Frequently Asked Questions

About Magi-Cut

• Which Magi-Cut Versions will run on Windows 11?

  From version V12.00.1.0 onwards Magi-Cut Modular, Magi-Cut Intro and Magi-Cut V12 Express are supported to run on Windows 11.

• Which Magi-Cut Versions will run on Windows 10?

  Magi-Cut V12 Express and Intro are fully compatible with Windows 10.  Magi-Cut Cloud simply requires a web browser and internet connection allowing it to run on most operating systems.

  From version V10.0 onwards Magi-Cut Modular will install and run on Windows 10. Version 9 from version V9.07.2 will install and run on Windows 10 and version 8 from version V8.26.  Please read the accompanying notes when installing the licence manager if you have a network key as the Lmsetup program needs to be run in compatibility mode as Vista service pack 2.

• Which Magi-Cut versions will run on Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2?

  From version V10.0 onwards Magi-Cut will install and run on both Windows 8.1 and also Server 2012 R2.  From version V9.05 onwards Magi-Cut will install and run on both Windows 8.1 and also Server 2012 R2 and from V8.26 onwards. Please read the accompanying notes when installing the licence manager if you have a network key as the Lmsetup program needs to be run in compatibility mode as Vista service pack 2.

• Which level of the optimising software is right for me?

  Magi-Cut Cloud is our free entry level web optimiser aimed at smaller jobs of up to 20 lines (cut sizes) each with a maximum quantity of 50.  A selection of 3 suggested common board sizes and a custom board size are available for use.  The dimensions of all boards used in the optimisation (suggested and custom) can be altered as required.

   Magi-Cut V12 Express is a desk-top application designed for the smaller business running a sliding table saw. Express can optimise a list of up to 2000 pieces to be cut from a variety of materials and sheet sizes.

  Magi-Cut Intro is a full featured software package for the small workshop cutting wood or plastic sheet material. Intro can optimise a list up to 10000 pieces, includes sheet material, edging and parts libraries, import of parts lists from spreadsheets and provides labelling functionality.

  The Magi-Cut Modular suite provides a number of advanced optimiser options when linking to cnc controlled beam saws and nesting machines.  These options can be further enhanced with additional applications for products & quotes and stock control.

• What is the cost of Magi-Cut?

  Magi-Cut Cloud is free to use and can be accessed here

  Magi-Cut V12 Express retails for £480 (plus VAT) and can be purchased here

  Magi-Cut Intro retails for £1,250 (plus VAT) and can be purchased here

  For Magi-Cut Modular please download our pricing PDF.

• What does an annual support contract include?

  A support contract includes assistance in the identification and resolution of problems arising in the use of Magi-Cut, by telephone, email, or remote online support via internet as appropriate during normal working hours; this is subject to a maximum hours allowance, details of which can be found on the Support Price List. It also includes provision of general maintenance revisions for your version of Magi-Cut, and the replacement of any defective hardware security key.

• All my orders are done via an order processing system. Can I export the cutting lists to Magi-Cut?

  In most cases yes. Magi-Cut can import lists in a variety of different formats and there is also an option to create custom formats. Please refer to the Magi-Cut interface guide which is available in the software downloads section of the website.

• For some of my products e.g. drawer fronts the grain has to match - is optimisation any use to me?

  Yes it is. Magi-Cut includes a 'grain matching option' where the relevant parts are kept together on the board.

• I use shaped parts that are cut on a router/machining centre - is optimisation any use to me?

  Yes. Magi-Cut offers an option 'Nested optimising' which deals with shaped parts and the efficient layout of patterns.

• How can I trial Magi-Cut?

  We have several options to suit all requirements.

  To try out a basic optimisation right now, please see our web based optimiser Magi-Cut Cloud. The Wizard will guide you through entering a basic parts list, selecting boards and provide printable pdf cutting patterns.

  For larger more complex jobs we provide a number applications that are contained in a single free trial for your convenience. Please see our free 30 day trial of Magi-Cut V12 which includes the following applications.

  • Magi-Cut Intro. In addition to panel optimisation, Intro can also take care of your edging requirements. Parts lists can be imported from a spreadsheet and you can maintain a library of your edging, sheet materials and parts to save on data entry.
  • Standard Optimiser. For small to medium size workshops and contains all of the functionality of Magi-Cut Intro with the addition of a saw interface providing network transfer to a large range of beam saws and the machining interface, allowing for import and creation of machine drawings and export to machining centres.
  • Professional Optimiser. For large scale production.  Including all the features of the standard optimiser with the additions of full cost control, support for angular plants and destacking functionality for off-stacking and increased throughput.
  • Nesting Optimiser. For optimised nested patterns of rectangular and shaped parts for processing on a cnc router or nesting machine with advanced stay down routing options, edging, machining, forms and label functionality and a parts library.  Parts can be imported and exported in DXF and MPR formats to support a wide range of machines.
  • Products & Quotes. Available as an add-on to Standard, Professional and Nesting optimisers, adding a powerful products library allowing for parametric products, a quotes application with additional customer database, cost calculations and additional product costing reports.
  • Stock Control. Available as an add-on to Standard, Professional and Nesting optimisers, adding additional stock control options and reports for efficient inventory management and advanced features such as linking to Homag automation systems.

   

   

• For backs and fillers I often use an alternative if a board is not in stock - surely optimisation cannot cope with this?

  Yes it can. There is an option 'Alternative materials' this allows you to set up alternatives to use if a particular board or grade of board is out of stock.

• What is Magi-Cut Cloud?

  Magi-Cut Cloud is a free web application for optimising panel cutting, ideally suited for small workshops cutting sheet materials. Cutting patterns can be viewed on screen or saved locally, showing you how to get maximum yield from your sheet material.

• What do I need to run Magi-Cut Cloud?

  Magi-Cut Cloud requires a web browser and internet connection and most modern browsers are supported

  we recommend the latest version of the following browsers : - 

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge
  • Internet Explorer
  • Opera
  • Vivaldi
  • Maxthon
• How many parts can I optimise with Magi-Cut Cloud?

  Magi-Cut Cloud can optimise up to 20 lines of parts each with a maximum quantity of 50.

• Can I choose multiple sheet sizes with Magi-Cut Cloud?

  Magi-Cut Cloud offers you the choice of 3 suggested sheet sizes and 1 custom size. Any combination of these sheets can be selected when optimising your job. The dimensions of all boards used in the optimisation (suggested and custom) can be altered as required.

• How can I retrieve my previous jobs with Magi-Cut Cloud?

  Once logged into Magi-Cut Cloud, previous jobs can be retrieved at a number of points.

  - Under the Cloud menu from the top grey navigation bar of the site there is an option for previous jobs.

  - A link is provided on the Magi-Cut Cloud member home screen.

  - If you are using the optimiser, all screens have a button for previous jobs at the bottom of the screen.

  Use any of these methods to access the previous jobs screen where the jobs will be shown in table form.  Scroll to the right of the table and the final two columns will contain links to reload or view results.  Reload will run the job back through the optimiser allowing you to make edits, view results will present the reports and cutting patterns from the original job so that they can be re-printed.

Installation / System Requirements

• How do I apply an upgrade (.upg) file to my key / dongle?

  Upgrade files are applied to the key via the System Check. If you are running V10.03.3 or above, this can be done via the Internet. If you are running V10.03.2 or below, or do not have internet access on your Magi-Cut PC, you will need to save the file to a relevant location before following the below instructions.

  To open the System Check from within Magi-Cut - Click 'Tools' -> System Check. If you cannot access Magi-Cut, you can run it by opening 'My Computer' and navigating to the C:/ Drive. Locate the Magi-Cut folder (V10) and double click on the file 'Check' or 'Check.exe'.

  Once System Check is running, click the 'Upgrade' button. A dialog box should appear. 'Internet' is selected as default.

  If you are running V10.03 or above, simply click 'OK'. If this has been completed successfully, a message box will appear stating 'Key upgrade successful'.

  If you are running V10.02.2 or below, select 'Local device' and enter the path of the previously saved .upg file in the box. Click 'OK'. If this has been completed successfully, a message box will appear stating 'Key upgrade successful'.

• What are the minimum PC specifications for Magi-Cut?

  For the best experience we recommend that your PC meet the following minimum specifications.

  • Processor speed 2.0 Ghz
  • Memory 2Gb (400Mb free)
  • Hard disk 20GB free
  • Display 1440 x 900 or higher
  • USB port

  To make use of the 3d mode we recommend the PC meet the following minimum specifications

  • Processor speed 2.0 Ghz
  • Memory 4Gb
  • OpenGL version 3.2

  To support using woodStore as the board database, the Microsoft SQL Server used to host the woodStore database must be Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or later.

• What operating systems will Magi-Cut run on?

  Magi-Cut Cloud requires a web browser and internet connection and should run on most operating systems.

   

  Magi-Cut V12 Express is supported on the following operating systems: -

  Windows 11 

  Windows 2022 Server x64 Editions 

  Windows 2019 Server x64 Editions

  Windows 2016 Server x64 Editions

  Windows 10 (32bit and 64bit editions)

  Windows 2012 Server R2 x64 Editions

  Windows 8.1 (32bit and 64bit editions)

  Windows 2012 Server x64 Editions

  Windows 8 (32bit and 64bit editions)

   

  Magi-Cut Intro V12 is supported on the following operating systems: -

  Windows 11 (from version V12.00.1.0)

  Windows 10 (32bit and 64bit editions)

  Windows 8.1 (32bit and 64bit editions)

  Windows 8 (32bit and 64bit editions)

   

   

  Magi-Cut Modular V12 is supported on the following operating systems: -

  Windows 11 (from version V12.00.1.0)

  Windows 2019 Server x64 Editions

  Windows 2016 Server x64 Editions

  Windows 10 (32bit and 64bit editions), 

  Windows 2012 Server R2 x64 Editions,

  Windows 8.1 (32bit and 64bit editions),

  Windows 2012 Server x64 Editions,

  Windows 8 (32bit and 64bit editions),

• What is the difference between a single key and a network key?

  A single key allows one person on one PC to run the software. A network key allows a certain number of users at a time to run the software. The software can be installed on any number of PCs but only the given number of users can run Magi-Cut at the same time.

• Will Magi-Cut run on a terminal server?

  Yes from V8.1 onwards. As long as the system is run with a network key.

• When I upgrade to a new main version (i.e V11.0 to V12.0) what happens to all my data?

  Once the new version is installed all the data can be easily updated with the 'Copy/Convert' option in the Tools menu.

• How do I install a maintenance release?

  If you are running V10.03.3 or above, and have a valid support contract, you can now install updates from the internet. From within Magi-Cut, click 'Help' -> 'Check for updates' and follow the onscreen instructions. 

  If you are running V10.03.2 or below, the latest update can be downloaded from our website; this will require authentication - please contact us for the latest password.

• ''Your Software Support Expires Soon" - what does this mean?

  When you purchase a new system, or an update to the latest version, a period of support is included. A support expiry date is then programmed on your dongle. When you are getting close to renewal, a message is displayed within Magi-Cut to advise.

  If you choose to purchase a support renewal, you will be sent an upgrade file, which when applied, will extend the date in your dongle.

  The support contract includes maintenance releases, and the software uses the date in the key to determine whether you are entitled to the latest release, and will advise if an eligible update is available.

Operating Magi-Cut

• How can I make a backup of all my Magi-Cut data?

  Magi-Cut provides a backup facility which allows you to backup and restore your user directories. From the main File menu select Back up, or you can set up a reminder from System parameters.

• Why are some of the values in the Review runs summaries showing ******?

  This is because the column is not wide enough to accommodate the data. Select Resize Columns from the View menu and select either 'To fit contents' or 'To fit display'. Alternatively select Grid labels from the view menu and manually resize the required columns.

• Why is a large board being used for optimisation when a smaller more suitable board is available?

  Check the board costs in the board library. If the larger board has a cost of 0 and the smaller board has a cost value set then it is likely that the larger board will be used.

• What is the 'Global' line at the top of the part list?

  If you enter a value in this line it applies to every item in the list. This saves typing where the value is the same for every part.

• What are the items in the Board library where the code starts with an 'X'?

  These are offcuts created in a previous run. All offcuts board codes start with an 'X' (in versions prior to V10.0). In V10.0 offcuts are indicated by the field 'Type', also now the prefix for an offcut board code can be set to whatever the user requires.

• Can I import cutting lists from a Spreadsheet?

  Yes. An easy way is to set up the columns in the spreadsheet to match the cutting list - then you can copy the spreadsheet data and paste it into an empty cutting list.

• When I open a part list I always get the following message: 'Patterns exist - changing list deletes patterns'. What does it mean?

  The list has already been optimised if you make an alteration the results are deleted and the list has to be optimised again. Use System parameters to set whether this message appears or not.

• Can I export results to a spreadsheet or database?

  Yes. In Review runs each report can be exported to an external file. You can choose which data is exported and the format.

• How do I optimise more than 1 cutting list at a time?

  At Review Runs there is an option 'Batch optimisation'. With this you can set up several cutting lists to optimise in one go (not available for Lite or Express).

• How do I reduce the number of recuts?

  The level of recuts and head cuts in patterns are controlled by the 'Optimising parameters'. These can be set to match your cutting requirements.

• I use MPR files for my parts. Can I still use Magi-Cut?

  Yes. The part list can be set to use parts in MPR files. You can also use a mixture of MPR parts and parts that are entered manually.