# OpenNest

A Windows desktop application for CNC nesting — imports DXF drawings, arranges parts on material plates, and exports layouts as DXF or G-code for cutting.

<p>
  <a href="screenshots/screenshot-nest-1.png"><img src="screenshots/screenshot-nest-1.png" width="420" alt="OpenNest - parts nested on a 36x36 plate"></a>
  <a href="screenshots/screenshot-nest-2.png"><img src="screenshots/screenshot-nest-2.png" width="420" alt="OpenNest - 44 parts nested on a 60x120 plate"></a>
</p>

## Features

- **Import / export** — DXF & DWG parts (ACadSharp), Excel BOMs, bend-line detection, built-in parametric shapes; export DXF or post-processed G-code.
- **Nesting** — pluggable whole-job engines (Default, Strip, Vertical/Horizontal Remnant, StockLadder, plus DLL plugins), NFP-based interlocking pair evaluation, gravity compaction, rotation sweeps, multi-plate/multi-material jobs.
- **Plate operations** — sheet cut-offs, oversized-part splitting (straight, weld-gap tabs, spike-groove), interactive editing.
- **CNC output** — configurable lead-ins/outs and tabs, contour editing, user-defined G-code variables (`$name` → `#200+` machine variables), plugin post-processors (Cincinnati CL-707/800/900/940/CLX included).

## Requirements

- Windows 10+ for the desktop app; the console, API, and most test projects build on Linux/macOS too.
- [.NET 8 SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/8.0)

## Build, Test, Run

```bash
git clone https://git.thecozycat.net/aj/OpenNest.git
cd OpenNest
dotnet build OpenNest.sln                                       # full solution (Windows)
dotnet test OpenNest.Engine.Tests/OpenNest.Engine.Tests.csproj  # cross-platform engine tests
dotnet test OpenNest.Tests/OpenNest.Tests.csproj                # core/engine/IO/API tests
dotnet run --project OpenNest/OpenNest.csproj                   # desktop app (Windows)
```

`OpenNest.WinForms.Tests` (desktop-assembly tests) runs on Windows only. Format changed files with `dotnet format OpenNest.sln --include <path>`.

### Quick start

1. File > New Nest
2. Import DXFs via the CAD Converter (layer/color filtering, bend detection, G-code preview) or create built-in shapes
3. Define plate size, material, quadrant, spacing
4. Fill — the engine arranges parts
5. Optionally add cut-off lines, then save `.nest`, export DXF, or post-process to G-code

## Command-Line Interface

```bash
dotnet run --project OpenNest.Console -- part.dxf --size 60x120               # fill one plate
dotnet run --project OpenNest.Console -- part1.dxf part2.dxf --size 60x120 --autonest
dotnet run --project OpenNest.Console -- project.zip                          # re-fill a nest file
```

Key options: `--size WxL`, `--autonest` (whole-job nesting), `--engine <name>` (jobs engine or fill strategy), `--quantity`, `--spacing`, `--template <nest>`, `--output <path>`, `--check-overlaps`, `--post <name>`, `--no-save`. Run without arguments for the full list.

## Benchmarking Engines

`OpenNest.Benchmark` runs every registered `INestingEngine` against `.nest` files (or a JSON manifest of DXFs + quantities) and scores by salvage-credited sheet area, with a penalty per unplaced part.

```bash
dotnet run --project OpenNest.Benchmark -- ./benchmark-jobs \
  --sheet-sizes 48x96,60x120,72x120 --engines Default,StockLadder --csv results.csv
```

Layouts are validated (bounds, spacing, quantity, rotation, stock match); invalid runs place nothing and pay the penalty. `--parallel` (default 3) speeds up scoring but inflates `Time(ms)` — use `--parallel 1` when comparing speed. Pass `--sheet-sizes` for an unbiased run; otherwise only each file's original sizes are offered. Custom engines drop in as DLLs implementing `INestingEngine` (public parameterless constructor) in an `Engines/` folder next to the benchmark. Community engines live in [OpenNest-Engines](https://git.thecozycat.net/aj/OpenNest-Engines).

## Project Structure

| Project | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| **OpenNest** | WinForms desktop app |
| **OpenNest.Core** | Domain model, geometry, CNC primitives |
| **OpenNest.Engine** | Nesting algorithms and whole-job contracts |
| **OpenNest.IO** | DXF/DWG, `.nest`, G-code, BOM I/O; CAD import |
| **OpenNest.Console** | Headless batch nesting |
| **OpenNest.Api / .Data** | Programmatic pipeline; machine & cutting-parameter data |
| **OpenNest.Gpu** | GPU-accelerated pair evaluation (ILGPU) |
| **OpenNest.Benchmark** | Head-to-head engine comparison |
| **OpenNest.Mcp** | MCP server for AI tool integration |
| **OpenNest.Posts.Cincinnati** | Cincinnati laser post-processor plugin |
| **\*.Tests** | Cross-platform suites; WinForms tests are Windows-only |

## Nesting Engines

Jobs-only API: engines implement `INestingEngine.Solve(NestJob)`; only `NestJobRunner` commits demand and stock, and every candidate passes the placement validator (bounds, spacing, rotation policy, stock match) before it consumes anything.

| Engine | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| **Default** | Multi-phase: linear fill → pairs → rect best-fit → extents |
| **Strip** | Iterative shrink-fill for mixed-drawing layouts |
| **Vertical / Horizontal Remnant** | Optimizes a clean remnant drop on one edge |
| **StockLadder** | Whole-job, stock-constrained baseline with salvage-credit ranking |

## File Format

`.nest` files are ZIP archives: `nest.json` (metadata, plates, drawings, placements), `programs/program-N` (G-code per drawing), optional `entities/`, sub-programs, and cached best-fit data.

## Supported Formats

| Format | Import | Export |
|--------|--------|--------|
| DXF | Yes | Yes |
| DWG | Yes | No |
| Excel BOM | Yes | No |
| G-code | No | Yes (post-processors) |
| `.nest` | Yes | Yes |

## Keyboard Shortcuts

`Ctrl+F` fill area · `F` zoom to fit · `Shift+wheel` / middle-click rotate · `X`/`Y` push · arrows nudge · `Shift+arrow` push.

## Status & License

Actively developed; core workflows run end-to-end from DXF import to G-code. Contributions welcome. MIT licensed — see [LICENSE](LICENSE).