Auto-Nest & Fill Tools

Auto-Nest and Fill Sheet are tools that automate image arrangement — so customers don't have to manually position every image to get an efficient layout.

Auto-Nest

Auto-Nest analyzes all images on the canvas and rearranges them to minimize wasted space, using configurable gap spacing.

How to Use

1. Upload all your images first and rough-position them (or don't — Auto-Nest works regardless of current position).
2. In the Auto-Nest section of the Builder sidebar, set the Spacing value (in inches). This is the gap that will be maintained between every image.
3. Click Preview Nest to see a preview of the layout overlaid on the canvas.
4. If the layout looks good, click Apply. If not, click Cancel and adjust spacing or image selections.

Alternatively, click Auto-Nest (skip preview) to apply immediately without a preview step.

What spacing to use?

• 0.125" (⅛") — very tight, maximizes sheet usage
• 0.25" (¼") — common default, easy to cut
• 0.5" — more breathing room, lower utilization

What Auto-Nest Does

• Sorts images by area (largest first) for optimal packing.
• Places images row by row, advancing to the next row when a row is full.
• Maintains consistent gap spacing in all directions.
• Does not rotate images (their current rotation is preserved).

Auto-Nest is non-destructive until applied

The preview overlays the expected positions without moving anything. Only clicking Apply commits the rearrangement. Undo (Ctrl+Z) still works after applying.

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Fill Sheet

Fill Sheet takes the currently selected image and tiles copies of it to fill all remaining space on the sheet.

How to Use

1. Select the image you want to tile.
2. In the Replicate section of the Builder sidebar, click Fill Sheet.
3. The selected image is duplicated and placed in a grid pattern covering unused sheet area.

Use this for simple "fill the sheet with this one design" orders.

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Replicate Selected

Replicate places a set number of copies of the selected image on the canvas.

1. Select an image.
2. Set the Copies count in the Replicate section.
3. Click Replicate Selected.

The copies are stacked at offset positions. After replicating, run Auto-Nest to organize them.

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Sheet Utilization

The Sheet Summary in the Builder sidebar shows a live Utilization % — what percentage of the total sheet area is covered by images.

Utilization	Badge Color	Meaning
≥ 70%	🟢 Green	Efficient layout — good use of the sheet
40–69%	🟡 Yellow	Room for more designs
< 40%	🔴 Red	Sheet is mostly empty

Encourage customers to maximize utilization

A customer ordering a 22" × 48" sheet at 30% utilization is paying for space they're not using. Remind them they can add more designs before checking out.