Sorting Numbers Tutorial
Note:
The tutorial is at the end of the document. It is recommended that you read the preliminary text before jumping to the tutorial.
🔑 Core Concept
ONE Sorting Number = ONE Component TYPE = MANY Identical Pieces
Example: Sorting #1 = 50 identical rafters
All 50 pieces share the same number
Think: SKU/Part Number (one number, multiple units)
NOT: Serial number (unique per piece)Sorting Number vs. Item Number
Sorting Number
Item Number
Component TYPE identifier
Material specification
Integer (whole number)
String (text)
"Which type is this?"
"What's it made of?"
Sorting #1 (50 pcs)
"Pine 45x120"
Project-specific
Database-wide
Assigned during sorting
Selected at creation
Production/assembly use
Ordering/cost calculation
Analogy:
Sorting # = SKU/Recipe Number
Item # = Material/Ingredient Spec
Note:
The material database has an order number as well. This is used to refer to external databases.
When to Sort
✅ DO Sort:
After completing component input
Before generating outputs (lists, plans, machine files)
After modifying existing components
Before releasing to production
❌ DON'T Sort:
During active component input
Multiple times unnecessarily
Quick Access Methods
Menu → Sorting/Sorting and Labelling
Toolbar Icon → Click sorting icon
Keyboard Shortcut → (Check your menu)
Automatic → Try to generate output, system prompts
Essential Settings
Start Numbers (Recommended)
Walls: 1
Floor Decks: 200
Roof: 400
D-CAM: 600Critical Setting
"Identical numbers allowed in model": NO
Prevents duplicate numbers across model areas
Avoids machine file errors
Only changeable in D-CAM
Restart Sorting
Positional: Most common
Floor by Floor: For multi-story
Wall by Wall: For wall prefab
Basic Sorting Workflow
Open sorting dialog - Option 1-8.
Set start numbers per model area
Choose restart method (usually "Positional")
Set "Identical numbers in model" to "No"
Click OK
Review results (check for warnings)
Verify in material list
Adding to Sorted Building
Use "Sorting New" When:
Major changes made
Want complete re-optimization
Many components modified/deleted
Use "Attaching" When:
Few new components added
Want to preserve existing numbers
Production already using numbers
Fixed Sorting Numbers
When to Use:
Numbers from external documentation
Large/critical components (glulam beams)
Customer-specified numbers
Building sequence control
How to Apply (D-CAM only):
Switch to D-CAM
Enter desired number
Select component(s)
Click assignment button:
Top button: Sequential (50, 51, 52...)
Second button: Same number for all
Visual Indicator:
Fixed numbers show underlined and bold
Beam Type Number Ranges
Example Setup:
Component Type | Beam Type | Number Range
-------------------|-----------|-------------
Purlins | 320-329 | 100-149
Rafters | 410-419 | 150-199
Panels | 851-853 | 200-399
Engineered | 700-799 | 400-499Benefits:
Component type recognizable by number
Organizes production lines
Simplifies machine file management
Serial Numbers: Not Available
⚠️ Dietrich's does NOT track individual pieces within batches
What This Means:
Sorting #1 (50 rafters) = batch identifier
Cannot distinguish rafter #1 from rafter #2
All 50 are simply "Sorting #1"
Exception:
When Qty = 1, sorting # effectively becomes serial #
Unique components fully traceable
Example: Sorting #3 (1 ridge beam)
If You Need Individual Tracking:
External barcode system
RFID tagging
Make each piece unique in Dietrich's (1 sorting # per piece)
Quick Checklist
Before Finalizing Sorting:
[ ] All components have numbers
[ ] Identical components share numbers
[ ] Different components have different numbers
[ ] No model area overlaps
[ ] Fixed numbers protected
[ ] Beam type ranges working
[ ] Material list generates correctly
Before Production Release:
[ ] Final sorting verified
[ ] Settings saved
[ ] Changes communicated to team
[ ] Updated lists generated
[ ] Machine files regenerated
[ ] Assembly docs updated
Production Workflow Summary
Phase 1: Design
Select Item Numbers (materials)
No sorting numbers yet
Phase 2: Sorting
Run sorting function
System assigns Sorting Numbers
Groups identical components
Phase 3: Ordering
Use Item Numbers to order materials
There is an Order Number as well but that is if we want to co-relate to a supplier number.
Total quantities by item number
Phase 4: Production
Use Item Number to get material
Use Sorting Number for machining program
Phase 5: Assembly
Use Sorting Number to identify components
Use Item Number to verify material
"What's the Number?" Guide
Question: "What's component number 25?" Answer: Sorting Number (component type)
Question: "What's the item number?" Answer: Item Number (material spec)
Question: "What do I order from supplier?" Answer: Item Number
Question: "What machine program do I run?" Answer: Sorting Number
Question: "What's on the label?" Answer: Both (Sorting # primary, Item # verification)
Number Strategy Planning
Estimate Quantities:
Example Building:
Walls: 1-199 (~200 components)
Floor Decks: 200-399 (~200 components)
Roof: 400-699 (~300 components)
Special/D-CAM: 700-999 (~300 components)Buffer Advice:
Add 20-30% buffer to ranges for changes
Key Takeaways
Sort at milestones, not continuously
Plan number ranges before starting
Use "Attach" to preserve numbers
Fix critical components early
Set "No duplicates" to avoid conflicts
Verify before production
One sorting # = one type (multiple pieces)
Tutorial: Using Sorting Numbers in Dietrich's
Part 1: Basic Automatic Sorting
Step 1: Understanding When to Sort
Before you begin, recognize that sorting should be done:
✅ After completing major component input phases
✅ Before generating any production outputs
✅ After modifying existing components
✅ When preparing for machine file export
Do NOT sort:
❌ During active component input (wait until a logical break)
❌ Multiple times unnecessarily (it doesn't improve results)
Step 2: Accessing the Sorting Function
Option A: From the Menu
Navigate using Option 1-8.
Select "Sorting" or "Sorting and Labelling"
Option D: Automatic Prompt
Simply try to generate a list, plan, or machine file
The system will automatically prompt you to sort if needed
Step 3: Understanding the Sorting Dialog
The sorting dialog contains three sub-dialog boxes:
Sub-Dialog 1: Sorting Parameters (Main Settings)
This is where you'll spend most of your time. Key settings include:
Start Number:
Sets the beginning number for this model area
Example: Walls = 1, Roof = 200, Floor = 400
Restart Sorting:
Positional: Numbers restart based on position
Floor by Floor: New number sequence for each floor
Wall by Wall: New number sequence for each wall
Similar options for floor decks, roofs, roof surfaces, trusses
Sort According To:
Defines the criteria for determining if components are identical
Options automatically adjust based on "Restart Sorting" setting
Package/Element Consideration:
Can be set separately for each model area
Determines if building element relationships affect sorting
Identical Numbers Allowed in Model:
Yes: Same sorting numbers can exist in different model areas
No: Ensures globally unique numbers across all model areas
Prevents problems when generating machine files
Automatically sets other options for consistency
Sub-Dialog 2: Beam Type Dependent Sorting Numbers
Use this to assign number ranges to specific component types.
Sub-Dialog 3: Replacement Item Numbers
For automatic material specification substitution during sorting.
Please contact our team if you have any questions.
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