Newbie- Importing groups of parts to BobCad and BobNest

[LenMcC]

I'm orienting myself with BobNest 3.0, and it seems like a good program. One thing I haven't been able to figure out through trial-and-error, BobNest help, or the forum is how to import multiple groups of parts.

I have groups of parts containing 2 to 6 parts each that were saved as dfx files in SolidWorks. I can open a file in BobCad and then import the group of parts to BobNest, but I haven't been able to open "Group A" and "Group B" together in BobCad before sending them to BobNest. Any pointers?

[The One]

Use the File Merge option. That will allow you to bring the data from a file into another and can be used as many times as is necessary. Be careful with placement though, because it can cause an issue for selection.

Regards

[LenMcC]

Ok, I was on the right track at one point. Yeah, my problem was placement, then. Is there an easy way to shuffle parts without using CHANGE>TRANSLATE>DRAG? 6 clicks or keystrokes is 4 or 5 too many. I tried modifying the toolbar to have translate on there, but was unsuccessful. is there a keystroke to drag and drop shapes? e.g. ctl+drag? I tried a lot of combinations with dragging and tried some with the arrow keys.

This is BobCAD V21.5.3, if that helps. Thanks!

[Claude Boudreau]

Im new to all this but maybe using different layer and blanking option on imported files could make thing easier.
Using translate / increment, to a free spot on your screen can save a few stroke

[LenMcC]

Originally Posted by Claude Boudreau Using translate / increment, to a free spot on your screen can save a few stroke

can i do that without using the CHANGE drop down on the menu bar?

[The One]

You can setup a Hot Key to activate the translatre function.

Click on Special/NC-CAM => Record Script => Menu Configuration.
Make sure that CAD is the selected menu type.
Change Menunumber level 1 to 2, this moves the focus over to the Change menu.
Change Menunumber level 2 to 2, this moves the focus to the Translate function in that menu.
The Menu Text field will say &Translate.
Below the Submenu field you will see a field that allows you to assign a Hot Key. Input the letter here that you wish to use to access the fucntion. Be careful not to use any letters already associated to functions, like the A, B, C, X and V buttons. the Ctrl + is normaally added automatically.

Hope this helps.

Regards,