Guides
Expert tutorials on cutting optimization, material planning, and waste reduction.
Practical cutting optimization guides for woodworkers and pros: how to build a cut list, reduce wood waste, optimize panel nesting and get more parts from every sheet and board. Step-by-step tutorials, from beginner basics to advanced cutting-stock techniques.
What Is Nesting? True-Shape Cutting Optimization
Nesting packs irregular shapes to cut from the fewest sheets — for laser, plasma, waterjet and more. How true-shape nesting works and who uses it.
How to Build a Fence: Posts, Rails & Picket Cut List
Building a fence means cutting posts, rails, and pickets from stock timber. Here's how to plan the cut list, spacing, and post depth with least waste.
Fast vs Balanced Cutting Optimization: When to Switch
Balanced searches hardest for the densest saw-cuttable plan; Fast skips the one costly step to solve large jobs much faster. Here is exactly when to use each.
Minimize Cost vs Minimize Waste: Which Goal to Pick
Minimize waste packs the least material; Minimize cost packs the cheapest bill, even when that means more material. Here is when each goal saves you money.
Carcass Construction: Which Panel Runs Through?
In a carcass, one pair of boards runs the full outer size and the other fits between them — the choice that sets every part size on your cut list.
How to Order Cut-to-Size Panels Without Rework
A cut-to-size order is a specification, not a shopping list: every row states quantity, both dimensions, material, edging and grain direction.
How to Cut Glass Sheets with Minimum Waste
Cutting glass with minimum waste means laying out every piece so each break runs edge to edge, because glass is scored and snapped rather than sawn.
Standard Furniture Dimensions: How Big Should It Be?
Standard furniture dimensions come from three constraints — the body that uses the piece, the material it is built from, and the space it has to fit.
How Cutting Optimization Actually Works — Methods Compared
Guillotine vs free nesting, greedy heuristics through exact methods, and what yield, cut lines and saw passes really measure — plus what CutOptim runs today.
Metal Cutting Optimization: Bar, Tube, Rebar & Profile
Metal cutting optimization arranges bars, tubes, and profiles across standard stock lengths to cut with the least offcut waste. Here's how it works.
What Is Material Yield (Sheet Utilization)?
Material yield is the share of a stock sheet that becomes finished parts, not scrap. Learn how to calculate sheet utilization and improve it.
1D vs 2D Cutting Optimization: Differences & Algorithms
Understand the key differences between one-dimensional and two-dimensional cutting optimization, when to use each, and the algorithms behind them.
Best Free Cut List Software in 2026: Top Tools Compared
Compare the best free cut list optimization software available in 2026. Features, limitations, and which tool is right for your workshop or factory.
Cut List Optimizer vs Excel: Why Spreadsheets Fall Short
Compare dedicated cut list optimizers with Excel spreadsheets for material planning. Learn where spreadsheets fail and when you need real optimization.
Cutting Optimization for Beginners: A Getting-Started Guide
New to cutting optimization? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through core concepts, terminology, and your first optimized cut plan step by step.
Guillotine vs Free-Cut Nesting: Choosing the Right Strategy
Deep dive into guillotine and free-cut nesting strategies for sheet material. Learn the constraints, trade-offs, and which approach fits your machinery.
How to Export a Cut Plan to CNC: Formats, Workflow, and Tips
Learn how to export your optimized cut plan to CNC machines. Covers common file formats like DXF and G-code, post-processor setup, and workflow tips.
How to Make a Cut List: Step-by-Step Guide for Woodworkers
Follow this step-by-step guide to create an accurate cut list for your woodworking project, from measuring parts to organizing them for efficient cutting.
How to Reduce Wood Waste: 7 Strategies for Your Workshop
Discover practical strategies to reduce wood waste in your workshop, from smarter cut planning and offcut management to using optimization software.
What Is the Cutting Stock Problem? A Plain-Language Guide
Learn what the cutting stock problem is, why it matters for manufacturing, and how modern algorithms solve it to minimize material waste and cost.
What Is Kerf Allowance and Why It Matters for Accurate Cuts
Understand kerf allowance — the material removed by a saw blade — and learn how to account for it in your cut lists to get precise, accurate parts.