If your input file does not group shapes in an optimal way, you can split each shape into individual files and then re-nest them to improve layout efficiency in PrimeCenter. Having one file per shape is especially useful for applications like lettering.
Prerequisites
You may need to learn how file processing functions are applied in PrimeCenter.
How it works
Splitting and re-nesting shapes involves two steps:
-
Split shape
Version note
- In PrimeCenter V5, this function is available as the Split shape tool.
- In PrimeCenter V4 and earlier, it is available as the Split for re-nest check/fix profile.
- Nest the newly generated files. For more details on nesting, see Nesting in PrimeCenter.
Split shape
The organization of settings may vary between PrimeCenter versions.
Contour
📌 Contour selection
This option is available since PrimeCenter V3.1.
Select which contours to use for splitting:
- Specific contours: Choose specific cut contour names from the Cut contours list (formerly "Dictionary").
-
All detected contours: Automatically considers all contours in the Cut contours list (formerly "Dictionary").
Warning
If multiple contours are detected in the file, all of them will be used for splitting.
📌 Remove objects after split
Choose how objects outside the split shapes are handled:
- Outside of the page area (optimized): Removes objects outside the page area. Objects inside the page area are kept, and those crossing the edge are hidden.
- Outside of the shape area (slower): Removes objects outside the shape’s contour. The output PDF will contain only the split shapes.
- None: All objects are kept but hidden.
| Input file | Outside of the page area (optimized) | Outside of the shape area (slower) | None |
📌 Create shape on most external contour
- ✅ Enabled: Only considers the most external contour.
- ❌ Disabled: Generates a file for each cut contour inside the shape.
| Input file | ✅ Enabled | ❌ Disabled |
Adjustments
-
Minimal object size: Define the minimum size of shapes to be considered for splitting.
- Example: If set to 5 mm, smaller shapes will be ignored.
- Tolerance for detection: Set a tolerance value for detecting contours. If set to X mm, contours larger than X mm may not be detected correctly.
Examples
📌Example 1: Lettering for signs
Input file
Split shapes settings
- Contour: CutContour (name used in the input file)
- Minimal object size: 0 mm
- Remove objects after split: Outside of the shape area
- Create shape on most external contour: ✅ Enabled
Result
16 files generated (one per shape).
Nested output file
📌 Example 2: Layout optimization
Input file
Split shapes settings
- Contour: cutcontour (name used in the input file)
- Minimal objects size: 5 mm
- Remove objects after split: Outside of the shape area
- Create shape on most external contour: ✅ Enabled
Result
27 files generated (one per shape).