fix: show cutting parameters dialog before assigning lead-ins

Auto-assign lead-ins silently reused existing plate parameters with no
way to change them after the first assignment. Now a dialog with the
full CuttingPanel is shown every time, pre-populated with the current
settings, so the user can review and modify before confirming.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

OpenNest.Api/NestRunner.cs

@@ -25,14 +25,13 @@ public static class NestRunner
 
         // 1. Import DXFs → Drawings
         var drawings = new List<Drawing>();
-        var importer = new DxfImporter();
-
         foreach (var part in request.Parts)
         {
             if (!File.Exists(part.DxfPath))
                 throw new FileNotFoundException($"DXF file not found: {part.DxfPath}", part.DxfPath);
 
-            if (!importer.GetGeometry(part.DxfPath, out var geometry) || geometry.Count == 0)
+            var geometry = Dxf.GetGeometry(part.DxfPath);
+            if (geometry.Count == 0)
                 throw new InvalidOperationException($"Failed to import DXF: {part.DxfPath}");
 
             var normalized = ShapeProfile.NormalizeEntities(geometry);

OpenNest.Console/Program.cs

@@ -241,17 +241,11 @@ static class NestConsole
 
     static Drawing ImportDxf(string path)
     {
-        var importer = new DxfImporter();
-
-        if (!importer.GetGeometry(path, out var geometry))
-        {
-            Console.Error.WriteLine($"Error: failed to read DXF file: {path}");
-            return null;
-        }
+        var geometry = Dxf.GetGeometry(path);
 
         if (geometry.Count == 0)
         {
-            Console.Error.WriteLine($"Error: no geometry found in DXF file: {path}");
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"Error: failed to read DXF file or no geometry found: {path}");
             return null;
         }
 

OpenNest.Core/CNC/CuttingStrategy/ContourCuttingStrategy.cs

@@ -50,6 +50,126 @@ namespace OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy
             };
         }
 
+        public CuttingResult ApplySingle(Program partProgram, Vector point, Entity entity, ContourType contourType)
+        {
+            var entities = partProgram.ToGeometry();
+            entities.RemoveAll(e => e.Layer == SpecialLayers.Rapid);
+
+            var scribeEntities = entities.FindAll(e => e.Layer == SpecialLayers.Scribe);
+            entities.RemoveAll(e => e.Layer == SpecialLayers.Scribe);
+
+            var profile = new ShapeProfile(entities);
+
+            var result = new Program(Mode.Absolute);
+
+            EmitScribeContours(result, scribeEntities);
+
+            // Find the target shape that contains the clicked entity
+            var (targetShape, matchedEntity) = FindTargetShape(profile, point, entity);
+
+            // Emit cutouts — only the target gets lead-in/out
+            foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
+            {
+                if (cutout == targetShape)
+                {
+                    var ct = DetectContourType(cutout);
+                    EmitContour(result, cutout, point, matchedEntity, ct);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    EmitRawContour(result, cutout);
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Emit perimeter
+            if (profile.Perimeter == targetShape)
+            {
+                EmitContour(result, profile.Perimeter, point, matchedEntity, ContourType.External);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                EmitRawContour(result, profile.Perimeter);
+            }
+
+            result.Mode = Mode.Incremental;
+
+            return new CuttingResult
+            {
+                Program = result,
+                LastCutPoint = point
+            };
+        }
+
+        private static (Shape Shape, Entity Entity) FindTargetShape(ShapeProfile profile, Vector point, Entity clickedEntity)
+        {
+            var matched = FindMatchingEntity(profile.Perimeter, clickedEntity);
+            if (matched != null)
+                return (profile.Perimeter, matched);
+
+            foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
+            {
+                matched = FindMatchingEntity(cutout, clickedEntity);
+                if (matched != null)
+                    return (cutout, matched);
+            }
+
+            // Fallback: closest shape, use closest point to find entity
+            var best = profile.Perimeter;
+            var bestPt = profile.Perimeter.ClosestPointTo(point, out var bestEntity);
+            var bestDist = bestPt.DistanceTo(point);
+
+            foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
+            {
+                var pt = cutout.ClosestPointTo(point, out var cutoutEntity);
+                var dist = pt.DistanceTo(point);
+                if (dist < bestDist)
+                {
+                    best = cutout;
+                    bestEntity = cutoutEntity;
+                    bestDist = dist;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return (best, bestEntity);
+        }
+
+        private static Entity FindMatchingEntity(Shape shape, Entity clickedEntity)
+        {
+            foreach (var shapeEntity in shape.Entities)
+            {
+                if (shapeEntity.GetType() != clickedEntity.GetType())
+                    continue;
+
+                if (shapeEntity is Line sLine && clickedEntity is Line cLine)
+                {
+                    if (sLine.StartPoint.DistanceTo(cLine.StartPoint) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon
+                        && sLine.EndPoint.DistanceTo(cLine.EndPoint) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                        return shapeEntity;
+                }
+                else if (shapeEntity is Arc sArc && clickedEntity is Arc cArc)
+                {
+                    if (System.Math.Abs(sArc.Radius - cArc.Radius) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon
+                        && sArc.Center.DistanceTo(cArc.Center) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                        return shapeEntity;
+                }
+                else if (shapeEntity is Circle sCircle && clickedEntity is Circle cCircle)
+                {
+                    if (System.Math.Abs(sCircle.Radius - cCircle.Radius) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon
+                        && sCircle.Center.DistanceTo(cCircle.Center) < Math.Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                        return shapeEntity;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        private void EmitRawContour(Program program, Shape shape)
+        {
+            var startPoint = GetShapeStartPoint(shape);
+            program.Codes.Add(new RapidMove(startPoint));
+            program.Codes.AddRange(ConvertShapeToMoves(shape, startPoint));
+        }
+
         private static List<ContourEntry> ResolveLeadInPoints(List<Shape> cutouts, Vector startPoint)
         {
             var entries = new ContourEntry[cutouts.Count];
@@ -189,7 +309,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy
             if (shape.Entities.Count == 1 && shape.Entities[0] is Circle circle)
                 return circle.Rotation;
 
-            return shape.ToPolygon().RotationDirection();
+            var polygon = shape.ToPolygon();
+
+            if (polygon.Vertices.Count < 3)
+                return RotationType.CCW;
+
+            return polygon.RotationDirection();
         }
 
         private LeadIn ClampLeadInForCircle(LeadIn leadIn, Circle circle, Vector contourPoint, double normalAngle)

OpenNest.Core/CNC/CuttingStrategy/CuttingParameters.cs

@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy
 
         public double PierceClearance { get; set; } = 0.0625;
 
+        public double AutoTabMinSize { get; set; }
+        public double AutoTabMaxSize { get; set; }
+
         public Tab TabConfig { get; set; }
         public bool TabsEnabled { get; set; }
 

OpenNest.Core/CNC/CuttingStrategy/LeadOuts/MicrotabLeadOut.cs

@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-using OpenNest.Geometry;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-
-namespace OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy
-{
-    public class MicrotabLeadOut : LeadOut
-    {
-        public double GapSize { get; set; } = 0.03;
-
-        public override List<ICode> Generate(Vector contourEndPoint, double contourNormalAngle,
-            RotationType winding = RotationType.CW)
-        {
-            return new List<ICode>();
-        }
-    }
-}

OpenNest.Core/Collections/ObservableList.cs

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Collections
         public bool Remove(T item)
         {
             var success = items.Remove(item);
+            if (success)
                 ItemRemoved?.Invoke(this, new ItemRemovedEventArgs<T>(item, success));
             return success;
         }

OpenNest.Core/Converters/ConvertGeometry.cs

@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Converters
             if (startpt != lastpt)
                 pgm.MoveTo(startpt);
 
-            pgm.ArcTo(startpt, circle.Center, RotationType.CCW);
+            pgm.ArcTo(startpt, circle.Center, circle.Rotation);
 
             lastpt = startpt;
             return lastpt;

OpenNest.Core/Converters/ConvertProgram.cs

@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Converters
             var layer = ConvertLayer(arcMove.Layer);
 
             if (startAngle.IsEqualTo(endAngle))
-                geometry.Add(new Circle(center, radius) { Layer = layer, Color = layer.Color });
+                geometry.Add(new Circle(center, radius) { Layer = layer, Color = layer.Color, Rotation = arcMove.Rotation });
             else
                 geometry.Add(new Arc(center, radius, startAngle, endAngle, arcMove.Rotation == RotationType.CW) { Layer = layer, Color = layer.Color });
 

OpenNest.Core/CutOff.cs

@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@ namespace OpenNest
             {
                 cutPosition = Position.X;
                 lineStart = StartLimit ?? bounds.Y;
-                lineEnd = EndLimit ?? (bounds.Y + bounds.Length + settings.Overtravel);
+                lineEnd = EndLimit ?? (bounds.Y + bounds.Width + settings.Overtravel);
             }
             else
             {
                 cutPosition = Position.Y;
                 lineStart = StartLimit ?? bounds.X;
-                lineEnd = EndLimit ?? (bounds.X + bounds.Width + settings.Overtravel);
+                lineEnd = EndLimit ?? (bounds.X + bounds.Length + settings.Overtravel);
             }
 
             var exclusions = new List<(double Start, double End)>();
@@ -176,13 +176,13 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
         private (double Min, double Max) AxisBounds(Box bb, double clearance) =>
             Axis == CutOffAxis.Vertical
-                ? (bb.X - clearance, bb.X + bb.Width + clearance)
-                : (bb.Y - clearance, bb.Y + bb.Length + clearance);
+                ? (bb.X - clearance, bb.X + bb.Length + clearance)
+                : (bb.Y - clearance, bb.Y + bb.Width + clearance);
 
         private (double Start, double End) CrossAxisBounds(Box bb, double clearance) =>
             Axis == CutOffAxis.Vertical
-                ? (bb.Y - clearance, bb.Y + bb.Length + clearance)
-                : (bb.X - clearance, bb.X + bb.Width + clearance);
+                ? (bb.Y - clearance, bb.Y + bb.Width + clearance)
+                : (bb.X - clearance, bb.X + bb.Length + clearance);
 
         private Program BuildProgram(List<(double Start, double End)> segments, CutOffSettings settings)
         {

OpenNest.Core/Drawing.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 using OpenNest.CNC;
 using OpenNest.Converters;
 using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Drawing;
 using System.Linq;
@@ -12,8 +13,32 @@ namespace OpenNest
     public class Drawing
     {
         private static int nextId;
+        private static int nextColorIndex;
         private Program program;
 
+        public static readonly Color[] PartColors = new Color[]
+        {
+            Color.FromArgb(205, 92, 92),    // Indian Red
+            Color.FromArgb(148, 103, 189),  // Medium Purple
+            Color.FromArgb(75, 180, 175),   // Teal
+            Color.FromArgb(210, 190, 75),   // Goldenrod
+            Color.FromArgb(190, 85, 175),   // Orchid
+            Color.FromArgb(185, 115, 85),   // Sienna
+            Color.FromArgb(120, 100, 190),  // Slate Blue
+            Color.FromArgb(200, 100, 140),  // Rose
+            Color.FromArgb(80, 175, 155),   // Sea Green
+            Color.FromArgb(195, 160, 85),   // Dark Khaki
+            Color.FromArgb(175, 95, 160),   // Plum
+            Color.FromArgb(215, 130, 130),  // Light Coral
+        };
+
+        public static Color GetNextColor()
+        {
+            var color = PartColors[nextColorIndex % PartColors.Length];
+            nextColorIndex++;
+            return color;
+        }
+
         public Drawing()
             : this(string.Empty, new Program())
         {
@@ -66,6 +91,18 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
         public List<Bend> Bends { get; set; } = new List<Bend>();
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Complete set of source entities with stable GUIDs.
+        /// Null when the drawing was created from G-code or an older nest file.
+        /// </summary>
+        public List<Entity> SourceEntities { get; set; }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// IDs of entities in <see cref="SourceEntities"/> that are suppressed (hidden).
+        /// Suppressed entities are excluded from the active Program but preserved for re-enabling.
+        /// </summary>
+        public HashSet<Guid> SuppressedEntityIds { get; set; } = new HashSet<Guid>();
+
         public double Area { get; protected set; }
 
         public void UpdateArea()

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Arc.cs

@@ -420,8 +420,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
             boundingBox.X = minX;
             boundingBox.Y = minY;
-            boundingBox.Width = maxX - minX;
-            boundingBox.Length = maxY - minY;
+            boundingBox.Length = maxX - minX;
+            boundingBox.Width = maxY - minY;
         }
 
         public override Entity OffsetEntity(double distance, OffsetSide side)

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/BoundingBox.cs

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
             double minX = boxes[0].X;
             double minY = boxes[0].Y;
-            double maxX = boxes[0].X + boxes[0].Width;
-            double maxY = boxes[0].Y + boxes[0].Length;
+            double maxX = boxes[0].Right;
+            double maxY = boxes[0].Top;
 
             foreach (var box in boxes)
             {

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Box.cs

@@ -14,15 +14,15 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
         public Box(double x, double y, double w, double h)
         {
             Location = new Vector(x, y);
-            Width = w;
-            Length = h;
+            Length = w;
+            Width = h;
         }
 
         public Vector Location;
 
         public Vector Center
         {
-            get { return new Vector(X + Width * 0.5, Y + Length * 0.5); }
+            get { return new Vector(X + Length * 0.5, Y + Width * 0.5); }
         }
 
         public Size Size;
@@ -76,12 +76,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
         public Box Translate(double x, double y)
         {
-            return new Box(X + x, Y + y, Width, Length);
+            return new Box(X + x, Y + y, Length, Width);
         }
 
         public Box Translate(Vector offset)
         {
-            return new Box(X + offset.X, Y + offset.Y, Width, Length);
+            return new Box(X + offset.X, Y + offset.Y, Length, Width);
         }
 
         public double Left
@@ -91,12 +91,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
         public double Right
         {
-            get { return X + Width; }
+            get { return X + Length; }
         }
 
         public double Top
         {
-            get { return Y + Length; }
+            get { return Y + Width; }
         }
 
         public double Bottom
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
         public Box Offset(double d)
         {
-            return new Box(X - d, Y - d, Width + d * 2, Length + d * 2);
+            return new Box(X - d, Y - d, Length + d * 2, Width + d * 2);
         }
 
         public override string ToString()

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/BoxSplitter.cs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
             var x = large.Left;
             var y = small.Top;
-            var w = large.Width;
+            var w = large.Length;
             var h = large.Top - y;
 
             return new Box(x, y, w, h);
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
             var x = large.Left;
             var y = large.Bottom;
             var w = small.Left - x;
-            var h = large.Length;
+            var h = large.Width;
 
             return new Box(x, y, w, h);
         }
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 
             var x = large.Left;
             var y = large.Bottom;
-            var w = large.Width;
+            var w = large.Length;
             var h = small.Top - y;
 
             return new Box(x, y, w, h);
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
             var x = small.Right;
             var y = large.Bottom;
             var w = large.Right - x;
-            var h = large.Length;
+            var h = large.Width;
 
             return new Box(x, y, w, h);
         }

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Circle.cs

@@ -137,7 +137,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
         public List<Vector> ToPoints(int segments = 1000, bool circumscribe = false)
         {
             var points = new List<Vector>();
-            var stepAngle = Angle.TwoPI / segments;
+            var stepAngle = Rotation == RotationType.CW
+                ? -Angle.TwoPI / segments
+                : Angle.TwoPI / segments;
 
             var r = circumscribe && segments > 0
                 ? Radius / System.Math.Cos(stepAngle / 2.0)

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Entity.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using OpenNest.Math;
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Drawing;
 
@@ -10,10 +11,16 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
         protected Entity()
         {
+            Id = Guid.NewGuid();
             Layer = OpenNest.Geometry.Layer.Default;
             boundingBox = new Box();
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Unique identifier for this entity, stable across edit sessions.
+        /// </summary>
+        public Guid Id { get; set; }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Entity color (resolved from DXF ByLayer/ByBlock to actual color).
         /// </summary>

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Line.cs

@@ -370,23 +370,23 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             if (StartPoint.X < EndPoint.X)
             {
                 boundingBox.X = StartPoint.X;
-                boundingBox.Width = EndPoint.X - StartPoint.X;
+                boundingBox.Length = EndPoint.X - StartPoint.X;
             }
             else
             {
                 boundingBox.X = EndPoint.X;
-                boundingBox.Width = StartPoint.X - EndPoint.X;
+                boundingBox.Length = StartPoint.X - EndPoint.X;
             }
 
             if (StartPoint.Y < EndPoint.Y)
             {
                 boundingBox.Y = StartPoint.Y;
-                boundingBox.Length = EndPoint.Y - StartPoint.Y;
+                boundingBox.Width = EndPoint.Y - StartPoint.Y;
             }
             else
             {
                 boundingBox.Y = EndPoint.Y;
-                boundingBox.Length = StartPoint.Y - EndPoint.Y;
+                boundingBox.Width = StartPoint.Y - EndPoint.Y;
             }
         }
 

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Polygon.cs

@@ -311,8 +311,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
             boundingBox.X = minX;
             boundingBox.Y = minY;
-            boundingBox.Width = maxX - minX;
-            boundingBox.Length = maxY - minY;
+            boundingBox.Length = maxX - minX;
+            boundingBox.Width = maxY - minY;
         }
 
         public override Entity OffsetEntity(double distance, OffsetSide side)

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/Shape.cs

@@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
                         copy.Entities.Add(new Arc(a.Center, a.Radius, a.EndAngle, a.StartAngle, !a.IsReversed) { Layer = a.Layer });
                         break;
                     case Circle c:
-                        copy.Entities.Add(new Circle(c.Center, c.Radius) { Layer = c.Layer });
+                        copy.Entities.Add(new Circle(c.Center, c.Radius) { Layer = c.Layer, Rotation = RotationType.CW });
                         break;
                 }
             }
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
                         copy.Entities.Add(new Arc(a.Center, a.Radius, a.EndAngle, a.StartAngle, !a.IsReversed) { Layer = a.Layer });
                         break;
                     case Circle c:
-                        copy.Entities.Add(new Circle(c.Center, c.Radius) { Layer = c.Layer });
+                        copy.Entities.Add(new Circle(c.Center, c.Radius) { Layer = c.Layer, Rotation = RotationType.CCW });
                         break;
                 }
             }

OpenNest.Core/Geometry/SpatialQuery.cs

@@ -104,6 +104,98 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             return double.MaxValue;
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Solves ray-circle intersection, returning the two parametric t values.
+        /// Returns false if no real intersection exists.
+        /// </summary>
+        [System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImpl(
+            System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImplOptions.AggressiveInlining)]
+        private static bool SolveRayCircle(
+            double vx, double vy,
+            double cx, double cy, double r,
+            double dirX, double dirY,
+            out double t1, out double t2)
+        {
+            var ox = vx - cx;
+            var oy = vy - cy;
+
+            var a = dirX * dirX + dirY * dirY;
+            var b = 2.0 * (ox * dirX + oy * dirY);
+            var c = ox * ox + oy * oy - r * r;
+
+            var discriminant = b * b - 4.0 * a * c;
+            if (discriminant < 0)
+            {
+                t1 = t2 = double.MaxValue;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            var sqrtD = System.Math.Sqrt(discriminant);
+            var inv2a = 1.0 / (2.0 * a);
+            t1 = (-b - sqrtD) * inv2a;
+            t2 = (-b + sqrtD) * inv2a;
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Computes the distance from a point along a direction to an arc.
+        /// Solves ray-circle intersection, then constrains hits to the arc's
+        /// angular span. Returns double.MaxValue if no hit.
+        /// </summary>
+        [System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImpl(
+            System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImplOptions.AggressiveInlining)]
+        public static double RayArcDistance(
+            double vx, double vy,
+            double cx, double cy, double r,
+            double startAngle, double endAngle, bool reversed,
+            double dirX, double dirY)
+        {
+            if (!SolveRayCircle(vx, vy, cx, cy, r, dirX, dirY, out var t1, out var t2))
+                return double.MaxValue;
+
+            var best = double.MaxValue;
+
+            if (t1 > -Tolerance.Epsilon)
+            {
+                var hitAngle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(
+                    vy + t1 * dirY - cy, vx + t1 * dirX - cx));
+                if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(hitAngle, startAngle, endAngle, reversed))
+                    best = t1 > Tolerance.Epsilon ? t1 : 0;
+            }
+
+            if (t2 > -Tolerance.Epsilon && t2 < best)
+            {
+                var hitAngle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(
+                    vy + t2 * dirY - cy, vx + t2 * dirX - cx));
+                if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(hitAngle, startAngle, endAngle, reversed))
+                    best = t2 > Tolerance.Epsilon ? t2 : 0;
+            }
+
+            return best;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Computes the distance from a point along a direction to a full circle.
+        /// Returns double.MaxValue if no hit.
+        /// </summary>
+        [System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImpl(
+            System.Runtime.CompilerServices.MethodImplOptions.AggressiveInlining)]
+        public static double RayCircleDistance(
+            double vx, double vy,
+            double cx, double cy, double r,
+            double dirX, double dirY)
+        {
+            if (!SolveRayCircle(vx, vy, cx, cy, r, dirX, dirY, out var t1, out var t2))
+                return double.MaxValue;
+
+            if (t1 > Tolerance.Epsilon) return t1;
+            if (t1 >= -Tolerance.Epsilon) return 0;
+            if (t2 > Tolerance.Epsilon) return t2;
+            if (t2 >= -Tolerance.Epsilon) return 0;
+
+            return double.MaxValue;
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Computes the minimum translation distance along a push direction before
         /// any edge of movingLines contacts any edge of stationaryLines.
@@ -111,57 +203,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
         /// </summary>
         public static double DirectionalDistance(List<Line> movingLines, List<Line> stationaryLines, PushDirection direction)
         {
-            var minDist = double.MaxValue;
-
-            // Case 1: Each moving vertex -> each stationary edge
-            var movingVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (int i = 0; i < movingLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt1);
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt2);
-            }
-
-            var stationaryEdges = new (Vector start, Vector end)[stationaryLines.Count];
-            for (int i = 0; i < stationaryLines.Count; i++)
-                stationaryEdges[i] = (stationaryLines[i].pt1, stationaryLines[i].pt2);
-
-            // Sort edges for pruning if not already sorted (usually they aren't here)
-            if (direction == PushDirection.Left || direction == PushDirection.Right)
-                stationaryEdges = stationaryEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.Y, e.end.Y)).ToArray();
-            else
-                stationaryEdges = stationaryEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.X, e.end.X)).ToArray();
-
-            foreach (var mv in movingVertices)
-            {
-                var d = OneWayDistance(mv, stationaryEdges, Vector.Zero, direction);
-                if (d < minDist) minDist = d;
-            }
-
-            // Case 2: Each stationary vertex -> each moving edge (opposite direction)
-            var opposite = OppositeDirection(direction);
-            var stationaryVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (int i = 0; i < stationaryLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt1);
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt2);
-            }
-
-            var movingEdges = new (Vector start, Vector end)[movingLines.Count];
-            for (int i = 0; i < movingLines.Count; i++)
-                movingEdges[i] = (movingLines[i].pt1, movingLines[i].pt2);
-
-            if (opposite == PushDirection.Left || opposite == PushDirection.Right)
-                movingEdges = movingEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.Y, e.end.Y)).ToArray();
-            else
-                movingEdges = movingEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.X, e.end.X)).ToArray();
-
-            foreach (var sv in stationaryVertices)
-            {
-                var d = OneWayDistance(sv, movingEdges, Vector.Zero, opposite);
-                if (d < minDist) minDist = d;
-            }
-
-            return minDist;
+            return DirectionalDistance(movingLines, 0, 0, stationaryLines, direction);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -176,21 +218,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             var movingOffset = new Vector(movingDx, movingDy);
 
             // Case 1: Each moving vertex -> each stationary edge
-            var movingVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (int i = 0; i < movingLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt1 + movingOffset);
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt2 + movingOffset);
-            }
+            var movingVertices = CollectVertices(movingLines, movingOffset);
 
-            var stationaryEdges = new (Vector start, Vector end)[stationaryLines.Count];
-            for (int i = 0; i < stationaryLines.Count; i++)
-                stationaryEdges[i] = (stationaryLines[i].pt1, stationaryLines[i].pt2);
-
-            if (direction == PushDirection.Left || direction == PushDirection.Right)
-                stationaryEdges = stationaryEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.Y, e.end.Y)).ToArray();
-            else
-                stationaryEdges = stationaryEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.X, e.end.X)).ToArray();
+            var stationaryEdges = ToEdgeArray(stationaryLines);
+            SortEdgesForPruning(stationaryEdges, direction);
 
             foreach (var mv in movingVertices)
             {
@@ -200,21 +231,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
             // Case 2: Each stationary vertex -> each moving edge (opposite direction)
             var opposite = OppositeDirection(direction);
-            var stationaryVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (int i = 0; i < stationaryLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt1);
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt2);
-            }
+            var stationaryVertices = CollectVertices(stationaryLines, Vector.Zero);
 
-            var movingEdges = new (Vector start, Vector end)[movingLines.Count];
-            for (int i = 0; i < movingLines.Count; i++)
-                movingEdges[i] = (movingLines[i].pt1, movingLines[i].pt2);
-
-            if (opposite == PushDirection.Left || opposite == PushDirection.Right)
-                movingEdges = movingEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.Y, e.end.Y)).ToArray();
-            else
-                movingEdges = movingEdges.OrderBy(e => System.Math.Min(e.start.X, e.end.X)).ToArray();
+            var movingEdges = ToEdgeArray(movingLines);
+            SortEdgesForPruning(movingEdges, opposite);
 
             foreach (var sv in stationaryVertices)
             {
@@ -253,15 +273,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
         {
             var minDist = double.MaxValue;
 
-            // Extract unique vertices from moving edges.
-            var movingVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (var i = 0; i < movingEdges.Length; i++)
-            {
-                movingVertices.Add(movingEdges[i].start + movingOffset);
-                movingVertices.Add(movingEdges[i].end + movingOffset);
-            }
+            SortEdgesForPruning(stationaryEdges, direction);
 
             // Case 1: Each moving vertex -> each stationary edge
+            var movingVertices = CollectVertices(movingEdges, movingOffset);
+
             foreach (var mv in movingVertices)
             {
                 var d = OneWayDistance(mv, stationaryEdges, stationaryOffset, direction);
@@ -270,12 +286,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
 
             // Case 2: Each stationary vertex -> each moving edge (opposite direction)
             var opposite = OppositeDirection(direction);
-            var stationaryVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (var i = 0; i < stationaryEdges.Length; i++)
-            {
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryEdges[i].start + stationaryOffset);
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryEdges[i].end + stationaryOffset);
-            }
+            SortEdgesForPruning(movingEdges, opposite);
+
+            var stationaryVertices = CollectVertices(stationaryEdges, stationaryOffset);
 
             foreach (var sv in stationaryVertices)
             {
@@ -467,12 +480,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             var dirX = direction.X;
             var dirY = direction.Y;
 
-            var movingVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (var i = 0; i < movingLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt1);
-                movingVertices.Add(movingLines[i].pt2);
-            }
+            var movingVertices = CollectVertices(movingLines, Vector.Zero);
 
             foreach (var mv in movingVertices)
             {
@@ -487,12 +495,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             var oppX = -dirX;
             var oppY = -dirY;
 
-            var stationaryVertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
-            for (var i = 0; i < stationaryLines.Count; i++)
-            {
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt1);
-                stationaryVertices.Add(stationaryLines[i].pt2);
-            }
+            var stationaryVertices = CollectVertices(stationaryLines, Vector.Zero);
 
             foreach (var sv in stationaryVertices)
             {
@@ -507,6 +510,284 @@ namespace OpenNest.Geometry
             return minDist;
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Computes the minimum translation distance along a push direction
+        /// before any vertex/edge of movingEntities contacts any vertex/edge of
+        /// stationaryEntities. Delegates to the Vector-based overload.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static double DirectionalDistance(
+            List<Entity> movingEntities, List<Entity> stationaryEntities, PushDirection direction)
+        {
+            return DirectionalDistance(movingEntities, stationaryEntities, DirectionToOffset(direction, 1.0));
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Computes the minimum translation distance along an arbitrary unit direction
+        /// before any vertex/edge of movingEntities contacts any vertex/edge of
+        /// stationaryEntities. Works with native Line, Arc, and Circle entities
+        /// without tessellation.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static double DirectionalDistance(
+            List<Entity> movingEntities, List<Entity> stationaryEntities, Vector direction)
+        {
+            var minDist = double.MaxValue;
+            var dirX = direction.X;
+            var dirY = direction.Y;
+
+            var movingVertices = ExtractEntityVertices(movingEntities);
+
+            for (var v = 0; v < movingVertices.Length; v++)
+            {
+                var vx = movingVertices[v].X;
+                var vy = movingVertices[v].Y;
+
+                for (var j = 0; j < stationaryEntities.Count; j++)
+                {
+                    var d = RayEntityDistance(vx, vy, stationaryEntities[j], dirX, dirY);
+                    if (d < minDist)
+                    {
+                        minDist = d;
+                        if (d <= 0) return 0;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            var oppX = -dirX;
+            var oppY = -dirY;
+
+            var stationaryVertices = ExtractEntityVertices(stationaryEntities);
+
+            for (var v = 0; v < stationaryVertices.Length; v++)
+            {
+                var vx = stationaryVertices[v].X;
+                var vy = stationaryVertices[v].Y;
+
+                for (var j = 0; j < movingEntities.Count; j++)
+                {
+                    var d = RayEntityDistance(vx, vy, movingEntities[j], oppX, oppY);
+                    if (d < minDist)
+                    {
+                        minDist = d;
+                        if (d <= 0) return 0;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Phase 3: Arc-to-line closest-point check.
+            // Phases 1-2 sample arc endpoints and cardinal extremes, but the actual
+            // closest point on a small corner arc to a straight edge may lie between
+            // those samples. Use ClosestPointTo to find it and fire a ray from there.
+            minDist = ArcToLineClosestDistance(movingEntities, stationaryEntities, dirX, dirY, minDist);
+            if (minDist <= 0) return 0;
+            minDist = ArcToLineClosestDistance(stationaryEntities, movingEntities, oppX, oppY, minDist);
+            if (minDist <= 0) return 0;
+
+            // Phase 4: Curve-to-curve direct distance.
+            // The vertex-to-entity approach misses the closest contact between two
+            // curved entities (circles/arcs) because only a few cardinal vertices are
+            // sampled. The true closest contact along the push direction is found by
+            // treating it as a ray from one center to an expanded circle at the other
+            // center (radius = r1 + r2).
+            for (var i = 0; i < movingEntities.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var me = movingEntities[i];
+                if (!TryGetCurveParams(me, out var mcx, out var mcy, out var mr))
+                    continue;
+
+                for (var j = 0; j < stationaryEntities.Count; j++)
+                {
+                    var se = stationaryEntities[j];
+                    if (!TryGetCurveParams(se, out var scx, out var scy, out var sr))
+                        continue;
+
+                    var d = RayCircleDistance(mcx, mcy, scx, scy, mr + sr, dirX, dirY);
+
+                    if (d >= minDist)
+                        continue;
+
+                    // For arcs, verify the contact point falls within both arcs' angular ranges.
+                    if (me is Arc || se is Arc)
+                    {
+                        var mx = mcx + d * dirX;
+                        var my = mcy + d * dirY;
+                        var toCx = scx - mx;
+                        var toCy = scy - my;
+
+                        if (me is Arc mArc)
+                        {
+                            var angle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(toCy, toCx));
+                            if (!Angle.IsBetweenRad(angle, mArc.StartAngle, mArc.EndAngle, mArc.IsReversed))
+                                continue;
+                        }
+
+                        if (se is Arc sArc)
+                        {
+                            var angle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(-toCy, -toCx));
+                            if (!Angle.IsBetweenRad(angle, sArc.StartAngle, sArc.EndAngle, sArc.IsReversed))
+                                continue;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    minDist = d;
+                    if (d <= 0) return 0;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return minDist;
+        }
+
+        private static double ArcToLineClosestDistance(
+            List<Entity> arcEntities, List<Entity> lineEntities,
+            double dirX, double dirY, double minDist)
+        {
+            for (var i = 0; i < arcEntities.Count; i++)
+            {
+                if (arcEntities[i] is Arc arc)
+                {
+                    for (var j = 0; j < lineEntities.Count; j++)
+                    {
+                        if (lineEntities[j] is Line line)
+                        {
+                            var linePt = line.ClosestPointTo(arc.Center);
+                            var arcPt = arc.ClosestPointTo(linePt);
+                            var d = RayEdgeDistance(arcPt.X, arcPt.Y,
+                                line.pt1.X, line.pt1.Y, line.pt2.X, line.pt2.Y,
+                                dirX, dirY);
+                            if (d < minDist) { minDist = d; if (d <= 0) return 0; }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            return minDist;
+        }
+
+        private static double RayEntityDistance(
+            double vx, double vy, Entity entity, double dirX, double dirY)
+        {
+            if (entity is Line line)
+            {
+                return RayEdgeDistance(vx, vy,
+                    line.pt1.X, line.pt1.Y, line.pt2.X, line.pt2.Y,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            if (entity is Arc arc)
+            {
+                return RayArcDistance(vx, vy,
+                    arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y, arc.Radius,
+                    arc.StartAngle, arc.EndAngle, arc.IsReversed,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            if (entity is Circle circle)
+            {
+                return RayCircleDistance(vx, vy,
+                    circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y, circle.Radius,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            return double.MaxValue;
+        }
+
+        private static Vector[] ExtractEntityVertices(List<Entity> entities)
+        {
+            var vertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
+
+            for (var i = 0; i < entities.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var entity = entities[i];
+
+                if (entity is Line line)
+                {
+                    vertices.Add(line.pt1);
+                    vertices.Add(line.pt2);
+                }
+                else if (entity is Arc arc)
+                {
+                    vertices.Add(arc.StartPoint());
+                    vertices.Add(arc.EndPoint());
+                    AddArcExtremeVertices(vertices, arc);
+                }
+                else if (entity is Circle circle)
+                {
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X + circle.Radius, circle.Center.Y));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X - circle.Radius, circle.Center.Y));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y + circle.Radius));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y - circle.Radius));
+                }
+            }
+
+            return vertices.ToArray();
+        }
+
+        private static void AddArcExtremeVertices(HashSet<Vector> points, Arc arc)
+        {
+            var a1 = arc.StartAngle;
+            var a2 = arc.EndAngle;
+
+            if (arc.IsReversed)
+                Generic.Swap(ref a1, ref a2);
+
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(Angle.TwoPI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X + arc.Radius, arc.Center.Y));
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(Angle.HalfPI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y + arc.Radius));
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(System.Math.PI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X - arc.Radius, arc.Center.Y));
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(System.Math.PI * 1.5, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y - arc.Radius));
+        }
+
+        private static HashSet<Vector> CollectVertices(List<Line> lines, Vector offset)
+        {
+            return CollectVertices(ToEdgeArray(lines), offset);
+        }
+
+        private static HashSet<Vector> CollectVertices((Vector start, Vector end)[] edges, Vector offset)
+        {
+            var vertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
+            for (var i = 0; i < edges.Length; i++)
+            {
+                vertices.Add(edges[i].start + offset);
+                vertices.Add(edges[i].end + offset);
+            }
+            return vertices;
+        }
+
+        private static (Vector start, Vector end)[] ToEdgeArray(List<Line> lines)
+        {
+            var edges = new (Vector start, Vector end)[lines.Count];
+            for (var i = 0; i < lines.Count; i++)
+                edges[i] = (lines[i].pt1, lines[i].pt2);
+            return edges;
+        }
+
+        private static void SortEdgesForPruning((Vector start, Vector end)[] edges, PushDirection direction)
+        {
+            if (direction == PushDirection.Left || direction == PushDirection.Right)
+                System.Array.Sort(edges, (a, b) =>
+                    System.Math.Min(a.start.Y, a.end.Y).CompareTo(System.Math.Min(b.start.Y, b.end.Y)));
+            else
+                System.Array.Sort(edges, (a, b) =>
+                    System.Math.Min(a.start.X, a.end.X).CompareTo(System.Math.Min(b.start.X, b.end.X)));
+        }
+
+        private static bool TryGetCurveParams(Entity entity, out double cx, out double cy, out double r)
+        {
+            if (entity is Circle circle)
+            {
+                cx = circle.Center.X; cy = circle.Center.Y; r = circle.Radius;
+                return true;
+            }
+            if (entity is Arc arc)
+            {
+                cx = arc.Center.X; cy = arc.Center.Y; r = arc.Radius;
+                return true;
+            }
+            cx = cy = r = 0;
+            return false;
+        }
+
         private static double BoxProjectionMin(Box box, double dx, double dy)
         {
             var x = dx >= 0 ? box.Left : box.Right;

OpenNest.Core/Nest.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using OpenNest.Collections;
 using OpenNest.Geometry;
 using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
 
 namespace OpenNest
 {
@@ -51,6 +52,10 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
         public PlateSettings PlateDefaults { get; set; }
 
+        public List<PlateOption> PlateOptions { get; set; } = new();
+
+        public double SalvageRate { get; set; } = 0.5;
+
         public Plate CreatePlate()
         {
             var plate = PlateDefaults.CreateNew();

OpenNest.Core/Part.cs

@@ -72,6 +72,18 @@ namespace OpenNest
             UpdateBounds();
         }
 
+        public void ApplySingleLeadIn(CNC.CuttingStrategy.CuttingParameters parameters,
+            Geometry.Vector point, Geometry.Entity entity, CNC.CuttingStrategy.ContourType contourType)
+        {
+            preLeadInRotation = Rotation;
+            var strategy = new CNC.CuttingStrategy.ContourCuttingStrategy { Parameters = parameters };
+            var result = strategy.ApplySingle(Program, point, entity, contourType);
+            Program = result.Program;
+            CuttingParameters = parameters;
+            HasManualLeadIns = true;
+            UpdateBounds();
+        }
+
         public void RemoveLeadIns()
         {
             var rotation = preLeadInRotation;
@@ -178,7 +190,14 @@ namespace OpenNest
         {
             var rotation = Rotation;
             Program = BaseDrawing.Program.Clone() as Program;
-            Program.Rotate(Program.Rotation - rotation);
+
+            if (!Math.Tolerance.IsEqualTo(rotation, 0))
+                Program.Rotate(rotation);
+
+            HasManualLeadIns = false;
+            LeadInsLocked = false;
+            CuttingParameters = null;
+            UpdateBounds();
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -265,7 +284,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
             var part = new Part(BaseDrawing, Program,
                 location + offset,
                 new Box(BoundingBox.X + offset.X, BoundingBox.Y + offset.Y,
-                    BoundingBox.Width, BoundingBox.Length));
+                    BoundingBox.Length, BoundingBox.Width));
 
             return part;
         }

OpenNest.Core/PartGeometry.cs

@@ -39,7 +39,115 @@ namespace OpenNest
             return lines;
         }
 
-        public static List<Line> GetOffsetPartLines(Part part, double spacing, double chordTolerance = 0.001)
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns the perimeter entities (Line, Arc, Circle) with spacing offset applied,
+        /// without tessellation. Much faster than GetOffsetPartLines for parts with many arcs.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static List<Entity> GetOffsetPerimeterEntities(Part part, double spacing)
+        {
+            var geoEntities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program);
+            var profile = new ShapeProfile(
+                geoEntities.Where(e => e.Layer != SpecialLayers.Rapid).ToList());
+
+            var offsetShape = profile.Perimeter.OffsetOutward(spacing);
+            if (offsetShape == null)
+                return new List<Entity>();
+
+            // Offset the shape's entities to the part's location.
+            // OffsetOutward creates a new Shape, so mutating is safe.
+            foreach (var entity in offsetShape.Entities)
+                entity.Offset(part.Location);
+
+            return offsetShape.Entities;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns all entities (perimeter + cutouts) with spacing offset applied,
+        /// without tessellation. Perimeter is offset outward, cutouts inward.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static List<Entity> GetOffsetPartEntities(Part part, double spacing)
+        {
+            var geoEntities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program);
+            var profile = new ShapeProfile(
+                geoEntities.Where(e => e.Layer != SpecialLayers.Rapid).ToList());
+            var entities = new List<Entity>();
+
+            var perimeter = profile.Perimeter.OffsetOutward(spacing);
+            if (perimeter != null)
+            {
+                foreach (var entity in perimeter.Entities)
+                    entity.Offset(part.Location);
+                entities.AddRange(perimeter.Entities);
+            }
+
+            foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
+            {
+                var inset = cutout.OffsetInward(spacing);
+                if (inset == null) continue;
+                foreach (var entity in inset.Entities)
+                    entity.Offset(part.Location);
+                entities.AddRange(inset.Entities);
+            }
+
+            return entities;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns perimeter entities at the part's world location, without tessellation
+        /// or spacing offset.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static List<Entity> GetPerimeterEntities(Part part)
+        {
+            var geoEntities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program);
+            var profile = new ShapeProfile(
+                geoEntities.Where(e => e.Layer != SpecialLayers.Rapid).ToList());
+
+            return CopyEntitiesAtLocation(profile.Perimeter.Entities, part.Location);
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns all entities (perimeter + cutouts) at the part's world location,
+        /// without tessellation or spacing offset.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static List<Entity> GetPartEntities(Part part)
+        {
+            var geoEntities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program);
+            var profile = new ShapeProfile(
+                geoEntities.Where(e => e.Layer != SpecialLayers.Rapid).ToList());
+            var entities = CopyEntitiesAtLocation(profile.Perimeter.Entities, part.Location);
+
+            foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
+                entities.AddRange(CopyEntitiesAtLocation(cutout.Entities, part.Location));
+
+            return entities;
+        }
+
+        private static List<Entity> CopyEntitiesAtLocation(List<Entity> source, Vector location)
+        {
+            var result = new List<Entity>(source.Count);
+
+            for (var i = 0; i < source.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var entity = source[i];
+                Entity copy;
+
+                if (entity is Line line)
+                    copy = new Line(line.StartPoint + location, line.EndPoint + location);
+                else if (entity is Arc arc)
+                    copy = new Arc(arc.Center + location, arc.Radius, arc.StartAngle, arc.EndAngle, arc.IsReversed);
+                else if (entity is Circle circle)
+                    copy = new Circle(circle.Center + location, circle.Radius);
+                else
+                    continue;
+
+                result.Add(copy);
+            }
+
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        public static List<Line> GetOffsetPartLines(Part part, double spacing, double chordTolerance = 0.001,
+            bool perimeterOnly = false)
         {
             var entities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program);
             var profile = new ShapeProfile(
@@ -50,9 +158,12 @@ namespace OpenNest
             AddOffsetLines(lines, profile.Perimeter.OffsetOutward(totalSpacing),
                 chordTolerance, part.Location);
 
+            if (!perimeterOnly)
+            {
                 foreach (var cutout in profile.Cutouts)
                     AddOffsetLines(lines, cutout.OffsetInward(totalSpacing),
                         chordTolerance, part.Location);
+            }
 
             return lines;
         }

OpenNest.Core/Plate.cs

@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
         {
             var plateBox = new Box();
 
-            // Convention: Size.Length = X axis (horizontal), Size.Width = Y axis (vertical)
+            // Width = Y axis (vertical), Length = X axis (horizontal)
             switch (Quadrant)
             {
                 case 1:
@@ -451,8 +451,8 @@ namespace OpenNest
                     return new Box();
             }
 
-            plateBox.Width = Size.Length;
-            plateBox.Length = Size.Width;
+            plateBox.Width = Size.Width;
+            plateBox.Length = Size.Length;
 
             if (!includeParts)
                 return plateBox;
@@ -468,11 +468,11 @@ namespace OpenNest
                 ? partsBox.Bottom
                 : plateBox.Bottom;
 
-            boundingBox.Width = partsBox.Right > plateBox.Right
+            boundingBox.Length = partsBox.Right > plateBox.Right
                 ? partsBox.Right - boundingBox.X
                 : plateBox.Right - boundingBox.X;
 
-            boundingBox.Length = partsBox.Top > plateBox.Top
+            boundingBox.Width = partsBox.Top > plateBox.Top
                 ? partsBox.Top - boundingBox.Y
                 : plateBox.Top - boundingBox.Y;
 
@@ -489,8 +489,8 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
             box.X += EdgeSpacing.Left;
             box.Y += EdgeSpacing.Bottom;
-            box.Width -= EdgeSpacing.Left + EdgeSpacing.Right;
-            box.Length -= EdgeSpacing.Top + EdgeSpacing.Bottom;
+            box.Length -= EdgeSpacing.Left + EdgeSpacing.Right;
+            box.Width -= EdgeSpacing.Top + EdgeSpacing.Bottom;
 
             return box;
         }

OpenNest.Core/PlateManager.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+using OpenNest.Collections;
+using System;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public class PlateChangedEventArgs : EventArgs
+    {
+        public Plate Plate { get; }
+        public int Index { get; }
+
+        public PlateChangedEventArgs(Plate plate, int index)
+        {
+            Plate = plate;
+            Index = index;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public class PlateManager : IDisposable
+    {
+        private readonly Nest nest;
+        private bool disposed;
+        private bool suppressNavigation;
+        private bool batching;
+        private Plate subscribedLast;
+        private Plate subscribedSecondToLast;
+
+        public event EventHandler<PlateChangedEventArgs> CurrentPlateChanged;
+        public event EventHandler PlateListChanged;
+
+        public PlateManager(Nest nest)
+        {
+            this.nest = nest;
+            nest.Plates.ItemAdded += OnPlateAdded;
+            nest.Plates.ItemRemoved += OnPlateRemoved;
+        }
+
+        public int CurrentIndex { get; private set; }
+
+        public Plate CurrentPlate => nest.Plates.Count > 0 ? nest.Plates[CurrentIndex] : null;
+
+        public int Count => nest.Plates.Count;
+
+        public bool IsFirst => Count == 0 || CurrentIndex <= 0;
+
+        public bool IsLast => CurrentIndex + 1 >= Count;
+
+        public bool CanRemoveCurrent => Count > 1 && CurrentPlate != null && CurrentPlate.Parts.Count > 0;
+
+        public void LoadFirst()
+        {
+            if (Count == 0)
+                return;
+
+            CurrentIndex = 0;
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+        }
+
+        public void LoadLast()
+        {
+            if (Count == 0)
+                return;
+
+            CurrentIndex = Count - 1;
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+        }
+
+        public bool LoadNext()
+        {
+            if (CurrentIndex + 1 >= Count)
+                return false;
+
+            CurrentIndex++;
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        public bool LoadPrevious()
+        {
+            if (Count == 0 || CurrentIndex - 1 < 0)
+                return false;
+
+            CurrentIndex--;
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        public void LoadAt(int index)
+        {
+            if (index < 0 || index >= Count)
+                return;
+
+            CurrentIndex = index;
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+        }
+
+        public void EnsureSentinel()
+        {
+            suppressNavigation = true;
+            try
+            {
+                if (Count == 0 || nest.Plates[^1].Parts.Count > 0)
+                    nest.CreatePlate();
+
+                while (Count > 1
+                    && nest.Plates[^1].Parts.Count == 0
+                    && nest.Plates[^2].Parts.Count == 0)
+                {
+                    nest.Plates.RemoveAt(Count - 1);
+                }
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                suppressNavigation = false;
+            }
+
+            SubscribeToTailPlates();
+        }
+
+        public void BeginBatch()
+        {
+            batching = true;
+        }
+
+        public void EndBatch()
+        {
+            batching = false;
+            EnsureSentinel();
+            PlateListChanged?.Invoke(this, EventArgs.Empty);
+            FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+        }
+
+        public Plate GetOrCreateEmpty()
+        {
+            for (var i = Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
+            {
+                if (nest.Plates[i].Parts.Count == 0)
+                    return nest.Plates[i];
+            }
+
+            return nest.CreatePlate();
+        }
+
+        public void RemoveCurrent()
+        {
+            if (Count < 2)
+                return;
+
+            nest.Plates.RemoveAt(CurrentIndex);
+        }
+
+        private void SubscribeToTailPlates()
+        {
+            UnsubscribeFromTailPlates();
+
+            if (Count > 0)
+            {
+                subscribedLast = nest.Plates[^1];
+                subscribedLast.PartAdded += OnTailPartAdded;
+                subscribedLast.PartRemoved += OnTailPartRemoved;
+            }
+
+            if (Count > 1)
+            {
+                subscribedSecondToLast = nest.Plates[^2];
+                subscribedSecondToLast.PartAdded += OnTailPartAdded;
+                subscribedSecondToLast.PartRemoved += OnTailPartRemoved;
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void UnsubscribeFromTailPlates()
+        {
+            if (subscribedLast != null)
+            {
+                subscribedLast.PartAdded -= OnTailPartAdded;
+                subscribedLast.PartRemoved -= OnTailPartRemoved;
+                subscribedLast = null;
+            }
+
+            if (subscribedSecondToLast != null)
+            {
+                subscribedSecondToLast.PartAdded -= OnTailPartAdded;
+                subscribedSecondToLast.PartRemoved -= OnTailPartRemoved;
+                subscribedSecondToLast = null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void OnTailPartAdded(object sender, ItemAddedEventArgs<Part> e)
+        {
+            if (!batching)
+                EnsureSentinel();
+        }
+
+        private void OnTailPartRemoved(object sender, ItemRemovedEventArgs<Part> e)
+        {
+            if (!batching)
+                EnsureSentinel();
+        }
+
+        private void OnPlateAdded(object sender, ItemAddedEventArgs<Plate> e)
+        {
+            if (!suppressNavigation && !batching)
+                EnsureSentinel();
+
+            PlateListChanged?.Invoke(this, EventArgs.Empty);
+
+            if (!suppressNavigation)
+            {
+                CurrentIndex = Count - 1;
+                FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void OnPlateRemoved(object sender, ItemRemovedEventArgs<Plate> e)
+        {
+            if (CurrentIndex >= Count && Count > 0)
+                CurrentIndex = Count - 1;
+
+            if (!suppressNavigation && !batching)
+                EnsureSentinel();
+
+            PlateListChanged?.Invoke(this, EventArgs.Empty);
+
+            if (!suppressNavigation)
+                FireCurrentPlateChanged();
+        }
+
+        private void FireCurrentPlateChanged()
+        {
+            CurrentPlateChanged?.Invoke(this, new PlateChangedEventArgs(CurrentPlate, CurrentIndex));
+        }
+
+        public void Dispose()
+        {
+            if (disposed)
+                return;
+
+            disposed = true;
+            UnsubscribeFromTailPlates();
+            nest.Plates.ItemAdded -= OnPlateAdded;
+            nest.Plates.ItemRemoved -= OnPlateRemoved;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Core/PlateOptimizerResult.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public class PlateOptimizerResult
+    {
+        public List<Part> Parts { get; set; } = new();
+        public PlateOption ChosenSize { get; set; }
+        public double NetCost { get; set; }
+        public double Utilization { get; set; }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Core/PlateOption.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public class PlateOption
+    {
+        public double Width { get; set; }
+        public double Length { get; set; }
+        public double Cost { get; set; }
+
+        public double Area => Width * Length;
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/CircleShape.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
     {
         public double Diameter { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Diameter = 8;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var entities = new List<Entity>

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/FlangeShape.cs

@@ -11,6 +11,15 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double HolePatternDiameter { get; set; }
         public int HoleCount { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            NominalPipeSize = 2;
+            OD = 7.5;
+            HoleDiameter = 0.875;
+            HolePatternDiameter = 5.5;
+            HoleCount = 8;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var entities = new List<Entity>();

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/IsoscelesTriangleShape.cs

@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double Base { get; set; }
         public double Height { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Base = 8;
+            Height = 10;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var midX = Base / 2.0;

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/LShape.cs

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double LegWidth { get; set; }
         public double LegHeight { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Width = 8;
+            Height = 10;
+            LegWidth = 3;
+            LegHeight = 3;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var lw = LegWidth > 0 ? LegWidth : Width / 2.0;

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/OctagonShape.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
     {
         public double Width { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Width = 8;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var center = Width / 2.0;

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/RectangleShape.cs

@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double Length { get; set; }
         public double Width { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Length = 12;
+            Width = 6;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var entities = new List<Entity>

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/RightTriangleShape.cs

@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double Width { get; set; }
         public double Height { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Width = 8;
+            Height = 6;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var entities = new List<Entity>

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/RingShape.cs

@@ -8,6 +8,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double OuterDiameter { get; set; }
         public double InnerDiameter { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            OuterDiameter = 10;
+            InnerDiameter = 6;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var entities = new List<Entity>

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/RoundedRectangleShape.cs

@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double Width { get; set; }
         public double Radius { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Length = 12;
+            Width = 6;
+            Radius = 1;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var r = Radius;

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/ShapeDefinition.cs

@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
 
         public abstract Drawing GetDrawing();
 
+        public virtual void SetPreviewDefaults() { }
+
         public static List<T> LoadFromJson<T>(string path) where T : ShapeDefinition
         {
             var json = File.ReadAllText(path);

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/TShape.cs

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double StemWidth { get; set; }
         public double BarHeight { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            Width = 10;
+            Height = 8;
+            StemWidth = 3;
+            BarHeight = 3;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var sw = StemWidth > 0 ? StemWidth : Width / 3.0;

OpenNest.Core/Shapes/TrapezoidShape.cs

@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ namespace OpenNest.Shapes
         public double BottomWidth { get; set; }
         public double Height { get; set; }
 
+        public override void SetPreviewDefaults()
+        {
+            TopWidth = 6;
+            BottomWidth = 10;
+            Height = 6;
+        }
+
         public override Drawing GetDrawing()
         {
             var offset = (BottomWidth - TopWidth) / 2.0;

OpenNest.Core/Splitting/AutoSplitCalculator.cs

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ public static class AutoSplitCalculator
 
         var lines = new List<SplitLine>();
 
-        var verticalSplits = usableWidth > 0 ? (int)System.Math.Ceiling(partBounds.Width / usableWidth) - 1 : 0;
-        var horizontalSplits = usableHeight > 0 ? (int)System.Math.Ceiling(partBounds.Length / usableHeight) - 1 : 0;
+        var verticalSplits = usableWidth > 0 ? (int)System.Math.Ceiling(partBounds.Length / usableWidth) - 1 : 0;
+        var horizontalSplits = usableHeight > 0 ? (int)System.Math.Ceiling(partBounds.Width / usableHeight) - 1 : 0;
 
         if (verticalSplits < 0) verticalSplits = 0;
         if (horizontalSplits < 0) horizontalSplits = 0;
@@ -34,14 +34,14 @@ public static class AutoSplitCalculator
 
         if (verticalPieces > 1)
         {
-            var spacing = partBounds.Width / verticalPieces;
+            var spacing = partBounds.Length / verticalPieces;
             for (var i = 1; i < verticalPieces; i++)
                 lines.Add(new SplitLine(partBounds.X + spacing * i, CutOffAxis.Vertical));
         }
 
         if (horizontalPieces > 1)
         {
-            var spacing = partBounds.Length / horizontalPieces;
+            var spacing = partBounds.Width / horizontalPieces;
             for (var i = 1; i < horizontalPieces; i++)
                 lines.Add(new SplitLine(partBounds.Y + spacing * i, CutOffAxis.Horizontal));
         }

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/BestFitFilter.cs

@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
                 if (!result.Keep)
                     continue;
 
-                if (result.ShortestSide > System.Math.Min(MaxPlateWidth, MaxPlateHeight))
+                if (result.ShortestSide > System.Math.Min(MaxPlateWidth, MaxPlateHeight) ||
+                    result.LongestSide > System.Math.Max(MaxPlateWidth, MaxPlateHeight))
                 {
                     result.Keep = false;
                     result.Reason = "Exceeds plate dimensions";

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/BestFitFinder.cs

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using OpenNest.Geometry;
 using OpenNest.Math;
 using System.Collections.Concurrent;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
 
             var allCandidates = candidateBags.SelectMany(c => c).ToList();
 
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[BestFitFinder] {strategies.Count} strategies, {allCandidates.Count} candidates");
+
             var results = _evaluator.EvaluateAll(allCandidates);
 
             _filter.Apply(results);

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/CpuDistanceComputer.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
             var allMovingVerts = ExtractUniqueVertices(movingTemplateLines);
             var allStationaryVerts = ExtractUniqueVertices(stationaryLines);
 
-            // Pre-filter vertices per unique direction (typically 4 cardinal directions).
             var vertexCache = new Dictionary<(double, double), (Vector[] leading, Vector[] facing)>();
 
             foreach (var offset in offsets)
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
 
                 var minDist = double.MaxValue;
 
-                // Case 1: Leading moving vertices → stationary edges
                 for (var v = 0; v < leadingMoving.Length; v++)
                 {
                     var vx = leadingMoving[v].X + offset.Dx;
@@ -66,7 +65,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
                     }
                 }
 
-                // Case 2: Facing stationary vertices → moving edges (opposite direction)
                 for (var v = 0; v < facingStationary.Length; v++)
                 {
                     var svx = facingStationary[v].X;
@@ -95,6 +93,253 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
             return results;
         }
 
+        public double[] ComputeDistances(
+            List<Entity> stationaryEntities,
+            List<Entity> movingEntities,
+            SlideOffset[] offsets)
+        {
+            var count = offsets.Length;
+            var results = new double[count];
+
+            var allMovingVerts = ExtractVerticesFromEntities(movingEntities);
+            var allStationaryVerts = ExtractVerticesFromEntities(stationaryEntities);
+
+            var movingCurves = ExtractCurveParams(movingEntities);
+            var stationaryCurves = ExtractCurveParams(stationaryEntities);
+
+            var vertexCache = new Dictionary<(double, double), (Vector[] leading, Vector[] facing)>();
+
+            foreach (var offset in offsets)
+            {
+                var key = (offset.DirX, offset.DirY);
+                if (vertexCache.ContainsKey(key))
+                    continue;
+
+                var leading = FilterVerticesByProjection(allMovingVerts, offset.DirX, offset.DirY, keepHigh: true);
+                var facing = FilterVerticesByProjection(allStationaryVerts, offset.DirX, offset.DirY, keepHigh: false);
+                vertexCache[key] = (leading, facing);
+            }
+
+            System.Threading.Tasks.Parallel.For(0, count, i =>
+            {
+                var offset = offsets[i];
+                var dirX = offset.DirX;
+                var dirY = offset.DirY;
+                var oppX = -dirX;
+                var oppY = -dirY;
+
+                var (leadingMoving, facingStationary) = vertexCache[(dirX, dirY)];
+
+                var minDist = double.MaxValue;
+
+                // Case 1: Leading moving vertices → stationary entities
+                for (var v = 0; v < leadingMoving.Length; v++)
+                {
+                    var vx = leadingMoving[v].X + offset.Dx;
+                    var vy = leadingMoving[v].Y + offset.Dy;
+
+                    for (var j = 0; j < stationaryEntities.Count; j++)
+                    {
+                        var d = RayEntityDistance(vx, vy, stationaryEntities[j], 0, 0, dirX, dirY);
+
+                        if (d < minDist)
+                        {
+                            minDist = d;
+                            if (d <= 0) { results[i] = 0; return; }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // Case 2: Facing stationary vertices → moving entities (opposite direction)
+                for (var v = 0; v < facingStationary.Length; v++)
+                {
+                    var svx = facingStationary[v].X;
+                    var svy = facingStationary[v].Y;
+
+                    for (var j = 0; j < movingEntities.Count; j++)
+                    {
+                        var d = RayEntityDistance(svx, svy, movingEntities[j], offset.Dx, offset.Dy, oppX, oppY);
+
+                        if (d < minDist)
+                        {
+                            minDist = d;
+                            if (d <= 0) { results[i] = 0; return; }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // Phase 3: Curve-to-curve direct distance.
+                // Vertex sampling misses the true contact between two curved entities
+                // when the approach angle doesn't align with a sampled vertex.
+                for (var m = 0; m < movingCurves.Length; m++)
+                {
+                    var mc = movingCurves[m];
+                    var mcx = mc.Cx + offset.Dx;
+                    var mcy = mc.Cy + offset.Dy;
+
+                    for (var s = 0; s < stationaryCurves.Length; s++)
+                    {
+                        var sc = stationaryCurves[s];
+                        var d = SpatialQuery.RayCircleDistance(
+                            mcx, mcy, sc.Cx, sc.Cy, mc.Radius + sc.Radius, dirX, dirY);
+
+                        if (d >= minDist || d == double.MaxValue)
+                            continue;
+
+                        if (mc.Entity is Arc || sc.Entity is Arc)
+                        {
+                            var mx = mcx + d * dirX;
+                            var my = mcy + d * dirY;
+                            var toCx = sc.Cx - mx;
+                            var toCy = sc.Cy - my;
+
+                            if (mc.Entity is Arc mArc)
+                            {
+                                var angle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(toCy, toCx));
+                                if (!Angle.IsBetweenRad(angle, mArc.StartAngle, mArc.EndAngle, mArc.IsReversed))
+                                    continue;
+                            }
+
+                            if (sc.Entity is Arc sArc)
+                            {
+                                var angle = Angle.NormalizeRad(System.Math.Atan2(-toCy, -toCx));
+                                if (!Angle.IsBetweenRad(angle, sArc.StartAngle, sArc.EndAngle, sArc.IsReversed))
+                                    continue;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        minDist = d;
+                        if (d <= 0) { results[i] = 0; return; }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                results[i] = minDist;
+            });
+
+            return results;
+        }
+
+        private readonly struct CurveParams
+        {
+            public readonly Entity Entity;
+            public readonly double Cx, Cy, Radius;
+
+            public CurveParams(Entity entity, double cx, double cy, double radius)
+            {
+                Entity = entity;
+                Cx = cx;
+                Cy = cy;
+                Radius = radius;
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static CurveParams[] ExtractCurveParams(List<Entity> entities)
+        {
+            var curves = new List<CurveParams>();
+            for (var i = 0; i < entities.Count; i++)
+            {
+                if (entities[i] is Circle circle)
+                    curves.Add(new CurveParams(circle, circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y, circle.Radius));
+                else if (entities[i] is Arc arc)
+                    curves.Add(new CurveParams(arc, arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y, arc.Radius));
+            }
+            return curves.ToArray();
+        }
+
+        private static double RayEntityDistance(
+            double vx, double vy, Entity entity,
+            double entityOffsetX, double entityOffsetY,
+            double dirX, double dirY)
+        {
+            if (entity is Line line)
+            {
+                return SpatialQuery.RayEdgeDistance(
+                    vx, vy,
+                    line.StartPoint.X + entityOffsetX, line.StartPoint.Y + entityOffsetY,
+                    line.EndPoint.X + entityOffsetX, line.EndPoint.Y + entityOffsetY,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            if (entity is Arc arc)
+            {
+                return SpatialQuery.RayArcDistance(
+                    vx, vy,
+                    arc.Center.X + entityOffsetX, arc.Center.Y + entityOffsetY,
+                    arc.Radius,
+                    arc.StartAngle, arc.EndAngle, arc.IsReversed,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            if (entity is Circle circle)
+            {
+                return SpatialQuery.RayCircleDistance(
+                    vx, vy,
+                    circle.Center.X + entityOffsetX, circle.Center.Y + entityOffsetY,
+                    circle.Radius,
+                    dirX, dirY);
+            }
+
+            return double.MaxValue;
+        }
+
+        private static Vector[] ExtractVerticesFromEntities(List<Entity> entities)
+        {
+            var vertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
+
+            for (var i = 0; i < entities.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var entity = entities[i];
+
+                if (entity is Line line)
+                {
+                    vertices.Add(line.StartPoint);
+                    vertices.Add(line.EndPoint);
+                }
+                else if (entity is Arc arc)
+                {
+                    vertices.Add(arc.StartPoint());
+                    vertices.Add(arc.EndPoint());
+                    AddArcExtremes(vertices, arc);
+                }
+                else if (entity is Circle circle)
+                {
+                    // Four cardinal points
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X + circle.Radius, circle.Center.Y));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X - circle.Radius, circle.Center.Y));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y + circle.Radius));
+                    vertices.Add(new Vector(circle.Center.X, circle.Center.Y - circle.Radius));
+                }
+            }
+
+            return vertices.ToArray();
+        }
+
+        private static void AddArcExtremes(HashSet<Vector> points, Arc arc)
+        {
+            var a1 = arc.StartAngle;
+            var a2 = arc.EndAngle;
+            var reversed = arc.IsReversed;
+
+            if (reversed)
+                Generic.Swap(ref a1, ref a2);
+
+            // Right (0°)
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(Angle.TwoPI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X + arc.Radius, arc.Center.Y));
+
+            // Top (90°)
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(Angle.HalfPI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y + arc.Radius));
+
+            // Left (180°)
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(System.Math.PI, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X - arc.Radius, arc.Center.Y));
+
+            // Bottom (270°)
+            if (Angle.IsBetweenRad(System.Math.PI * 1.5, a1, a2))
+                points.Add(new Vector(arc.Center.X, arc.Center.Y - arc.Radius));
+        }
+
         private static Vector[] ExtractUniqueVertices(List<Line> lines)
         {
             var vertices = new HashSet<Vector>();
@@ -106,11 +351,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
             return vertices.ToArray();
         }
 
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Filters vertices by their projection onto the push direction.
-        /// keepHigh=true returns the leading half (front face, closest to target).
-        /// keepHigh=false returns the facing half (side facing the approaching part).
-        /// </summary>
         private static Vector[] FilterVerticesByProjection(
             Vector[] vertices, double dirX, double dirY, bool keepHigh)
         {

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/GpuDistanceComputer.cs

@@ -36,6 +36,16 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
                 flatOffsets, count, directions);
         }
 
+        public double[] ComputeDistances(
+            List<Entity> stationaryEntities,
+            List<Entity> movingEntities,
+            SlideOffset[] offsets)
+        {
+            // GPU path doesn't support native entities yet — fall back to CPU.
+            var cpu = new CpuDistanceComputer();
+            return cpu.ComputeDistances(stationaryEntities, movingEntities, offsets);
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Maps a unit direction vector to a PushDirection int for the GPU interface.
         /// Left=0, Down=1, Right=2, Up=3.

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/IDistanceComputer.cs

@@ -9,5 +9,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
             List<Line> stationaryLines,
             List<Line> movingTemplateLines,
             SlideOffset[] offsets);
+
+        double[] ComputeDistances(
+            List<Entity> stationaryEntities,
+            List<Entity> movingEntities,
+            SlideOffset[] offsets);
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/BestFit/RotationSlideStrategy.cs

@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
             var part2Template = Part.CreateAtOrigin(drawing, Part2Rotation);
 
             var halfSpacing = spacing / 2;
-            var part1Lines = PartGeometry.GetOffsetPartLines(part1, halfSpacing);
-            var part2TemplateLines = PartGeometry.GetOffsetPartLines(part2Template, halfSpacing);
+            var part1Entities = PartGeometry.GetOffsetPerimeterEntities(part1, halfSpacing);
+            var part2Entities = PartGeometry.GetOffsetPerimeterEntities(part2Template, halfSpacing);
 
             var bbox1 = part1.BoundingBox;
             var bbox2 = part2Template.BoundingBox;
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
                 return candidates;
 
             var distances = _distanceComputer.ComputeDistances(
-                part1Lines, part2TemplateLines, offsets);
+                part1Entities, part2Entities, offsets);
 
             var testNumber = 0;
 
@@ -89,15 +89,20 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.BestFit
 
                 if (isHorizontalPush)
                 {
-                    perpMin = -(bbox2.Length + spacing);
-                    perpMax = bbox1.Length + bbox2.Length + spacing;
-                    pushStartOffset = bbox1.Width + bbox2.Width + spacing * 2;
+                    // Perpendicular sweep along Y → Width; push extent along X → Length
+                    // Trim to offsets where the parts overlap by at least 50%.
+                    var halfOverlap = bbox2.Width * 0.5;
+                    perpMin = -(halfOverlap - spacing);
+                    perpMax = bbox1.Width + halfOverlap + spacing;
+                    pushStartOffset = bbox1.Length + bbox2.Length + spacing * 2;
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    perpMin = -(bbox2.Width + spacing);
-                    perpMax = bbox1.Width + bbox2.Width + spacing;
-                    pushStartOffset = bbox1.Length + bbox2.Length + spacing * 2;
+                    // Perpendicular sweep along X → Length; push extent along Y → Width
+                    var halfOverlap = bbox2.Length * 0.5;
+                    perpMin = -(halfOverlap - spacing);
+                    perpMax = bbox1.Length + halfOverlap + spacing;
+                    pushStartOffset = bbox1.Width + bbox2.Width + spacing * 2;
                 }
 
                 var alignedStart = System.Math.Ceiling(perpMin / stepSize) * stepSize;

OpenNest.Engine/DefaultNestEngine.cs

@@ -139,28 +139,81 @@ namespace OpenNest
             var bestFits = BestFitCache.GetOrCompute(
                 drawing, Plate.Size.Length, Plate.Size.Width, Plate.PartSpacing);
 
-            var best = bestFits.FirstOrDefault(r => r.Keep);
-            if (best == null)
-                return null;
+            List<Part> bestPlacement = null;
 
-            var parts = best.BuildParts(drawing);
+            foreach (var fit in bestFits)
+            {
+                if (!fit.Keep)
+                    continue;
 
-            // BuildParts positions at origin — offset to work area.
+                // Skip pairs that can't possibly fit the work area in either orientation.
+                if (fit.ShortestSide > System.Math.Min(workArea.Width, workArea.Length) + Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                    continue;
+                if (fit.LongestSide > System.Math.Max(workArea.Width, workArea.Length) + Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                    continue;
+
+                var landscape = fit.BuildParts(drawing);
+                var portrait = RotatePair90(landscape);
+
+                var lFits = TryOffsetToWorkArea(landscape, workArea);
+                var pFits = TryOffsetToWorkArea(portrait, workArea);
+
+                // Pick the better orientation for this pair.
+                List<Part> candidate = null;
+                if (lFits && pFits)
+                    candidate = IsBetterFill(portrait, landscape, workArea) ? portrait : landscape;
+                else if (lFits)
+                    candidate = landscape;
+                else if (pFits)
+                    candidate = portrait;
+
+                if (candidate == null)
+                    continue;
+
+                if (bestPlacement == null || IsBetterFill(candidate, bestPlacement, workArea))
+                    bestPlacement = candidate;
+            }
+
+            return bestPlacement;
+        }
+
+        private static List<Part> RotatePair90(List<Part> parts)
+        {
+            var rotated = new List<Part>(parts.Count);
+            foreach (var p in parts)
+                rotated.Add((Part)p.Clone());
+
+            var bbox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)rotated).GetBoundingBox();
+            var center = bbox.Center;
+
+            foreach (var p in rotated)
+                p.Rotate(-Angle.HalfPI, center);
+
+            var newBbox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)rotated).GetBoundingBox();
+            var offset = new Vector(-newBbox.Left, -newBbox.Bottom);
+            foreach (var p in rotated)
+            {
+                p.Offset(offset);
+                p.UpdateBounds();
+            }
+
+            return rotated;
+        }
+
+        private static bool TryOffsetToWorkArea(List<Part> parts, Box workArea)
+        {
             var bbox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)parts).GetBoundingBox();
+            if (bbox.Width > workArea.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon ||
+                bbox.Length > workArea.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                return false;
+
             var offset = workArea.Location - bbox.Location;
             foreach (var p in parts)
             {
                 p.Offset(offset);
                 p.UpdateBounds();
             }
-
-            // Verify pair fits in work area.
-            bbox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)parts).GetBoundingBox();
-            if (bbox.Width > workArea.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon ||
-                bbox.Length > workArea.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon)
-                return null;
-
-            return parts;
+            return true;
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -203,7 +256,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
             if (newWidth >= workArea.Width && newLength >= workArea.Length)
                 return workArea;
 
-            return new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, newWidth, newLength);
+            return new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, newLength, newWidth);
         }
 
         private List<Part> RunFillPipeline(NestItem item, Box workArea,
@@ -295,6 +348,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
                 foreach (var strategy in FillStrategyRegistry.Strategies)
                 {
                     context.Token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                    context.ActivePhase = strategy.Phase;
 
                     var sw = Stopwatch.StartNew();
                     var result = strategy.Fill(context);
@@ -308,14 +362,18 @@ namespace OpenNest
                     // during progress reporting.
                     PhaseResults.Add(phaseResult);
 
-                    if (context.Policy.Comparer.IsBetter(result, context.CurrentBest, context.WorkArea))
+                    // FillContext.ReportProgress updates CurrentBest during the
+                    // strategy's angle sweep. This catches strategies that return a
+                    // result without reporting it (e.g. RectBestFit).
+                    var improved = context.Policy.Comparer.IsBetter(result, context.CurrentBest, context.WorkArea);
+                    if (improved)
                     {
                         context.CurrentBest = result;
                         context.CurrentBestScore = FillScore.Compute(result, context.WorkArea);
                         context.WinnerPhase = strategy.Phase;
                     }
 
-                    if (context.CurrentBest != null && context.CurrentBest.Count > 0)
+                    if (improved && context.CurrentBest != null && context.CurrentBest.Count > 0)
                     {
                         ReportProgress(context.Progress, new ProgressReport
                         {

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/BestCombination.cs

@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@
 
 namespace OpenNest
 {
+    internal record CombinationResult(bool Found, int Count1, int Count2);
+
     internal static class BestCombination
     {
-        public static bool FindFrom2(double length1, double length2, double overallLength, out int count1, out int count2)
+        public static CombinationResult FindFrom2(double length1, double length2, double overallLength)
         {
             overallLength += Tolerance.Epsilon;
-            count1 = 0;
-            count2 = 0;
+            var count1 = 0;
+            var count2 = 0;
 
             var maxCount1 = (int)System.Math.Floor(overallLength / length1);
             var bestRemnant = overallLength + 1;
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
                     break;
             }
 
-            return count1 > 0 || count2 > 0;
+            return new CombinationResult(count1 > 0 || count2 > 0, count1, count2);
         }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/Compactor.cs

@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
     /// </summary>
     public static class Compactor
     {
-        private const double ChordTolerance = 0.001;
-
         public static double Push(List<Part> movingParts, Plate plate, PushDirection direction)
         {
             var obstacleParts = plate.Parts
@@ -44,7 +42,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var opposite = -direction;
 
             var obstacleBoxes = new Box[obstacleParts.Count];
-            var obstacleLines = new List<Line>[obstacleParts.Count];
+            var obstacleEntities = new List<Entity>[obstacleParts.Count];
 
             for (var i = 0; i < obstacleParts.Count; i++)
                 obstacleBoxes[i] = obstacleParts[i].BoundingBox;
@@ -61,7 +59,19 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                     distance = edgeDist;
 
                 var movingBox = moving.BoundingBox;
-                List<Line> movingLines = null;
+                List<Entity> movingEntities = null;
+
+                // Check if any obstacle is inside the moving part — only then
+                // do we need cutout entities on the moving part.
+                var needCutouts = false;
+                for (var i = 0; i < obstacleBoxes.Length; i++)
+                {
+                    if (movingBox.Contains(obstacleBoxes[i]))
+                    {
+                        needCutouts = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
 
                 for (var i = 0; i < obstacleBoxes.Length; i++)
                 {
@@ -76,15 +86,19 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                     if (!SpatialQuery.PerpendicularOverlap(movingBox, obstacleBoxes[i], direction))
                         continue;
 
-                    movingLines ??= halfSpacing > 0
-                        ? PartGeometry.GetOffsetPartLines(moving, halfSpacing, direction, ChordTolerance)
-                        : PartGeometry.GetPartLines(moving, direction, ChordTolerance);
+                    movingEntities ??= halfSpacing > 0
+                        ? (needCutouts
+                            ? PartGeometry.GetOffsetPartEntities(moving, halfSpacing)
+                            : PartGeometry.GetOffsetPerimeterEntities(moving, halfSpacing))
+                        : (needCutouts
+                            ? PartGeometry.GetPartEntities(moving)
+                            : PartGeometry.GetPerimeterEntities(moving));
 
-                    obstacleLines[i] ??= halfSpacing > 0
-                        ? PartGeometry.GetOffsetPartLines(obstacleParts[i], halfSpacing, opposite, ChordTolerance)
-                        : PartGeometry.GetPartLines(obstacleParts[i], opposite, ChordTolerance);
+                    obstacleEntities[i] ??= halfSpacing > 0
+                        ? PartGeometry.GetOffsetPerimeterEntities(obstacleParts[i], halfSpacing)
+                        : PartGeometry.GetPerimeterEntities(obstacleParts[i]);
 
-                    var d = SpatialQuery.DirectionalDistance(movingLines, obstacleLines[i], direction);
+                    var d = SpatialQuery.DirectionalDistance(movingEntities, obstacleEntities[i], direction);
                     if (d < distance)
                         distance = d;
                 }
@@ -157,7 +171,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                         continue;
 
                     var gap = SpatialQuery.DirectionalGap(movingBox, obstacleBoxes[i], direction);
-                    var d = gap - partSpacing - 2 * ChordTolerance;
+                    var d = gap - partSpacing - 0.002;
                     if (d < 0) d = 0;
                     if (d < distance)
                         distance = d;

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/FillExtents.cs

@@ -24,10 +24,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
         }
 
         public List<Part> Fill(Drawing drawing, double rotationAngle = 0,
-            int plateNumber = 0,
             CancellationToken token = default,
-            IProgress<NestProgress> progress = null,
-            List<Engine.BestFit.BestFitResult> bestFits = null)
+            Action<List<Part>, string> reportProgress = null)
         {
             var pair = BuildPair(drawing, rotationAngle);
             if (pair == null)
@@ -37,14 +35,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             if (column.Count == 0)
                 return new List<Part>();
 
-            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(progress, new ProgressReport
-            {
-                Phase = NestPhase.Extents,
-                PlateNumber = plateNumber,
-                Parts = column,
-                WorkArea = workArea,
-                Description = $"Extents: initial column {column.Count} parts",
-            });
+            reportProgress?.Invoke(column, $"Extents: initial column {column.Count} parts");
 
             var adjusted = AdjustColumn(pair.Value, column, token);
 
@@ -56,25 +47,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                 adjusted = column;
             }
 
-            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(progress, new ProgressReport
-            {
-                Phase = NestPhase.Extents,
-                PlateNumber = plateNumber,
-                Parts = adjusted,
-                WorkArea = workArea,
-                Description = $"Extents: column {adjusted.Count} parts",
-            });
+            reportProgress?.Invoke(adjusted, $"Extents: column {adjusted.Count} parts");
 
             var result = RepeatColumns(adjusted, token);
 
-            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(progress, new ProgressReport
-            {
-                Phase = NestPhase.Extents,
-                PlateNumber = plateNumber,
-                Parts = result,
-                WorkArea = workArea,
-                Description = $"Extents: {result.Count} parts total",
-            });
+            reportProgress?.Invoke(result, $"Extents: {result.Count} parts total");
 
             return result;
         }
@@ -96,7 +73,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var boundary2 = new PartBoundary(part2, halfSpacing);
 
             // Position part2 to the right of part1 at bounding box width distance.
-            var startOffset = part1.BoundingBox.Width + part2.BoundingBox.Width + partSpacing;
+            var startOffset = part1.BoundingBox.Length + part2.BoundingBox.Length + partSpacing;
             part2.Offset(startOffset, 0);
             part2.UpdateBounds();
 
@@ -135,7 +112,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
             // Compute vertical copy distance using bounding boxes as starting point,
             // then slide down to find true geometry distance.
-            var pairHeight = pair.Bbox.Length;
+            var pairHeight = pair.Bbox.Width;
             var testOffset = new Vector(0, pairHeight);
 
             // Create test parts for slide distance measurement.
@@ -218,7 +195,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
         private List<Part> AdjustColumn(PartPair pair, List<Part> column, CancellationToken token)
         {
-            var originalPairWidth = pair.Bbox.Width;
+            var originalPairWidth = pair.Bbox.Length;
 
             for (var iteration = 0; iteration < MaxIterations; iteration++)
             {
@@ -294,7 +271,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             // Check if the pair got wider.
             var newBbox = PairBbox(p1, p2);
 
-            if (newBbox.Width > originalPairWidth + Tolerance.Epsilon)
+            if (newBbox.Length > originalPairWidth + Tolerance.Epsilon)
                 return null;
 
             return AnchorToWorkArea(p1, p2);

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/FillLinear.cs

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
         public FillLinear(Box workArea, double partSpacing)
         {
             PartSpacing = partSpacing;
-            WorkArea = new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, workArea.Width, workArea.Length);
+            WorkArea = new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, workArea.Length, workArea.Width);
         }
 
         public Box WorkArea { get; }
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
         private static double GetDimension(Box box, NestDirection direction)
         {
-            return direction == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Width : box.Length;
+            return direction == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Length : box.Width;
         }
 
         private static double GetStart(Box box, NestDirection direction)
@@ -119,10 +119,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var maxCopyDistance = FindMaxPairDistance(
                 patternA.Parts, boundaries, offset, pushDir, opposite, startOffset);
 
-            if (maxCopyDistance < Tolerance.Epsilon)
-                return bboxDim + PartSpacing;
-
-            return maxCopyDistance;
+            // The copy distance must be at least bboxDim + PartSpacing to prevent
+            // bounding box overlap. Cross-pair slides can underestimate when the
+            // circumscribed polygon boundary overshoots the true arc, creating
+            // spurious contacts between diagonal parts in adjacent copies.
+            return System.Math.Max(maxCopyDistance, bboxDim + PartSpacing);
         }
 
         /// <summary>

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/PairFiller.cs

@@ -45,9 +45,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
         }
 
         public PairFillResult Fill(NestItem item, Box workArea,
-            int plateNumber = 0,
             CancellationToken token = default,
-            IProgress<NestProgress> progress = null)
+            Action<List<Part>, string> reportProgress = null)
         {
             var bestFits = BestFitCache.GetOrCompute(
                 item.Drawing, plateSize.Length, plateSize.Width, partSpacing);
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
             var targetCount = item.Quantity > 0 ? item.Quantity : 0;
             var parts = EvaluateCandidates(candidates, item.Drawing, workArea, targetCount,
-                plateNumber, token, progress);
+                token, reportProgress);
 
             return new PairFillResult { Parts = parts, BestFits = bestFits };
         }
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
         private List<Part> EvaluateCandidates(
             List<BestFitResult> candidates, Drawing drawing,
             Box workArea, int targetCount,
-            int plateNumber, CancellationToken token, IProgress<NestProgress> progress)
+            CancellationToken token, Action<List<Part>, string> reportProgress)
         {
             List<Part> best = null;
             var sinceImproved = 0;
@@ -112,14 +111,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                             sinceImproved++;
                         }
 
-                        NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(progress, new ProgressReport
-                        {
-                            Phase = NestPhase.Pairs,
-                            PlateNumber = plateNumber,
-                            Parts = best,
-                            WorkArea = workArea,
-                            Description = $"Pairs: {batchStart + j + 1}/{candidates.Count} candidates, best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts",
-                        });
+                        reportProgress?.Invoke(best,
+                            $"Pairs: {batchStart + j + 1}/{candidates.Count} candidates, best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts");
                     }
 
                     if (batchEnd >= EarlyExitMinTried && sinceImproved >= EarlyExitStaleLimit)
@@ -175,8 +168,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var newTop = remaining.Max(p => p.BoundingBox.Top);
 
             return new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y,
-                workArea.Width,
-                System.Math.Min(newTop - workArea.Y, workArea.Length));
+                workArea.Length,
+                System.Math.Min(newTop - workArea.Y, workArea.Width));
         }
 
         private List<Part> EvaluateCandidate(BestFitResult candidate, Drawing drawing,
@@ -271,8 +264,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var topHeight = System.Math.Max(0, workArea.Top - gridBox.Top);
             var rightWidth = System.Math.Max(0, workArea.Right - gridBox.Right);
 
-            var topArea = workArea.Width * topHeight;
-            var rightArea = rightWidth * System.Math.Min(gridBox.Top - workArea.Y, workArea.Length);
+            var topArea = workArea.Length * topHeight;
+            var rightArea = rightWidth * System.Math.Min(gridBox.Top - workArea.Y, workArea.Width);
             var remnantArea = topArea + rightArea;
 
             return (int)(remnantArea * maxUtilization / partArea) + 1;
@@ -292,7 +285,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var topLength = workArea.Top - topY;
             if (topLength >= minDim)
             {
-                var topBox = new Box(workArea.X, topY, workArea.Width, topLength);
+                var topBox = new Box(workArea.X, topY, workArea.Length, topLength);
                 var parts = FillRemnantBox(drawing, topBox, token);
                 if (parts != null && parts.Count > (bestRemnant?.Count ?? 0))
                     bestRemnant = parts;
@@ -303,7 +296,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var rightWidth = workArea.Right - rightX;
             if (rightWidth >= minDim)
             {
-                var rightBox = new Box(rightX, workArea.Y, rightWidth, workArea.Length);
+                var rightBox = new Box(rightX, workArea.Y, rightWidth, workArea.Width);
                 var parts = FillRemnantBox(drawing, rightBox, token);
                 if (parts != null && parts.Count > (bestRemnant?.Count ?? 0))
                     bestRemnant = parts;

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/PartBoundary.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
         public PartBoundary(Part part, double spacing)
         {
             var entities = ConvertProgram.ToGeometry(part.Program)
-                .Where(e => e.Layer != SpecialLayers.Rapid)
+                .Where(e => e.Layer == SpecialLayers.Cut)
                 .ToList();
 
             var definedShape = new ShapeProfile(entities);

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/PatternTiler.cs

@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var cellBox = cell.GetBoundingBox();
             var halfSpacing = partSpacing / 2;
 
-            var cellWidth = cellBox.Width + partSpacing;
-            var cellHeight = cellBox.Length + partSpacing;
+            var cellW = cellBox.Width + partSpacing;
+            var cellL = cellBox.Length + partSpacing;
 
-            if (cellWidth <= 0 || cellHeight <= 0)
+            if (cellW <= 0 || cellL <= 0)
                 return new List<Part>();
 
-            // Size.Width = X-axis, Size.Length = Y-axis
-            var cols = (int)System.Math.Floor(plateSize.Width / cellWidth);
-            var rows = (int)System.Math.Floor(plateSize.Length / cellHeight);
+            // Width = Y axis, Length = X axis
+            var cols = (int)System.Math.Floor(plateSize.Length / cellL);
+            var rows = (int)System.Math.Floor(plateSize.Width / cellW);
 
             if (cols <= 0 || rows <= 0)
                 return new List<Part>();
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             {
                 for (var col = 0; col < cols; col++)
                 {
-                    var tileOffset = baseOffset + new Vector(col * cellWidth, row * cellHeight);
+                    var tileOffset = baseOffset + new Vector(col * cellL, row * cellW);
 
                     foreach (var part in cell)
                     {

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/RemnantFiller.cs

@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                 // rectangular obstacle boundary. Without this, gaps between
                 // individual bounding boxes cause the next drawing to fill
                 // into inter-row spaces, producing an interleaved layout.
-                if (placed.Count > 1)
+                if (placed.Count > 2)
                     RemoveTopmostPart(placed);
 
                 allParts.AddRange(placed);

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/RemnantFinder.cs

@@ -304,10 +304,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
             // Edge extensions (priority 1).
             if (remnant.Right > envelope.Right + eps)
-                TryAdd(results, envelope.Right, remnant.Bottom, remnant.Right - envelope.Right, remnant.Length, 1, minDim);
+                TryAdd(results, envelope.Right, remnant.Bottom, remnant.Right - envelope.Right, remnant.Width, 1, minDim);
 
             if (remnant.Left < envelope.Left - eps)
-                TryAdd(results, remnant.Left, remnant.Bottom, envelope.Left - remnant.Left, remnant.Length, 1, minDim);
+                TryAdd(results, remnant.Left, remnant.Bottom, envelope.Left - remnant.Left, remnant.Width, 1, minDim);
 
             if (remnant.Top > envelope.Top + eps)
                 TryAdd(results, innerLeft, envelope.Top, innerRight - innerLeft, remnant.Top - envelope.Top, 1, minDim);

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/StripeFiller.cs

@@ -95,14 +95,8 @@ public class StripeFiller
                 }
             }
 
-            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(_context.Progress, new ProgressReport
-            {
-                Phase = NestPhase.Custom,
-                PlateNumber = _context.PlateNumber,
-                Parts = bestParts,
-                WorkArea = workArea,
-                Description = $"{strategyName}: {i + 1}/{bestFits.Count} pairs, best = {bestParts?.Count ?? 0} parts",
-            });
+            _context.ReportProgress(bestParts,
+                $"{strategyName}: {i + 1}/{bestFits.Count} pairs, best = {bestParts?.Count ?? 0} parts");
         }
 
         return bestParts ?? new List<Part>();
@@ -201,8 +195,8 @@ public class StripeFiller
     private static Box MakeStripeBox(Box workArea, double perpDim, NestDirection primaryAxis)
     {
         return primaryAxis == NestDirection.Horizontal
-            ? new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, workArea.Width, perpDim)
-            : new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, perpDim, workArea.Length);
+            ? new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, workArea.Length, perpDim)
+            : new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, perpDim, workArea.Width);
     }
 
     private List<Part> FillRemnant(List<Part> gridParts, NestDirection primaryAxis)
@@ -224,7 +218,7 @@ public class StripeFiller
             var remnantLength = workArea.Top - remnantY;
             if (remnantLength < minDim)
                 return null;
-            remnantBox = new Box(workArea.X, remnantY, workArea.Width, remnantLength);
+            remnantBox = new Box(workArea.X, remnantY, workArea.Length, remnantLength);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -232,7 +226,7 @@ public class StripeFiller
             var remnantWidth = workArea.Right - remnantX;
             if (remnantWidth < minDim)
                 return null;
-            remnantBox = new Box(remnantX, workArea.Y, remnantWidth, workArea.Length);
+            remnantBox = new Box(remnantX, workArea.Y, remnantWidth, workArea.Width);
         }
 
         Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Remnant box: {remnantBox.Width:F2}x{remnantBox.Length:F2}");
@@ -324,7 +318,7 @@ public class StripeFiller
     {
         var box = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, 0).BoundingBox;
         var span0 = GetDimension(box, axis);
-        var perpSpan0 = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Length : box.Width;
+        var perpSpan0 = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Width : box.Length;
 
         if (span0 <= perpSpan0)
             return 0;
@@ -388,7 +382,7 @@ public class StripeFiller
             var rotated = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, currentAngle);
             var pairSpan = GetDimension(rotated.BoundingBox, axis);
             var perpDim = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
-                ? rotated.BoundingBox.Length : rotated.BoundingBox.Width;
+                ? rotated.BoundingBox.Width : rotated.BoundingBox.Length;
 
             if (pairSpan + spacing <= 0)
                 break;
@@ -472,13 +466,13 @@ public class StripeFiller
     {
         var rotated = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, angle);
         return axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
-            ? rotated.BoundingBox.Width
-            : rotated.BoundingBox.Length;
+            ? rotated.BoundingBox.Length
+            : rotated.BoundingBox.Width;
     }
 
     private static double GetDimension(Box box, NestDirection axis)
     {
-        return axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Width : box.Length;
+        return axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Length : box.Width;
     }
 
     private static bool HasOverlappingParts(List<Part> parts) =>

OpenNest.Engine/HorizontalRemnantEngine.cs

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
             var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
             var cos = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Cos(angle));
             var sin = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Sin(angle));
-            return bb.Length * cos + bb.Width * sin;
+            return bb.Width * cos + bb.Length * sin;
         }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/ML/FeatureExtractor.cs

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.ML
             {
                 Area = drawing.Area,
                 Convexity = drawing.Area / (hullArea > 0 ? hullArea : 1.0),
-                AspectRatio = bb.Width / (bb.Length > 0 ? bb.Length : 1.0),
+                AspectRatio = bb.Length / (bb.Width > 0 ? bb.Width : 1.0),
                 BoundingBoxFill = drawing.Area / (bb.Area() > 0 ? bb.Area() : 1.0),
                 VertexCount = polygon.Vertices.Count,
                 Bitmask = GenerateBitmask(polygon, 32)
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.ML
                 for (int x = 0; x < size; x++)
                 {
                     // Map grid coordinate (0..size) to bounding box coordinate
-                    var px = bb.Left + (x + 0.5) * (bb.Width / size);
-                    var py = bb.Bottom + (y + 0.5) * (bb.Length / size);
+                    var px = bb.Left + (x + 0.5) * (bb.Length / size);
+                    var py = bb.Bottom + (y + 0.5) * (bb.Width / size);
 
                     if (polygon.ContainsPoint(new Vector(px, py)))
                     {

OpenNest.Engine/MultiPlateNester.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,661 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public enum PartClass
+    {
+        Large,
+        Medium,
+        Small,
+    }
+
+    public class MultiPlateNester
+    {
+        private readonly Plate _template;
+        private readonly List<PlateOption> _plateOptions;
+        private readonly List<PlateOption> _sortedOptions;
+        private readonly double _salvageRate;
+        private readonly double _minRemnantSize;
+        private readonly List<PlateResult> _platePool;
+        private readonly IProgress<NestProgress> _progress;
+        private readonly CancellationToken _token;
+        private readonly MultiPlateNestOptions _options;
+
+        private bool HasPlateOptions => _plateOptions != null && _plateOptions.Count > 0;
+
+        private MultiPlateNester(
+            MultiPlateNestOptions options,
+            List<Plate> existingPlates,
+            IProgress<NestProgress> progress, CancellationToken token)
+        {
+            _options = options;
+            _template = options.Template;
+            _plateOptions = options.PlateOptions;
+            _sortedOptions = options.PlateOptions?.OrderBy(o => o.Cost).ToList();
+            _salvageRate = options.SalvageRate;
+            _minRemnantSize = options.MinRemnantSize;
+            _platePool = InitializePlatePool(existingPlates);
+            _progress = progress;
+            _token = token;
+        }
+
+        // --- Static Utility Methods ---
+
+        public static bool FitsBounds(Box container, Box part)
+        {
+            var fitsNormal = container.Width >= part.Width - Tolerance.Epsilon
+                          && container.Length >= part.Length - Tolerance.Epsilon;
+            var fitsRotated = container.Width >= part.Length - Tolerance.Epsilon
+                           && container.Length >= part.Width - Tolerance.Epsilon;
+            return fitsNormal || fitsRotated;
+        }
+
+        public static List<NestItem> SortItems(List<NestItem> items, PartSortOrder sortOrder)
+        {
+            var withBounds = items.Select(i => (Item: i, Bounds: i.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox())).ToList();
+
+            switch (sortOrder)
+            {
+                case PartSortOrder.BoundingBoxArea:
+                    return withBounds
+                        .OrderByDescending(x => x.Bounds.Width * x.Bounds.Length)
+                        .Select(x => x.Item)
+                        .ToList();
+
+                case PartSortOrder.Size:
+                    return withBounds
+                        .OrderByDescending(x => System.Math.Max(x.Bounds.Width, x.Bounds.Length))
+                        .Select(x => x.Item)
+                        .ToList();
+
+                default:
+                    return items.ToList();
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static PartClass Classify(Box partBounds, Box workArea)
+        {
+            var halfWidth = workArea.Width / 2.0;
+            var halfLength = workArea.Length / 2.0;
+
+            if (partBounds.Width > halfWidth || partBounds.Length > halfLength)
+                return PartClass.Large;
+
+            var workAreaArea = workArea.Width * workArea.Length;
+            var partArea = partBounds.Width * partBounds.Length;
+
+            if (partArea > workAreaArea / 9.0)
+                return PartClass.Medium;
+
+            return PartClass.Small;
+        }
+
+        public static bool IsScrapRemnant(Box remnant, double minRemnantSize)
+        {
+            return remnant.Width < minRemnantSize && remnant.Length < minRemnantSize;
+        }
+
+        public static List<Box> FindRemnants(Plate plate, double minRemnantSize, bool scrapOnly)
+        {
+            var remnants = RemnantFinder.FromPlate(plate).FindRemnants();
+            return remnants.Where(r => IsScrapRemnant(r, minRemnantSize) == scrapOnly).ToList();
+        }
+
+        public struct UpgradeDecision
+        {
+            public bool ShouldUpgrade;
+            public double UpgradeCost;
+            public double NewPlateCost;
+        }
+
+        public static Plate CreatePlate(Plate template, List<PlateOption> options, Box minBounds)
+        {
+            var plate = new Plate(template.Size)
+            {
+                PartSpacing = template.PartSpacing,
+                Quadrant = template.Quadrant,
+            };
+            plate.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing
+            {
+                Left = template.EdgeSpacing.Left,
+                Right = template.EdgeSpacing.Right,
+                Top = template.EdgeSpacing.Top,
+                Bottom = template.EdgeSpacing.Bottom,
+            };
+
+            if (options == null || options.Count == 0 || minBounds == null)
+                return plate;
+
+            var sorted = options.OrderBy(o => o.Cost).ToList();
+
+            foreach (var option in sorted)
+            {
+                if (FitsBounds(OptionWorkArea(option, template), minBounds))
+                {
+                    plate.Size = new Size(option.Width, option.Length);
+                    return plate;
+                }
+            }
+
+            return plate;
+        }
+
+        public static UpgradeDecision EvaluateUpgradeVsNew(
+            PlateOption currentSize,
+            PlateOption upgradeSize,
+            PlateOption newPlateSize,
+            double salvageRate,
+            double estimatedNewPlateUtilization)
+        {
+            var upgradeCost = upgradeSize.Cost - currentSize.Cost;
+
+            var newPlateCost = newPlateSize.Cost;
+            var remnantFraction = 1.0 - estimatedNewPlateUtilization;
+            var salvageCredit = remnantFraction * newPlateSize.Cost * salvageRate;
+            var netNewCost = newPlateCost - salvageCredit;
+
+            return new UpgradeDecision
+            {
+                ShouldUpgrade = upgradeCost <= netNewCost,
+                UpgradeCost = upgradeCost,
+                NewPlateCost = netNewCost,
+            };
+        }
+
+        // --- Main Entry Point ---
+
+        public static MultiPlateResult Nest(
+            List<NestItem> items,
+            MultiPlateNestOptions options,
+            List<Plate> existingPlates = null,
+            IProgress<NestProgress> progress = null,
+            CancellationToken token = default)
+        {
+            var nester = new MultiPlateNester(options, existingPlates, progress, token);
+            return nester.Run(items, options.SortOrder, options.AllowPlateCreation);
+        }
+
+        // --- Private Helpers ---
+
+        private static Box OptionWorkArea(PlateOption option, Plate template)
+        {
+            var w = option.Width - template.EdgeSpacing.Left - template.EdgeSpacing.Right;
+            var h = option.Length - template.EdgeSpacing.Top - template.EdgeSpacing.Bottom;
+            return new Box(0, 0, w, h);
+        }
+
+        private static double ScoreZone(Box zone, Box partBounds)
+        {
+            if (!FitsBounds(zone, partBounds))
+                return -1;
+
+            var cols = (int)(zone.Width / partBounds.Width);
+            var rows = (int)(zone.Length / partBounds.Length);
+            var colsR = (int)(zone.Width / partBounds.Length);
+            var rowsR = (int)(zone.Length / partBounds.Width);
+            var estimatedCount = System.Math.Max(cols * rows, colsR * rowsR);
+
+            var utilization = (estimatedCount * partBounds.Width * partBounds.Length) / zone.Area();
+
+            var zoneAspect = zone.Width / zone.Length;
+            var partAspect = partBounds.Width / partBounds.Length;
+            var aspectMatch = System.Math.Min(zoneAspect, partAspect) / System.Math.Max(zoneAspect, partAspect);
+
+            return utilization * 0.7 + aspectMatch * 0.3;
+        }
+
+        private static void DecrementQuantity(NestItem item, int placed)
+        {
+            item.Quantity = System.Math.Max(0, item.Quantity - placed);
+        }
+
+        private int FillAndPlace(PlateResult pr, Box zone, NestItem item)
+        {
+            var engine = NestEngineRegistry.Create(pr.Plate);
+            var clonedItem = CloneItem(item);
+            var parts = engine.Fill(clonedItem, zone, _progress, _token);
+
+            if (parts.Count > 0)
+            {
+                pr.AddParts(parts);
+                DecrementQuantity(item, parts.Count);
+            }
+
+            return parts.Count;
+        }
+
+        private PlateResult CreateNewPlateResult(Plate plate)
+        {
+            var pr = new PlateResult { Plate = plate, IsNew = true };
+
+            if (HasPlateOptions)
+            {
+                pr.ChosenSize = _plateOptions.FirstOrDefault(o =>
+                    o.Width.IsEqualTo(plate.Size.Width) && o.Length.IsEqualTo(plate.Size.Length));
+            }
+
+            return pr;
+        }
+
+        private static NestItem CloneItem(NestItem item)
+        {
+            return new NestItem
+            {
+                Drawing = item.Drawing,
+                Priority = item.Priority,
+                Quantity = item.Quantity,
+                StepAngle = item.StepAngle,
+                RotationStart = item.RotationStart,
+                RotationEnd = item.RotationEnd,
+            };
+        }
+
+        private static List<PlateResult> InitializePlatePool(List<Plate> existingPlates)
+        {
+            var pool = new List<PlateResult>();
+
+            if (existingPlates != null)
+            {
+                foreach (var plate in existingPlates)
+                    pool.Add(new PlateResult { Plate = plate, IsNew = false });
+            }
+
+            return pool;
+        }
+
+        private bool TryWithUpgradedSize(PlateResult pr, PlateOption upgradeOption, Func<List<Box>, bool> tryFill)
+        {
+            var oldSize = pr.Plate.Size;
+            var oldChosenSize = pr.ChosenSize;
+
+            pr.Plate.Size = new Size(upgradeOption.Width, upgradeOption.Length);
+            pr.ChosenSize = upgradeOption;
+
+            var remnants = RemnantFinder.FromPlate(pr.Plate).FindRemnants();
+
+            if (remnants.Count > 0 && tryFill(remnants))
+                return true;
+
+            pr.Plate.Size = oldSize;
+            pr.ChosenSize = oldChosenSize;
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        private PlateOption FindSmallestFittingOption(Box partBounds)
+        {
+            return _sortedOptions?.FirstOrDefault(o => FitsBounds(OptionWorkArea(o, _template), partBounds));
+        }
+
+        // --- Orchestration ---
+
+        private MultiPlateResult Run(List<NestItem> items, PartSortOrder sortOrder, bool allowPlateCreation)
+        {
+            var result = new MultiPlateResult();
+
+            if (items == null || items.Count == 0)
+                return result;
+
+            var sorted = SortItems(items.Where(i => i.Quantity > 0).ToList(), sortOrder);
+
+            foreach (var item in sorted)
+            {
+                if (_token.IsCancellationRequested || item.Quantity <= 0)
+                    continue;
+
+                var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+
+                TryPlaceOnExistingPlates(item, bb);
+
+                var templateClass = Classify(bb, _template.WorkArea());
+
+                if (item.Quantity > 0 && allowPlateCreation && templateClass != PartClass.Small)
+                {
+                    PlaceOnNewPlates(item, bb);
+
+                    if (item.Quantity > 0 && HasPlateOptions)
+                        TryUpgradeOrNewPlate(item, bb);
+                }
+            }
+
+            var leftovers = sorted.Where(i => i.Quantity > 0).ToList();
+
+            if (leftovers.Count > 0 && allowPlateCreation && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                PackIntoExistingRemnants(leftovers);
+                CreateSharedPlates(leftovers);
+            }
+
+            if (HasPlateOptions && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                TryConsolidateTailPlates();
+
+            foreach (var item in sorted.Where(i => i.Quantity > 0))
+                result.UnplacedItems.Add(item);
+
+            result.Plates.AddRange(_platePool.Where(p => p.Parts.Count > 0 || p.IsNew));
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        private void PackIntoExistingRemnants(List<NestItem> leftovers)
+        {
+            foreach (var pr in _platePool)
+            {
+                if (_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                    break;
+
+                var anyPlaced = true;
+                while (anyPlaced && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                {
+                    anyPlaced = false;
+
+                    var remaining = leftovers.Where(i => i.Quantity > 0).ToList();
+                    if (remaining.Count == 0)
+                        break;
+
+                    var remnants = RemnantFinder.FromPlate(pr.Plate).FindRemnants();
+                    if (remnants.Count == 0)
+                        break;
+
+                    var engine = NestEngineRegistry.Create(pr.Plate);
+
+                    foreach (var remnant in remnants)
+                    {
+                        remaining = leftovers.Where(i => i.Quantity > 0).ToList();
+                        if (remaining.Count == 0)
+                            break;
+
+                        var cloned = remaining.Select(CloneItem).ToList();
+                        var parts = engine.PackArea(remnant, cloned, _progress, _token);
+
+                        if (parts.Count > 0)
+                        {
+                            pr.AddParts(parts);
+                            anyPlaced = true;
+
+                            foreach (var item in remaining)
+                            {
+                                var placed = parts.Count(p => p.BaseDrawing == item.Drawing);
+                                DecrementQuantity(item, placed);
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void CreateSharedPlates(List<NestItem> leftovers)
+        {
+            leftovers.RemoveAll(i => i.Quantity <= 0);
+
+            while (leftovers.Count > 0 && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                var plate = CreatePlate(_template, _plateOptions, null);
+                var pr = CreateNewPlateResult(plate);
+                var placedAny = false;
+
+                foreach (var item in leftovers)
+                {
+                    if (item.Quantity <= 0 || _token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var remnants = !placedAny
+                        ? new List<Box> { plate.WorkArea() }
+                        : RemnantFinder.FromPlate(plate).FindRemnants();
+
+                    if (remnants.Count == 0)
+                        break;
+
+                    var engine = NestEngineRegistry.Create(plate);
+
+                    foreach (var remnant in remnants)
+                    {
+                        if (item.Quantity <= 0)
+                            break;
+
+                        var clonedItem = CloneItem(item);
+                        var parts = engine.Fill(clonedItem, remnant, _progress, _token);
+
+                        if (parts.Count > 0)
+                        {
+                            pr.AddParts(parts);
+                            DecrementQuantity(item, parts.Count);
+                            placedAny = true;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (!placedAny)
+                    break;
+
+                _platePool.Add(pr);
+                leftovers.RemoveAll(i => i.Quantity <= 0);
+            }
+        }
+
+        private bool TryPlaceOnExistingPlates(NestItem item, Box partBounds)
+        {
+            var anyPlaced = false;
+            var remnantCache = new Dictionary<PlateResult, List<Box>>();
+            PlateResult lastModified = null;
+
+            while (item.Quantity > 0 && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                PlateResult bestPlate = null;
+                Box bestZone = null;
+                var bestScore = double.MinValue;
+
+                foreach (var pr in _platePool)
+                {
+                    if (_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                        break;
+
+                    if (pr == lastModified || !remnantCache.ContainsKey(pr))
+                    {
+                        var workArea = pr.Plate.WorkArea();
+                        var classification = Classify(partBounds, workArea);
+
+                        remnantCache[pr] = classification == PartClass.Small
+                            ? FindRemnants(pr.Plate, _minRemnantSize, scrapOnly: true)
+                            : FindRemnants(pr.Plate, _minRemnantSize, scrapOnly: false);
+                    }
+
+                    foreach (var zone in remnantCache[pr])
+                    {
+                        var score = ScoreZone(zone, partBounds);
+                        if (score > bestScore)
+                        {
+                            bestPlate = pr;
+                            bestZone = zone;
+                            bestScore = score;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (bestPlate == null || bestZone == null)
+                    break;
+
+                if (FillAndPlace(bestPlate, bestZone, item) == 0)
+                    break;
+
+                lastModified = bestPlate;
+                anyPlaced = true;
+            }
+
+            return anyPlaced;
+        }
+
+        private bool PlaceOnNewPlates(NestItem item, Box partBounds)
+        {
+            var anyPlaced = false;
+
+            while (item.Quantity > 0 && !_token.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                var plate = CreatePlate(_template, _plateOptions, partBounds);
+                var workArea = plate.WorkArea();
+
+                if (!FitsBounds(workArea, partBounds))
+                    break;
+
+                var pr = CreateNewPlateResult(plate);
+
+                if (FillAndPlace(pr, workArea, item) == 0)
+                    break;
+
+                _platePool.Add(pr);
+                anyPlaced = true;
+            }
+
+            return anyPlaced;
+        }
+
+        private bool TryUpgradeOrNewPlate(NestItem item, Box partBounds)
+        {
+            if (!HasPlateOptions)
+                return false;
+
+            foreach (var pr in _platePool.Where(p => p.IsNew && p.ChosenSize != null))
+            {
+                var currentOption = pr.ChosenSize;
+                var currentIdx = _sortedOptions.FindIndex(o =>
+                    o.Width.IsEqualTo(currentOption.Width) && o.Length.IsEqualTo(currentOption.Length));
+
+                if (currentIdx < 0 || currentIdx >= _sortedOptions.Count - 1)
+                    continue;
+
+                for (var i = currentIdx + 1; i < _sortedOptions.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    var upgradeOption = _sortedOptions[i];
+
+                    if (upgradeOption.Width < currentOption.Width - Tolerance.Epsilon
+                        || upgradeOption.Length < currentOption.Length - Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var smallestNew = FindSmallestFittingOption(partBounds);
+
+                    if (smallestNew == null)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var utilEst = pr.Plate.Utilization();
+                    var decision = EvaluateUpgradeVsNew(currentOption, upgradeOption, smallestNew,
+                        _salvageRate, utilEst);
+
+                    if (decision.ShouldUpgrade)
+                    {
+                        var placed = TryWithUpgradedSize(pr, upgradeOption, remnants =>
+                        {
+                            foreach (var remnant in remnants)
+                            {
+                                if (FillAndPlace(pr, remnant, item) > 0)
+                                    return true;
+                            }
+                            return false;
+                        });
+
+                        if (placed)
+                            return true;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        private void TryConsolidateTailPlates()
+        {
+            var consolidated = true;
+            while (consolidated)
+            {
+                consolidated = false;
+
+                var activePlates = _platePool.Where(p => p.Parts.Count > 0 && p.IsNew).ToList();
+                if (activePlates.Count < 2)
+                    return;
+
+                var donors = activePlates.OrderBy(p => p.Plate.Utilization()).ToList();
+
+                foreach (var donor in donors)
+                {
+                    if (donor.Parts.Count == 0)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var donorParts = donor.Parts.ToList();
+                    var absorbed = false;
+
+                    foreach (var target in activePlates)
+                    {
+                        if (target == donor || target.ChosenSize == null || target.Parts.Count == 0)
+                            continue;
+
+                        var currentOption = target.ChosenSize;
+
+                        foreach (var upgradeOption in _sortedOptions.Where(o =>
+                            o.Width >= currentOption.Width - Tolerance.Epsilon
+                            && o.Length >= currentOption.Length - Tolerance.Epsilon
+                            && (o.Width > currentOption.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon
+                                || o.Length > currentOption.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon)))
+                        {
+                            absorbed = TryWithUpgradedSize(target, upgradeOption, remnants =>
+                            {
+                                var engine = NestEngineRegistry.Create(target.Plate);
+                                var tempItems = donorParts
+                                    .GroupBy(p => p.BaseDrawing)
+                                    .Select(g => new NestItem
+                                    {
+                                        Drawing = g.Key,
+                                        Quantity = g.Count(),
+                                    })
+                                    .ToList();
+
+                                var totalPlaced = new List<Part>();
+                                foreach (var remnant in remnants)
+                                {
+                                    var placed = engine.PackArea(remnant, tempItems, _progress, _token);
+                                    totalPlaced.AddRange(placed);
+
+                                    foreach (var ti in tempItems)
+                                    {
+                                        var count = placed.Count(p => p.BaseDrawing == ti.Drawing);
+                                        ti.Quantity = System.Math.Max(0, ti.Quantity - count);
+                                    }
+
+                                    if (tempItems.All(ti => ti.Quantity <= 0))
+                                        break;
+                                }
+
+                                if (totalPlaced.Count >= donorParts.Count)
+                                {
+                                    target.AddParts(totalPlaced);
+
+                                    foreach (var p in donorParts)
+                                        donor.Plate.Parts.Remove(p);
+                                    donor.Parts.Clear();
+                                    _platePool.Remove(donor);
+                                    return true;
+                                }
+
+                                return false;
+                            });
+
+                            if (absorbed)
+                                break;
+                        }
+
+                        if (absorbed)
+                            break;
+                    }
+
+                    if (absorbed)
+                    {
+                        consolidated = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/MultiPlateResult.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public class MultiPlateNestOptions
+    {
+        public Plate Template { get; set; }
+        public List<PlateOption> PlateOptions { get; set; }
+        public double SalvageRate { get; set; } = 0.5;
+        public PartSortOrder SortOrder { get; set; } = PartSortOrder.BoundingBoxArea;
+        public double MinRemnantSize { get; set; } = 12.0;
+        public bool AllowPlateCreation { get; set; } = true;
+    }
+
+    public class MultiPlateResult
+    {
+        public List<PlateResult> Plates { get; set; } = new();
+        public List<NestItem> UnplacedItems { get; set; } = new();
+    }
+
+    public class PlateResult
+    {
+        public Plate Plate { get; set; }
+        public List<Part> Parts { get; set; } = new();
+        public PlateOption ChosenSize { get; set; }
+        public bool IsNew { get; set; }
+
+        public void AddParts(IList<Part> parts)
+        {
+            Plate.Parts.AddRange(parts);
+            Parts.AddRange(parts);
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/NestEngineBase.cs

@@ -333,45 +333,56 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
                 var bestFits = BestFitCache.GetOrCompute(
                     item.Drawing, Plate.Size.Length, Plate.Size.Width, Plate.PartSpacing);
-                var bestFit = bestFits.FirstOrDefault(r => r.Keep);
-                if (bestFit == null) continue;
 
-                var parts = bestFit.BuildParts(item.Drawing);
+                List<Part> bestPlacement = null;
+                Box bestTarget = null;
+
+                foreach (var fit in bestFits)
+                {
+                    if (!fit.Keep)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var parts = fit.BuildParts(item.Drawing);
                     var pairBbox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)parts).GetBoundingBox();
                     var pairW = pairBbox.Width;
                     var pairL = pairBbox.Length;
                     var minDim = System.Math.Min(pairW, pairL);
 
                     var remnants = finder.FindRemnants(minDim);
-                Box target = null;
 
                     foreach (var r in remnants)
                     {
                         if (pairW <= r.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon &&
                             pairL <= r.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon)
                         {
-                        target = r;
-                        break;
-                    }
-                }
-
-                if (target == null) continue;
-
-                var offset = target.Location - pairBbox.Location;
+                            var offset = r.Location - pairBbox.Location;
                             foreach (var p in parts)
                             {
                                 p.Offset(offset);
                                 p.UpdateBounds();
                             }
 
-                result.AddRange(parts);
+                            if (bestPlacement == null || IsBetterFill(parts, bestPlacement, r))
+                            {
+                                bestPlacement = parts;
+                                bestTarget = r;
+                            }
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (bestPlacement == null) continue;
+
+                result.AddRange(bestPlacement);
                 item.Quantity = 0;
 
-                var envelope = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)parts).GetBoundingBox();
+                var envelope = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)bestPlacement).GetBoundingBox();
                 finder.AddObstacle(envelope.Offset(Plate.PartSpacing));
 
                 Debug.WriteLine($"[Nest] Placed best-fit pair for {item.Drawing.Name} " +
-                    $"at ({target.X:F1},{target.Y:F1}), size {pairW:F1}x{pairL:F1}");
+                    $"at ({bestTarget.X:F1},{bestTarget.Y:F1}), " +
+                    $"size {envelope.Width:F1}x{envelope.Length:F1}");
             }
 
             return result;

OpenNest.Engine/PartSortOrder.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public enum PartSortOrder
+    {
+        BoundingBoxArea,
+        Size,
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/PlateOptimizer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.BestFit;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    public static class PlateOptimizer
+    {
+        public static PlateOptimizerResult Optimize(
+            List<NestItem> items,
+            List<PlateOption> plateOptions,
+            double salvageRate,
+            Plate templatePlate,
+            IProgress<NestProgress> progress = null,
+            CancellationToken token = default)
+        {
+            if (items == null || items.Count == 0 || plateOptions == null || plateOptions.Count == 0)
+                return null;
+
+            // Find the minimum dimension needed to fit the largest part,
+            // skipping items that are too large for every plate option.
+            var minPartWidth = 0.0;
+            var minPartLength = 0.0;
+            foreach (var item in items)
+            {
+                if (item.Quantity <= 0) continue;
+                var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+                var shortSide = System.Math.Min(bb.Width, bb.Length);
+                var longSide = System.Math.Max(bb.Width, bb.Length);
+
+                if (!plateOptions.Any(o => FitsPart(o, shortSide, longSide, templatePlate.EdgeSpacing)))
+                {
+                    Debug.WriteLine($"[PlateOptimizer] Skipping oversized item '{item.Drawing.Name}' " +
+                        $"({shortSide:F1}x{longSide:F1}) — does not fit any plate option");
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                if (shortSide > minPartWidth) minPartWidth = shortSide;
+                if (longSide > minPartLength) minPartLength = longSide;
+            }
+
+            // Sort candidates by cost ascending — try cheapest first.
+            var candidates = plateOptions
+                .Where(o => FitsPart(o, minPartWidth, minPartLength, templatePlate.EdgeSpacing))
+                .OrderBy(o => o.Cost)
+                .ToList();
+
+            if (candidates.Count == 0)
+                return null;
+
+            // Pre-compute best fits for all candidate plate sizes at once.
+            // This runs the expensive GPU evaluation once on the largest plate
+            // and filters the results for each smaller size.
+            var plateSizes = candidates
+                .Select(o => (Width: o.Length, Height: o.Width))
+                .ToList();
+
+            foreach (var item in items)
+            {
+                if (item.Quantity <= 0) continue;
+                BestFitCache.ComputeForSizes(item.Drawing, templatePlate.PartSpacing, plateSizes);
+            }
+
+            PlateOptimizerResult best = null;
+
+            foreach (var option in candidates)
+            {
+                if (token.IsCancellationRequested)
+                    break;
+
+                var result = TryPlateSize(option, items, salvageRate, templatePlate, progress, token);
+                if (result == null)
+                    continue;
+
+                if (IsBetter(result, best))
+                    best = result;
+
+                // Early exit: when all items fit, larger plates can only have
+                // worse utilization and higher cost. With salvage < 100%, the
+                // remnant credit never offsets the extra plate cost, so skip.
+                if (salvageRate < 1.0)
+                {
+                    var allPlaced = items.All(i => i.Quantity <= 0 ||
+                        result.Parts.Count(p => p.BaseDrawing.Name == i.Drawing.Name) >= i.Quantity);
+                    if (allPlaced)
+                    {
+                        Debug.WriteLine($"[PlateOptimizer] Early exit: {option.Width}x{option.Length} placed all items");
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            return best;
+        }
+
+        private static bool FitsPart(PlateOption option, double minWidth, double minLength, Spacing edgeSpacing)
+        {
+            var workW = option.Width - edgeSpacing.Left - edgeSpacing.Right;
+            var workL = option.Length - edgeSpacing.Top - edgeSpacing.Bottom;
+
+            // Part fits in either orientation.
+            var fitsNormal = workW >= minWidth - Tolerance.Epsilon && workL >= minLength - Tolerance.Epsilon;
+            var fitsRotated = workW >= minLength - Tolerance.Epsilon && workL >= minWidth - Tolerance.Epsilon;
+            return fitsNormal || fitsRotated;
+        }
+
+        private static PlateOptimizerResult TryPlateSize(
+            PlateOption option,
+            List<NestItem> items,
+            double salvageRate,
+            Plate templatePlate,
+            IProgress<NestProgress> progress,
+            CancellationToken token)
+        {
+            // Create a temporary plate with candidate size + settings from template.
+            var tempPlate = new Plate(option.Width, option.Length)
+            {
+                PartSpacing = templatePlate.PartSpacing,
+                EdgeSpacing = new Spacing
+                {
+                    Left = templatePlate.EdgeSpacing.Left,
+                    Right = templatePlate.EdgeSpacing.Right,
+                    Top = templatePlate.EdgeSpacing.Top,
+                    Bottom = templatePlate.EdgeSpacing.Bottom,
+                },
+            };
+
+            // Clone items so the dry run doesn't mutate originals.
+            var clonedItems = items.Select(i => new NestItem
+            {
+                Drawing = i.Drawing,  // share Drawing reference for BestFitCache compatibility
+                Priority = i.Priority,
+                Quantity = i.Quantity,
+                StepAngle = i.StepAngle,
+                RotationStart = i.RotationStart,
+                RotationEnd = i.RotationEnd,
+            }).ToList();
+
+            var engine = NestEngineRegistry.Create(tempPlate);
+            var parts = engine.Nest(clonedItems, progress, token);
+
+            if (parts == null || parts.Count == 0)
+                return null;
+
+            var workArea = tempPlate.WorkArea();
+            var plateArea = workArea.Width * workArea.Length;
+            var partsArea = 0.0;
+            foreach (var part in parts)
+                partsArea += part.BoundingBox.Area();
+
+            var remnantArea = plateArea - partsArea;
+            var costPerSqUnit = option.Cost / option.Area;
+            var netCost = option.Cost - (remnantArea * costPerSqUnit * salvageRate);
+
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[PlateOptimizer] {option.Width}x{option.Length} ${option.Cost}: " +
+                $"{parts.Count} parts, util={partsArea / plateArea:P1}, net=${netCost:F2}");
+
+            return new PlateOptimizerResult
+            {
+                Parts = parts,
+                ChosenSize = option,
+                NetCost = netCost,
+                Utilization = plateArea > 0 ? partsArea / plateArea : 0,
+            };
+        }
+
+        private static bool IsBetter(PlateOptimizerResult candidate, PlateOptimizerResult current)
+        {
+            if (current == null) return true;
+
+            // 1. More parts placed is always better.
+            if (candidate.Parts.Count != current.Parts.Count)
+                return candidate.Parts.Count > current.Parts.Count;
+
+            // 2. Lower net cost.
+            if (!candidate.NetCost.IsEqualTo(current.NetCost))
+                return candidate.NetCost < current.NetCost;
+
+            // 3. Higher utilization (tighter density) as tiebreak.
+            return candidate.Utilization > current.Utilization;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/PlateProcessingResult.cs

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ using System.Collections.Generic;
 
 namespace OpenNest.Engine
 {
-    public class PlateResult
+    public class PlateProcessingResult
     {
         public List<ProcessedPart> Parts { get; init; }
     }

OpenNest.Engine/PlateProcessor.cs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine
         public ContourCuttingStrategy CuttingStrategy { get; set; }
         public IRapidPlanner RapidPlanner { get; set; }
 
-        public PlateResult Process(Plate plate)
+        public PlateProcessingResult Process(Plate plate)
         {
             var sequenced = Sequencer.Sequence(plate.Parts.ToList(), plate);
             var results = new List<ProcessedPart>(sequenced.Count);
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine
                 currentPoint = ToPlateSpace(lastCutLocal, part);
             }
 
-            return new PlateResult { Parts = results };
+            return new PlateProcessingResult { Parts = results };
         }
 
         private static Vector ToPartLocal(Vector platePoint, Part part)

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/FillBestFit.cs

@@ -31,9 +31,13 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
                 Bin.Items.AddRange(bin2.Items);
         }   
 
+
         public override void Fill(Item item, int maxCount)
         {
-            throw new NotImplementedException();
+            Fill(item);
+
+            if (Bin.Items.Count > maxCount)
+                Bin.Items.RemoveRange(maxCount, Bin.Items.Count - maxCount);
         }
 
         private Bin BestFitHorizontal(Item item) => BestFitAxis(item, horizontal: true);
@@ -44,14 +48,18 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
         {
             var bin = Bin.Clone() as Bin;
 
-            var primarySize = horizontal ? item.Width : item.Length;
-            var secondarySize = horizontal ? item.Length : item.Width;
-            var binPrimary = horizontal ? bin.Width : Bin.Length;
-            var binSecondary = horizontal ? bin.Length : Bin.Width;
+            var primarySize = horizontal ? item.Length : item.Width;
+            var secondarySize = horizontal ? item.Width : item.Length;
+            var binPrimary = horizontal ? bin.Length : Bin.Width;
+            var binSecondary = horizontal ? bin.Width : Bin.Length;
 
-            if (!BestCombination.FindFrom2(primarySize, secondarySize, binPrimary, out var normalPrimary, out var rotatePrimary))
+            var combo = BestCombination.FindFrom2(primarySize, secondarySize, binPrimary);
+            if (!combo.Found)
                 return bin;
 
+            var normalPrimary = combo.Count1;
+            var rotatePrimary = combo.Count2;
+
             var normalSecondary = (int)System.Math.Floor((binSecondary + Tolerance.Epsilon) / secondarySize);
             var rotateSecondary = (int)System.Math.Floor((binSecondary + Tolerance.Epsilon) / primarySize);
 
@@ -67,9 +75,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
             bin.Items.AddRange(FillGrid(item, normalRows, normalCols, int.MaxValue));
 
             if (horizontal)
-                item.Location.X += item.Width * normalPrimary;
+                item.Location.X += item.Length * normalPrimary;
             else
-                item.Location.Y += item.Length * normalPrimary;
+                item.Location.Y += item.Width * normalPrimary;
 
             item.Rotate();
 

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/FillEngine.cs

@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
             {
                 for (var j = 0; j < innerCount; j++)
                 {
-                    var x = (columnMajor ? i : j) * item.Width + item.X;
-                    var y = (columnMajor ? j : i) * item.Length + item.Y;
+                    var x = (columnMajor ? i : j) * item.Length + item.X;
+                    var y = (columnMajor ? j : i) * item.Width + item.Y;
 
                     var clone = item.Clone() as Item;
                     clone.Location = new Vector(x, y);

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/FillNoRotation.cs

@@ -14,16 +14,16 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
 
         public override void Fill(Item item)
         {
-            var ycount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Length);
-            var xcount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Width);
+            var ycount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Width);
+            var xcount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Length);
 
             for (int i = 0; i < xcount; i++)
             {
-                var x = item.Width * i + Bin.X;
+                var x = item.Length * i + Bin.X;
 
                 for (int j = 0; j < ycount; j++)
                 {
-                    var y = item.Length * j + Bin.Y;
+                    var y = item.Width * j + Bin.Y;
 
                     var addedItem = item.Clone() as Item;
                     addedItem.Location = new Vector(x, y);
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
 
         public override void Fill(Item item, int maxCount)
         {
-            var ycount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Length);
-            var xcount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Width);
+            var ycount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Width + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Width);
+            var xcount = (int)System.Math.Floor((Bin.Length + Tolerance.Epsilon) / item.Length);
             var count = ycount * xcount;
 
             if (count <= maxCount)

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/FillSpiral.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
+{
+    internal class FillSpiral : FillEngine
+    {
+        public Box CenterRemnant { get; private set; }
+
+        public FillSpiral(Bin bin)
+            : base(bin)
+        {
+        }
+
+        public override void Fill(Item item)
+        {
+            Fill(item, int.MaxValue);
+        }
+
+        public override void Fill(Item item, int maxCount)
+        {
+            if (item == null) return;
+
+            // Width = Y axis, Length = X axis
+            var comboY = BestCombination.FindFrom2(item.Width, item.Length, Bin.Width);
+            var comboX = BestCombination.FindFrom2(item.Length, item.Width, Bin.Length);
+
+            if (!comboY.Found || !comboX.Found)
+                return;
+
+            var q14size = new Size(
+                item.Width * comboY.Count1,
+                item.Length * comboX.Count1);
+            var q23size = new Size(
+                item.Length * comboY.Count2,
+                item.Width * comboX.Count2);
+
+            if ((q14size.Width > q23size.Width && q14size.Length > q23size.Length) ||
+                (q23size.Width > q14size.Width && q23size.Length > q14size.Length))
+                return; // cant do an efficient spiral fill
+
+            // Q1: normal orientation at bin origin
+            item.Location = Bin.Location;
+            var q1 = FillGrid(item, comboY.Count1, comboX.Count1, maxCount);
+            Bin.Items.AddRange(q1);
+
+            // Q2: rotated, above Q1
+            item.Rotate();
+            item.Location = new Vector(Bin.X, Bin.Y + q14size.Width);
+            var q2 = FillGrid(item, comboY.Count2, comboX.Count2, maxCount - Bin.Items.Count);
+            Bin.Items.AddRange(q2);
+
+            // Q3: rotated, right of Q1
+            item.Location = new Vector(Bin.X + q14size.Length, Bin.Y);
+            var q3 = FillGrid(item, comboY.Count2, comboX.Count2, maxCount - Bin.Items.Count);
+            Bin.Items.AddRange(q3);
+
+            // Q4: normal orientation, diagonal from Q1
+            item.Rotate();
+            item.Location = new Vector(
+                Bin.X + q23size.Length,
+                Bin.Y + q23size.Width);
+            var q4 = FillGrid(item, comboY.Count1, comboX.Count1, maxCount);
+            Bin.Items.AddRange(q4);
+
+            // Compute center remnant — the rectangular gap between the 4 quadrants
+            // Only valid when all 4 quadrants have items; otherwise the "center"
+            // overlaps an occupied quadrant and recursion never terminates.
+            var centerW = System.Math.Abs(q14size.Length - q23size.Length);
+            var centerH = System.Math.Abs(q14size.Width - q23size.Width);
+
+            if (comboY.Count1 > 0 && comboY.Count2 > 0 && comboX.Count1 > 0 && comboX.Count2 > 0
+                && centerW > Tolerance.Epsilon && centerH > Tolerance.Epsilon)
+            {
+                CenterRemnant = new Box(
+                    Bin.X + System.Math.Min(q14size.Length, q23size.Length),
+                    Bin.Y + System.Math.Min(q14size.Width, q23size.Width),
+                    centerW,
+                    centerH);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/Item.cs

@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
 
             double minX = items[0].X;
             double minY = items[0].Y;
-            double maxX = items[0].X + items[0].Width;
-            double maxY = items[0].Y + items[0].Length;
+            double maxX = items[0].Right;
+            double maxY = items[0].Top;
 
             foreach (var box in items)
             {

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/PackFirstFitDecreasing.cs

@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
 
         public override void Pack(List<Item> items)
         {
-            items = items.OrderBy(i => -i.Length).ToList();
+            items = items.OrderBy(i => -i.Width).ToList();
 
             foreach (var item in items)
             {
-                if (item.Length > Bin.Length)
+                if (item.Width > Bin.Width)
                     continue;
 
                 var level = FindLevel(item);
@@ -36,10 +36,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
         {
             foreach (var level in levels)
             {
-                if (level.Height < item.Length)
+                if (level.Height < item.Width)
                     continue;
 
-                if (level.RemainingWidth < item.Width)
+                if (level.RemainingLength < item.Length)
                     continue;
 
                 return level;
@@ -58,12 +58,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
 
             var remaining = Bin.Top - y;
 
-            if (remaining < item.Length)
+            if (remaining < item.Width)
                 return null;
 
             var level = new Level(Bin);
             level.Y = y;
-            level.Height = item.Length;
+            level.Height = item.Width;
 
             levels.Add(level);
 
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
                 set { NextItemLocation.Y = value; }
             }
 
-            public double Width
+            public double LevelLength
             {
-                get { return Parent.Width; }
+                get { return Parent.Length; }
             }
 
             public double Height { get; set; }
@@ -105,9 +105,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
                 get { return Y + Height; }
             }
 
-            public double RemainingWidth
+            public double RemainingLength
             {
-                get { return X + Width - NextItemLocation.X; }
+                get { return X + LevelLength - NextItemLocation.X; }
             }
 
             public void AddItem(Item item)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
                 item.Location = NextItemLocation;
                 Parent.Items.Add(item);
 
-                NextItemLocation = new Vector(NextItemLocation.X + item.Width, NextItemLocation.Y);
+                NextItemLocation = new Vector(NextItemLocation.X + item.Length, NextItemLocation.Y);
             }
         }
     }

OpenNest.Engine/RectanglePacking/RectFill.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.RectanglePacking
+{
+    internal static class RectFill
+    {
+        public static void FillBest(Bin bin, Item item, int maxCount = int.MaxValue)
+        {
+            var spiralBin = bin.Clone() as Bin;
+            var spiral = new FillSpiral(spiralBin);
+            spiral.Fill(item, maxCount);
+
+            // Recursively fill the center remnant of the spiral
+            if (spiralBin.Items.Count > 0 && spiral.CenterRemnant != null)
+            {
+                var center = spiral.CenterRemnant;
+                var fitsNormal = item.Length <= center.Length && item.Width <= center.Width;
+                var fitsRotated = item.Width <= center.Length && item.Length <= center.Width;
+
+                if (fitsNormal || fitsRotated)
+                {
+                    var remaining = maxCount - spiralBin.Items.Count;
+                    FillBest(center.Location, center.Size, spiralBin, item, remaining);
+                }
+            }
+
+            var bestFitBin = bin.Clone() as Bin;
+            new FillBestFit(bestFitBin).Fill(item, maxCount);
+
+            var winner = spiralBin.Items.Count >= bestFitBin.Items.Count ? spiralBin : bestFitBin;
+            bin.Items.AddRange(winner.Items);
+        }
+
+        public static void FillBest(Vector location, Size size, Bin target, Item item, int maxCount)
+        {
+            if (size.Width <= 0 || size.Length <= 0 || maxCount <= 0)
+                return;
+
+            var bin = new Bin { Location = location, Size = size };
+            FillBest(bin, item, maxCount);
+            target.Items.AddRange(bin.Items);
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/ColumnFillStrategy.cs

@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ public class ColumnFillStrategy : IFillStrategy
 
     public List<Part> Fill(FillContext context)
     {
+        if (context.PartType == PartType.Rectangle)
+            return null;
+
         var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Vertical) { CompleteStripesOnly = true };
         return filler.Fill();
     }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/ExtentsFillStrategy.cs

@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
 
             return FillHelpers.BestOverAngles(context, angles,
                 angle => filler.Fill(context.Item.Drawing, angle,
-                    context.PlateNumber, context.Token, context.Progress),
-                NestPhase.Extents, "Extents");
+                    context.Token, context.ReportProgress),
+                "Extents");
         }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/FillContext.cs

@@ -23,9 +23,39 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
         /// <summary>For progress reporting only; comparisons use Policy.Comparer.</summary>
         public FillScore CurrentBestScore { get; set; }
         public NestPhase WinnerPhase { get; set; }
+        public NestPhase ActivePhase { get; set; }
         public List<PhaseResult> PhaseResults { get; } = new();
         public List<AngleResult> AngleResults { get; } = new();
 
         public Dictionary<string, object> SharedState { get; } = new();
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Standard progress reporting for strategies and fillers. Reports intermediate
+        /// results using the current ActivePhase, PlateNumber, and WorkArea.
+        /// When the reported parts beat the current pipeline best, promotes the
+        /// result to IsOverallBest so the UI updates immediately.
+        /// </summary>
+        public void ReportProgress(List<Part> parts, string description)
+        {
+            var isNewBest = parts != null && parts.Count > 0
+                && Policy.Comparer.IsBetter(parts, CurrentBest, WorkArea);
+
+            if (isNewBest)
+            {
+                CurrentBest = parts;
+                CurrentBestScore = FillScore.Compute(parts, WorkArea);
+                WinnerPhase = ActivePhase;
+            }
+
+            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(Progress, new ProgressReport
+            {
+                Phase = ActivePhase,
+                PlateNumber = PlateNumber,
+                Parts = isNewBest ? parts : CurrentBest,
+                WorkArea = WorkArea,
+                Description = description,
+                IsOverallBest = isNewBest,
+            });
+        }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/FillHelpers.cs

@@ -113,13 +113,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
         /// <summary>
         /// Sweeps a list of angles, calling fillAtAngle for each, and returns
         /// the best result according to the context's comparer. Handles
-        /// cancellation and progress reporting.
+        /// cancellation and progress reporting via context.ReportProgress.
         /// </summary>
         public static List<Part> BestOverAngles(
             FillContext context,
             IReadOnlyList<double> angles,
             Func<double, List<Part>> fillAtAngle,
-            NestPhase phase,
             string phaseLabel)
         {
             var workArea = context.WorkArea;
@@ -140,14 +139,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
                         best = result;
                 }
 
-                NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(context.Progress, new ProgressReport
-                {
-                    Phase = phase,
-                    PlateNumber = context.PlateNumber,
-                    Parts = best,
-                    WorkArea = workArea,
-                    Description = $"{phaseLabel}: {i + 1}/{angles.Count} angles, {angleDeg:F0}° best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts",
-                });
+                context.ReportProgress(best,
+                    $"{phaseLabel}: {i + 1}/{angles.Count} angles, {angleDeg:F0}° best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts");
             }
 
             return best ?? new List<Part>();

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/LinearFillStrategy.cs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
 
                     return result;
                 },
-                NestPhase.Linear, "Linear");
+                "Linear");
         }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/PairsFillStrategy.cs

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
                 var dedup = GridDedup.GetOrCreate(context.SharedState);
                 var filler = new PairFiller(context.Plate, comparer, dedup);
                 var result = filler.Fill(context.Item, context.WorkArea,
-                    context.PlateNumber, context.Token, context.Progress);
+                    context.Token, context.ReportProgress);
 
                 context.SharedState["BestFits"] = result.BestFits;
 

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/RectBestFitStrategy.cs

@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
             var binItem = BinConverter.ToItem(context.Item, context.Plate.PartSpacing);
             var bin = BinConverter.CreateBin(context.WorkArea, context.Plate.PartSpacing);
 
-            var engine = new FillBestFit(bin);
-            engine.Fill(binItem);
+            RectFill.FillBest(bin, binItem);
 
             return BinConverter.ToParts(bin, new List<NestItem> { context.Item });
         }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/RowFillStrategy.cs

@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ public class RowFillStrategy : IFillStrategy
 
     public List<Part> Fill(FillContext context)
     {
+        if (context.PartType == PartType.Rectangle)
+            return null;
+
         var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Horizontal) { CompleteStripesOnly = true };
         return filler.Fill();
     }

OpenNest.Engine/VerticalRemnantEngine.cs

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
             var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
             var cos = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Cos(angle));
             var sin = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Sin(angle));
-            return bb.Width * cos + bb.Length * sin;
+            return bb.Length * cos + bb.Width * sin;
         }
     }
 }

OpenNest.IO/Dxf.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,378 @@
+using ACadSharp;
+using ACadSharp.IO;
+using CSMath;
+using OpenNest.CNC;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.IO;
+
+namespace OpenNest.IO
+{
+    using AcadArc = ACadSharp.Entities.Arc;
+    using AcadCircle = ACadSharp.Entities.Circle;
+    using AcadLine = ACadSharp.Entities.Line;
+    using Layer = ACadSharp.Tables.Layer;
+
+    public static class Dxf
+    {
+        #region Import
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Imports a DXF file, returning both converted entities and the raw CadDocument
+        /// for bend detection. The CadDocument is NOT disposed — caller can use it for
+        /// additional analysis (e.g., MText extraction for bend notes).
+        /// </summary>
+        public static DxfImportResult Import(string path)
+        {
+            using var reader = new DxfReader(path);
+            var doc = reader.Read();
+
+            return new DxfImportResult
+            {
+                Entities = ConvertEntities(doc),
+                Document = doc
+            };
+        }
+
+        public static List<Entity> GetGeometry(string path)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                using var reader = new DxfReader(path);
+                var doc = reader.Read();
+                return ConvertEntities(doc);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
+                return new List<Entity>();
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static List<Entity> GetGeometry(Stream stream)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                using var reader = new DxfReader(stream);
+                var doc = reader.Read();
+                return ConvertEntities(doc);
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
+                return new List<Entity>();
+            }
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        #region Export
+
+        public static void ExportProgram(Program program, string path)
+        {
+            using var stream = File.Create(path);
+            ExportProgram(program, stream);
+        }
+
+        public static void ExportProgram(Program program, Stream stream)
+        {
+            var ctx = new ExportContext();
+            ctx.AddProgram(program);
+
+            using var writer = new DxfWriter(stream, ctx.Document, false);
+            writer.Write();
+        }
+
+        public static void ExportPlate(Plate plate, string path)
+        {
+            using var stream = File.Create(path);
+            ExportPlate(plate, stream);
+        }
+
+        public static void ExportPlate(Plate plate, Stream stream)
+        {
+            var ctx = new ExportContext();
+            ctx.AddPlateOutline(plate);
+
+            foreach (var part in plate.Parts)
+            {
+                var endpt = part.Location.ToAcadXYZ();
+                ctx.AddLine(ctx.CurPos, endpt, ctx.RapidLayer);
+                ctx.CurPos = part.Location.ToAcadXYZ();
+                ctx.AddProgram(part.Program);
+            }
+
+            using var writer = new DxfWriter(stream, ctx.Document, false);
+            writer.Write();
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        #region Private
+
+        private static List<Entity> ConvertEntities(CadDocument doc)
+        {
+            var entities = new List<Entity>();
+            var lines = new List<Line>();
+            var arcs = new List<Arc>();
+
+            foreach (var entity in doc.Entities)
+            {
+                if (IsNonCutLayer(entity.Layer?.Name))
+                    continue;
+
+                switch (entity)
+                {
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Line line:
+                        lines.Add(line.ToOpenNest());
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Arc arc:
+                        arcs.Add(arc.ToOpenNest());
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Circle circle:
+                        entities.Add(circle.ToOpenNest());
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Spline spline:
+                        foreach (var e in spline.ToOpenNest())
+                        {
+                            if (e is Line l) lines.Add(l);
+                            else if (e is Arc a) arcs.Add(a);
+                        }
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.LwPolyline lwPolyline:
+                        lines.AddRange(lwPolyline.ToOpenNest());
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Polyline polyline:
+                        lines.AddRange(polyline.ToOpenNest());
+                        break;
+
+                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Ellipse ellipse:
+                        foreach (var e in ellipse.ToOpenNest())
+                        {
+                            if (e is Line l) lines.Add(l);
+                            else if (e is Arc a) arcs.Add(a);
+                        }
+                        break;
+                }
+            }
+
+            GeometryOptimizer.Optimize(lines);
+            GeometryOptimizer.Optimize(arcs);
+
+            entities.AddRange(lines);
+            entities.AddRange(arcs);
+
+            return entities;
+        }
+
+        private static bool IsNonCutLayer(string layerName)
+        {
+            return string.Equals(layerName, "BEND", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                || string.Equals(layerName, "ETCH", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        }
+
+        private class ExportContext
+        {
+            public CadDocument Document { get; }
+            public XYZ CurPos { get; set; }
+            public Layer CutLayer { get; }
+            public Layer RapidLayer { get; }
+            public Layer PlateLayer { get; }
+
+            private Mode mode;
+
+            public ExportContext()
+            {
+                Document = new CadDocument();
+
+                CutLayer = new Layer("Cut") { Color = new Color(1) };
+                RapidLayer = new Layer("Rapid") { Color = new Color(5) };
+                PlateLayer = new Layer("Plate") { Color = new Color(4) };
+
+                Document.Layers.Add(CutLayer);
+                Document.Layers.Add(RapidLayer);
+                Document.Layers.Add(PlateLayer);
+            }
+
+            public void AddLine(XYZ start, XYZ end, Layer layer)
+            {
+                var ln = new AcadLine
+                {
+                    StartPoint = start,
+                    EndPoint = end,
+                    Layer = layer
+                };
+                Document.Entities.Add(ln);
+            }
+
+            public void AddPlateOutline(Plate plate)
+            {
+                XYZ pt1, pt2, pt3, pt4;
+
+                switch (plate.Quadrant)
+                {
+                    case 1:
+                        pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
+                        pt2 = new XYZ(0, plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt3 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt4 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
+                        break;
+
+                    case 2:
+                        pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
+                        pt2 = new XYZ(0, plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt3 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt4 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
+                        break;
+
+                    case 3:
+                        pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
+                        pt2 = new XYZ(0, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt3 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt4 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
+                        break;
+
+                    case 4:
+                        pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
+                        pt2 = new XYZ(0, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt3 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
+                        pt4 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
+                        break;
+
+                    default:
+                        return;
+                }
+
+                AddLine(pt1, pt2, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(pt2, pt3, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(pt3, pt4, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(pt4, pt1, PlateLayer);
+
+                var m1 = new XYZ(pt1.X + plate.EdgeSpacing.Left, pt1.Y + plate.EdgeSpacing.Bottom, 0);
+                var m2 = new XYZ(m1.X, pt2.Y - plate.EdgeSpacing.Top, 0);
+                var m3 = new XYZ(pt3.X - plate.EdgeSpacing.Right, m2.Y, 0);
+                var m4 = new XYZ(m3.X, m1.Y, 0);
+
+                AddLine(m1, m2, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(m2, m3, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(m3, m4, PlateLayer);
+                AddLine(m4, m1, PlateLayer);
+            }
+
+            public void AddProgram(Program program)
+            {
+                mode = program.Mode;
+
+                for (var i = 0; i < program.Length; ++i)
+                {
+                    var code = program[i];
+
+                    switch (code.Type)
+                    {
+                        case CodeType.ArcMove:
+                            AddArcMove((ArcMove)code);
+                            break;
+
+                        case CodeType.LinearMove:
+                            AddLinearMove((LinearMove)code);
+                            break;
+
+                        case CodeType.RapidMove:
+                            AddRapidMove((RapidMove)code);
+                            break;
+
+                        case CodeType.SubProgramCall:
+                            var tmpmode = mode;
+                            AddProgram(((SubProgramCall)code).Program);
+                            mode = tmpmode;
+                            break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            private void AddLinearMove(LinearMove line)
+            {
+                var pt = line.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
+
+                if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
+                    pt = new XYZ(pt.X + CurPos.X, pt.Y + CurPos.Y, 0);
+
+                AddLine(CurPos, pt, CutLayer);
+                CurPos = pt;
+            }
+
+            private void AddRapidMove(RapidMove rapid)
+            {
+                var pt = rapid.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
+
+                if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
+                    pt = new XYZ(pt.X + CurPos.X, pt.Y + CurPos.Y, 0);
+
+                AddLine(CurPos, pt, RapidLayer);
+                CurPos = pt;
+            }
+
+            private void AddArcMove(ArcMove arc)
+            {
+                var center = arc.CenterPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
+                var endpt = arc.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
+
+                if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
+                {
+                    endpt = new XYZ(endpt.X + CurPos.X, endpt.Y + CurPos.Y, 0);
+                    center = new XYZ(center.X + CurPos.X, center.Y + CurPos.Y, 0);
+                }
+
+                var startAngle = System.Math.Atan2(
+                    CurPos.Y - center.Y,
+                    CurPos.X - center.X);
+
+                var endAngle = System.Math.Atan2(
+                    endpt.Y - center.Y,
+                    endpt.X - center.X);
+
+                if (arc.Rotation == RotationType.CW)
+                    Generic.Swap(ref startAngle, ref endAngle);
+
+                var dx = endpt.X - center.X;
+                var dy = endpt.Y - center.Y;
+                var radius = System.Math.Sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);
+
+                if (startAngle.IsEqualTo(endAngle))
+                {
+                    var circle = new AcadCircle
+                    {
+                        Center = center,
+                        Radius = radius,
+                        Layer = CutLayer
+                    };
+                    Document.Entities.Add(circle);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    var acadArc = new AcadArc
+                    {
+                        Center = center,
+                        Radius = radius,
+                        StartAngle = startAngle,
+                        EndAngle = endAngle,
+                        Layer = CutLayer
+                    };
+                    Document.Entities.Add(acadArc);
+                }
+
+                CurPos = endpt;
+            }
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+    }
+}

OpenNest.IO/DxfExporter.cs

@@ -1,297 +0,0 @@
-using ACadSharp;
-using ACadSharp.IO;
-using CSMath;
-using OpenNest.CNC;
-using OpenNest.Math;
-using System.Diagnostics;
-using System.IO;
-
-namespace OpenNest.IO
-{
-    using AcadArc = ACadSharp.Entities.Arc;
-    using AcadCircle = ACadSharp.Entities.Circle;
-    using AcadLine = ACadSharp.Entities.Line;
-    using Layer = ACadSharp.Tables.Layer;
-
-    public class DxfExporter
-    {
-        private CadDocument doc;
-        private XYZ curpos;
-        private Mode mode;
-        private readonly Layer cutLayer;
-        private readonly Layer rapidLayer;
-        private readonly Layer plateLayer;
-
-        public DxfExporter()
-        {
-            doc = new CadDocument();
-
-            cutLayer = new Layer("Cut");
-            cutLayer.Color = new Color(1);
-
-            rapidLayer = new Layer("Rapid");
-            rapidLayer.Color = new Color(5);
-
-            plateLayer = new Layer("Plate");
-            plateLayer.Color = new Color(4);
-        }
-
-        public void ExportProgram(Program program, Stream stream)
-        {
-            doc = new CadDocument();
-            EnsureLayers();
-            AddProgram(program);
-            using (var writer = new DxfWriter(stream, doc, false))
-            {
-                writer.Write();
-            }
-        }
-
-        public bool ExportProgram(Program program, string path)
-        {
-            Stream stream = null;
-            var success = false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                stream = File.Create(path);
-                ExportProgram(program, stream);
-                success = true;
-            }
-            catch
-            {
-                Debug.Fail("DxfExporter.ExportProgram failed to write program to file: " + path);
-            }
-            finally
-            {
-                if (stream != null)
-                    stream.Close();
-            }
-
-            return success;
-        }
-
-        public void ExportPlate(Plate plate, Stream stream)
-        {
-            doc = new CadDocument();
-            EnsureLayers();
-            AddPlateOutline(plate);
-
-            foreach (var part in plate.Parts)
-            {
-                var endpt = part.Location.ToAcadXYZ();
-                AddLine(curpos, endpt, rapidLayer);
-                curpos = part.Location.ToAcadXYZ();
-                AddProgram(part.Program);
-            }
-
-            using (var writer = new DxfWriter(stream, doc, false))
-            {
-                writer.Write();
-            }
-        }
-
-        public bool ExportPlate(Plate plate, string path)
-        {
-            Stream stream = null;
-            var success = false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                stream = File.Create(path);
-                ExportPlate(plate, stream);
-                success = true;
-            }
-            catch
-            {
-                Debug.Fail("DxfExporter.ExportPlate failed to write plate to file: " + path);
-            }
-            finally
-            {
-                if (stream != null)
-                    stream.Close();
-            }
-
-            return success;
-        }
-
-        private void EnsureLayers()
-        {
-            doc.Layers.Add(cutLayer);
-            doc.Layers.Add(rapidLayer);
-            doc.Layers.Add(plateLayer);
-        }
-
-        private void AddLine(XYZ start, XYZ end, Layer layer)
-        {
-            var ln = new AcadLine();
-            ln.StartPoint = start;
-            ln.EndPoint = end;
-            ln.Layer = layer;
-            doc.Entities.Add(ln);
-        }
-
-        private void AddPlateOutline(Plate plate)
-        {
-            XYZ pt1;
-            XYZ pt2;
-            XYZ pt3;
-            XYZ pt4;
-
-            switch (plate.Quadrant)
-            {
-                case 1:
-                    pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
-                    pt2 = new XYZ(0, plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt3 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt4 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
-                    break;
-
-                case 2:
-                    pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
-                    pt2 = new XYZ(0, plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt3 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt4 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
-                    break;
-
-                case 3:
-                    pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
-                    pt2 = new XYZ(0, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt3 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt4 = new XYZ(-plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
-                    break;
-
-                case 4:
-                    pt1 = new XYZ(0, 0, 0);
-                    pt2 = new XYZ(0, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt3 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, -plate.Size.Width, 0);
-                    pt4 = new XYZ(plate.Size.Length, 0, 0);
-                    break;
-
-                default:
-                    return;
-            }
-
-            AddLine(pt1, pt2, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(pt2, pt3, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(pt3, pt4, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(pt4, pt1, plateLayer);
-
-            var m1 = new XYZ(pt1.X + plate.EdgeSpacing.Left, pt1.Y + plate.EdgeSpacing.Bottom, 0);
-            var m2 = new XYZ(m1.X, pt2.Y - plate.EdgeSpacing.Top, 0);
-            var m3 = new XYZ(pt3.X - plate.EdgeSpacing.Right, m2.Y, 0);
-            var m4 = new XYZ(m3.X, m1.Y, 0);
-
-            AddLine(m1, m2, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(m2, m3, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(m3, m4, plateLayer);
-            AddLine(m4, m1, plateLayer);
-        }
-
-        private void AddProgram(Program program)
-        {
-            mode = program.Mode;
-
-            for (var i = 0; i < program.Length; ++i)
-            {
-                var code = program[i];
-
-                switch (code.Type)
-                {
-                    case CodeType.ArcMove:
-                        var arc = (ArcMove)code;
-                        AddArcMove(arc);
-                        break;
-
-                    case CodeType.LinearMove:
-                        var line = (LinearMove)code;
-                        AddLinearMove(line);
-                        break;
-
-                    case CodeType.RapidMove:
-                        var rapid = (RapidMove)code;
-                        AddRapidMove(rapid);
-                        break;
-
-                    case CodeType.SubProgramCall:
-                        var tmpmode = mode;
-                        var subpgm = (CNC.SubProgramCall)code;
-                        AddProgram(subpgm.Program);
-                        mode = tmpmode;
-                        break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        private void AddLinearMove(LinearMove line)
-        {
-            var pt = line.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
-
-            if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
-                pt = new XYZ(pt.X + curpos.X, pt.Y + curpos.Y, 0);
-
-            AddLine(curpos, pt, cutLayer);
-            curpos = pt;
-        }
-
-        private void AddRapidMove(RapidMove rapid)
-        {
-            var pt = rapid.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
-
-            if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
-                pt = new XYZ(pt.X + curpos.X, pt.Y + curpos.Y, 0);
-
-            AddLine(curpos, pt, rapidLayer);
-            curpos = pt;
-        }
-
-        private void AddArcMove(ArcMove arc)
-        {
-            var center = arc.CenterPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
-            var endpt = arc.EndPoint.ToAcadXYZ();
-
-            if (mode == Mode.Incremental)
-            {
-                endpt = new XYZ(endpt.X + curpos.X, endpt.Y + curpos.Y, 0);
-                center = new XYZ(center.X + curpos.X, center.Y + curpos.Y, 0);
-            }
-
-            var startAngle = System.Math.Atan2(
-                curpos.Y - center.Y,
-                curpos.X - center.X);
-
-            var endAngle = System.Math.Atan2(
-                endpt.Y - center.Y,
-                endpt.X - center.X);
-
-            if (arc.Rotation == OpenNest.RotationType.CW)
-                Generic.Swap(ref startAngle, ref endAngle);
-
-            var dx = endpt.X - center.X;
-            var dy = endpt.Y - center.Y;
-
-            var radius = System.Math.Sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);
-
-            if (startAngle.IsEqualTo(endAngle))
-            {
-                var circle = new AcadCircle();
-                circle.Center = center;
-                circle.Radius = radius;
-                circle.Layer = cutLayer;
-                doc.Entities.Add(circle);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                var arc2 = new AcadArc();
-                arc2.Center = center;
-                arc2.Radius = radius;
-                arc2.StartAngle = startAngle;
-                arc2.EndAngle = endAngle;
-                arc2.Layer = cutLayer;
-                doc.Entities.Add(arc2);
-            }
-
-            curpos = endpt;
-        }
-    }
-}

OpenNest.IO/DxfImporter.cs

@@ -1,155 +0,0 @@
-using ACadSharp;
-using ACadSharp.IO;
-using OpenNest.Geometry;
-using System;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-using System.Diagnostics;
-using System.IO;
-
-namespace OpenNest.IO
-{
-    public class DxfImporter
-    {
-        public int SplinePrecision { get; set; }
-
-        public DxfImporter()
-        {
-        }
-
-        private List<Entity> GetGeometry(CadDocument doc)
-        {
-            var entities = new List<Entity>();
-            var lines = new List<Line>();
-            var arcs = new List<Arc>();
-
-            foreach (var entity in doc.Entities)
-            {
-                // Skip bend/etch entities — bends are converted to Bend objects
-                // separately via bend detection, and etch marks are generated from
-                // bends during DXF export. Neither should be treated as cut geometry.
-                if (IsNonCutLayer(entity.Layer?.Name))
-                    continue;
-
-                switch (entity)
-                {
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Line line:
-                        lines.Add(line.ToOpenNest());
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Arc arc:
-                        arcs.Add(arc.ToOpenNest());
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Circle circle:
-                        entities.Add(circle.ToOpenNest());
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Spline spline:
-                        foreach (var e in spline.ToOpenNest(SplinePrecision))
-                        {
-                            if (e is Line l) lines.Add(l);
-                            else if (e is Arc a) arcs.Add(a);
-                        }
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.LwPolyline lwPolyline:
-                        lines.AddRange(lwPolyline.ToOpenNest());
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Polyline polyline:
-                        lines.AddRange(polyline.ToOpenNest());
-                        break;
-
-                    case ACadSharp.Entities.Ellipse ellipse:
-                        foreach (var e in ellipse.ToOpenNest())
-                        {
-                            if (e is Line l) lines.Add(l);
-                            else if (e is Arc a) arcs.Add(a);
-                        }
-                        break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            GeometryOptimizer.Optimize(lines);
-            GeometryOptimizer.Optimize(arcs);
-
-            entities.AddRange(lines);
-            entities.AddRange(arcs);
-
-            return entities;
-        }
-
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Imports a DXF file, returning both converted entities and the raw CadDocument
-        /// for bend detection. The CadDocument is NOT disposed — caller can use it for
-        /// additional analysis (e.g., MText extraction for bend notes).
-        /// </summary>
-        public DxfImportResult Import(string path)
-        {
-            using var reader = new DxfReader(path);
-            var doc = reader.Read();
-            var entities = GetGeometry(doc);
-
-            return new DxfImportResult
-            {
-                Entities = entities,
-                Document = doc
-            };
-        }
-
-        public bool GetGeometry(Stream stream, out List<Entity> geometry)
-        {
-            var success = false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                using (var reader = new DxfReader(stream))
-                {
-                    var doc = reader.Read();
-                    geometry = GetGeometry(doc);
-                    success = true;
-                }
-            }
-            catch (Exception ex)
-            {
-                Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
-                geometry = new List<Entity>();
-            }
-            finally
-            {
-                if (stream != null)
-                    stream.Close();
-            }
-
-            return success;
-        }
-
-        public bool GetGeometry(string path, out List<Entity> geometry)
-        {
-            var success = false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                using (var reader = new DxfReader(path))
-                {
-                    var doc = reader.Read();
-                    geometry = GetGeometry(doc);
-                    success = true;
-                }
-            }
-            catch (Exception ex)
-            {
-                Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
-                geometry = new List<Entity>();
-            }
-
-            return success;
-        }
-
-        private static bool IsNonCutLayer(string layerName)
-        {
-            return string.Equals(layerName, "BEND", System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
-                || string.Equals(layerName, "ETCH", System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
-        }
-    }
-}

OpenNest.IO/EntitySerializer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using static OpenNest.IO.NestFormat;
+
+namespace OpenNest.IO
+{
+    public static class EntitySerializer
+    {
+        public static EntitySetDto ToDto(List<Entity> entities, HashSet<Guid> suppressed)
+        {
+            return new EntitySetDto
+            {
+                Entities = entities.Select(ToEntityDto).ToList(),
+                Suppressed = suppressed.Select(id => id.ToString()).ToList()
+            };
+        }
+
+        public static (List<Entity> entities, HashSet<Guid> suppressed) FromDto(EntitySetDto dto)
+        {
+            var entities = dto.Entities.Select(FromEntityDto).ToList();
+            var suppressed = new HashSet<Guid>(dto.Suppressed.Select(Guid.Parse));
+            return (entities, suppressed);
+        }
+
+        private static EntityDto ToEntityDto(Entity entity)
+        {
+            switch (entity.Type)
+            {
+                case EntityType.Line:
+                    var line = (Line)entity;
+                    return new EntityDto
+                    {
+                        Id = entity.Id.ToString(),
+                        Type = "line",
+                        Layer = entity.Layer?.Name ?? "",
+                        LineType = entity.LineTypeName ?? "",
+                        X1 = line.StartPoint.X,
+                        Y1 = line.StartPoint.Y,
+                        X2 = line.EndPoint.X,
+                        Y2 = line.EndPoint.Y
+                    };
+
+                case EntityType.Arc:
+                    var arc = (Arc)entity;
+                    return new EntityDto
+                    {
+                        Id = entity.Id.ToString(),
+                        Type = "arc",
+                        Layer = entity.Layer?.Name ?? "",
+                        LineType = entity.LineTypeName ?? "",
+                        CX = arc.Center.X,
+                        CY = arc.Center.Y,
+                        R = arc.Radius,
+                        StartAngle = arc.StartAngle,
+                        EndAngle = arc.EndAngle,
+                        Reversed = arc.IsReversed
+                    };
+
+                case EntityType.Circle:
+                    var circle = (Circle)entity;
+                    return new EntityDto
+                    {
+                        Id = entity.Id.ToString(),
+                        Type = "circle",
+                        Layer = entity.Layer?.Name ?? "",
+                        LineType = entity.LineTypeName ?? "",
+                        CX = circle.Center.X,
+                        CY = circle.Center.Y,
+                        R = circle.Radius,
+                        Rotation = circle.Rotation == RotationType.CW ? "CW" : "CCW"
+                    };
+
+                default:
+                    throw new NotSupportedException($"Entity type {entity.Type} is not supported for serialization.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static Entity FromEntityDto(EntityDto dto)
+        {
+            Entity entity;
+
+            switch (dto.Type)
+            {
+                case "line":
+                    entity = new Line(
+                        new Vector(dto.X1, dto.Y1),
+                        new Vector(dto.X2, dto.Y2));
+                    break;
+
+                case "arc":
+                    entity = new Arc(
+                        new Vector(dto.CX, dto.CY),
+                        dto.R,
+                        dto.StartAngle,
+                        dto.EndAngle,
+                        dto.Reversed);
+                    break;
+
+                case "circle":
+                    var circle = new Circle(new Vector(dto.CX, dto.CY), dto.R);
+                    circle.Rotation = dto.Rotation == "CW" ? RotationType.CW : RotationType.CCW;
+                    entity = circle;
+                    break;
+
+                default:
+                    throw new NotSupportedException($"Entity type '{dto.Type}' is not supported for deserialization.");
+            }
+
+            entity.Id = Guid.Parse(dto.Id);
+            entity.Layer = ResolveLayer(dto.Layer);
+            entity.LineTypeName = dto.LineType;
+
+            return entity;
+        }
+
+        private static Layer ResolveLayer(string name)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(name) || name == "0")
+                return Layer.Default;
+
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Cut.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Cut;
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Rapid.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Rapid;
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Display.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Display;
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Leadin.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Leadin;
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Leadout.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Leadout;
+            if (string.Equals(name, SpecialLayers.Scribe.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                return SpecialLayers.Scribe;
+
+            return new Layer(name);
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.IO/Extensions.cs

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             return result;
         }
 
-        public static List<Geometry.Entity> ToOpenNest(this Spline spline, int precision)
+        public static List<Geometry.Entity> ToOpenNest(this Spline spline)
         {
             var layer = spline.Layer.ToOpenNest();
             var color = spline.ResolveColor();
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             List<XYZ> curvePoints;
             try
             {
-                curvePoints = spline.PolygonalVertexes(precision > 0 ? precision : 200);
+                curvePoints = spline.PolygonalVertexes(200);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {

OpenNest.IO/NestFormat.cs

@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             public PlateDefaultsDto PlateDefaults { get; init; } = new();
             public List<DrawingDto> Drawings { get; init; } = new();
             public List<PlateDto> Plates { get; init; } = new();
+            public List<PlateOptionDto> PlateOptions { get; init; } = new();
+            public double SalvageRate { get; init; } = 0.5;
         }
 
         public record PlateDefaultsDto
@@ -153,6 +155,42 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             public string NoteText { get; init; } = "";
         }
 
+        public record PlateOptionDto
+        {
+            public double Width { get; init; }
+            public double Length { get; init; }
+            public double Cost { get; init; }
+        }
+
+        public record EntitySetDto
+        {
+            public List<EntityDto> Entities { get; init; } = new();
+            public List<string> Suppressed { get; init; } = new();
+        }
+
+        public record EntityDto
+        {
+            public string Id { get; init; } = "";
+            public string Type { get; init; } = "";
+            public string Layer { get; init; } = "";
+            public string LineType { get; init; } = "";
+
+            // Line
+            public double X1 { get; init; }
+            public double Y1 { get; init; }
+            public double X2 { get; init; }
+            public double Y2 { get; init; }
+
+            // Arc / Circle
+            public double CX { get; init; }
+            public double CY { get; init; }
+            public double R { get; init; }
+            public double StartAngle { get; init; }
+            public double EndAngle { get; init; }
+            public bool Reversed { get; init; }
+            public string Rotation { get; init; } = "";
+        }
+
         public record BestFitSetDto
         {
             public double PlateWidth { get; init; }

OpenNest.IO/NestReader.cs

@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             var dto = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<NestDto>(nestJson, JsonOptions);
 
             var programs = ReadPrograms(dto.Drawings.Count);
-            var drawingMap = BuildDrawings(dto, programs);
+            var entitySets = ReadEntitySets(dto.Drawings.Count);
+            var drawingMap = BuildDrawings(dto, programs, entitySets);
             ReadBestFits(drawingMap);
             var nest = BuildNest(dto, drawingMap);
 
@@ -74,7 +75,25 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             return programs;
         }
 
-        private Dictionary<int, Drawing> BuildDrawings(NestDto dto, Dictionary<int, Program> programs)
+        private Dictionary<int, (List<Entity> entities, HashSet<Guid> suppressed)> ReadEntitySets(int count)
+        {
+            var result = new Dictionary<int, (List<Entity>, HashSet<Guid>)>();
+            for (var i = 1; i <= count; i++)
+            {
+                var entry = zipArchive.GetEntry($"entities/entities-{i}");
+                if (entry == null) continue;
+
+                using var entryStream = entry.Open();
+                using var reader = new StreamReader(entryStream);
+                var json = reader.ReadToEnd();
+                var dto = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<EntitySetDto>(json, JsonOptions);
+                result[i] = EntitySerializer.FromDto(dto);
+            }
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        private Dictionary<int, Drawing> BuildDrawings(NestDto dto, Dictionary<int, Program> programs,
+            Dictionary<int, (List<Entity> entities, HashSet<Guid> suppressed)> entitySets)
         {
             var map = new Dictionary<int, Drawing>();
             foreach (var d in dto.Drawings)
@@ -112,6 +131,12 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
                 if (programs.TryGetValue(d.Id, out var pgm))
                     drawing.Program = pgm;
 
+                if (entitySets.TryGetValue(d.Id, out var entitySet))
+                {
+                    drawing.SourceEntities = entitySet.entities;
+                    drawing.SuppressedEntityIds = entitySet.suppressed;
+                }
+
                 map[d.Id] = drawing;
             }
             return map;
@@ -192,6 +217,18 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             nest.PlateDefaults.PartSpacing = pd.PartSpacing;
             nest.PlateDefaults.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing(pd.EdgeSpacing.Left, pd.EdgeSpacing.Bottom, pd.EdgeSpacing.Right, pd.EdgeSpacing.Top);
 
+            // Plate optimizer settings
+            nest.SalvageRate = dto.SalvageRate;
+            if (dto.PlateOptions != null)
+            {
+                nest.PlateOptions = dto.PlateOptions.Select(o => new PlateOption
+                {
+                    Width = o.Width,
+                    Length = o.Length,
+                    Cost = o.Cost,
+                }).ToList();
+            }
+
             // Drawings
             foreach (var d in drawingMap.OrderBy(k => k.Key))
                 nest.Drawings.Add(d.Value);

OpenNest.IO/NestWriter.cs

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
 
             WriteNestJson(zipArchive);
             WritePrograms(zipArchive);
+            WriteEntities(zipArchive);
             WriteBestFits(zipArchive);
 
             return true;
@@ -88,7 +89,14 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
                 },
                 PlateDefaults = BuildPlateDefaultsDto(),
                 Drawings = BuildDrawingDtos(),
-                Plates = BuildPlateDtos()
+                Plates = BuildPlateDtos(),
+                PlateOptions = nest.PlateOptions?.Select(o => new PlateOptionDto
+                {
+                    Width = o.Width,
+                    Length = o.Length,
+                    Cost = o.Cost,
+                }).ToList() ?? new(),
+                SalvageRate = nest.SalvageRate,
             };
         }
 
@@ -168,9 +176,15 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
         private List<PlateDto> BuildPlateDtos()
         {
             var list = new List<PlateDto>();
+            var id = 0;
             for (var i = 0; i < nest.Plates.Count; i++)
             {
                 var plate = nest.Plates[i];
+
+                if (plate.Parts.Count(p => !p.BaseDrawing.IsCutOff) == 0 && plate.CutOffs.Count == 0)
+                    continue;
+
+                id++;
                 var parts = new List<PartDto>();
                 foreach (var part in plate.Parts.Where(p => !p.BaseDrawing.IsCutOff))
                 {
@@ -201,7 +215,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
 
                 list.Add(new PlateDto
                 {
-                    Id = i + 1,
+                    Id = id,
                     Size = new SizeDto { Width = plate.Size.Width, Length = plate.Size.Length },
                     Quadrant = plate.Quadrant,
                     Quantity = plate.Quantity,
@@ -299,6 +313,24 @@ namespace OpenNest.IO
             }
         }
 
+        private void WriteEntities(ZipArchive zipArchive)
+        {
+            foreach (var kvp in drawingDict.OrderBy(k => k.Key))
+            {
+                var drawing = kvp.Value;
+                if (drawing.SourceEntities == null || drawing.SourceEntities.Count == 0)
+                    continue;
+
+                var dto = EntitySerializer.ToDto(drawing.SourceEntities, drawing.SuppressedEntityIds);
+                var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(dto, JsonOptions);
+
+                var entry = zipArchive.CreateEntry($"entities/entities-{kvp.Key}");
+                using var stream = entry.Open();
+                using var writer = new StreamWriter(stream, Encoding.UTF8);
+                writer.Write(json);
+            }
+        }
+
         private void WriteDrawing(Stream stream, Drawing drawing)
         {
             var program = drawing.Program;

OpenNest.Mcp/Tools/InputTools.cs

@@ -96,13 +96,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Mcp.Tools
             if (!File.Exists(path))
                 return $"Error: file not found: {path}";
 
-            var importer = new DxfImporter();
-
-            if (!importer.GetGeometry(path, out var geometry))
-                return "Error: failed to read DXF file";
+            var geometry = Dxf.GetGeometry(path);
 
             if (geometry.Count == 0)
-                return "Error: no geometry found in DXF file";
+                return "Error: failed to read DXF file or no geometry found";
 
             var normalized = ShapeProfile.NormalizeEntities(geometry);
             var pgm = ConvertGeometry.ToProgram(normalized);
@@ -112,6 +109,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Mcp.Tools
 
             var drawingName = name ?? Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(path);
             var drawing = new Drawing(drawingName, pgm);
+            drawing.Color = Drawing.GetNextColor();
             _session.Drawings.Add(drawing);
 
             var bbox = pgm.BoundingBox();
@@ -155,6 +153,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Mcp.Tools
                     if (pgm == null)
                         return "Error: failed to parse G-code";
                     var gcodeDrawing = new Drawing(name, pgm);
+                    gcodeDrawing.Color = Drawing.GetNextColor();
                     _session.Drawings.Add(gcodeDrawing);
                     var gcodeBbox = pgm.BoundingBox();
                     return $"Created drawing '{name}': bbox={gcodeBbox.Width:F2} x {gcodeBbox.Length:F2}";
@@ -164,6 +163,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Mcp.Tools
             }
 
             var drawing = shapeDef.GetDrawing();
+            drawing.Color = Drawing.GetNextColor();
             _session.Drawings.Add(drawing);
 
             var bbox = drawing.Program.BoundingBox();

OpenNest.Tests/Api/NestResponsePersistenceTests.cs

@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ public class NestResponsePersistenceTests
     {
         var nest = new Nest("test-nest");
         var plate = new Plate(new Size(60, 120));
+        var drawing = new Drawing("test-part");
+        nest.Drawings.Add(drawing);
+        plate.Parts.Add(new Part(drawing));
         nest.Plates.Add(plate);
 
         var request = new NestRequest

OpenNest.Tests/Api/NestRunnerTests.cs

@@ -70,8 +70,7 @@ public class NestRunnerTests
         var pgm = ConvertGeometry.ToProgram(shape);
         var path = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), $"test-{Guid.NewGuid()}.dxf");
 
-        var exporter = new DxfExporter();
-        exporter.ExportProgram(pgm, path);
+        Dxf.ExportProgram(pgm, path);
 
         return path;
     }

OpenNest.Tests/Bending/SolidWorksBendDetectorTests.cs

@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ public class SolidWorksBendDetectorTests
         var path = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "Bending", "TestData", "4526 A14 PT11 Test.dxf");
         Assert.True(File.Exists(path), $"Test DXF not found: {path}");
 
-        var importer = new OpenNest.IO.DxfImporter { SplinePrecision = 200 };
-        var result = importer.Import(path);
+        var result = OpenNest.IO.Dxf.Import(path);
 
         // EllipseConverter now produces arcs directly during import,
         // so the imported entities should contain Arc instances from the ellipses
@@ -61,8 +60,7 @@ public class SolidWorksBendDetectorTests
         var path = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "Bending", "TestData", "4526 A14 PT11.dxf");
         Assert.True(File.Exists(path), $"Test DXF not found: {path}");
 
-        var importer = new OpenNest.IO.DxfImporter();
-        var result = importer.Import(path);
+        var result = OpenNest.IO.Dxf.Import(path);
 
         // The DXF has 2 trimmed ellipses forming an oblong slot.
         // Trimmed ellipses must not generate a closing chord line.

OpenNest.Tests/BestFit/BestFitOverlapTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+using OpenNest.CNC;
+using OpenNest.Converters;
+using OpenNest.Engine.BestFit;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.IO;
+using Xunit.Abstractions;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests.BestFit;
+
+public class BestFitOverlapTests
+{
+    private const string DxfPath = @"C:\Users\AJ\Desktop\Templates\4526 A14 PT16.dxf";
+    private readonly ITestOutputHelper _output;
+
+    public BestFitOverlapTests(ITestOutputHelper output) => _output = output;
+
+    private static Drawing MakeRoundedRect(double w = 7.25, double h = 3.31, double r = 0.5)
+    {
+        var pgm = new Program();
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(w - r, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new ArcMove(new Vector(w, r), new Vector(w - r, r), RotationType.CW));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(w, h - r)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new ArcMove(new Vector(w - r, h), new Vector(w - r, h - r), RotationType.CW));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, h)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        return new Drawing("rounded-rect", pgm);
+    }
+
+    private static Drawing ImportDxf()
+    {
+        if (!File.Exists(DxfPath))
+            return null;
+
+        var geometry = Dxf.GetGeometry(DxfPath);
+        var pgm = ConvertGeometry.ToProgram(geometry);
+        return new Drawing("PT16", pgm);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void KeptPairs_NoOverlap()
+    {
+        var drawing = ImportDxf() ?? MakeRoundedRect();
+        var bbox = drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+        _output.WriteLine($"Drawing: {drawing.Name}, bbox={bbox.Length:F2} x {bbox.Width:F2}");
+
+        var finder = new BestFitFinder(120, 60);
+        var results = finder.FindBestFits(drawing);
+
+        var kept = results.Where(r => r.Keep).ToList();
+        _output.WriteLine($"Total results: {results.Count}, Kept: {kept.Count}");
+
+        var overlapping = 0;
+
+        foreach (var result in kept)
+        {
+            var parts = result.BuildParts(drawing);
+            if (parts[0].Intersects(parts[1], out var pts))
+            {
+                overlapping++;
+                _output.WriteLine($"  OVERLAP #{overlapping}: Test {result.Candidate.TestNumber} " +
+                    $"Part2Rot={OpenNest.Math.Angle.ToDegrees(result.Candidate.Part2Rotation):F1}° " +
+                    $"collision pts={pts.Count}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        Assert.Equal(0, overlapping);
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/CuttingStrategy/ApplySingleTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+using OpenNest.CNC;
+using OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests.CuttingStrategy;
+
+public class ApplySingleTests
+{
+    private static Program MakeSquareProgram()
+    {
+        var pgm = new Program();
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, 10)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(10, 10)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(10, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        return pgm;
+    }
+
+    private static Program MakeSquareWithHoleProgram()
+    {
+        var pgm = new Program();
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, 20)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(20, 20)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(20, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new RapidMove(new Vector(12, 10)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new ArcMove(new Vector(12, 10), new Vector(10, 10), RotationType.CW));
+        return pgm;
+    }
+
+    private static List<ICode> GetLeadInCodes(Program program)
+    {
+        var result = new List<ICode>();
+        foreach (var code in program.Codes)
+        {
+            if (code is LinearMove lm && lm.Layer == LayerType.Leadin)
+                result.Add(lm);
+            else if (code is ArcMove am && am.Layer == LayerType.Leadin)
+                result.Add(am);
+        }
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingle_ExternalContour_PlacesLeadInAtExactPoint()
+    {
+        var pgm = MakeSquareProgram();
+        var strategy = new ContourCuttingStrategy
+        {
+            Parameters = new CuttingParameters
+            {
+                ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+            }
+        };
+
+        var clickPoint = new Vector(5, 0);
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        var result = strategy.ApplySingle(pgm, clickPoint, entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        var hasLeadin = result.Program.Codes.OfType<LinearMove>().Any(m => m.Layer == LayerType.Leadin);
+        Assert.True(hasLeadin);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingle_ContourStartsAtClickPoint()
+    {
+        var pgm = MakeSquareProgram();
+        var strategy = new ContourCuttingStrategy
+        {
+            Parameters = new CuttingParameters
+            {
+                ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+            }
+        };
+
+        var clickPoint = new Vector(5, 0);
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        var result = strategy.ApplySingle(pgm, clickPoint, entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        // Convert back to absolute to check positions
+        result.Program.Mode = Mode.Absolute;
+
+        var firstLinear = result.Program.Codes.OfType<LinearMove>()
+            .First(m => m.Layer == LayerType.Leadin);
+        Assert.Equal(clickPoint.X, firstLinear.EndPoint.X, 4);
+        Assert.Equal(clickPoint.Y, firstLinear.EndPoint.Y, 4);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingle_ProgramModeIsIncremental()
+    {
+        var pgm = MakeSquareProgram();
+        var strategy = new ContourCuttingStrategy
+        {
+            Parameters = new CuttingParameters
+            {
+                ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+            }
+        };
+
+        var clickPoint = new Vector(5, 0);
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        var result = strategy.ApplySingle(pgm, clickPoint, entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        Assert.Equal(Mode.Incremental, result.Program.Mode);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingle_OnlyTargetContourGetsLeadIn()
+    {
+        var pgm = MakeSquareWithHoleProgram();
+        var strategy = new ContourCuttingStrategy
+        {
+            Parameters = new CuttingParameters
+            {
+                ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 },
+                InternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.25, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+            }
+        };
+
+        var clickPoint = new Vector(10, 0);
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(20, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        var result = strategy.ApplySingle(pgm, clickPoint, entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        var leadinMoves = GetLeadInCodes(result.Program);
+        Assert.Single(leadinMoves);
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/CuttingStrategy/CuttingParametersSerializerTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+using OpenNest.CNC.CuttingStrategy;
+using OpenNest.Forms;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests.CuttingStrategy;
+
+public class CuttingParametersSerializerTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void RoundTrip_PreservesAutoTabFields()
+    {
+        var original = new CuttingParameters
+        {
+            AutoTabMinSize = 0.5,
+            AutoTabMaxSize = 3.0,
+            ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.25, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+        };
+
+        var json = CuttingParametersSerializer.Serialize(original);
+        var restored = CuttingParametersSerializer.Deserialize(json);
+
+        Assert.Equal(0.5, restored.AutoTabMinSize);
+        Assert.Equal(3.0, restored.AutoTabMaxSize);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Deserialize_MissingAutoTabFields_DefaultsToZero()
+    {
+        var json = "{\"externalLeadIn\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"externalLeadOut\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"internalLeadIn\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"internalLeadOut\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"arcCircleLeadIn\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"arcCircleLeadOut\":{\"type\":\"None\"},\"tabsEnabled\":false,\"tabWidth\":0.25,\"pierceClearance\":0.0625}";
+
+        var restored = CuttingParametersSerializer.Deserialize(json);
+
+        Assert.Equal(0.0, restored.AutoTabMinSize);
+        Assert.Equal(0.0, restored.AutoTabMaxSize);
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/CuttingStrategy/PartLeadInTests.cs

@@ -124,4 +124,74 @@ public class PartLeadInTests
         var part = MakeSquarePart();
         Assert.False(part.LeadInsLocked);
     }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingleLeadIn_SetsHasManualLeadIns()
+    {
+        var part = MakeSquarePart();
+        var parameters = new CuttingParameters
+        {
+            ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+        };
+
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        part.ApplySingleLeadIn(parameters, new Vector(5, 0), entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        Assert.True(part.HasManualLeadIns);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingleLeadIn_ProgramContainsLeadinCodes()
+    {
+        var part = MakeSquarePart();
+        var parameters = new CuttingParameters
+        {
+            ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+        };
+
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        part.ApplySingleLeadIn(parameters, new Vector(5, 0), entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        var hasLeadin = part.Program.Codes.OfType<LinearMove>().Any(m => m.Layer == LayerType.Leadin);
+        Assert.True(hasLeadin);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingleLeadIn_ThenRemove_RestoresOriginal()
+    {
+        var part = MakeSquarePart();
+        var originalCodeCount = part.Program.Codes.Count;
+        var parameters = new CuttingParameters
+        {
+            ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+        };
+
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        part.ApplySingleLeadIn(parameters, new Vector(5, 0), entity, ContourType.External);
+        part.RemoveLeadIns();
+
+        Assert.False(part.HasManualLeadIns);
+        Assert.Equal(originalCodeCount, part.Program.Codes.Count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplySingleLeadIn_PreservesRotation()
+    {
+        var part = MakeSquarePart();
+        part.Rotate(System.Math.PI / 4);
+        var rotation = part.Rotation;
+
+        var parameters = new CuttingParameters
+        {
+            ExternalLeadIn = new LineLeadIn { Length = 0.5, ApproachAngle = 90 }
+        };
+
+        // After rotation, the edges change. Use a point on the rotated bottom edge.
+        // The rotated square has vertices roughly at rotated positions.
+        // We'll use a generic entity that will be matched via fallback.
+        var entity = new Line(new Vector(10, 0), new Vector(0, 0));
+        part.ApplySingleLeadIn(parameters, new Vector(5, 0), entity, ContourType.External);
+
+        Assert.Equal(rotation, part.Rotation, 6);
+    }
 }

OpenNest.Tests/Engine/EngineOverlapTests.cs

@@ -15,10 +15,12 @@ public class EngineOverlapTests
         _output = output;
     }
 
-    private static Drawing ImportDxf()
+    private static Drawing? ImportDxf()
     {
-        var importer = new DxfImporter();
-        importer.GetGeometry(DxfPath, out var geometry);
+        if (!System.IO.File.Exists(DxfPath))
+            return null;
+
+        var geometry = Dxf.GetGeometry(DxfPath);
         var pgm = ConvertGeometry.ToProgram(geometry);
         return new Drawing("PT15", pgm);
     }
@@ -31,6 +33,9 @@ public class EngineOverlapTests
     public void FillPlate_NoOverlaps(string engineName)
     {
         var drawing = ImportDxf();
+        if (drawing is null)
+            return; // Skip if test DXF not available
+
         var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
 
         NestEngineRegistry.ActiveEngineName = engineName;

OpenNest.Tests/Engine/MultiPlateNesterTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,411 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.IO;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading;
+using Xunit;
+using Xunit.Abstractions;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests.Engine;
+
+public class MultiPlateNesterTests
+{
+    private readonly ITestOutputHelper _output;
+
+    public MultiPlateNesterTests(ITestOutputHelper output)
+    {
+        _output = output;
+    }
+    private static Drawing MakeDrawing(string name, double width, double length)
+    {
+        var program = new OpenNest.CNC.Program();
+        program.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        program.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(width, 0)));
+        program.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(width, length)));
+        program.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, length)));
+        program.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        var drawing = new Drawing(name, program);
+        drawing.UpdateArea();
+        return drawing;
+    }
+
+    private static NestItem MakeItem(string name, double width, double length, int qty = 1)
+    {
+        return new NestItem
+        {
+            Drawing = MakeDrawing(name, width, length),
+            Quantity = qty,
+        };
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SortByBoundingBoxArea_OrdersLargestFirst()
+    {
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("small", 10, 10),
+            MakeItem("large", 40, 60),
+            MakeItem("medium", 20, 30),
+        };
+
+        var sorted = MultiPlateNester.SortItems(items, PartSortOrder.BoundingBoxArea);
+
+        Assert.Equal("large", sorted[0].Drawing.Name);
+        Assert.Equal("medium", sorted[1].Drawing.Name);
+        Assert.Equal("small", sorted[2].Drawing.Name);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SortBySize_OrdersByLongestDimension()
+    {
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("short-wide", 50, 20),    // longest = 50
+            MakeItem("tall-narrow", 10, 80),    // longest = 80
+            MakeItem("square", 30, 30),         // longest = 30
+        };
+
+        var sorted = MultiPlateNester.SortItems(items, PartSortOrder.Size);
+
+        Assert.Equal("tall-narrow", sorted[0].Drawing.Name);
+        Assert.Equal("short-wide", sorted[1].Drawing.Name);
+        Assert.Equal("square", sorted[2].Drawing.Name);
+    }
+
+    // --- Task 4: Part Classification ---
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Classify_LargePart_WhenWidthExceedsHalfWorkArea()
+    {
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 96, 48);
+        var bb = new Box(0, 0, 50, 20); // width 50 > half of 96 = 48
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Classify(bb, workArea);
+        Assert.Equal(PartClass.Large, result);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Classify_LargePart_WhenLengthExceedsHalfWorkArea()
+    {
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 96, 48);
+        var bb = new Box(0, 0, 20, 30); // length 30 > half of 48 = 24
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Classify(bb, workArea);
+        Assert.Equal(PartClass.Large, result);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Classify_MediumPart_NotLargeButAreaAboveThreshold()
+    {
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 96, 48);
+        // workArea = 4608, 1/9 = 512. bb = 40*15 = 600 > 512
+        // 40 < 48 (half of 96), 15 < 24 (half of 48) — not Large
+        var bb = new Box(0, 0, 40, 15);
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Classify(bb, workArea);
+        Assert.Equal(PartClass.Medium, result);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Classify_SmallPart()
+    {
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 96, 48);
+        // workArea = 4608, 1/9 = 512. bb = 10*10 = 100 < 512
+        var bb = new Box(0, 0, 10, 10);
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Classify(bb, workArea);
+        Assert.Equal(PartClass.Small, result);
+    }
+
+    // --- Task 5: Scrap Zone Identification ---
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void IsScrapRemnant_BothDimensionsBelowThreshold_ReturnsTrue()
+    {
+        var remnant = new Box(0, 0, 10, 8);
+        Assert.True(MultiPlateNester.IsScrapRemnant(remnant, 12.0));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void IsScrapRemnant_OneDimensionAboveThreshold_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        // 11 x 120 — narrow but long, should be preserved
+        var remnant = new Box(0, 0, 11, 120);
+        Assert.False(MultiPlateNester.IsScrapRemnant(remnant, 12.0));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void IsScrapRemnant_BothDimensionsAboveThreshold_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var remnant = new Box(0, 0, 20, 30);
+        Assert.False(MultiPlateNester.IsScrapRemnant(remnant, 12.0));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void FindRemnants_ScrapOnly_ReturnsOnlyScrapRemnants()
+    {
+        // 96x48 plate with a 70x40 part placed at origin
+        var plate = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25 };
+        var drawing = MakeDrawing("big", 70, 40);
+        var part = new Part(drawing);
+        plate.Parts.Add(part);
+
+        var scrap = MultiPlateNester.FindRemnants(plate, 12.0, scrapOnly: true);
+
+        // All returned zones should have both dims < 12
+        foreach (var zone in scrap)
+        {
+            Assert.True(zone.Width < 12.0 && zone.Length < 12.0,
+                $"Zone {zone.Width:F1}x{zone.Length:F1} is not scrap — at least one dimension >= 12");
+        }
+    }
+
+    // --- Task 6: Plate Creation Helper ---
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CreatePlate_UsesTemplateWhenNoOptions()
+    {
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing { Left = 1, Right = 1, Top = 1, Bottom = 1 };
+
+        var plate = MultiPlateNester.CreatePlate(template, null, null);
+
+        Assert.Equal(96, plate.Size.Width);
+        Assert.Equal(48, plate.Size.Length);
+        Assert.Equal(0.25, plate.PartSpacing);
+        Assert.Equal(1, plate.Quadrant);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CreatePlate_PicksSmallestFittingOption()
+    {
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing { Left = 1, Right = 1, Top = 1, Bottom = 1 };
+
+        var options = new List<PlateOption>
+        {
+            new() { Width = 48, Length = 96, Cost = 100 },
+            new() { Width = 60, Length = 120, Cost = 200 },
+            new() { Width = 72, Length = 144, Cost = 300 },
+        };
+
+        // Part needs 50x50 work area — 48x96 (after edge spacing: 46x94) — 46 < 50, doesn't fit.
+        // 60x120 (58x118) does fit.
+        var minBounds = new Box(0, 0, 50, 50);
+
+        var plate = MultiPlateNester.CreatePlate(template, options, minBounds);
+
+        Assert.Equal(60, plate.Size.Width);
+        Assert.Equal(120, plate.Size.Length);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void EvaluateUpgrade_PrefersCheaperOption()
+    {
+        var currentOption = new PlateOption { Width = 48, Length = 96, Cost = 100 };
+        var upgradeOption = new PlateOption { Width = 60, Length = 120, Cost = 160 };
+        var newPlateOption = new PlateOption { Width = 48, Length = 96, Cost = 100 };
+
+        // Upgrade cost = 160 - 100 = 60
+        // New plate cost with 50% utilization, 50% salvage:
+        // remnantFraction = 0.5, salvageCredit = 0.5 * 100 * 0.5 = 25
+        // netNewCost = 100 - 25 = 75
+        // Upgrade (60) < new plate (75), so upgrade wins
+        var decision = MultiPlateNester.EvaluateUpgradeVsNew(
+            currentOption, upgradeOption, newPlateOption, 0.5, 0.5);
+
+        Assert.True(decision.ShouldUpgrade);
+    }
+
+    // --- Task 7: Main Orchestration ---
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Nest_LargePartsGetOwnPlates()
+    {
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing();
+
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("big1", 80, 40, 1),
+            MakeItem("big2", 70, 35, 1),
+        };
+
+        var options = new MultiPlateNestOptions { Template = template };
+
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Nest(items, options);
+
+        // Each large part should be on its own plate.
+        Assert.True(result.Plates.Count >= 2,
+            $"Expected at least 2 plates, got {result.Plates.Count}");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Nest_SmallPartsConsolidateOntoSharedPlates()
+    {
+        // Small parts should be packed together on shared plates rather than
+        // each drawing getting its own plate. The consolidation pass fills
+        // small parts into remaining space on existing plates.
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing();
+
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("big", 80, 40, 1),
+            MakeItem("tinyA", 5, 5, 3),
+            MakeItem("tinyB", 4, 4, 3),
+        };
+
+        var options = new MultiPlateNestOptions { Template = template };
+
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Nest(items, options);
+
+        // Both small drawing types should share space — not each on their own plate.
+        // With consolidation, they pack into remaining space alongside the big part.
+        Assert.True(result.Plates.Count <= 2,
+            $"Expected at most 2 plates (small parts consolidated), got {result.Plates.Count}");
+        Assert.Equal(0, result.UnplacedItems.Count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Nest_RespectsAllowPlateCreation()
+    {
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing();
+
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("big1", 80, 40, 1),
+            MakeItem("big2", 70, 35, 1),
+        };
+
+        var options = new MultiPlateNestOptions
+        {
+            Template = template,
+            AllowPlateCreation = false,
+        };
+
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Nest(items, options);
+
+        // No existing plates and no plate creation — nothing can be placed.
+        Assert.Empty(result.Plates);
+        Assert.Equal(2, result.UnplacedItems.Count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Nest_UsesExistingPlates()
+    {
+        var template = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        template.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing();
+
+        var existingPlate = new Plate(96, 48) { PartSpacing = 0.25, Quadrant = 1 };
+        existingPlate.EdgeSpacing = new Spacing();
+
+        // Use a part small enough to be classified as Medium on a 96x48 plate.
+        // Plate WorkArea: Width=96, Length=48. Half: 48, 24.
+        // Part 24x22: Length=24 (not > 24), Width=22 (not > 48) — not Large.
+        // Area = 528 > 4608/9 = 512 — Medium.
+        var items = new List<NestItem>
+        {
+            MakeItem("medium", 24, 22, 1),
+        };
+
+        var options = new MultiPlateNestOptions { Template = template };
+
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Nest(items, options,
+            existingPlates: new List<Plate> { existingPlate });
+
+        // Part should be placed on the existing plate, not a new one.
+        Assert.Single(result.Plates);
+        Assert.False(result.Plates[0].IsNew);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Nest_RealNestFile_PartFirst()
+    {
+        var nestPath = @"C:\Users\aisaacs\Desktop\4526 A14 - 0.188 AISI 304.nest";
+        if (!File.Exists(nestPath))
+        {
+            _output.WriteLine("SKIP: nest file not found");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var nest = new NestReader(nestPath).Read();
+        var template = nest.PlateDefaults.CreateNew();
+
+        _output.WriteLine($"Plate: {template.Size.Width}x{template.Size.Length}, " +
+            $"spacing={template.PartSpacing}, edge=({template.EdgeSpacing.Left},{template.EdgeSpacing.Bottom},{template.EdgeSpacing.Right},{template.EdgeSpacing.Top})");
+
+        var wa = template.WorkArea();
+        _output.WriteLine($"Work area: {wa.Width:F1}x{wa.Length:F1}");
+        _output.WriteLine($"Classification thresholds: Large if dim > {wa.Width / 2:F1} or {wa.Length / 2:F1}, " +
+            $"Medium if area > {wa.Width * wa.Length / 9:F0}");
+        _output.WriteLine("---");
+
+        var items = new List<NestItem>();
+        foreach (var d in nest.Drawings)
+        {
+            var qty = d.Quantity.Required > 0 ? d.Quantity.Required : d.Quantity.Remaining;
+            if (qty <= 0) qty = 1;
+
+            var bb = d.Program.BoundingBox();
+            var classification = MultiPlateNester.Classify(bb, wa);
+
+            _output.WriteLine($"  {d.Name,-25} {bb.Width:F1}x{bb.Length:F1} (area={bb.Width * bb.Length:F0})  qty={qty}  class={classification}");
+
+            items.Add(new NestItem
+            {
+                Drawing = d,
+                Quantity = qty,
+                StepAngle = d.Constraints.StepAngle,
+                RotationStart = d.Constraints.StartAngle,
+                RotationEnd = d.Constraints.EndAngle,
+            });
+        }
+
+        _output.WriteLine("---");
+        _output.WriteLine($"Total: {items.Count} drawings, {items.Sum(i => i.Quantity)} parts");
+
+        var plateOptions = new List<PlateOption>
+        {
+            new() { Width = 48, Length = 96, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 48, Length = 120, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 48, Length = 144, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 60, Length = 96, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 60, Length = 120, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 60, Length = 144, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 72, Length = 96, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 72, Length = 120, Cost = 0 },
+            new() { Width = 72, Length = 144, Cost = 0 },
+        };
+
+        _output.WriteLine($"Plate options: {string.Join(", ", plateOptions.Select(o => $"{o.Width}x{o.Length}"))}");
+        _output.WriteLine("");
+
+        var options = new MultiPlateNestOptions
+        {
+            Template = template,
+            PlateOptions = plateOptions,
+        };
+
+        var result = MultiPlateNester.Nest(items, options);
+
+        _output.WriteLine($"=== RESULTS: {result.Plates.Count} plates ===");
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < result.Plates.Count; i++)
+        {
+            var pr = result.Plates[i];
+            var groups = pr.Parts.GroupBy(p => p.BaseDrawing.Name)
+                .Select(g => $"{g.Key} x{g.Count()}")
+                .ToList();
+            _output.WriteLine($"  Plate {i + 1} ({pr.Plate.Size.Width}x{pr.Plate.Size.Length}): " +
+                $"{pr.Parts.Count} parts, util={pr.Plate.Utilization():P1}  [{string.Join(", ", groups)}]");
+        }
+
+        if (result.UnplacedItems.Count > 0)
+        {
+            _output.WriteLine($"  Unplaced: {string.Join(", ", result.UnplacedItems.Select(i => $"{i.Drawing.Name} x{i.Quantity}"))}");
+        }
+
+        _output.WriteLine($"\nTotal parts placed: {result.Plates.Sum(p => p.Parts.Count)}");
+        _output.WriteLine($"Total plates used: {result.Plates.Count}");
+    }
+}