LightBurn nesting: Quick Nest, SVGnest and DXF layouts

LightBurn 2.1 includes Quick Nest for arranging parts directly in the app. For irregular outlines, you can also use its SVGnest round trip or prepare a contour layout in NestForge and bring it back into LightBurn.

Start with Quick Nest

Quick Nest packs the bounding rectangles around your objects. Set padding between parts and an edge buffer, then inspect the arrangement. For concave parts, a contour-based nester can use spaces between the outlines that their bounding rectangles leave unused.

Use LightBurn's SVGnest round trip

Arrange → Nest Selected creates an SVG for SVGnest and imports the nested result back into LightBurn. Follow the linked instructions for inner objects and keep an untouched copy of the drawing.

Use NestForge for SVG or DXF layouts

Export the closed part outlines as SVG or text DXF. Keep engraving artwork in the original LightBurn project.
Import the parts into NestForge. Check a known dimension, set quantities and enter the width and height of your usable stock.
Set part spacing, sheet margin and allowed rotations for the material. Start with Draft effort to get an initial layout.
Confirm the required parts are placed, then export SVG or DXF.
Import the layout into LightBurn. Check dimensions, assign cut layers and restore any engraving artwork before setting power, speed and cutting order.

NestForge exports part geometry; LightBurn remains responsible for laser settings and the machine job.

Try the workflow with supplied files

The acrylic enclosure example includes eight real panel outlines and exported layouts. Set your own machine's stock size when trying the files; the example's large sheet is not a recommendation for a particular laser bed or material setup.