Here, we’re primarily interested in the 3 major ways to import a file or shape into Optimum CNC. To start off, it’s useful to simply go over the basics of importing an already existing DXF file.

For that, click the Import button. Once clicked, the Import tab will be available with an import folder and an import DXF file list. Choose a folder that contains some DXF files by clicking on the button provided. After clicking the button, a file picker will appear, allowing you to select a folder and click the Open button.

As you can see, the name of this folder has changed, and we can select the available files within it. Let’s say I will add this file here—the file preview is available down below. I will select the default file dimensions, which include the units (inches or millimeters) and the scale of the file. For instance, if I’d like to scale it from its default width and height, I can enter 2.0 here, or if I’d like to make it smaller, I would enter 0.5, etc. Here, I’ll leave it as is at the default scale or width and height and simply click the Add to Nest button.

We have this compass file available for import. Let’s say I’d also like to add this sea turtle file. I’ll scale it up a little—1.2, for instance—and add it to the nest. Now that we’ve added it to the nest, it appears next to the previously added file.

This covers the process of importing existing DXF files that you may have edited on your computer using some other third-party program. However, Optimum CNC also allows you to import some 70 plus shapes that are built into the software by clicking the Shapes button in the top ribbon. These range from simple shapes such as rectangles and circles to much more complex shapes.

Select a shape and edit all of the parameters within it until you’re satisfied. Let’s say I will select a shape—for instance, the star. I will choose some number of corners, perhaps four, and some external radius. Once I’m satisfied with the shape, the preview of which is available in the corner right here, I will click the Add to Nest button.

Now we have 2 files that we have created in a third-party program and some file that is available from within the Shapes library. We can add any number of such files until we have filled out this project.

Next, what is the Project button? The Project button is a project just like this. For instance, you have perhaps 5, 10 or 20 files that you have previously added to Optimum CNC software and saved. Let’s say here we’ll clear this current project and open some previously existing project—for instance, this one right here. This allows us to quickly save and then load a project into Optimum CNC for later use.

(Follow the other articles that cover the process of editing an imported file, including the positioning of the file, the leads, sequencing, and other settings.)