Supported materials
The optimizer works with any rectangular sheet material: plywood, MDF, melamine, OSB, particleboard, acrylic, glass, aluminum, and sheet metal. Enter your stock sheet dimensions - any size - and the algorithm finds the most efficient layout.
How the optimizer works
The optimizer tries several layouts of your parts and keeps the one that needs the fewest sheets. The layouts place the biggest parts first, ranking size by area, by the shorter side, by the longer side, or by other measures. Parts are turned 90 degrees when that fits them better. Then the optimizer adjusts the best layout one part at a time, looking for a layout that needs fewer sheets. All cuts are guillotine cuts that run edge to edge, the way a table saw or panel saw cuts, and your saw's kerf is allowed for between pieces.
The result is a color-coded cutting diagram showing exactly where to cut each part. Download it as a PDF and bring it to the workshop.
Why optimize cuts?
Every extra sheet you buy is money wasted. A cabinet project with 40+ parts can easily waste 2-3 sheets ($100-250) without proper optimization. Even small DIY projects benefit - getting all parts from one sheet instead of two saves a trip to the store.