ToNest Software V2

Instruction Manual

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Table Of Contents

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Overview

ToNest is an innovative solution designed to address a common challenge faced in Tanks,

Pressure vessels and steel structure projects—efficiently managing and utilizing exported
data for material nesting and optimization.
Many designs and detailing software solutions generate Excel sheets containing detailed
information about Hot Rolled Sections and Plates, including type, dimensions, material, and
quantity. However, transforming this data into actionable nesting plans often proves to be a
time-consuming and error-prone process.

ToNest was developed to bridge this gap and provide users with a seamless, efficient, and
intuitive nesting experience.

Key Features
1. Plate Nesting: Offers tools to select from a wide variety of plate shapes and import
lists containing dimensions (length, width, thickness), material types, and quantities
for accurate and optimized nesting.
2. Hot Rolled Sections Nesting: Supports nesting for hot-rolled sections, pipes and rods,
allowing users to import lists with section length and quantities to streamline the
nesting process.
3. Excel Integration: ToNest is designed to work seamlessly with Excel sheets exported
from various software platforms, ensuring compatibility and reducing manual effort.
4. By automating and optimizing the nesting process, ToNest helps users maximize
material usage, minimize waste, and save valuable time, making it an essential tool
for steel structure projects and manufacturing workflows.

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Purpose of This Manual
This manual serves as a comprehensive guide to help users maximize the potential of
ToNest Software. It covers everything from installation and setup to advanced features and
troubleshooting. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned user, this document aims to
ensure a smooth and efficient experience.
Specifically, this manual will:
1. Provide step-by-step instructions for using the software.
2. Highlight key features and their applications in real-world scenarios.
3. Address frequently asked questions and common issues.
4. Offer insights into best practices for material optimization.
By the end of this manual, you will have the knowledge and confidence to fully utilize
ToNest, enabling you to achieve remarkable results in your projects.
Copyright, Licensing, and Disclaimer
Copyright
ToNest software and its associated content, including but not limited to the software code,
documentation, designs, and icons, are the exclusive intellectual property of [Ahmed
Hegazy & SE CAD Solutions]. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized copying, distribution, or
modification of the software or its components is strictly prohibited.
Licensing
ToNest is available under a cloud-based licensing model designed to provide flexibility to
users based on their project timelines and needs. Licenses are offered in the following
subscription durations:
• 3-Year Subscription
• 1-Year Subscription
• 6-Month Subscription
• 3-Month Subscription
• 2-Month Subscription
• 1-Month Subscription

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All licenses include access to software updates and technical support for the duration of the
subscription. Renewal notifications will be provided before the subscription period ends.
Disclaimer
The ToNest software is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, either express or
implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and reliability, [SE
CAD Solutions] shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages
arising from the use or inability to use the software.
It is the responsibility of the user to verify that the output from ToNest meets project
specifications and industry standards.
For detailed terms and conditions, please refer to the End User License Agreement (EULA)
included with the software package.

System Requirements
ToNest is designed to operate efficiently without demanding high-end hardware
specifications. However, since ToNest runs within the Autodesk Inventor environment, it is
essential that your system meets the Autodesk Inventor system requirements for versions
2020 to 2025.
Minimum System Requirements
To ensure a smooth experience with ToNest, your system should meet the following
baseline requirements:
• Operating System:
Windows 10 (64-bit) or newer.
• Processor:
64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE2 support.
• RAM:
At least 8 GB (16 GB or more is recommended for complex projects).
• Graphics:
Microsoft® DirectX® 11 compliant graphics card with at least 2 GB of VRAM.

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• Storage:
Minimum 40 GB of free space for Autodesk Inventor installation and ToNest software
files.
• Internet:
A stable internet connection is required for license activation, updates, and cloud
features.
• Software:
Autodesk Inventor 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 must be installed on your
system.
Recommended System Requirements
For optimal performance when working on large-scale projects:
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 or AMD Ryzen™ equivalent.
• RAM: 32 GB or more.
• Graphics: A high-performance GPU with 4 GB or more of VRAM, such as NVIDIA
Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro series.
• Storage: SSD with sufficient space for project files and backups.
Additional Notes
• Ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest Windows updates and drivers,
particularly for graphics cards.
• Autodesk Inventor’s official system requirements may vary slightly with version
updates. Refer to Autodesk’s website for the most accurate and detailed
specifications.
By meeting these requirements, users can take full advantage of ToNest 's capabilities and
ensure seamless integration with Autodesk Inventor.

Installing on Your Computer

This section provides a step-by-step guide to installing ToNest software on your computer.
Ensure your system meets the minimum system requirements before proceeding.
Step 1: Download the Installation Package

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1. Visit the official SE CAD Solutions website or the download link provided in your
purchase confirmation email.
2. Download the ToNest installation package compatible with your version of Autodesk
Inventor (2020–2025).
Step 2: Prepare for Installation
1. Ensure Autodesk Inventor is installed and functional on your system.
2. Close all running applications to avoid conflicts during installation.
3. Disable any antivirus software temporarily, as it might interfere with the installation
process.
Step 3: Run the Installer
1. Locate the downloaded installation file (e.g., ToNest.exe) and double-click it to begin.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions:
o Select the installation directory (default is recommended).
o Agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA).
3. Click Install to begin the process.
Step 4: Activate Your License
1. Once installation is complete, run ToNest from your desktop.
2. The ToNest Login window will appear.
3. First-Time Users:
o If this is your first time using ToNest, you will need to register.
o Click on the Register button and fill in all the required data, such as your name,
email address, and company details.
o Create a strong password and submit the form.
o After registration, you will get 15 days as an evaluation period.
4. Returning Users:
o If you already have an account, simply log in using your email and password.

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Notes:
• Contact us to activate your account ([email protected] &
[email protected])
• If you encounter any issues during activation, please contact technical support.
Troubleshooting
• If ToNest does not running over Autodesk Inventor, ensure that the version of
Inventor you are using is supported.
• Contact technical support if activation fails or if you encounter installation errors.
Uninstallation
To remove ToNest:
1. Open the Control Panel in Windows.
2. Navigate to Programs and Features.
3. Select ToNest and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the removal.

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Terminology Clarification

1. One-Dimensional Nesting
• Definition: This refers to the arrangement or optimization of linear materials along a
single dimension (length).
• Application: Typically used for materials like pipes, rods, beams, wires, or sheet metal
strips.
• Example: Cutting a steel rod into multiple pieces of specified lengths to minimize
wastage.

2. Two-Dimensional Nesting
• Definition: This involves the arrangement or optimization of flat materials in two
dimensions (length and width) to maximize material utilization.
• Application: Commonly used for sheet metal, fabric, glass, and plywood.
• Example: Arranging multiple shapes (e.g., circles, rectangles) on a sheet of metal for
cutting with minimal leftover material.

3. Three-Dimensional Nesting
• Definition: This refers to the optimization or arrangement of solid objects within a
three-dimensional space to utilize volume efficiently.
• Application: Used in packaging, 3D printing, and storage scenarios.
• Example: Packing irregular-shaped objects into a container to optimize space or
stacking 3D components for manufacturing.

Each nesting type is designed to reduce material waste, improve efficiency, and optimize
resource usage in its respective context.

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Getting Started with ToNest

Welcome to ToNest! This section will guide you through the initial steps to get up and
running with the software, from installation to creating your first 3D model and nesting
study.
1. Launching ToNest
After installing ToNest and activating your license, you are ready to launch the software.
Follow these steps to get started:
• Locate ToNest: Open ToNest from your desktop shortcut or the Start menu.
• Create a new Project: Give a name for your project and select path in your machine.
• Initial Screen: Upon launching, the software will load the main interface, where you
can start working on your sheet metal designs.

2. User Interface Overview

The ToNest user interface (UI) is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Familiarizing
yourself with the basic elements of the interface will help you get comfortable quickly.
• Main Ribbon: The top toolbar contains icons representing different shapes of sheet
metal parts (Square, Rectangular, Parallelogram, Trapezoid, Circular Shapes, etc.).
• Project Browser: On the left side, you'll find the project browser, which shows the
components (sheet metal item type) in your current project.
• Workspace: The top large central area is the sheet metal item table of dimensions
form with image at the bottom to indicates the required data you should fill for your
sheet metal parts table, on the right-hand side you will find the material density
table.

3. Adding Components to Your Project

Once your project is set up, you can begin adding components to your design:
• Step 1: Select a component type from the Main Ribbon, such as a Squire or Paddle.
• Step 2: The properties for that component will appear in the Properties Palette.
Adjust parameters like dimensions, material – fill the other items dimensions.
• Step 3: Continue adding other components as needed for your design.
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• Step 4: Place the component in your 3D workspace over Autodesk inventor by clicking
on build from the Project menu, once you did that the 3D model (Assembly of the
sheet metal, parts and assemblies shall be generated).

4. Modifying Components
You can modify any component at any time:
• Step 1: Reset the project.
• Step 2: Select the component in the (ToNest tree) Project Browser.
• Step 3: In the Properties Palette, adjust the dimensions, material, or other
parameters to suit your design.
• Step 4: Clicking on build from the Project menu, once you did that the 3D model
(Assembly of the duct, parts and drawing shall be updated).

5. Saving Your Work

It’s always a good idea to save your work regularly:
• Step 1: Click File > Save to save your project for the first time.
• Step 2: After saving, click File > Save to save any subsequent changes.

6. Start your Nesting Study

Once you’ve completed your design, you can start the nesting study:
• Step 1: Select the assembly and create the nesting study by suing the Autodesk
Inventor Nesting tool.

7. Using Help and Support

If you ever need assistance:
• In-Software Help: Access the built-in help system by clicking the File > Manuel. This
will open the Instruction Manuel for detailed instructions on all ToNest features.
• Online Tutorials: Visit our YouTube channel for more resources, including Tutorials.

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Sheet Metal items in ToNest

ToNest offers a wide range of sheet metal shapes that can be used for creating 3D models.

Below is the organized list of the main types and families available in ToNest, grouped by
shape and functionality for clarity:

Basic Shapes
1. Square Shape
2. Rectangular Shape
3. Chamfered Rectangular Shape
4. Parallelogram Shape
5. Trapezoid Shape
6. Isosceles Trapezoid Shape
7. Irregular Rectangle Shape
8. Kite Shape
9. Circular Shape
10.Paddle Shape
11.Half Circular Shape
12.Segment of Circular Shape

Frame and Flange Shapes

1. Rectangular Frame TypeA
2. Rectangular Frame TypeB
3. Cleanout Door Cover
4. Cleanout Door Flange

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Holed Shapes
1. Circular Holed Shape-TypeA
2. Circular Holed Shape-TypeB
3. Circular Holed Shape-TypeC

Arc and Annular Plates

1. Arc Segment Shape TypeA
2. Arc Segment Shape TypeB
3. Annular Plate TypeA
4. Annular Plate TypeB
5. Annular Plate TypeC
6. Annular Plate TypeD

Hexagonal Shapes
1. Hexagonal Shape-TypeA
2. Hexagonal Shape-TypeB
3. Hexagonal Shape-TypeC

Plate Formed Sections

1. Angle from Plate
2. Channel from Plate
3. Rectangular Section from Plate
4. Box Section from Plate

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Lug Types
1. Lug-TypeA
2. Lug-TypeB
3. Lug-TypeC
4. Lug-TypeD

Reinforcement (Reb) Types

1. Reb TypeA
2. Reb TypeB
3. Reb TypeC
4. Reb TypeD
5. Reb TypeE
6. Reb TypeF
7. Reb TypeG

Saddle Web Types

1. Saddle Web TypeA
2. Saddle Web TypeB
3. Saddle Web TypeC
4. Saddle Web TypeD
5. Saddle Web TypeE
6. Saddle Web TypeF

Shell Shapes
1. Shell Shape
2. Segment of Shell Shape
3. Shell With Cut from One Side TypeA
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4. Shell With Cut from One Side TypeB

5. Shell With Cut from Two Sides TypeA
6. Shell With Cut from Two Sides TypeB

Reducer Shapes
1. Centric Reducer
2. Segment of Centric Reducer
3. Eccentric Reducer
4. Segment of Eccentric Reducer

Nozzle Types
1. Radial Nozzle
2. Radial Tilted Nozzle
3. Hillside Nozzle
4. Hillside-Tilted Nozzle
5. Radial Nozzle RePad
6. Radial Tilted Nozzle RePad
7. Hillside Nozzle RePad
8. Hillside-Tilted Nozzle RePad

Reinforcement Pads
1. Cleanout Door RePad
2. Diamond RePad

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Support Clips
1. Support Clip TypeA
2. Support Clip TypeB

Duct Shapes
1. Rectangular to Circular Duct TypeA

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Visual Reference:

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Examples

Square Shape
Step 1: Create a new Project

Step 2: Defined the project Name & Directory, in case of needing to give a name for each
item instead of default naming, you can select the check box of (Allow user to define
custom names for parts).
Step 3: Click create button to create the project folder and needed files.
Step 4: From the elements Reborn, select Square Shape.
Step 5: Select Square Shape from the ToNest tree (Project Browser) to fill the item data.
Step 6: Defined the dimensions from the table, fill the data for each square plate (Length,
Thickness, quantity and material).
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Step 8: Check duplication before building the model, to collect the identical items and
making a summation for the quantity.

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To get the following result

Step 9: From Project tab select Build to create all items on Autodesk Inventor

Step 10: After Creating the 3D models for each square plate and the collection assembly,
you can start your nesting study.

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Step 11: Creating your nesting study for your project.

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Collection of different sheet metal shapes

Step 1: From the elements Reborn, select Square Shape, and fill all data.

Step 2: From the elements Reborn, select Saddle web TypeA, and fill all data.

Step 3: From the elements Reborn, Rectangular to Circular TypeA, and fill all data.

Step 4: Check duplication before building the model, to collect the identical items and
making a summation for the quantity.

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Step 5: Build your project.

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Step 6: Creating your nesting study for your project.

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Surface area and Weight Calculation

After generating the items by Autodesk inventor, ToNest will get the weight and
surface area for each element and calculate the total weight and total surface area
for the quantity for each element.

And you can export all tables in excel format (Export)

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Application Themes
Light, Blue, Midnight, Emerald Green and Dark Themes are available, you can choose
between them.

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Project Setting
A) From the Project menu you will know the used units and you can control the gap
between elements during the assembly creation

Language Setting
You can select between 14 available languages.

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Material Density
You can change and modify the material density from the right-hand browser.

From the material/Density browser you can change both of the material name and density.

Reset
The Reset feature enables users to clear the entire project by deleting all associated Autodesk
Inventor assemblies, parts, and drawings. This function provides a clean slate, allowing users to
restart the project from the beginning without retaining any previous data. Use this tool cautiously,
as it will permanently remove all existing project files.

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Export
The Export feature enables users to export the project information in xlsx format, this excel sheet
includes the dimensions, area and weight of each element.

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One-Dimensional Nesting Calculator: Optimize Efficiency and Minimize Waste

In industries where linear materials such as pipes, rods, beams, wires, or sheet metal strips are commonly
used, optimizing material usage is critical to reducing costs and minimizing waste. The One-Dimensional
Nesting Calculator is a powerful tool designed specifically to address this need, making it easier to
calculate the optimal cutting patterns for these materials and achieve higher efficiency.

What Is One-Dimensional Nesting?

One-dimensional nesting involves arranging linear materials in a way that maximizes their utilization while
minimizing leftover waste. This is essential in industries like construction, manufacturing, and
metalworking, where accurate cutting patterns can save both time and money.

Features of the One-Dimensional Nesting Calculator

1. User-Friendly Interface:
The tool is designed to be intuitive, allowing users to input dimensions and quantities quickly and
easily.
2. Accurate Calculations:
The calculator performs precise one-dimensional nesting computations to determine the optimal
cutting plan.
3. Excel Export Capability:
One of the standout features of the tool is its ability to export results in Excel format. This allows
for easy sharing, documentation, and integration with other workflow processes.
4. Time Efficiency:
By automating the nesting process, the calculator eliminates manual calculations, reducing the time
needed to develop cutting plans.
5. Cost-Effectiveness:
Minimizing waste directly translates to cost savings. The tool ensures that each piece of material is
utilized to its fullest potential.

How It Works

• Users input the lengths of raw materials and the required cut lengths.
• The tool calculates the most efficient way to cut the materials to meet the specified requirements.
• The nesting plan is displayed and can be exported to Excel for further analysis or operational use.

Applications

• Metalworking: Cutting steel rods, aluminum profiles, or other linear materials.

• Construction: Optimizing the use of wood planks, beams, or pipes.
• Manufacturing: Creating cutting plans for raw materials like wires or cables.

Why Choose the One-Dimensional Nesting Calculator?

With its ability to simplify complex calculations and enhance productivity, the One-Dimensional Nesting
Calculator is an invaluable tool for professionals seeking to streamline their operations. Its Excel export
feature makes it versatile and practical for a variety of industries.
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Conclusion

The One-Dimensional Nesting Calculator is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer for industries relying
on linear materials. By ensuring minimal waste and optimal usage, it empowers users to save time, reduce
costs, and improve overall efficiency.

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Export
The Export feature enables users to export the one-dimensional nesting in xlsx format, this excel
sheet includes the dimensions of cutting pattern.

Take the guesswork out of one-dimensional nesting with this innovative solution. Try it today and see the
difference it can make in your operations!

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