Help center
How can we help?
Getting started
- What is NestSmart?
A cut list optimizer for sheet goods, rolls and linear stock, and what it does with your job.
- Your first optimization
From an empty workspace to a validated cutting plan, step by step.
- Working without an account
What you can do signed out, where your work is kept, and what an account adds.
- Saved lists, projects and history
The three places your work is kept once you have an account, and what each is for.
Materials and stock
- Materials, stock and quantities
Choosing a stock type, entering dimensions, when thickness matters, and unlimited versus zero stock.
- Reusing offcuts
How leftovers worth keeping are found, marked on the plan, and added to your stock.
Cutting configuration
- Kerf explained
What saw kerf is, how it is charged at each cut, and how it changes a plan.
- Grain and rotation
Keeping parts aligned to the grain, letting others turn, and why nothing is flipped.
- Edge banding
Marking banded edges, choosing banding materials, and totals for length and cost.
- Optimization modes and priority
Fast, Balanced and Thorough; what each priority minimizes; and why effort is not measured in seconds.
- Units and exact fractions
How to type dimensions, which units are supported, and how sizes are kept exact.
Imports and exports
- Importing a spreadsheet
Pasting rows or importing CSV and Excel files, mapping columns, and fixing problems.
- Exports and printing
PDF, DXF and SVG drawings, CSV exports, the printed plan and the production view.
The workspace
- Editing the cut list
Adding, duplicating and deleting rows, selecting several cuts, enabling and disabling, and shortcuts.
- Reading the results
Utilization, waste, kerf and offcuts; roll length; unplaced parts; and the cut sequence.
Account and organization
- Your account and organization
Signing in, resetting a password, organizations, members and roles.
API and embeds
- API and embeds
API keys, permissions, errors and rate limits, and embedding the optimizer.
Looking for a quick answer?
The FAQ answers the questions people ask before and after their first job.