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Sort Path Manual ｜ Data Convert

✨ Sort Path automatically reorders drawing elements into a sequence that is easier to cut. A laser cutter or cutting plotter processes elements in the order they appear in the data. If that order is mixed up, the outer outline may be cut first and the part may shift, or the cutting head may travel back and forth unnecessarily. Running Sort Path rebuilds the sequence so those problems are less likely to occur.

1. How to Use

Click ✨ Sort Path on the toolbar, or choose "Transform > Sort Path" from the menu. A result dialog appears, and the new order is used for Save and export.

When to run it: Running it once just before exporting to DXF / EPS is enough.
Safe to run more than once: If the data is already ordered, running it again will not change the sequence.
The drawing shape does not change: Only the cutting order and the direction each line is traced will change. Position, length, linetype, and color stay the same.
Before you run it: Overlapping lines at the same location can break Sort Path detection. First run "Transform > Organize (Merge Duplicates)" on the CAD design screen (see 2. Organizing overlapping lines).

2. Organizing Overlapping Lines

If lines overlap in the same place, many endpoints appear to be connected, and the system cannot tell whether a shape is closed. As a result, windows or holes may not be cut before the outer outline. The Data Convert screen does not remove overlapping lines automatically. This should be done on the CAD design screen with "Transform > Organize (Merge Duplicates)", which combines duplicate elements into one.

Merge overlapping lines into one with "Transform > Organize (Merge Duplicates)" on the CAD design screen, then run Sort Path.

Guidance on the Convert screen

When you open a file: If overlaps are found, a red notice appears in the guide area at the bottom of the screen. Operations are not blocked, but return to CAD first and organize.
When you run Sort Path: A confirmation dialog appears. [OK] continues Sort Path. [Cancel] returns you to the CAD design screen to organize.

The confirmation dialog shows these two counts.

Completely overlapping elements	The extra count of lines, circles, or arcs that share the same start/end points (or the same center and radius) and occupy the exact same location.
Partially overlapping lines	The number of pairs of straight lines that share the same infinite line and overlap only in part. This includes a short line contained inside a longer line.

⚠ The Convert screen does not remove duplicate lines automatically Combining overlapping lines into one is done with "Transform > Organize (Merge Duplicates)" on the CAD design screen. Convert only detects and warns; it does not change the drawing shape. You can press [OK] to continue Sort Path, but the cutting order may not match your intent.

3. Priority Rules for Reordering

Sort Path applies the following three rules strictly, from top to bottom.

Rule 1Cut closed inner shapes (holes, windows, slits) first

If the outer outline is cut first, the part can come loose from the material and later holes will be misaligned. Finishing inner shapes first keeps the part held in the sheet while holes are cut.

Rule 2Finish one part completely before moving to the next

The tool will not jump to another part in the middle of a cut. Processing stays grouped by part, for example "Part A holes → Part A outline → Part B holes → Part B outline". Travel distance may be longer in some cases, but this grouping is kept for cutting stability.

Rule 3Cut the outermost outline last

The outer outline is separated only after all work on that part (holes, windows, inner partitions, and fold lines) is finished.

Cutting starts at the bottom-left of the drawing. The part closest to the bottom-left is started first, then nearby parts are connected in order.

Reordering example

Work starts with Part A at the bottom-left. Each part is finished inner → outline, then Part B is processed.

Comparison with an order to avoid

Sort Path reorders elements to match the sequence on the right.

4. Inner Partitions and Fold Lines

If a figure contains inner partitions or fold lines (score lines), they are cut before the outer outline. This finishes all inner work before the part can shift after the outline is cut.

Cutting order: inner window → inner fold line → outermost outline.

5. How Closed Shapes Are Detected

Sort Path decides which shape is inside another by checking whether each figure is closed. Knowing this helps you find the cause when the order is not what you expected.

Endpoints must connect: Endpoints within 0.08 mm are treated as connected. If you use snap to endpoints while drawing, this condition is met automatically.
A circle is a closed shape by itself: A circle is always treated as closed, so it is always included in inside/outside detection.
Complex shapes are supported: Even if the interior is divided into rooms, or lines stick out from the outline, a figure is recognized as one shape if tracing the outer loop encloses an area.

⚠ A gap at an endpoint prevents inner-first detection If there is even a tiny gap in the outer outline, that figure is treated as open, and inner holes cannot be cut first. If the order is not as expected, first check corners and joints of the outline for gaps.

⚠ Lines that meet in the middle of another line (T-junctions) If a partition endpoint meets the middle of an outline, not an endpoint, that partition is treated as an independent element, not as part of the figure. The rule "inner work before the outline" still applies, but it will not be grouped as part of the figure. Split the outline at the partition location so it is treated correctly as part of the figure.

6. Linetype and Color Order

If linetypes or colors are mixed inside one figure, they are reordered within that figure using the priorities below. Part-unit and inner-first rules take precedence, so this order never crosses a part boundary.

Linetype order	Dash-Double-Dot → Dash-Dot → Long Dash → Medium Dash → Short Dash → Solid
Color order	White → Yellow → Cyan → Green → Orange → Magenta → Red → Blue → Black

7. Reading the Result Dialog

After Sort Path runs, a result like the following is shown.

Cutting order rule	Confirms which rules were applied.
Part units	The number of detected closed shapes. Each is finished as one group without being split.
Inner first	The number of elements judged to be inside another shape and moved before the outline, plus the nesting depth.
Rapid move before / after	The total distance the head travels while not cutting (rapid-move distance).
Change	How much the rapid-move distance was reduced or increased.

💡 Rapid-move distance may increase Sort Path prioritizes a correct cutting order (inner first, part units) over shortening travel distance. As a result, travel may become longer after inner-first ordering, and the dialog will show an increase. This is not an error; it means a safer order that keeps parts from shifting was kept.

8. Checking Cutting Order Visually

Click ▶ Cutting Order on the toolbar to play an animation of the actual cutting sequence. Run it after Sort Path to confirm that the order matches your intent.

Speed: Choose from 1x to 8x.
Pause: Stop in the middle to inspect the order.
Stop: Press ESC, or click "⏹ Stop (ESC)".

9. If the Order Is Not as Expected

Symptom	Likely cause and what to do
A message says overlapping elements were found	Run "Transform > Organize (Merge Duplicates)" on the CAD design screen to combine overlapping lines into one. The Convert screen does not remove them automatically.
The outline is cut before holes	The outline may not be closed. Check corners and joints for gaps, and reconnect lines using endpoint snap. Remaining overlapping lines can cause the same symptom.
Inner partitions are not treated as part of the figure	The partition meets the middle of the outline (a T-junction). Split the outline at the partition location.
Cutting starts at an unexpected place	The start position is the bottom-left of the whole drawing. The part closest to the bottom-left is started first.
Rapid-move distance increased	This is the result of keeping inner-first and part-unit rules. It is not an error.