Quickly design outstanding packaging, point-of-purchase and self-standing displays, while optimizing the most complex die making layouts.

Features List

  • Optimized for Die Board Layout
  • Easy Ashlar-Vellum Interface with Drafting Assistant™
  • Comprehensive Design Library
  • Die Board Machine Templates
  • Built-in Database Integrated Parametrics
  • Standard Rules and Variations
  • Auto Dimensioning
  • Automated Spec Sheets
  • Notching/Bridging
  • Matrix Score Simulation for Sample Tables
  • Rotary Shrinkage Adjustment
  • Scrap Knife Generation Stripping Jigs and Blankers
  • Mac/Windows Hybrid License
SteelRules provides everything from concept through die production needed by a designer or die maker of folding cartons, corrugated boxes and point-of-purchase displays.

General Features

  • 16 Place Floating Point Accuracy
  • Hybrid Mac/Windows Office/Home Licensing
  • Infinite Pan and Zoom
  • 256 Layers with Grouping Control
  • 234 Colors, 170 User-definable from a Palette of 16.7 Million
  • Unlimited Drawing Size
  • Unlimited Number of Objects

User Interface

  • Updated, Intuitive Ashlar-Vellum Interface
  • Drafting Assistant for Automatic Snaps and Alignments
  • Smart Cursor Changes Shape Indicating Active Tool and Operations
  • Tear-off Tool Palettes
  • Strokes and Short Cut Keys Provide Instant Access to Commands and Macros
  • Status Line to Specify Object Parameters
  • Message Line Provides Tool Feedback, Instructions, and Options
  • Edit Objects Dialog Box
  • World and User-defined Coordinate Systems
  • All Data Entry Fields can Perform Numeric Calculations
  • Object Grouping and Locking
  • Scroll Wheel Zoom and Spacebar Panning
  • Axis Locking
  • Orbit Tool
  • Nudge Tool Moves Selected Items a User-definable Distance
  • Selection Mask for Easier Selection of Specific Entity Types
  • Grid (User-definable)
  • Layer Manager

Drawing Tools

  • Wireframe Creation Tools:
    • Point Line
    • Connected Line
    • Mid-point Line
    • Arc
    • Circle
    • Ellipse
    • Rectangle
    • Polygon
    • Through-point Spline
    • Vector Spline
    • Extrude
    • Revolve
    • Smart Walls
  • Wireframe Editing Tools:
    • Fillet
    • Chamfer
    • Trim
    • Relimit
    • Break
    • Offset
    • Add Spline Points
    • Modify Spline Slope
    • Intersect Two Curves
    • Construction Lines
    • Offset, Divide

Sample Table/Laser Outputs

  • Outputs:
    • HPGL
    • DXF 2000
    • DXF R14
    • DMP HI
  • Sample Matrix

Views

  • Multiple
  • Detail
  • Dynamically Linked

Batch File Conversions

  • Via Convert Command
  • Per Directory

2D Analysis

  • Perimeter
  • Area
  • Weight
  • Centroid
  • Moments of Inertia

Selection Tools

  • Fence
  • Crossing/Intersecting Line
  • Enclosed Polygon
  • Automatic Boundary Detection
  • Eye Dropper

General Transform Tool

  • Move
  • Linear Duplicate
  • Rotate
  • Polar Duplicate
  • Scale (Uniform)
  • Mirror

Text Tools

  • Multi Line or Paragraphs
  • Autotext Forms
  • Normal, Bold, Italics
  • At an Angle
  • Set Font, Size, Color

PDF Integration

  • Direct (Generates Non-tessellated Arcs)
  • Multi-sheet
  • Optional Embedded Exports

2D Drawing Creation

  • Customizable Layouts
  • Smart Dimension Tool
  • Automatically Creates the Appropriate Dimensions
  • Dimensions:
    • Linear
    • Angular
    • Diametric
    • Radial
    • Baseline Method
    • Chain Method
    • Ordinate (Datum Method)
    • Circle Center Marking
  • Standard and User Definable Tolerances and Settings (ANSI, DIN, ISO,JIS, Dual, Architecture, and Stacked Fraction)
  • Hatch and Fill Patterns
  • Line Weights, Colors, Styles, and Rule Types
  • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Dynamic or Static Dimensioning
  • Rule Types
  • Auto Dimensioning
  • Recon Tool
  • Perf Tool
  • Zipper Rule Tool
  • Identical Line Removal
  • Zero Length Line Removal

Data Manager

  • Default Database Fields:
    • Customer Name
    • Job Number
    • Die #
    • Identification
    • Sales Rep
    • Drawn By
    • Spec No
    • File ID
    • File Path
    • Customer ID
    • Design #
    • Date
    • Number Out
    • Length
    • Width
    • Depth
    • Die Size X
    • Die Size Y
    • Total Inches
    • Knife Inches
    • Score Inches
    • Perf Inches
    • Cut-Score Inches
    • Cut-Crease Inches
    • Breaker Knife Inches
    • Balance Knife Inches
    • Wood Size X
    • Wood Size Y
    • Wood Sq Ft
    • Jigs - used (Yes or No)
    • Mylar (Yes or No)
    • Laser Cut (Yes or No)
    • Die Factor
    • # of Cut Outs
    • # of Slots
    • # of Punches
    • # of Embossing
    • Notes
    • Blank Sq Ft
    • Grain/Corrugation Direction
    • Inside/Outside View
    • Flute Size
    • Finish Type
    • Joint Size
  • Sub Assemblies Tracking
  • Revision History Tracking
  • Export Database info to tab delimited text file

Parametric Constraints

  • 2D/3D
  • Equation-driven
  • Creates Smart Formula-driven Symbols

Flat Die Tools

  • Flat Die Board Style Sheet:
    • Bobst CLI
    • Bobst CLII
    • Marumatsu
    • Meihle
    • Thompson
    • Custom Die Board Size
  • Kill Bolts
  • Gap Detection
  • Chop Knife
  • Male & Female Stripping Jigs Tool
  • Counter Palette:
    • Score
    • Knife
    • Between
    • Center Stand Punch
  • Notch Tool
    • Auto Notch
    • Simple Notch
    • Insert Simple Notch

Die Layout Menus

  • Breaker Knife
  • Notch
  • Punch
  • Hand Hole
  • Rotary Directional Arrows
  • Corrugation Direction
  • Die Rack
  • Guide Hole
  • Logo Insert
  • Jig Tool

Rotary Die Tools

  • Rotary Die Board Style Sheet
  • Chop Knife
  • Bolt Hole Patterns
  • Bolt Mapping Tool
  • Rotary Teeth Notching
  • Shrink
  • Adjust Circles
  • Punch C/L

Symbol Libraries

  • Reference of Instances Offers Updates upon Reentry
  • Thousands Included
  • Panel Provides Click-through Viewing of All Directories Prior to Loading
  • Hundreds of Display & Packaging Designs
  • Parametric Driven Designs
  • Industry Standards ECMA & FEFCO
  • Resizable Stylesheets
  • Mechanical & Architectural CAD Libraries in ANSI & DIN

Import/Export

  • DWG/DXF (Up to 2008)
  • PDF (Export Only)
  • EPS
  • Graphite (Import Only)
  • Vellum (Import Only)
  • Score! (Import Only)
  • JPEG
  • PNG
  • DDES2
  • CFF2 (Export Only)
  • Spline (Import Only)
  • ASCII Text
  • Claris CAD (Import Only)
  • BMP
  • MetaFiles (Windows only)
  • Bill of Materials
  • PICT (Mac Only)
  • GCode (Import Only)
  • Attributes (Export Only)
  • HPGL
  • Sample Table (Outputs)
    • HPGL
    • DXF 2000
    • DXF R14
    • DMP HI

Additional Drafting Tools

  • Automated Bill of Materials
  • Symbols Panel
  • Multiple Sheets per Document
  • Spell Check Includes User Dictionary and Many Foreign Languages
  • Navigator Palette
  • Plotter Fonts (True Vector Style)
  • Pen Style Palette
  • Rules Type Palette
  • Linearize Splines

Localized User Interface

  • English (US)
  • Coming Soon:
    • English (UK)
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Portuguese
    • Spanish
    • Swedish
    • Russian (Windows only)

Recommended System

  • Windows / Macintosh
  • Windows XP / 7 / 8
  • OS X 10.6 / 10.7 / 10.8 / 10.9 / 10.10 (Intel only)
  • DVD Drive or High Speed Internet Connection