I wrote a woodworking software...

[berlinguyinca]

Hey everyone!

Quick question before I step on any toes — is it okay to share a link to a woodworking software project here?

I'm a hobbyist woodworker and I've been building a browser-based cut list optimizer. Basically, you punch in your parts and your available stock, and it figures out the most efficient way to cut everything with the least waste. Works for both sheet goods and dimensional lumber.

It also has parameterized templates for things like cabinets and bookshelves — so you can just dial in your dimensions and it spits out the full parts list for you.

I built it mostly out of frustration with existing tools — some felt overly complicated, others couldn't handle mixing plywood cuts and board feet in the same project, and a few just made it weirdly hard to manage your materials.

Full transparency: the project is still in its early stages and it's free right now while I gather feedback from real woodworkers. Long term, I'd love to turn it into something sustainable — but only if the community actually finds it useful enough to pay for more features down the road. No sneaky stuff, just trying to build something people want.

Didn't want to just drop a link without asking first though. Let me know if that's cool, and happy to answer any questions about it!

Thanks!

 

[Cheese]

Well as far as I'm concerned...I'd say just go forth. I've also been frustrated with the existing software programs so a fully functioning alternative would be welcome.

If you want to be squeaky clean just contact @peter halle or @Crazyraceguy as they are the current moderators.

 

[berlinguyinca]

Thanks appreciate the feedback and glad to hear such a thing would be helpful. I wait for @peter halle or @Crazyraceguy to chime in before posting the link.

 

[MacBoy]

Hit us with it.

Out of curiosity, did you Vibe Code it?

I’m having fun watch our son do a live digital dashboard for his company. He doesn’t know nor look at the code. “It just does what I ask” is what he tells us.

 

[rmhinden]

I have used several existing programs, like Cut List Optimizer. They work OK. I would try out a new program once it is available.

They tend to work well for fixed size sheet good, less so for hardwood where what you assume you can buy at the lumber store may not be what you can find in stock.

Bob

 

[Michael Kellough]

I’m interested in trying it out too.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

To my knowledge, there is nothing forbidding it, especially as a free test product. That may change later, when it becomes a commercial product? I'll have to look into that.