Step by step we adjust a cutting plan in cutlistlab until it matches how you cut: the cutting order and Cut along (cut by cut, full screen), locking, rotating and dragging parts, undo and back to automatic, utilization and offcuts, and export as CSV, labels, PDF, PNG, SVG or DXF or share to your phone. Free, no signup.
Chapters
Transcript
The spoken text of the video, per chapter.
Intro0:00
In this video we adjust the cutting plan: cutting order, rotating, locking and dragging, and export. We continue with the cabinet from part one: sides, a top, shelves, doors and drawer fronts, on two plywood sheets and one sheet of MDF.
Cutting order and Cut along0:22
On the right is the cutting order: first the long cuts through the whole sheet, then the cross cuts. At the saw you tick off what is done. Want it big, click Cut along. At the bottom is Play; with it the cuts light up one by one, big enough to read from three feet away. Close takes you back to the normal plan.
Manual: lock and rotate0:46
Then the adjusting. Turn on Manual, at the bottom under Manual editing, and click a part. With Lock it stays exactly here, whatever else the optimizer does. Rotate works if the grain and the space allow it. Then we close the little window.
Dragging a part1:03
You can also drag a part, within the sheet or to another sheet. What you move yourself, cutlistlab locks straight away. The rest it repacks around your choice. Keep an eye on the counter top right: a manual choice can cost an extra sheet, and then cutlistlab says so.
Undo and back to automatic1:22
If you search thoroughly now, it does not just happen: locked parts may not be moved by the optimizer. cutlistlab says: unlock your manual changes first. Undo takes back the last step. Back to automatic lets the optimizer do it all again.
Utilization and offcuts1:41
Top right you see what percentage of the material you use and how many sheets it is. Click the arrow for the details per material and per sheet. Under the plan are the offcuts you keep. cutlistlab stores them for a next project; more on that in a separate video.
Export and share1:58
Once the plan is done, under Export you find everything you take to the workshop: the cut list as CSV, labels to stick on the parts, an image as PNG or SVG, DXF for those who work with a CNC router, and Print or PDF. With Share this project you copy a link to your plan, so it is on your phone next to the saw as well.
Tip: long cuts first2:24
Finally a tip from practice: stick to the cutting order. Long cuts first, and short pieces you cut from a manageable piece. It is safer, and it comes out squarer.
Wrap-up2:35
That was the adjusting: cutting order, rotating, locking, dragging, and print or share. cutlistlab is free, no signup. Try it at cutlistlab dot com. Next video: the cabinet designer.