commit
Stack multiple parts with quantities, then add them to your project.
Add each configured shape to the queue, adjust quantities, duplicate or edit lines, then commit. Parts land in your nesting project or cost quote as parsed geometry—ready for the same quantity, spacing, and export steps as DXF uploads.
Built-in template library
Parametric starters grouped the same way they appear in the Quick Add Part dialog.
| Category | Templates |
|---|---|
| Basic Shapes | Rectangle, Circle, Ring / Washer, Triangle, Polygon, Oblong / Slot, Ellipse |
| Sheet Metal | Mounting Plate, Hollow Rectangle, Slotted Washer |
| Structural | L-Angle, Flange, Gusset, T-Bar |
| Custom Templates | Save any configured shape to your browser for reuse on future jobs |
Where to find it
Quick Add Part is available in both product workflows—look for the button next to your parts list.
Capabilities
Parametric parts behave like parsed DXF geometry once committed—same review, nesting, and quoting paths.
Parametric geometry engine
Templates generate closed contours and holes that flow through the same part classifier and nesting preprocessor as uploaded DXF parts.
Custom template library
Name and save a dimension set from any built-in template. Custom entries persist in local storage and appear under Custom Templates.
Nesting wizard integration
Commit with Add parts to project on the parse and quantity steps—quantities merge into your existing parts table immediately.
Cost calculator integration
The same dialog on upload and quantity screens commits with Add parts to quote so parametric blanks sit beside DXF-derived parts in estimates.
At a glance
What you get when you mix Quick Add Part with a normal DXF workflow.
- Auto-generated part names from template dimensions (editable before queueing)
- Per-queue-line quantities applied on commit
- Edit or duplicate queued lines before adding to the project
- Generated parts grouped under a Quick Add Parts source in the parts table
- Optional save-as-template for repeat dimension sets
Already uploaded a DXF? Quick Add Part appends parametric parts to the same job—no file merge required.
More Nesting features
DXF processing
Nest DXF files in your browser with automated placement—sheet cutting optimization and CAD-friendly exports without installing desktop CAD.
Part detection
Closed contours and holes are inferred from DXF geometry—less manual picking before you nest.
Nesting algorithms
Fast greedy plus optimized nesting for DXF sheets—many jobs reduce scrap 20%+ vs naive layouts; results vary by job.
Smart placement
No-fit polygon–style placement with bottom-left packing and 90° rotations so DXF parts pack tighter on each sheet.
Try it in the nesting wizard
Upload your DXF, review parts, set quantities, and export optimized layouts with utilization reports.
Start free nestingFeature: Quick Add Part