How to nest DXF parts with the Sheet2Nest Nesting Wizard

Every step and setting of the Sheet2Nest Nesting Wizard: upload DXF or SVG files, set quantities, sheet sizes and spacing, choose Max yield or Fast placement, then review utilization, the job quote and export PDF, DXF, SVG and G-code.

Transcript

1. 0:01Welcome to Sheet2Nest. This guide walks through every step and setting of the Nesting Wizard.
2. 0:06The wizard has five steps: Parsing, Quantity, Sheets, Spacing and Nesting.
3. 0:13The Steps panel shows what each step contains. Click any completed step to jump back and change it.
4. 0:20Display units switch every size and distance between millimetres and inches.
5. 0:24New starts a fresh job. Back and Next move between steps.
6. 0:29Step 1 — Parsing. Drag and drop DXF or SVG files here, or click Choose files. You can add several files to one job.
7. 0:39Check the file requirements: ASCII DXF, every part a closed outline, no sheet borders, title blocks or dimensions.
8. 0:48No drawing? Quick Add Part builds rectangles, circles, rings, polygons and sheet-metal shapes from a few dimensions.
9. 0:56For this guide we load the sample file. Every closed outline becomes a part; outlines inside a part become its holes.
10. 1:04Each part is checked: valid, warning or error. Filter by status or by shape type.
11. 1:11Switch between the table and tile views.
12. 1:13Open a part to see its category, allowed rotations, area, perimeter and size. You can also export a single part as DXF or G-code.
13. 1:24Exclude a part from this nest, or delete it from the list. When the parts look right, click Next.
14. 1:30Step 2 — Quantity. Set how many of each part you need.
15. 1:34The global buttons change every selected part at once. Here we set 10 of each.
16. 1:39Or change one part with its own buttons, or type the number directly.
17. 1:45Step 3 — Sheets. Pick a standard metric or imperial size, or type your own width and height.
18. 1:51We use a 4 × 8 ft sheet: 1220 × 2440 mm.
19. 1:58Leave Auto-calculate on to use as many sheets as the job needs, or turn it off and enter how many you have.
20. 2:05Click Add sheet. Add more sizes if you stock them.
21. 2:10Step 4 — Spacing. Border margin keeps parts away from the sheet edges — useful for clamps and uneven edges.
22. 2:17Part spacing is the gap between parts. Set it for your kerf and process. Zero means parts can touch for common-line cutting.
23. 2:25The preview shows both distances on your sheet.
24. 2:28Self-pairing nests identical tapered parts head to tail when that saves space.
25. 2:33Placement engine. Max yield packs every sheet as tightly as it can: the least material, a little more time.
26. 2:41Fast (organized) puts rectangles in tidy rows and repeated parts in arrays, in seconds. Every layout is checked for overlaps and spacing.
27. 2:51We keep Max yield. Click Next to start nesting.
28. 2:54Step 5 — Nesting. Progress shows while the optimizer works; this job takes a few seconds.
29. 3:01Each sheet shows its area, utilization, parts placed and any parts that did not fit.
30. 3:07Jump to any sheet from the list, and switch between landscape and portrait views.
31. 3:13Summary: total sheets, parts placed, average utilization, material efficiency and nesting time.
32. 3:20Job quote: an instant cutting-cost estimate from machine time and material. Click View or Edit to set your own rates.
33. 3:28Parts per sheet and Parts summary confirm that every part was placed.
34. 3:33Progress graph and Activity log show how the nest was built, step by step.
35. 3:37Export the whole job: a PDF report, or DXF, SVG and G-code files for every sheet.
36. 3:44Or download a single sheet with its own export button.
37. 3:48Need a change? Go Back or use the Steps panel, adjust any setting, then click Rerun to nest again.
38. 3:55That is the whole workflow. Start nesting your own DXF files at sheet2nest.com.