1. Upload & Setup

As the first step, you need to upload your design files, set up part quantities and sheet parameters. You can also attach raster images to your parts for engraving. Vector engraving is supported as well - just define ENGRAVE layer in your DXF or SVG files.

You can jump straight to:

3. Generate – If you want to process only a single file (SVG, DXF or bitmap)
4. Run & Burn – If you already have a G-code which you want to execute.

Step-by-step guide

Configure sheet size – Enter your material sheet dimensions (width × length in mm).
Set part spacing – Spacing is the minimum gap between parts. Small values < 3 mm may slow down the nesting, because the algorithm needs to place parts with high precision.
Set border – Border is the minimum gap between parts and sheet edges.
You can also enable/disable automatic part quantity detection from filenames (applied during file upload).
Upload design files – Click the upload area or drag and drop your files on the upload area. You can upload DXF, SVG or bitmap files.
Set part parameters – Enter how many copies of each part you need. Check preview of the part and adjust dimensions if needed. You can click the part for enlarged view.
Apply grain lock (lock) if needed. Locked part will not be rotated during nesting.
Attach raster engrave (texture) if you want to engrave an image on the part.
Attach vector engrave (stylus_note) if you want to engrave a vector design on the part.
Split file (splitscreen) Files containing multiple parts must be split before engrave is attached to them.
Duplicate part (content_copy) if you want to create multiple copies of a part with different sizes or engraving.
Run nesting – Click Run nesting to start.

For best results, see guides How to Prepare DXF Files and How to Prepare Bitmap Files.

Nesting preparation — upload DXF files and set part quantities

Custom Sheet Shapes

By default, nesting uses a rectangular sheet size. If your material has an irregular outline (offcut/remnant), you can switch to Custom Sheet Mode and use a vector contour as the nesting boundary.

Enable Custom Sheet Mode on the Upload & Setup page.
Mark one uploaded shape as Sheet (crop_square) .
Run nesting to place parts inside the custom boundary instead of a rectangle.

Note: Custom Sheet modes are available in Hobby and higher tiers.

Shape Autodetection

Shape Autodetection helps you convert a photo of offcuts (remnants) into a vector boundary for custom-sheet nesting.

Click on the Shape Autodetection button.
Load a sheet photo from your computer or phone upload session.
Use contrast background for reliable detection and markers for automatic scale, origin and machine axes recognition. If needed, you can crop (crop) the image to focus on the relevant area.
With mouse drag, select representative rectangle on the off-cut.
Click Detect Shapes button. The processing may take a few moments.
Review generated contour previews, retry with better image or adjusted threshold if needed.
Add as Sheet to insert the detected boundary into the parts list and use it as the custom nesting sheet.

Sheets detected with at least two corner markers are bound to the machine coordinate system and marked with my_location icon.

Dekupeo Shape Autodetection — Shape autodetection allows to convert a photo of offcuts into a vector boundary.

Note: Shape Autodetection is available in Workshop and higher tiers.

Attach Raster Engrave

You can attach a raster image (PNG, JPG, BMP) to any uploaded vector part. This image will be engraved on the part surface during the cutting process.

To open the raster engrave settings, click the texture button on a part. The button is visible when you hover over the part.

Dekupeo Attach Raster Engrave — Attach Raster Engrave — attach a raster image to a vector part

Settings available in the modal:

Width & Height – Scale the image to specific dimensions in millimeters.
Offset X & Y – Position the image relative to the part's origin. You can use the Center button to automatically center the image on the part.
Dithering – Choose how to convert the image to dots for engraving:
- Floyd-Steinberg – High-quality diffusion dithering for smooth gradients.
- Bayer (ordered) – Geometric pattern dithering.
- None (threshold) – Hard black and white based on a threshold value.
Rotation – Rotate the image content (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°).
Resolution (DPI) – Adjust the level of detail. 254 DPI corresponds to 0.1 mm line spacing. Higher values result in better quality but longer engraving times.
Image Adjustments – Fine-tune brightness and contrast. You can also Invert the image (useful for engraving objects on dark materials).

The modal provides a real-time Position Preview showing the true part outline and image offset, along with a Dithering Preview to see how the image will actually be processed.

Attach Vector Engrave

In addition to raster images, you can also attach files to be engraved onto your parts in vector mode. This is ideal for logos, text, or technical markings that require sharp vector lines.

You can attach vector files in SVG or DXF format or bitmap images which will be converted to vector paths automatically.

To open the vector engrave settings, click the stylus_note button on a part. The button is visible when you hover over the part.

Dekupeo Attach Vector Engrave — Attach Vector Engrave — attach a vector file (SVG/DXF) to a part

Settings available in the modal:

Width & Height – Scale the vector design to specific dimensions.
Offset X & Y – Position the vector relative to the part's origin. Use the Center button for automatic centering.
Rotation – Rotate the vector design (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°).

Similar to raster engraving, vector engrave paths are automatically moved and rotated together with the part during the nesting process.

Create Part

Dekupeo is not a vector design tool, nevertheless it allows you to create some basic parts based on predefined shapes and dimensions. To do so, click the button architecture Create, select part type and set the desired dimensions.