We are delighted to announce PolyBoard 8, a major update to our flagship cabinet design software.
PolyBoard 8 is available to download and test, and to order either new or as an upgrade.
It’s faster than ever, easier to use and is packed with new design and manufacturing features, with more on the way. We’ve listened to your suggestions to make sure these improvements are practical and will make a real difference in the workshop.
We will continue to release great new features over the coming months. If you have a PolyBoard 8 licence, as usual these new features will be completely free of charge.
Before we get into the current features, watch out for these exciting updates we’ve got planned:
- New quoting system: formal quotes based on a bill of material
- New parallel fittings: application within a cabinet and between cabinets
- Further customisations to the workshop document
Available now with PolyBoard 8 are the following enhancements, more details can be found in the Help Centre.
Performance improvements
Significant improvements in memory consumption, particularly in the case of large libraries.
Mirror function to speed up design
This huge time saver was requested by the PolyBoard community; select a cabinet and use the mirror feature to flip the entire design.
Here’s the new Mirror icon:
And an example of the results:
Double-sided panels
Allows for different finishes on either side of your sheet material.
Typically used when a simpler or cheaper material finish is appropriate for the inside or underside of a unit, or as an alternative to a cover panel added to the side of a unit.
Different textures for each face are applied via the Panel materials library, Advanced window. In this example the main face has a wood texture applied, the secondary face is white.
Change internal component type in the Properties menu
It’s now much easier to update your drawer depth, swap your fixed shelves for mobile, and lots more.
Just make the selection via the Properties menu, no need to delete and apply again, or change sub-methods.
Halving joint partitioning
The internal cabinet zones created by adding halving joint divisions can now be partitioned, each one individually if required.
New detachable 3D preview window
View a 3D preview of your model from inside the 2D editing window. This preview window can be detached and dragged to a 2nd screen and resized to suit your viewing preferences.
It’s also really useful in Project mode.
Click through your model list and immediately see each model in 3D; this makes identifying the correct unit much easier.
Automatic texture orientation
The grain will automatically follow the orientation of the worktop. The grain direction parameter is still available but will be needed less often.
QR codes added to labels
Data fields on PolyBoard’s labels can now be displayed as QR codes as well as barcodes.
In addition, the part drawing includes the machining details.
Extra bevel modes
A new range of bevel options to customise your grooves when designing with angled components. This replaces and expands the old chamfer options.
The bevel can also be set in the Cabinet boxful manufacturing sub-method.
New chamfer options
It’s now possible to chamfer the edges of panels.
Post processor updates
General
Pockets
- Extension of rectangular pocketing to all grooves
- Extension of non rectangular pocketing to all shapes
Sloped groove export
- Export of sloped grooves with orthogonal bottom (at right angles)
Tooling file face references
- 2 new references specifying the tooling file face, this allows Profiling and Chamfering formats to be separated
Felder F4G post processor
- Access to F4G macros
- New Pause function for double sided machining
- Tools In / Out options in milling mode
DXF post processor
- New option to set the Line type in customized tools
TPA / TCN post processor and macros
- Operation code is now configurable
- Edge defined macros can now be applied to the face or edge
Biesse / CIX bSolid post processor
- The tool configuration window now includes a CIX drilling selection
SCM / XCS post processor
- Bevel management: a virtual face is now automatically created
Expanded Quick Design toolbars
Our Quick Design toolbars have been reorganized to support a more intuitive workflow. We have also added a new Export toolbar to speed up output of the manufacturing files.
Addition of Arabic language
Extending PolyBoard’s large range of language options.
Modify style extended to selected cabinets
In both Project and Catalogue modes, the Modify styles command now applies to selected cabinets.
If no specific units are selected, modifications apply to all cabinets as before.
For example, if you have a kitchen project with multi-material façades, it’s now much easier to change just the ones you want.
Expanded ERP export options
The Height and Width variables now have the same options as in the ASCII export.
New reference for complex fittings
A new internal fittings reference handles complex assembly situations, combining non orthogonal parts, overlaps and recesses. This new reference is visible to the user.
Workshop document updates
Machining split across multiple pages
Face 1 and face 2 machining details and coordinates are now shown across multiple pages for improved visual clarity.
Extended multi-view feature
Print setup includes a multi-view feature to customise model view angles for inclusion in the workshop document. As well as selecting view angles, display options include exploded view, dimensions, hidden panels and lots more.
More custom views can now be added and across multiple pages; they can be displayed larger too if required.
Customisable title
Your company or any other title can be selected in the print option as usual. Now switch to display of the PolyBoard file name so each workshop document is uniquely identified.
How to get started with PolyBoard 8
Test out PolyBoard 8’s new features
PolyBoard 8 is available to download and test from the downloads section of your account page.
New to PolyBoard? Register for free to download.
Looking to use PolyBoard in your workshop?
Please contact our support team to arrange an online demonstration with a member of our technical team.
Upgrading your current PolyBoard licence
Prices are linked to the age of your current PolyBoard licence, so the sooner you upgrade, the more cost effective it is.
Please contact our support team to confirm upgrade arrangements.
Thanks very much for reading!
Excellent, thats great news!
That’s a good one, improvement is the key. I wish there is a section or bottom where drawers can be modified to have one face. What I mean is making 2 or more drawers to get one straight drawer face. More also if you can make provisions for your product install mentally payment, so as to give privilege to we at the developing countries
Thank you for your comment! Having two drawer boxes (or more) sharing a single front is possible. You can make the drawer front on the upper drawer(s) a “nill panel”, and then add a negative recesse to the lower drawer front. You can also create the required fitting links to associate with this.
We do have an installment payment plan that we believe could help you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team for more details on that.