# User Guide URL: https://cutlistevo.com/guide > Comprehensive guide to using Cutlist Evolution cutting optimization software Welcome to the Cutlist Evolution user guide. This comprehensive documentation will help you master all features of the cutting optimization software. This overview covers the core concepts — inputs, orientation, stock matching and the workbench. See also the dedicated pages for **[Import Data](/guide/import)**, **[Options](/guide/options)**, **[Export](/guide/export)** and **[FAQs](/guide/faqs)**. ## Number Format :::caution[Important] For best results, numbers should... - Use a single unit type, such as millimeters or inches. - Used consistently throughout, including the blade width. - **Not** include units (e.g. **mm** or **ft**). - **Not** use notation (e.g. [ **'** ] or [ **"** ]). - **Not** use thousand separators (e.g. 3000 not 3,000 or 3.000). - Use [ **.** ] as decimal separator (e.g. 10.0 not 10,0). ::: See the table below for examples of best practice. | Ok | Unit | Notes | |----|------|-------| | ✓ | 10.5 | Select **Decimal** from the **Options** panel | | ✗ | 10,5 | Use [ . ] as decimal separator | | ✗ | 3,000 | Remove thousand separator | | ✓ | 10 1/2 | Select **Fraction** from the **Options** panel | | ✗ | 10 1/2' | Do not use notation | | ✗ | 3' 2" | Convert to inches, do not use notation | | ✗ | 3' 2.5" | Convert to inches, do not use notation | | ✗ | 3' 2 1/2" | Convert to inches, do not use notation | **Decimal** or **fraction** number format can be set in the **Options** panel. ## Stock Orientation Stock is represented through the app with the long side oriented horizontally. This cannot be changed. ## Part Rotation Parts are set to long side horizontal by default. :::caution[Important] The length & width inputs **have no impact on rotation by default**. ::: There are five possible part orientation icons:

Free rotation

Locked to length

Locked to width

Length grain

Length grain - rotated

Width grain

How these should be set depends on the grain of the material. Read more below. ### No Stock Grain When stock grain is not set, the arrow represents the **part orientation**. - Locked to length orientation

A horizontal arrow means the long side of the part will run along the long side of the stock. - Locked to width orientation

A vertical arrow means the long side of the part will run along the short side of the stock. - Free rotation

Circular arrows means this part can freely rotate. ### Grain When at least one stock grain is set, the icon represents the part **grain direction**. - Length grain

Horizontal grain means the part grain will run along the long side of the part. - Width grain

Vertical grain means the part grain will run along the short side of the part. ### Set the Rotation Using the Order of the Length / Width Inputs In the parts and stock menus there are rotation options which will determine the rotation or grain from the length and width values, as follows. - A **part** with length 100 and width 50 will be oriented horizontally. - A **part** with length 50 and width 100 will be oriented vertically. - **Stock** with length 100 and width 50 will have grain set horizontally. - **Stock** with length 50 and width 100 will have grain vertically. ## Side References When describing the sides of the stock or parts, each side has a label for easy reference. These are used for edge banding, trim and anywhere you need to indicate a particular side. - L1 & L2 are the long sides (Length) - W1 & W2 are the short sides (Width) - When presented in a table, or when importing via spreadsheet the order used is L1, L2, W1, W2 - Parts are rotated in the anti-clockwise direction ## Inputs Panel :::caution[Important] **The order of the length & width inputs has no impact on rotation.** ::: If you wish to orientate the parts, use the orientation settings. See [part rotation](#part-rotation) for more details. ### Input Options Use the **Input options** panel to toggle options such as trim & banding, and to enter your blade width / kerf. #### Banding Edge banding can be applied to each side of each part, it's enabled in the **Input options** panel within the **Inputs** panel. To understand the side references (L1, L2, W1, W2), see [side references](#side-references). Banding is visualised by thick lines in the inputs panel, and small squares around the edges of the main visual. #### Trim The stock can be trimmed. This allows a clean line to be produced around the edges. To understand the side references (L1, L2, W1, W2), see [side references](#side-references). #### Cost If you add a value to this field, the cost of a project will be calculated based on the efficiency of the stock material. ### Groups Group parts together to form a larger cohesive rectangle. This can be useful if you have multiple parts that need to be cut from the same stock, or for grain matching. For groups to work, you must set an orientation on each shape in the group. If set, minimum spacing will be applied to each part in the group. At the moment, groups only support a single line of parts. ## Stock Matching When matching parts to stock, the following part settings are considered: - Material - Thickness - Dimensions - Exact width **Material** If a material is specified at the stock level, parts must match the material. If a material is not specified at the stock level, any part can be placed on this stock. **Thickness** When using multiple stock in a calculation, parts are matched to each stock using the following rules. - If a thickness is specified in the stock, each part must also have a thickness specified. - If a thickness is not specified in the stock, it's assumed any part can be placed on this stock, but stock with the correct thickness specified will be prioritised. **Dimensions** For all calculations, the parts (rotated to their required orientations) must fit within the stock dimensions. Read more about [number format](#number-format). Read more about [part rotation](#part-rotation). **Exact Width** For linear materials (set in [Options](/guide/options)) - the width of the parts must exactly match the width of at least one of the available stock. This is to allow multiple stock widths within a single calculation. ## Projects Log in to save and load your inputs, options & results. This will allow access on different devices or if you're working on more than one project at the same time. A useful feature is the sharing functionality - you can send your results to someone else. We think this will be helpful if you have to send your requirements to a supplier or colleague. ## Workbench Workbench is the visualisation for the layout. ### Measuring Cuts Once you have generated your layout, open **Cut list** panel. You can click on an individual cut to highlight it on the diagram. The default cut view is **Manual measurements**, which measures from the edge of the stock (if using maximum efficiency mode) or the edges of the relevant section (if using edge-to-edge cuts). If you select **Coordinates**, the measurements will be suitable for a CNC machine or similar and are measured to the center of the cut. ## Offcuts Offcuts are only enabled for certain optimisation options, such as guillotine cuts on sheets & linear materials. Clicking on an offcut will add it as a stock input for easy re-use. ## DXF Edit If you have imported a DXF file (or multiple DXF files) and stored the files for editing, you can now export a new DXF file with the optimized layout. Please note that during the import process, a single part per file is required for the import to work correctly. This functionality has been tested with CabinetSense and Pro100 DXF files. ## Labels Labels can be printed by standard desktop printers using label sheets. The output is configurable to suit your particular printer and label type.