Browse Learn topics

Learn/Router/Import & layout

Vector import

At a glance

  • DXF and SVG with automatic contour chaining for router part extraction
  • SheetCAM `.job` import—migrate existing nested layouts or re-nest in JetCad3
  • Import flat sketches or faces from Drafting with live refresh when the source model changes

Router builds jobs from 2D vectors. Bring them in through File → Import, by dropping files onto the viewport, or with the + From File button in the Parts browser — all three accept DXF, SVG, and SheetCAM .job files. The split button's Set Each QTY… option (DXF/SVG) lists every part found and asks a quantity for each, so a production run lands as ready-made copies.

DXF and SVG

Imported entities are chained into contours, then a containment pass classifies them: each top-level closed loop becomes a part's outer profile, and loops inside it become holes. Arcs are preserved as true arc geometry rather than chopped into line segments, so bores and radiused profiles post as clean G2/G3 later. SVG curves are flattened using the active machine's simplify tolerance from its profile. When a single file contains several top-level parts, Router asks whether to Keep Placement (original drawing positions) or use a Grid Layout in the staging area.

SheetCAM jobs

Existing SheetCAM .job files open directly — no DXF re-export. An import dialog offers Inherit Sheet Dimensions (adopt the job's sheet size) and Preserve Part Nesting (keep the layout as SheetCAM placed it); leave nesting off to import the parts loose and let auto nesting lay them out fresh. Importing several .job files at once skips the dialog and brings everything in unplaced for re-nesting.

From Drafting and Design

+ From Drafting lists every sketch in your component tree with a checkbox and quantity — pick what you want and each sketch's top-level profiles become parts. Imported parts stay linked to their source: when the sketch changes later, affected parts are flagged and an Update N stale button in the Parts browser refreshes them in place. + From Design does the same from the Design workspace. With the Auto-Nest dot green, freshly imported parts nest immediately.