Guide

How to nest SVG files for laser cutting.

A clean nesting result starts before the nester. This is the practical sequence we use: prepare the SVG, set real cut constraints, let the layout settle, then export geometry that your laser software can trust.

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1. Prepare closed paths

Nesting works on closed contours. In Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW, or your CAD tool, convert text to outlines, expand strokes, and remove open construction lines. Check that each part is a closed outer contour and that holes are closed inner contours.

Remove background rectangles that should not be cut.
Unite overlapping shapes that belong to the same part.
Set the document units to millimetres before export.

2. Set the sheet and the cut constraints

Enter the real sheet size, including the usable area if your machine has a clamp or a dead zone. Add a margin, enter the measured kerf, and choose a part spacing that gives the cut room to breathe.

Kerf is the material removed by the beam.
Spacing is the clearance between adjacent part outlines.
Margin keeps the layout away from the sheet edge.

3. Control rotation and grain

Auto-rotation finds tighter layouts, but it is not always allowed. Turn it off for wood grain, brushed metal, one-sided finishes, or parts that must keep a fixed orientation. Cutlattice lets you choose 90, 45, 15, or no rotation.

4. Nest, inspect, and iterate

Look at the utilization number, but also look at the layout. Are small parts tucked into safe gaps? Are fragile parts isolated from heat-heavy areas? If not, adjust spacing or rotation and nest again. The best layout is the one that cuts cleanly.

5. Export and verify scale

Export SVG or DXF, import it into LightBurn or your CAM software, and compare a known dimension with the original design. Check the scale before assigning layers. A layout that is 1.5× too large is worse than a slower nest.

SVG for vector-first laser software.
DXF for CAD/CAM and polyline-based workflows.
Millimetres in both formats.

Common mistakes

Using zero kerf and zero spacing, then wondering why parts share a cut line.
Leaving text as text instead of converting it to outlines.
Nesting a file with decorative background shapes that should not be cut.
Trusting the import scale without measuring a known dimension.
Packing the sheet so tightly that heat distortion ruins small parts.

FAQ

What is the best kerf value to start with?

Measure it. Cut a small square or slot in a scrap of the same material and measure the gap. Enter that measured value in Cutlattice. Starting from a guessed kerf is the most common reason a tight layout fails on the machine.

Should I allow 90-degree rotation?

For most non-directional materials, yes. Turn rotation off when grain, a finished face, or a fragile part requires a fixed orientation.

Why did my holes disappear?

Holes must be closed inner contours. If the design tool exported them as separate open paths, convert them to closed outlines before importing. Cutlattice treats closed inner contours as holes.

How full can I pack a sheet?

Utilization is only one number. Leave enough spacing for the kerf, heat, and part removal. A slightly lower utilization that cuts cleanly is better than a tight layout that warps or breaks.

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