Free online nesting software for laser, plasma, waterjet and CNC cutting. Upload DXF parts and get an optimized cutting layout in seconds - no install, no sign-up.
Free to use
True shape nesting is the process of arranging irregular polygon parts on a sheet, length or roll of stock in the most efficient layout possible. Unlike rectangular cutlist optimization - which draws an imaginary bounding box around each part and wastes the material inside - true shape nesting recognises the real outline of every part. Concave curves, triangles, L-shapes and complex CAD geometry interlock cleanly, reducing scrap and lowering material cost per job.
True shape nesting is the classic irregular bin packing problem And solving it well is the difference between good material utilization and wasted stock. The nesting optimizer evaluates many arrangements to find the one that packs the most parts into the smallest area, returning results in seconds rather than the minutes older nesting software takes.
Complementary shapes nest into each other So that cavities in one part are filled by the bumps of another. The result is a tightly tessellated layout that consistently beats free nesting software and matches industrial CAM nesting at a fraction of the cost.
Every layout is refined to squeeze out the last bit of wasted material, then exported at full CAD resolution so your cutting paths match your original drawings exactly - no smoothing, no approximation, no lost detail.
Free to use
Upload your parts as DXF. DXF is the required input format. Export your parts from AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Inkscape or any CAD software and drop them straight into the nesting optimizer. Each part carries its own quantity and material assignment - no manual drawing, no coordinate entry.
The optimizer automatically arranges parts on your stock, packing the most parts into the smallest area. Complementary shapes are slotted into each other to minimise the gaps between them and maximise material yield.
Review and export a cutting-ready layout. The final layout is compacted to eliminate any remaining slack. Lead-in, lead-out and common-line cutting paths are generated for your machine, then exported as DXF, SVG or G-code - ready for laser, plasma, waterjet or CNC cutting on the shop floor.
Anyone cutting irregular parts from sheet metal, wood, plastic, fabric or composites.
Integrate true shape nesting into your own CAD, CAM or ERP system.
The online nesting engine is available through the SmartCut API. Send DXF parts and stock definitions over HTTPS and receive optimized cutting layouts in return.
Ideal for CAD/CAM platforms, ERP systems, online cut-to-size stores and production software that need automatic nesting as a backend service - without the cost and maintenance of running an in-house nesting engine.
SmartCut APINesting is included with every Cutlist Evolution plan, including the free tier - no credit card, no install, no sign-up required to try it. Paid tiers unlock larger part counts for production use.
Cutlist optimization arranges rectangular parts on rectangular stock - fine for panel goods and timber but wasteful for irregular shapes. Nesting software works with irregular polygons imported from your CAD software as DXF files. Nesting is what you need when your parts are not rectangles.
DXF is the required input format for nesting. Export your parts from AutoCAD, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Inkscape or any CAD package as DXF and drop them straight into the online nesting optimizer.
The nesting engine preserves the full resolution of your original CAD outlines for cutting-path export. Your parts come out at exactly the geometry you uploaded - no smoothing, no approximation, no lost detail.
Most small to medium jobs return in seconds rather than minutes, fast enough for interactive use. Large production jobs with hundreds of parts typically complete in under a minute.
Kerf-aware spacing is applied between every part so the blade, beam or jet fits between them. Lead-in and lead-out geometry is configurable - climb vs conventional, straight vs arc - and common-line cutting removes duplicate edges to speed up production on laser, plasma and waterjet machines.
Yes. The free tier lets you nest real jobs with no credit card, no install and no sign-up required. Upgrade only when you need larger part counts for production use.
Yes. The SmartCut API exposes the same online nesting engine that powers this site. Integrate true shape nesting into your own CAD, CAM or ERP system over HTTPS.
Nested layouts export as DXF, SVG or G-code and drive laser cutters, plasma cutters, waterjet machines, CNC routers, CNC punches and oxyfuel tables. Lead-in, lead-out and common-line paths are applied for cutting machines that need them.