Set up Tekla PowerFab for ProNest

Note: These instructions apply to Tekla PowerFab releases from 2023 SP5 onwards. For releases 2023 SP4 and earlier, refer to the corresponding Product Guide, for example Tekla PowerFab 2023i Product Guide.

1. Enable the extension directory

Go to File > Administration.
On the menu, select Settings.

The Administration - Settings dialog opens.
Click the Administration ribbon tab.
On the General tab, select Enable Extension Directory

For more information, see Define Tekla PowerFab administration settings.

2. Assign a directory for extensions

Go to File > Default Directories
In Extension, define the default folder for extensions.
Create a folder for the ProNest extension to the Extension directory.

For more information, see Default directories.

3. Define ProNest integration settings

Click the Maintenance ribbon tab.
On the menu, select Integration Settings > ProNest.

The ProNest Settings dialog opens.
To allow sending inventory to ProNest and using ProNest for nesting plates, select Enable ProNest for Plate Nesting.
In Nesting Request Format, select Extension.
In Material Display Format on the Inventory Sync tab, ensure that it is set to the same setting as ProNest.
Click Save.

4. Use the extension

Do either of the following for any module that supports combining:
- Set Extension as the default in Maintenance:
  1. Go to Maintenance > <Module> > Company Standards.
    The <Module> Company Standards dialog opens.
  2. Click Combining Optimizations.
    The Combining Setup dialog opens.
- Set Extension in the module where you are combining:
  1. Click Combine > Nest > Optimizations.
    The Combining Run Filters dialog opens.
  2. Click Optimizations.
    The Combining Setup dialog opens.
On the Plate Nesting Settings tab, in Plate Nesting Software, select Extension.

For details on creating a nest request, see Export plates to be nested in ProNest.