Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q1. What is AnyShape Cut 2D X?
A1. AnyShape Cut 2D X is an Automation component - within a dll - used for obtaining cutting layouts for two dimensional sheets and parts.
Q2. What is a component?
A2. A component is a set of functions, which can be called by an application. A library cannot be used by an end-user.
Q3. I need some modifications to the component in order to use it within my application. Can you make these modifications for me?
A3. Probably we can. Please contact us to discuss details.
Q4. What languages can I use for building my application?
A4. All languages that supports Automation. We have tested it with VB6, VB .NET 2005, VC++ .NET 2005, VC# .NET 2005, VJ# .NET 2005, Borland Delphi 6,7, 2007, C++Builder 6, Code Gear Turbo C++ 2006 Profesional, MFC VC++ 6.0, Java, Excel.
Q5. On which Operating Systems can the component be deployed ?
A5. The component is written in C++. So it can be deployed on almost all operating systems which have a C++ compiler: Mac OS, Linux, Unix, Free BSD etc.
Licensing
Q1. How many licenses I need for deploying the component to my clients?
A1. First of all you need one license for the computer where you develop your application. Then you need licenses for each computer where you want to deploy your application. Each time you want to sell your application to a new client you have to contact us in order to provide a new Serial Number for the computer where you want to perform the registration.
Q2. What is the difference between the single license and royalty free distribution license?
A2. Single license can be used only on 1 computer whose code you will send us (see ComputerID property). Royalty free distribution allow you to deploy the component to any number of customers without asking for keys from us.
Q3. I need the source code for the components. How can I get them ?
A3. We DO NOT SELL the source code for the components. See also Q5.
Q4. Can I deploy the my application to my clients without asking for a Serial Number each time from Optimal Programs?
A4. Yes, you can. You may buy a special version of the component which can be deployed with your application without any additional costs.
Q5. How do I create an application using AnyShape Cut 2D X for non-Windows systems?
A5. We can provide/sell the obfuscated C++ code. The obfuscated code means that you cannot read it, but the C++ compiler knows how to compile it.
Registration
Q1. I get "Class not registered" message. What does it mean?
A1. The component is not registered. To fix this problem you have to locate the anyshape_dll.dll and then run the command "regsvr32 anyshape_dll.dll" from the Windows Start|Run menu.
Q2. Can I register the component directly from the source code without calling the regsvr32 ?
A2. Yes, you can. See our example here.
Speed, quality and optimization types
Q1. Does AnyShape Cut 2D X produce the best possible layouts?
A1. NO. AnyShape Cut 2D X gives you only an approximation. There is no guarantee that the solution is the best possible. The cutting optimization is a NP-complete problem. There is no polynomial-time algorithm for solving them. This means that the only method which guarantee the best solution is generating all possible layouts. This can take years if you have 100 different parts. Read more details here.
Q2. How fast the component is?
A2. The speed depends on the number of demand pieces, number of stock pieces, parts and stock sizes, resolution, etc.
Q3. What algorithm do you use for performing optimization ?
A4. Many.
Input / Output
Q1. What AnyShape Cut 2D X requires as input?
A1.
a) The parameters: cutter diameter, optimization level, etc.
b) The parts to be cut.
c) The sheets to cut from.
Q2. How can I input a part or a sheet?
A2. Pieces are polygons or full circles. If the piece is a polygon, each curve connecting 2 consecutive nodes can be either straight segment or arc.
Q3. How the results is given?
A3. For each part piece you will get the coordinates (inside the sheet piece) from where this is placed.
Q4. How can I optimize multiple types of materials ?
A4. Just optimize them one by one. When you finish with one type move to the other and so on.
Q5. Can AnyShape Cut 2D X handle rectangular pieces?
A5. Yes, but not very well. AnyShape Cut 2D X was designed for general shapes with a little concern about particular shapes. If you want rectangular sheets or parts please use our Cut 2D X component.
Q6. Can AnyShape Cut 2D X handle parts / sheets with holes ?
A6. Yes, it can. The holes can be specified with the SetPartHole method and SetStockHole.
Q7. Can AnyShape Cut 2D X optimize more than one sheet?
A7. Yes. Set the number of sheets with the NumberStockPieces method and then set each sheet with SetStock.
Q8. Can I specify trim for a sheet?
A8. No. Currently the feature is under implementation.
Q9. Can I set the grain direction?
A9. Yes. You can specify if you allow or not rotation for a demand piece. If you enter all repository pieces with the grain (fiber) direction parallel to the length, you can fully control what grain direction will have pieces cut from each sheet. If you want a particular grain direction, just disable rotation for that piece and enter its sizes accordingly.
Q10. Can I set a priority for each part or sheet?
A10. Yes. Use method SetPart and SetStock. There you will find a parameter which specifies the priority.
Q11. How do I find if 2 or more layouts are identical ?
A11. Simply compare pairs of layouts to see which are identical (have the same size and contain the same pieces - which have the same positions). In some cases the cuts can be different, but it is enough if you compare only the position of pieces.
Q12. Does AnyShape Cut 2D X recognize DXF files ?
A12. Yes. Please use LoadPartFromDXF, LoadStockFromDXF and related methods.
Q13. How do I generate the CNC code from the component output ?
A13. AnyShape Cut 2D X does not generate CNC code. It is your job to do create CNC code.
Q14. Can I extract the waste obtained after optimization ?
A14. No.
Q15. Can I arrange the AnyShape Cut 2D X results manually?
A15. No.
Miscellaneous
Q1. Can you give me a list of customers of AnyShape Cut 2D X?
A1. No. It is confidential.
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