Is there a software for making cuting list to minimize waste in wood
- Thread starter msw
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Steve Jones
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- Dec 23, 2007
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- 405
I sometimes use a program called "Cutlist Plus" if you do a search you'll find it, it sells (I think) for about $100 but you can download a free trial version, i think the trial version is limited in number of parts, very simple to use and seems to do the job.
These days I use ecabinets software (It's free) it does everything from design of cabinets, presentation quality representations of the finished product, cut lists, nesting diagrams (Which is what I think you're looking for), it's well worth what I paid for it
It has some "issues" as in more bugs than a microsoft product (which is A LOT!) the real cost of this program is the time to learn it (most of which takes place AFTER you thought you HAD learned it) and then the ongoing thrill of "workarounds" for example simple printing of your nesting diagrams will crash your system, you have to learn to load each sheet one at a time and size it back within the page and then print each one.
For other options, search for "Nesting diagrams" or "Nesting software" if your looking for maximising yield from sheet goods
These days I use ecabinets software (It's free) it does everything from design of cabinets, presentation quality representations of the finished product, cut lists, nesting diagrams (Which is what I think you're looking for), it's well worth what I paid for it
It has some "issues" as in more bugs than a microsoft product (which is A LOT!) the real cost of this program is the time to learn it (most of which takes place AFTER you thought you HAD learned it) and then the ongoing thrill of "workarounds" for example simple printing of your nesting diagrams will crash your system, you have to learn to load each sheet one at a time and size it back within the page and then print each one.
For other options, search for "Nesting diagrams" or "Nesting software" if your looking for maximising yield from sheet goods
msw,
I use a software package called SketchUp and a plugin called CutList. They are both free and provide very robust capabilities, including what you describe above.
In the past few minutes, I created a small cleat shelf to hold my GRRIPPER using SketchUp and CutList so I can show you the result here quickly.
1. Create your workpiece in SketchUp
[attachthumb=1]
2. After your workpiece is created in SketchUp, you can use the plugin (aka SketchUp add-on) Generate Cutlist to get a printout similiar to this
[attachthumb=2]
What the Generate Cutlist doesn't do is provide a layout of the cuts for you. But, if you are designing/sketching the workpiece in the first place, you can make your parts and lay them out on a panel or piece of material to be able to visualize the layout.
I believe that there are several people here that use SketchUp pretty extensively. I would say that SketchUp does not have a very large learning curve. But that can be deceptive. It's kinda like the MFT in that regard. You can learn to do the basics pretty quickly, but no matter how long you use it, there will be additional things to learn and discover. But, unlike the MFT, SketchUp is free. Atleast the basic version of SketchUp is free...the basic version is all that you'd need for what you are describing above.
Anyway, that's what I use to get cutlists, and so much more.
Rey
I use a software package called SketchUp and a plugin called CutList. They are both free and provide very robust capabilities, including what you describe above.
In the past few minutes, I created a small cleat shelf to hold my GRRIPPER using SketchUp and CutList so I can show you the result here quickly.
1. Create your workpiece in SketchUp
[attachthumb=1]
2. After your workpiece is created in SketchUp, you can use the plugin (aka SketchUp add-on) Generate Cutlist to get a printout similiar to this
[attachthumb=2]
What the Generate Cutlist doesn't do is provide a layout of the cuts for you. But, if you are designing/sketching the workpiece in the first place, you can make your parts and lay them out on a panel or piece of material to be able to visualize the layout.
I believe that there are several people here that use SketchUp pretty extensively. I would say that SketchUp does not have a very large learning curve. But that can be deceptive. It's kinda like the MFT in that regard. You can learn to do the basics pretty quickly, but no matter how long you use it, there will be additional things to learn and discover. But, unlike the MFT, SketchUp is free. Atleast the basic version of SketchUp is free...the basic version is all that you'd need for what you are describing above.
Anyway, that's what I use to get cutlists, and so much more.
Rey
Having a Macintosh computer, I have searched in vain for a panel cutting program. Then, last week, this appeared on the Internet. It does about the same as CutList, but not with the elaborate cost calculators in the more expensive version.
Programs available for Windows and Macintosh for $58. Nice screen menus. Good for hobbyists like me, but enough features to satisfy a pro. A free demo and specifications here at:
Their website ---- http://www.cabinetcut.com/
Gary Curtis
Northern California
Programs available for Windows and Macintosh for $58. Nice screen menus. Good for hobbyists like me, but enough features to satisfy a pro. A free demo and specifications here at:
Their website ---- http://www.cabinetcut.com/
Gary Curtis
Northern California
Mike Goetzke
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- Jul 12, 2008
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- 1,133
msw said:
Wow - cutlist plus is at $250 now!
That's why I use this one as a hobbyist:
http://www.delphiforfun.org/programs/cutlist.htm
It's a little tedious to enter the data but the data file is a text file and can be easily edited. I use this program all the time. It's good for sheet goods as well as hardwoods. It also gives you the option to do crosscuts or rip cuts first or a combination of the two.
Mike
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 759
Cut List Plus for me.
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