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Creating and Managing Autodesk Inventor Nesting Utility Templates

Autodesk’s Nesting Utility introduces a new template type into Autodesk Inventor with the extension of “inest”. When the utility is installed it adds two types of templates, named “Standard (in).inest” and “Standard (mm).inest” in a variety of folder locations. The base installation folder for all Inventor 2019 templates is C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2019\Templates. The table below lists the template(s) and their location within this folder (“…\” represents the base installation folder).

■ Standard (in).inest - …\

■ Standard (in).inest - …\English

■ Standard (mm).inest - …\Metric

■ Standard (in).inest and Standard (mm).inest - …\Nesting Utility

These templates are automatically found if you are using the default template file location in the Application Options, shown below, and your Inventor project file points to this default location.

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Creating and Managing Autodesk Inventor Nesting Utility Templates 2


If you are using a custom template file location, the above structure will have to be replicated in your custom template folders.

Opening a new nesting template can be accomplished using three methods. The first method is actually the same as creating any other type of Inventor file by selecting the template from the “Create New File” dialog box. The installation of the nesting utility adds a Nesting template section to the bottom of the dialog box.

The second method is by selecting the “Nesting” command from the ribbon below the Nesting tab. This will create a nesting file using the Standard (in).inest or the Standard (mm).inest located in the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2019\Tem-plates folder. Once you have created a company specific nesting template, it should be renamed and placed in this folder. If you already have an assembly or sheet metal part open, this ribbon panel command is not available.



The third and most versatile method is by right clicking on an Inventor assembly, which contains sheet metal parts, or a sheet metal part in the Model palette and selecting the “Create Nest” command. It is important to remember that sheet metal parts MUST have a generated flat pattern for this method to work.

After selecting the command, Inventor will present three template options for you to select from. The first is to select the nesting template from a list of all templates stored in the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2019\Templates\Nesting Utility folder. If you select the “Default” option you will automatically select the nesting template described in the second method above. You can also use the drop-down arrow and select from the other templates stored in the Nesting Utility folder.

If you have another nesting document(s) open, you may select to add the new nest to it by using the second option. If you would like to add to another nesting document, which has been saved but is not currently open, you can select the third option. By selecting the three dots at the end of the line, you can browse for the document.

The main configuration in any nesting template is adding of material(s) to the Process Material Library (PML).



The PML contains two main types of entries, material ID and one or more packaging configurations for each material ID. Material ID is a name to identify the material in the PML and should be named as to be apparent to the user of the nesting utility. Normally it would be the gauge and type of sheet metal such as 16 GA – Mild Steel. The most efficient method of adding a material ID is to select the top-level “Materials and packaging” line, at the top of the left-hand panel, and then select “Add from Provider” under the Material tab. In the Provider row, selecting Inventor as the provider will present a list of all Inventor materials. Select all materials you wish, pick “OK” and they will propagate the left-hand column list.

This is a good method of adding materials because the Material, Category, Density and Remote material name are filled in auto-matically. The Thickness and Color will have to be filled in by you as well as renaming the Material ID using the right-click menu.



Packaging is the listing of sheet sizes, required edge trim and sheet cost available for nesting operations. You can have as many packages per Material ID as you need. Packaging configuration can be entered by either selecting the Material ID and then picking the “Packaging” tab or by selecting the Packaging (#) under the Material ID in the left-hand column. One note here, the help files do not specify the material size represented by “Cost”. Through testing it is actually cost per square foot/cost per square meter for inch and metric templates respectfully. The different packages can be added to or removed from the nesting studies to determine the best nesting arrangement.

To add a new package, select the Material ID, right click and select “Add” from the context menu.

Selecting the Material ID and then the “Nesting” tab allows the configuration of part orientation, positioning adjustments and allowances.



Selecting a package and then the “Nesting” tab allows the entering of sheet trim values. Under the “Nesting” tabs in both Material ID and Packaging, the material ID can be removed from the any nesting process by removing the check mark beside “Enabled” but still remain in the PML for future use.

Once a packaging has been created, it can be made default by selecting it, right click and selecting “Set as Default Packaging” from the

context menu. The default packaging is indicated by a bolding of the name.

A composite view of all Material ID and Packaging settings and their configurations can be displayed by selecting the “Materials and

packaging” line at the top of the left-hand column. This table is very wide so it is shown in three screen captures below. The first two are

for the “Material” tab, the third is for the “Packaging” tab. Editing is allowed in non-grayed out areas if desired.

Material Tab



Packaging Tab

Both table columns visibility can be configured and saved by right clicking and using the commands on the context menu. Table values

can also be exported and imported to Excel as CSV files. Make sure to highlight the row values you wish to export/import before select-

ing the “Export” or “Import” command.

Materials can be added automatically to the PML when an Inventor assembly containing sheet metal parts is added as a source and if the

material is not already configured. Selecting a DXF file as source file will not import materials. In my example, an 18 GA Mild Steel sheet

metal part is being added as a source and I am being asked if I wish to add the missing material to the PML.



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If you select “Yes”, the material will be added and will automatically pick up the configuration and properties of the last entered “Default”

material and packaging. In a lot of cases the only values that will need to be edited are the Material ID and Packaging configuration(s) and

name(s). This method can be used as a method of building your company nesting template. Open your existing nesting template, add

various sheet metal sources, edit the PML to suit, remove all sources from the template and then save.

This document makes the process seem long but once you start, you will find the it quick and easy to complete. When you have finished

your nesting template, remember to rename it to Standard (<units).inest if is the default template and also place it, by any desired name,

in your company standard template folder in the Nesting Utility folder and any other required template locations.