Create a sheet

A sheet in PATCHPLANNER represents the flexo plate. It will be filled with patches in the most optimal way.

To create a sheet and fill it with patches, follow these steps:

1. Create a sheet with the correct dimensions

  1. Select New....
  2. Select Sheet.
  3. Enter a sheet name and select Create.
  4. Select Sheet size.
  5. Enter the Patch Sheet Size and Sheet Margins.
  6. Select Save.

2. Add a job

  1. Select Add job.
  2. Select the job you want to add and select Add. The total number of patches placed on the job are displayed on to the right of the job name. For example, 0 of 14 means that 0 of 14 total patches have been placed onto a sheet for output. When you add patches to the sheet, this number will increment.
  3. Repeat if you want to add another job.

3. Fill the sheet with patches

When you have added the jobs, a preview of the job patches is displayed on the left. You can add patches to the sheet in two ways:
  • Manually by selecting the patch icon on the left and drag it to the sheet.
  • Automatically by selecting Calculate layout. This functionality places the unplaced patches on the sheet in the most optimal way. The patches that were already placed do not move.

The placed patch icons will show in green and the unplaced patch icons will show in white.

The following tools are available:

Icon Functionality
Deletes the selected patch
Rotates the selected patch
Snaps the selected patch to other patches when moving to prevent overlapping
Clears the sheet

4. Export

When the sheet is filled with patches in the most optimal way, select Export to PDF. This will export the following PDF files:
  • A black color PDF file that can be RIPped on any RIP for output. The screening and angles are maintained from the original screening set in the PDF file.
  • A PDFOverview file, which serves as a cheat sheet for the cutting department to enable them to immediately see which patches belong to which job.
  • Only in case you selected an automatic cutter in SETTINGS > PATCHPLANNER > FORMAT OUTPUT FOR > cutting method: a PDF file with the cutting information for a Zund or Kongsberg cutting table.
    Note: To get the bevel knife to work appropriately, the PATCHPLANNER output PDF file for cutting needs to be quickly opened in ArtiosCAD and saved as an ACM file.