What you'll make
An optimised layout of all your parts arranged on one or more sheets, maximising material usage and minimising waste.
Step 1 — Set your sheet dimensions
Enter the width and height of your material sheet in mm. This is the area the nester will try to fill.
Step 2 — Set part spacing (gap)
Enter the minimum gap between parts in mm. A gap of 1–2 mm prevents parts from merging in LightBurn and allows the laser head to pass safely.
Step 3 — Import or draw your parts
Upload SVG files for each part, or use simple shape presets (rectangle, circle, polygon). Set quantities — enter "12 coasters" and it duplicates the shape 12 times.
Step 4 — Run the nesting algorithm
Click Nest. The algorithm rotates and repositions each part to minimise wasted material.
Step 5 — Review material utilisation
Check the utilisation percentage. Above 80% is excellent. If utilisation is low, try reducing the gap or enabling rotation.
Step 6 — Export nested layout
Export the nested layout as SVG. Import into LightBurn — all parts are pre-positioned and ready to cut in one pass.
Pro tips
Tip 1: Enable rotation for irregular shapes — it often improves utilisation by 15–25%.
Tip 2: Nest the same part at multiple quantities to fill leftover sheet space efficiently.