Compare 12 transparent orthogonal candidates for up to three rectangular groups on one exact usable plywood stock record.
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Use this result well
A quick decision brief for this specific tool
Inputs that matter
One named job/revision and record basis; responsible reviewer; one exact compatible stock product/lot/offcut plus current source and measurement locator; one unit; actual stock and already-reviewed rectangular usable-envelope dimensions; one reviewed clear between-part allowance; measurement/display resolution; whole compatible sheets on hand; one required and up to two optional complete rectangular part groups, each with a drawing/source identity, finished width/length, whole quantity and reviewed fixed-axis or quarter-turn rule; the supported candidate boundary; an independent coordinate/pattern validation record; and an explicit downstream boundary record
Output to expect
The best candidate from 12 declared deterministic ordering/placement combinations; every orthogonal finished-rectangle coordinate and quarter-turn flag; candidate sheet count; area-only lower bound and gap; on-hand sheets applied and additional identical sheets; full-stock and rectangular-usable-envelope area/utilization records; per-sheet A/B/C counts; selected heuristic identity; source/validation/boundary records; and 41 stable Project record outputs
How it works
Validate one rectangular usable envelope and up to 300 whole rectangular instances, inflate each rectangle and the bin by the same entered between-part allowance, compare four stable orderings across best-short-side, best-area and bottom-left MaxRects placement heuristics, select by fewest sheets then lowest declared fragmentation/rotation/stable tie-break, verify every placement remains in bounds and separated, and compare the candidate with the area lower bound = ceil(total finished area / usable-envelope area) without presenting that bound as a feasible layout
Only source-owned orthogonal rectangles on one identical rectangular usable stock format execute. Another material/lot/format, a fourth part group, irregular exclusion or shape, continuous/book/sequence matching, bevel/profile or unreviewed orientation needs another responsible layout workflow.
The result is a deterministic review candidate, not a proof of global optimum, guillotine cut sequence, saw setup/operator instruction, CNC/machine program, cost/time promise, material selection, structural/fire/fit result, fabrication approval or safe work practice. Independently overlay and review every coordinate before release.
Choose your path
Built around the job you need to finish
Compare and deliberately retain one source-owned orthogonal rectangular placement candidate for up to three whole part groups on one exact rectangular usable stock envelope, while exposing the heuristic, area lower bound, coordinates, on-hand reconciliation and validation boundaries without claiming a global optimum, executable cut order, machine program, material suitability, fabrication approval or safe work practice.
Cabinet reviewer checking a three-group cut-list revision
Keep cabinet sides, shelves and toe-kick blanks distinct, preserve face/grain axes and detect whether a hidden rotation or nominal4×8 assumption changed the sheet candidate.
Freeze the drawing revision, reviewer and exact stock/lot; enter actual and rectangular usable dimensions plus reviewed separation; complete three part groups with fixed or drawing-approved quarter-turn rules; compare the 12 declared runs, area lower bound, per-sheet A/B/C counts and every coordinate before deliberate retention.
Gets a reproducible two-sheet candidate and source-owned placement record while continuous matching, cut order, machining, fit and release approval remain with the named external review.
Small-shop maker reconciling repeated panels with stock on hand
See the real capacity effect of a reviewed between-part allowance and use only compatible identical sheets already on hand, without accepting fractional physical pieces or a false result when a part cannot fit.
Enter one exact stock/offcut format, one required rectangular part group, whole quantity and fixed/quarter-turn permission; compare zero versus source-owned separation; record whole compatible sheets on hand; trigger infeasible and fractional-quantity errors; recover and retain only the validated candidate.
Can distinguish candidate sheets, area-only lower bound, applied stock and additional sheets; infeasible or fractional demand removes consequential outputs instead of fabricating a result.
Fabrication planner exporting coordinates for independent review
Obtain deterministic coordinates and declared heuristic identity for an external pattern overlay without mistaking them for guillotine sequence, saw setup, CNC code or a globally optimal production plan.
Record the exact product/lot and rectangular usable envelope after edge/exclusion review, enter up to three orthogonal groups and the validation/downstream records, inspect every sheet summary and placement coordinate, test unsupported global-optimum/guillotine/CNC/book-match paths, then export only the bounded candidate.
Receives a stable machine-readable candidate with explicit false approval flags and can route it to the production system/reviewer without losing material, machine or safety ownership.
Authoritative checks for this tool
Outputs and checklists are planning aids. Review the linked current authorities and the records, terms, instructions, and requirements that apply to your exact situation before a consequential decision.
Identify one product, lot, sheet or offcut and record its actual width and length. Enter a separately reviewed rectangular usable envelope after edge reserve and exclusions. Product formats, veneer matching, condition and tolerances belong to the exact supplier, drawing and receiving record—not a universal 4×8 default.
Rectangular reserve per sheet = exact stock area − reviewed usable-envelope area
Declared deterministic candidate comparison
The Tool expands up to three complete part groups into whole rectangular instances, applies only the entered fixed-axis or quarter-turn rule, and compares four stable orderings with best-short-side, best-area and bottom-left MaxRects placement. The same entered allowance separates adjacent finished rectangles. Selection uses fewest sheets, then declared fragmentation, rotation and stable tie-break rules.
The area-only lower bound is useful for comparison but does not prove a feasible packing. MaxRects is a heuristic approximation, so even a candidate that equals the area bound is not certified globally optimal. Coordinates must be independently overlaid and reviewed; continuous grain, book/sequence matching, irregular shapes or defects, guillotine order, machines, costs, material performance, fabrication and safety remain external.
Area lower bound = ceil(total finished rectangle area ÷ usable-envelope area)
Updated: August 2026
Example Scenarios
A cabinet reviewer records four fixed-axis sides, six drawing-approved quarter-turn shelves and four fixed-axis toe-kick blanks against one measured stock lot. The candidate shows two sheets, the area lower bound, A/B/C counts and coordinates for an external drawing overlay—without claiming release or cut order.
A maker compares one whole repeated-panel quantity with zero versus a source-owned between-part allowance, then applies only compatible identical sheets already on hand. Fractional demand or a part that cannot fit returns a field-owned refusal and no downloadable candidate.
A planner exports stable sheet, part, coordinate, dimension and rotation records for independent validation in the responsible production workflow. Exact-optimum, guillotine, CNC, book-match and safety requests are explicitly refused rather than silently approximated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✕
Entering nominal 4×8 dimensions as if they proved usable stock
✓
Identify the exact product, lot or offcut; measure or source actual dimensions; and enter the already-reviewed rectangular usable envelope after edge reserve and exclusions. Preserve the stock source and validation locator.
✕
Treating an area lower bound or one heuristic result as a guaranteed optimum
✓
Use the lower bound only as a comparison and retain the declared strategy. Independently review the coordinates and compare with the responsible production system when material, cost or release consequences matter.
✕
Using placement coordinates as a cut sequence or safety instruction
✓
Route the bounded candidate to the responsible drawing, machine and safety workflow. Resolve guillotine order, tool/blade, trim, support, guarding, handling, fit, material performance and fabrication approval outside this Tool.
FAQ
No. It compares 12 named deterministic MaxRects heuristic runs and publishes the best candidate under its declared tie-break rules. Two-dimensional rectangle packing is generally solved with approximations; the result includes an area lower bound but never converts that bound or the selected candidate into a global-optimality guarantee.
One exact rectangular stock or offcut format, one reviewed rectangular usable envelope and one to three complete groups of finished orthogonal rectangles are supported. Different materials/lots/formats, a fourth group, irregular exclusions or shapes, profiles, bevels and continuous/book/sequence matching need another responsible workflow.
No. Enter one already-reviewed clear separation between adjacent finished rectangles. The Tool does not infer it from blade type, machine, trim, tolerance or a generic table and does not decide whether zero is appropriate. Edge reserve and irregular exclusions must already be represented in the rectangular usable envelope.
Fixed keeps the recorded part width on the stock-width axis; quarter-turn allows a 90° rotation during candidate comparison. The responsible drawing, veneer/face specification or product record must already permit that choice. The Tool does not resolve grain continuity, matching, appearance, structure or final fit.
No. Coordinates describe a geometric candidate, not a guillotine sequence, operator instruction, machine setup, toolpath, postprocessor file or safety plan. Independently validate every placement and use the exact machine/manual, production software, guarding, stock support and responsible work process before fabrication.
About Plywood Cut Candidate Reviewer
Create one reviewable placement candidate for up to three groups of finished orthogonal rectangles on one exact plywood sheet or offcut format. Record the real stock and rectangular usable envelope, source-owned orientation rules, whole quantities, between-part allowance and validation boundary. The Tool compares 12 declared MaxRects heuristic runs and returns candidate sheets, an area-only lower bound, per-sheet counts and every placement coordinate. It does not promise a global optimum or produce a guillotine cut order, saw setup, CNC program, material approval or safe work instruction.
