The Report tab lists the layouts of the last run, best first, and the layouts you saved. Click a row to show that layout in the centre. Expand widens the panel to show every column; Print report prints the table with the summary of the selected layout. While a run goes on, the Solutions drawer under the viewer lists the layouts as they arrive (see The live Solutions list).
Ranking#
Layouts are ranked by the fewest unplaced pieces first, then:
- a digital run: the fewest printed sheets (on a roll, the shortest length);
- an offset run: the lowest plan cost (printed sheets when there are no costs).
When two layouts are otherwise equal, the one with less white space ranks higher, then the one with higher utilisation. Runs often find the same result many times: the table lists each distinct layout once, with a "×3" badge when it was found three times. Up to 30 distinct layouts are listed. Click a column heading to sort by it instead.
The columns#
Each row is one layout. The columns compare how much it prints, how well it uses the media, and what it takes to print and cut.
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| # | The rank, or the name of a saved layout (with a pen icon). Selected marks the job's selected layout, and Breaks keep-together an offset plan that splits an item set to keep together. |
| Method | The method that made it; offset plans add "· Offset". |
| Sheets | Printed sheets (every copy of every form, and on offset makeready and spoilage too), or the roll length. |
| Forms / plates | Distinct forms of a digital layout, or plates of an offset plan. |
| Strokes / slits | Knife strokes of an N-up layout, or slits of a strips layout. |
| Worst over | Offset: the highest overrun of any item. |
| Splits | Items spread over more than one form (point at the number for their names). |
| Groups | Gang groups the layout uses (see Ganging rules: what may share a form). |
| Plates | Offset with inks: physical plates, one per ink and side. |
| Passes | Offset with inks: passes through the press. |
| Util. | Utilisation: the pieces' area over the media used. |
| Unpl. | Unplaced pieces, when any layout has some. |
| Cut, Print | Cut and print time from the job's cutter and printer. |
| Time | Cut plus print time. |
| Cost | The layout's price: material, printing and cutting. |
Columns only show when some row has a value for them. Times and prices load after the table; prices need a cutter and a printer with rates (set on the Equipment page).
The lower bound#
Under the table, Lower bound is the fewest printed sheets any layout could need, worked out from the pieces and the sheet rather than from a layout. When the best layout is close to it, a longer run is unlikely to do much better. On a digital job it is shown only when it could be worked out exactly. On an offset job it is always shown, and counts like the Sheets column: the good sheets plus the makeready, with the job's spoilage added.
Run notes#
Run notes list each part of the last run with its status (OK, No plan within the caps, Stopped or Failed), how many layouts it found and how long it took, with any message: a dropped angle, an offset plan that doesn't fit the caps, or an error.
The selected layout#
Below, Selected layout summarises the job's selected layout (the best one when none is selected; see The live Solutions list): the media used, its utilisation and material cost; the print and cut time with their breakdowns; the total; and each artwork's ordered and placed pieces, sheets and forms, with split items marked.
Row actions#
The ⋯ menu of a row downloads its Imposed PDF or Cut file (PDF), saves a run layout with Save as editable, or deletes a saved one with Delete saved. Out-of-date rows can't be exported: run again first.