TrueNest - True-Shape Nesting for Adobe Illustrator (Mac & Window)
Stop arranging by hand. Start nesting by shape.
The Adobe Illustrator panel that auto-nests your cut pieces on vinyl — by their true shape, not a bounding box. Less wasted material, faster jobs, more kits per roll.
Stop arranging by hand. Start nesting by shape.
TrueNest is an Adobe Illustrator panel that automatically arranges your cut pieces on vinyl using true-shape nesting — it reads the actual contour of every part instead of its rectangle, so pieces slot together tightly. Less wasted vinyl. Fewer minutes spent dragging shapes around. More jobs out the door.
Built for the people who make moto, powersports and vehicle graphics, decals and wrap kits — and who are tired of laying out sheets by hand.
Why TrueNest
- True-shape nesting, not rectangles. Follows the real cut contour so angled and irregular pieces interlock — the difference between a full roll and a wasted one.
- Native to Illustrator. It's a panel, not another app. No exporting, no round-trips — it works on your existing paths and your CutContour spot-color setup.
- Respects your cut setup. Set bleed per piece and blade/kerf margin, and TrueNest keeps a safe gap so cuts never overlap.
- Smart rotation. Kit-aware angles, 0/90/180/270, or fine 15° steps for a tighter fit — without distorting your kit.
- Move or duplicate. Rearrange on the active artboard, or spill overflow onto new sheets automatically.
- Push for the best layout. Give it a time budget (30 s to 5 min) and let it search for a tighter nest, then apply the best result.
- Keeps working offline. A short offline grace period means a dropped connection never stops your work.
How it works
- Set your sheet. Enter your vinyl width and height, bleed, and blade margin.
- Select and nest. Select your grouped pieces and click Nest — TrueNest arranges them by true shape in seconds.
- Apply and cut. Review the layout, apply it, and send to your cutter.
Technical specs
- Host app: Adobe Illustrator 2020 or later (v24+).
- Platform: macOS. (Windows: coming soon.)
- Cut setup: works with a spot-color cut layer (e.g. CutContour).
- Install: signed extension (.zxp) — installs with a free ZXP installer, no developer mode.
- License: seat-based (1 or 2 workstations); online activation with an offline grace period.
Plans
- Solo — €29.99/month: 1 workstation. All features. Free updates. Cancel anytime.
- Studio — €49.99/month: 2 workstations. Everything in Solo, for two seats. Free updates. Cancel anytime.
FAQ
What is true-shape nesting?
Instead of packing the rectangle around each part, TrueNest packs the real outline. Irregular and angled pieces interlock, so you fit more on every sheet.
Do I need to prepare my files?
Group each part cleanly and keep your cut paths on your spot-color cut layer. TrueNest reads your artwork read-only — it never ungroups or edits your originals.
Which Illustrator versions are supported?
Adobe Illustrator 2020 (v24) and later.
Mac or Windows?
macOS today. Windows is on the way.
How many computers can I use it on?
Solo covers 1 workstation, Studio covers 2. Need a seat freed after changing computers? Just contact us.
How do I install it?
You'll receive a signed .zxp file and a short install guide. It installs with a free ZXP installer — no developer mode.
Can I use it offline?
Yes — TrueNest keeps working through short offline periods and re-checks your license when you're back online.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Your plan renews monthly and you can cancel whenever you like.
Get tighter nests and reclaim your afternoon.
Join the shops nesting smarter inside Illustrator. Choose your plan above.