Nesting sign letters for RDWorks and Ruida lasers
RDWorks sends jobs to Ruida-controlled lasers and sets speed and power per layer. NestSigns does the step before: it packs the letters onto your sheet or leftover piece and gives you a DXF for each sheet to import into RDWorks.
Start free: 20 runs, no credit cardWhere NestSigns fits
RDWorks can array and align shapes, which is quick for repeated parts. For a full set of different letters, packing them tightly by shape and keeping a safe gap takes longer by hand. NestSigns packs by the real outlines, puts small pieces inside the holes of O, A, B and D, spreads a long job over as many sheets as it needs, and measures the gaps after nesting.
The workflow
| Step | Where |
|---|---|
| 1. Open the artwork (.ai, PDF, DXF, SVG or .cdr) and pick a sheet no larger than the laser bed | NestSigns |
| 2. Set the gap, nest and check | NestSigns |
| 3. Download DXF (.zip): one file per sheet | NestSigns |
| 4. Set the DXF unit in RDWorks once, import the sheet, set speed and power | RDWorks |
| 5. Frame and cut, then the next sheet | Your laser |
The DXF is full size in the unit you chose, on one layer, with curves saved as true arcs, so circles stay round and the laser moves smoothly. Part numbers are red text on their own NUMBERS layer: delete them or set that layer not to output. The guide how to nest sign letters for RDWorks walks through the unit setting and the size check.
Spacing on a laser
A laser kerf is thin, so the gap can be smaller than on a router. Many shops leave about 0.1 in (2–3 mm) between letters on acrylic so heat from one cut does not mark the next part. Type the gap you want; NestSigns shows the smallest gap and edge distance it measured.
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.
Using LightBurn on another laser? See nesting letters for LightBurn. Working with DXF files from other programs? See DXF nesting online.
Questions
Does NestSigns send the job to the laser?
No. NestSigns nests the parts and exports the files. RDWorks sets speed, power and order and sends the job to the laser.
Why is my imported DXF tiny or huge?
RDWorks read it in a different unit. Set the DXF unit in RDWorks to the unit you exported (inches or cm) and import again.
Is NestSigns made by Ruida?
No. NestSigns is separate software and is not affiliated with Ruida. RDWorks and Ruida are trademarks of their owner.
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