Nesting

One of the main functions of ecut. It alows you nest objects in few seconds for CNC or plotter cutter.

Nesting

Note: to get correct result you have to convert all objects to curves (create outlines), all curves must be closed and without overlaps
And remember - for correct result all shapes must have no self-intersections.

Information

This is very powerful function helps You to prepare object for plotter or CNC machine!
In few seconds Nesting function can allocate selected objects on specified sheet.
In new version You can see result of nesting without need to return to AI! You can change parameters of nesting and try to nest objects again and again. And when result will be fine for You, You can apply all changes in AI.

And remember - for correct result all shapes must have no self-intersections.

You can zoom-in and zoom-out preview, select objects and change its parameters, like 'use as container'.

Bottom buttons let you to control process and select best nesting.

Parameters

Sheet width and height - size of material.

Reduce sheet size - you can reduce all sheet sizes (L,R,T,B).

Edge padding - allows you to set empty space between nested objects and sheet boundbox..

Minimal distance - minimal distance between two shapes that can be achieved.

Allow inside - let function to put small objects inside big ones.

Search best result - let function to make few results and show only best (slower).

Divide by color - allows function to place shapes according to their colors. (No; On different sheets; On same sheet; On same sheet without mix)

Approximation - quality of approximation. (Auto; High; Middle; Low)

Fix angle - let function to prevent rotation (No, 90, 180, Do not rotate)

Origin point - nesting origin point.

Fit shapes - how to nest.

Create bounding box - create rectangles after placing.

Recommendations

I want to add some recommendations that will help you when working with the program.
Text nesting - always set approximation to Middle or Low, and Fix angle = 90 deg. I will force program to rotate text only on 90 degrees, and in this case result will be better.
Complex shape nesting - set approximation to Auto. Also, if you see bad nested shape - click on it and set Fix angle = No - it can help.
If you have time - activate searching best result, it will reduce process time, but will make result better. Also for aggressive nesting you can select any shape at preview and in popup menu set fix angle = no to all - it can make result more compact.
To set shape container - select it in preview and in popup menu set 'Use as container'.

Examples (previous version of plugin)

True shape nesting...

Color dividing...

Text nesting...

Nest inside container...

Other projects: eCut for CorelDRAW, rStones for CorelDRAW, AI nesting