Popular Post Bruce Kieffer Posted March 17, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted March 17, 2021 (edited) It took some time, but I finally got this working. The worksheet shows the part ID, quantity, dimensions and material to be cut. It assumes that thickness is the smallest dimension, width is the middle dimension, and length is the longest dimension. That assumption is true almost 99% of the time. I will be happy to share my file and explain what I did and how it works to anyone who is interested. Send me a messages and I will send you the file. Edited March 17, 2021 by Bruce Kieffer 5 Quote Link to comment
unearthed Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 Good one; VW involves a bit of faffing around sometimes but I do (more or less) like the worksheet. I know someone who will be interested in this. Quote Link to comment
Anttti Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 Do you assign the part ID manually? Does the list include all objects in the file or do you somehow separate objects to be listed from others? Did you find a good workflow for having several cutting lists in the same file, in different sheet layers for instance? I've been messing around with cutting and parts list type of worksheets a bit with some success, but haven't really reached a conclusion on what the best workflow would be. Things tend to turn a bit messy when you start to duplicate the worksheets and create workarounds on how to include/exclude some objects and so on. By the way, there used to be a preformatted parts list functionality in previous versions of VW. I gather it's a legacy tool now. I guess using data tags and worksheets is supposed to replace it? Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted March 27, 2021 Author Share Posted March 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Anttti said: Do you assign the part ID manually? Does the list include all objects in the file or do you somehow separate objects to be listed from others? Did you find a good workflow for having several cutting lists in the same file, in different sheet layers for instance? For the Part IDs I assigned a record with an ID field. At first I ent to each object and added the A, B, C, etc. Later I found that those IDs can be added manually inside the worksheet and that is SO MUCH FASTER. The worksheet does filter out some objects. All of that is handled in the worksheet criteria settings. I have make two cut list worksheets on one drawing, but that's as far as I got, and I did not have problems. PM me if you want a copy of my file. Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted October 2, 2021 Author Share Posted October 2, 2021 (edited) I have created a Vectorworks 2022 Cut List Template file and it is attached here. It includes instructions to use the worksheets. Check it out. Please let me know what you think. Cut List Template.vwx Edited October 2, 2021 by Bruce Kieffer 1 Quote Link to comment
Tobias Kern Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Hi Bruce, greetings and thnx for sharing your file. I'm interested to investigate but, atm i only can use VW 2021 (until the German release on 20th Oct.) Would you please so kind to upload also a VW 2021 Version? … or does the list include special formulas, which are only available with VW 2022? Greetings and have a nice weekend Tobi Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted October 2, 2021 Author Share Posted October 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Tobias Kern said: Hi Bruce, greetings and thnx for sharing your file. I'm interested to investigate but, atm i only can use VW 2021 (until the German release on 20th Oct.) Would you please so kind to upload also a VW 2021 Version? … or does the list include special formulas, which are only available with VW 2022? Greetings and have a nice weekend Tobi It is a Vectorworks 2022 file, and yes it does use a worksheet function that is new to 2022 and that won't work in 2021. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tobias Kern Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Hi Bruce, greetings and thnx for reply. May i ask, which new WS function you use to make the list possible in VW 2022? Greetings Tobi Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted October 2, 2021 Author Share Posted October 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Tobias Kern said: Hi Bruce, greetings and thnx for reply. May i ask, which new WS function you use to make the list possible in VW 2022? Greetings Tobi I did have my Cut List working in 2021, but formula needed to define the part's width had to be a nested if then, and it was complicated. 2022 added the median formula, which I knew was the solution from using Apple Numbers, and I had wish listed it with Vectorworks. I changed to using the median formula, and that is why back saving to 2021 won't work. Also, Vectorworks 2022 essentially eliminates screen plane, and I have always been in favor of that. You can turn it back on in Document Prefs/Legacy 2D, but I suggest that everyone embrace this change and adjust your workflow. Use design layers for designing in 3D, and use sheet layers for annotating. I changed all of my current drawings to eliminate screen plane. I'm using Multi View Planes so I can view my cut list worksheet, which is placed on a sheet layer now, along side a pane with my 3D design layer. Another welcome change in 2022 is a new worksheet Define Criteria dialog box. It's a HUGE improvement and I don't know if it would back save to 2021. Quote Link to comment
Merlijn Toussaint Posted March 2, 2025 Share Posted March 2, 2025 Dear Bruce, This sounds very interesting and would also very much like to receive the file from you. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted March 2, 2025 Author Share Posted March 2, 2025 @Merlijn Toussaint I downloaded the "Cut List Template" file embedded above and I updated it to v2025. It has the use instructions too. Here it is. Cut List Template v2025.vwx 4 Quote Link to comment
Brandon M Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Hi Bruce, I am working on trying to incorporate a cut list onto our build drawings for the shop. Having something like this would perfect, something that automatically generates a lists of the components being used. I have run into a few snags and trying to figure out how to best correct them and incorporate this into my workflow. Here are the problems that I am running into: All the data being entered into the worksheet seems to be scaled. A 2x4 that is 7'-9" long, is reading as 1/8" x 5/16" x 7-3/4", instead of 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 7'-9". At first I thought that this may be a result of the design layer being set to a scale of 1/4", but I get the same reading if I change the design layer to 1:1. The line items are not collating, if I have a quantity of 3 - 2x4's at 3'-9", each piece is shown individually on it's own line. This appears to only work on individual extrusions in a drawing. If you try to run this worksheet on a symbol, it will incorporate everything in the symbol, not just what is set to be visible at the time. Is this correct, is there something that I am overlooking? Is there a way to include angles of what pieces are cut to? I can upload my file, screenshots, or PDF's of anything, if that will help with understanding these issues. Thank you, Brandon Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 22 minutes ago, b.mechler said: Hi Bruce, I am working on trying to incorporate a cut list onto our build drawings for the shop. Having something like this would perfect, something that automatically generates a lists of the components being used. I have run into a few snags and trying to figure out how to best correct them and incorporate this into my workflow. Here are the problems that I am running into: All the data being entered into the worksheet seems to be scaled. A 2x4 that is 7'-9" long, is reading as 1/8" x 5/16" x 7-3/4", instead of 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 7'-9". At first I thought that this may be a result of the design layer being set to a scale of 1/4", but I get the same reading if I change the design layer to 1:1. The line items are not collating, if I have a quantity of 3 - 2x4's at 3'-9", each piece is shown individually on it's own line. This appears to only work on individual extrusions in a drawing. If you try to run this worksheet on a symbol, it will incorporate everything in the symbol, not just what is set to be visible at the time. Is this correct, is there something that I am overlooking? Is there a way to include angles of what pieces are cut to? I can upload my file, screenshots, or PDF's of anything, if that will help with understanding these issues. Thank you, Brandon Brandon, It's hard for me to know what is going on. I have some thoughts, but it would be easier if you can send me your file. Do that in a Message to me. Quote Link to comment
Brandon M Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Bruce, I have uploaded the file. The cutlist worksheet is attached to the "Farm House Test" Design Layer, which is a copy of the rolling base from the symbol of the Farm House on the "Farm House" Design Layer. Thank you, Brandon The Wizard of Oz.vwx Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 (edited) Brandon, I have your file. I'll look it over in the morning and get back to you. What version of Vectorworks do you have? Edited January 19 by Bruce Kieffer Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 Brandon, I have fixed your worksheet (file attached). Your setup is far different than what I would do. Later on I will create a simple file of your rolling stage dolly to show you how I would do the setup, and try to explain the differences, but I have other things to do this morning. Most of the issues you were having were caused by the criteria setup. Take a look at the changes I made there. Criteria setup has always been difficult for me. I have asked Vectorworks to make this simpler and more intuitive. As it is now, most of the time it is trial and error for me. Then I modified your number formatting in the document and worksheet. There's a reason why, and a solution for, the extra " that appears in the height, width, and length columns, but I can't remember the "fix" at the moment. Pat Stanford probably knows how to fix that. The dimensions display correctly when the units are set to inches. Keep in mind that we woodworkers measure in inches, not feet and inches. Carpenters measure in feet and inches. Also, I suggest you try to using saved views. It's a super fast way to get back to views where you have predefined the visible layers, classes, and other things. It can save you a tremendous amount of time. The Wizard of Oz v2025.vwx 1 Quote Link to comment
Pat Stanford Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 The extra double quotes are due to a Trailer of the quote mark being specified in the number format. I am on 2026 and don't have time to go back and see how to fix it in earlier versions and I don't remember it clearly enough to even make suggestions. HTH Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 (edited) Brandon, I'm working on the simple file to show you the cut list setup and I noticed that your extrusions on the angled platform are not showing the dimensions we think they should. That's due to how they were created. I will remake them. For rotated shapes, you want to create the shape, then rotate. Edited January 20 by Bruce Kieffer Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 OK, I hope this helps. See at the Notes saved view. I've made a lot of these Cut Lists for the work I do in my shop. It's not easy, but the more I make, the more I understand how they work. Rolling Base v2025.vwx Quote Link to comment
Brandon M Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Thank you for all the help with this! I will start playing around with it and let you know if I have any questions! This will be a huge time saver! Thank you, Brandon 1 Quote Link to comment
Brandon M Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Hey Bruce, This has been working great! It has taken a little adjusting, but for the better! There is one thing I am still struggling with. I have been using the worksheet by setting the criteria to the following: 1 - All criteria in this set 2- Layer is Hay Bales 3 - Class is Rolling Base Frame Using the worksheet set to the above works perfectly in any iteration of layer and class. The problem I am running into is when I add a 4th criteria line, to include more materials. When I do this, it does not detect any objects that meet the criteria and shows nothing in the worksheet. There are certain classes/materials that do not need to be included in the worksheet, which is why I do not use just the layer for pulling the information. Is there a workaround for getting the worksheet to be able to select multiple classes in the same layer without including everything in the layer? Thank you, Brandon Quote Link to comment
Bruce Kieffer Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 Brandon, It's hard for me to know how to make this work without seeing it. My experience is alway trial and error. Try rearranging the order of the criteria. Then try setting the Material to Any. Have you set which material you want to populate the worksheet? Mess around with the settings. If you still can't make it work, then post the file here, or send it to me in a Message. Quote Link to comment
Tom W. Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 5 hours ago, Brandon M said: Is there a workaround for getting the worksheet to be able to select multiple classes in the same layer without including everything in the layer? Yes like @Bruce Kieffer says you need to arrange the criteria so that the classes are in a separate 'any' set i.e.: 1 - All criteria in this set 2 - Layer is _____ 3 - Any criteria in this set 4 - Class is _____ 5 - Class is _____ So read out this would be 'Layer is _____ and Class is _____ or ______'. Remember: 'All' = 'And' 'Any' = 'Or' An object can't be in two classes at once. 2 Quote Link to comment
Brandon M Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Tom, Thank you for this! This worked perfectly and does exactly what I was looking for! Brandon 1 Quote Link to comment
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