An eCut alternative for nesting sign letters
eCut is a long-standing plug-in that adds many sign-making tools to CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator, and nesting is one of them. NestSigns does only the nesting part, in the browser, with the sign-shop extras around it: leftovers, a measured gap check, dividing oversize letters and numbered parts.
Start free: 20 runs, no credit cardTwo different approaches
| eCut | NestSigns | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A plug-in inside your design program, with many tools (nesting, offsets, cutting helpers and more) | A web app that does one job: nesting letters, logos and faces onto sheets |
| Where it runs | Inside CorelDRAW or Illustrator, tied to the version you have installed | In the browser, on Windows or Mac; no install |
| Files | Whatever is open in your design program | Opens .ai, .cdr (X4 and newer), PDF, DXF and SVG from any program |
| Stock | Your own system | Sheets and leftovers per material, saved to your account |
If you like doing everything without leaving CorelDRAW or Illustrator, and you use eCut's other tools every day, a plug-in may suit you better. If you want the nesting step to work the same no matter which design program a file came from, NestSigns is built for that.
What NestSigns adds to the nesting step
- A measured gap check. After every run NestSigns measures the smallest gap actually left between parts and to the sheet edge, and shows it before you download.
- Spacing from your bit. Type the router bit diameter and the part spacing is set to the bit plus a small clearance. The file check also points out spots narrower or thinner than the bit.
- Leftovers first. The smallest leftover pieces that fit are used before full sheets, and the stock is updated when you mark the job done.
- Numbered parts. The layout summary PDF shows the same numbers on the sheets and on your original artwork, so letters are easy to sort after cutting.
Back into your design program
Download the nested sheets as AI or PDF to open them in Illustrator or CorelDRAW, as DXF for router CAM software, or as SVG or LightBurn files. You can keep using eCut or any other tool for the work around the nesting.
What else it does for letter jobs
- True-shape nesting by the real letter outlines: any angle, 0/180° only, or no rotation.
- Exact spacing. Type the gap or your bit diameter; every layout is checked and shows the smallest gap measured.
- Parts inside letter holes. Small pieces go inside O, A, B and D, and holes stay with their letter.
- Leftovers first. Full sheets and leftover pieces per material, smallest leftovers used first, stock updated when the job is done.
- Oversize letters left out, divided, or divided with a 1 in joining strip, pieces labeled A1, A2…
- Every part numbered on the sheets and on the original artwork in the layout summary PDF.
See also nesting letters from CorelDRAW, nesting letters from Illustrator and a SigmaNEST alternative for small sign shops.
Questions
Do I have to stop using eCut?
No. NestSigns only does the nesting. You can keep eCut and your design program for everything else and open the nested layout back in them.
Does NestSigns need CorelDRAW or Illustrator installed?
No. It runs in the browser and opens .ai, .cdr, PDF, DXF and SVG files on its own.
Is NestSigns related to eCut?
No. NestSigns is separate software and is not affiliated with eCut or its makers.
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More: All features · NestSigns for your machine and software · FAQ