Cutio 1.0 user guide

1. Choose Project > New project. Enter a project name such as Practice job. Open Tools > Project settings and choose Millimetres (mm). Check currency, tax and paper size.
2. Open Materials > Shared material catalog. Check that the catalog Length unit is mm. On Laminate, click Add. Enter Code DEMO-18, Name / color Practice board, Sheet length 2800, Sheet width 2070, and Thickness 18. Leave Grain direction must be preserved off for this exercise. Enter a practice Sheet price in the catalog currency, then Save.
3. On Parts, use Add part to enter the three rows below. Select DEMO-18 for every row, Rotation Yes, Grain Free, and No for all four edges.

4. Set Saw kerf and Edge margin. For this practice exercise, 3.2 mm and 10 mm match the initial application values. For real work, use values checked against your saw and stock.
5. Choose Project > Save and save a practice .lamproj file. Click Layout. The list asks for five physical parts. Check that every instance is placed, the material is correct and no required part remains unplaced.
6. Open the validation status and review any issue. Inspect the layout and Cost calculation, then use Print / PDF to review the output. Save the project again.

The example is intentionally small: the longest part is 1200 mm, well within the sheet dimensions after the illustrative margins. Your actual sheet use and utilization depend on the settings and the generated arrangement.

Start or reopen work

Choose Project > New project to open a new project in its own tab. Fill in Project and Customer at the top of the window. Use a name that identifies the job and its revision. Project > Open project... opens an existing .lamproj file. Several projects can be open in tabs; check which tab is active before editing or importing.

Save deliberate versions

1. Use Project > Save after entering parts, changing settings, reviewing prices or arranging a layout. Choose a folder and filename on the first save.
2. Use Project > Save as... to keep a separate revision before major changes, import or a new optimization attempt.
3. After reopening a saved file, check its project identity, parts and layout before continuing. A PDF or Excel report does not replace the editable .lamproj file.

Check regional settings early

Open Tools > Project settings for the length unit, currency, tax label/rate and paper size. The length unit can be mm or in. Layout output supports A4 or Letter. Previously saved projects keep their own settings. Check the displayed unit whenever you enter dimensions; some specialist dialogs, including offcut inventory, use millimetres explicitly.

Recover carefully

Closing a changed project offers Save, Discard or Cancel. Project > Open previous saved version... opens a backup in a new tab; save recovered work as a separate file. Project > Recover unsaved work... is the entry point for unsaved recovery. Check the recovered contents before replacing current work. Recovery is a safety net, so continue to save normally.

Add a sheet material

1. Open Materials > Shared material catalog and select Laminate.
2. Click Add. Enter a unique Code, Name / color, Sheet length, Sheet width, Thickness and Sheet price.
3. Enable Grain direction must be preserved for directional material that must not rotate. Check the catalog Length unit and currency, then Save.
4. To correct an existing entry, select it and use Edit. Review the entry before using it in a live project.

Add edge banding

1. In the same catalog, select Edge and click Add.
2. Enter Code, Type, Thickness, Color / finish, Band width, Material price and Application price.
3. Check the rates and Save. Edge prices are per metre, so do not enter a per-roll price as a per-metre rate.

Laminate entries require a code and name; edge entries require a code and color. Duplicate codes are rejected. Distinct codes are especially useful for Excel import, where exact material and edge codes avoid ambiguous matches.

Before entering real parts, compare the catalog entry with the stock label and the piece you will cut. Similar names can conceal different thicknesses, finishes, sizes or grain requirements.

1. On Parts, click Add part. Enter Length, Width and Quantity. Dimensions must be positive; quantity must be a positive whole number.
2. Select the correct Laminate. Set Rotation to Yes only when turning the part is acceptable, and choose Grain Free or Lengthwise.
3. Assign Top edge, Bottom edge, Left edge and Right edge. Choose No on each unbanded side.
4. Repeat for other sizes or specifications. Select unwanted rows and use Delete selected. Check the list before clicking Layout.

Keep the physical sides straight

Top and bottom edges run along the entered Length. Left and right edges run along the entered Width. Identify these sides in the original part orientation, then check their markings on the layout and labels. A rotated drawing can otherwise make a correct row look unfamiliar.

New rows inherit the previous row's laminate, or the first catalog material. They begin with Quantity 1, Rotation Yes and Grain Free. Treat these as defaults to review, especially when the job mixes materials.

Enter cutting sizes deliberately

Cutio nests the entered Length and Width. Do not assume edge-band thickness is automatically deducted to turn a finished dimension into a cutting dimension. Determine the required cutting sizes for your manufacturing process and verify them before output. After changing dimensions, quantities or specifications, generate a new layout and review it again.

1. Choose Templates > Excel import template and save the workbook. It includes Instructions and Catalog sheets.
2. Replace the sample parts with your own. Keep the standard header row. Length, Width and Quantity are required.
3. Use exact laminate and edge codes from the catalog. For an unbanded side, leave the cell empty or enter No. Use Yes/No for Rotation and Free/Lengthwise for Grain.
4. Save as .xlsx with the completed parts worksheet active. Cutio reads the active worksheet, so do not leave the Instructions or Catalog sheet active.
5. Choose Import > From Excel, select the workbook and read the result and warnings.
6. Check all dimensions, quantities, materials, edges, grain and rotation. Correct errors in the Parts table, save the project, then generate and validate a fresh layout.

Template columns

The standard order is Number, Length, Width, Quantity, Rotation, Top edge, Bottom edge, Left edge, Right edge, Laminate and Grain. Cutio recognizes column headings automatically rather than asking you to map columns. Displayed part numbers are assigned in imported row order.

Units and custom workbooks

Recognized English headings include Length or L, Width or W, and Qty or Quantity. Explicit mm or in dimension headings must agree. Without a unit suffix, dimensions are interpreted using the current project's length unit. Do not mix mm and in headings in one import. The built-in template is the simplest way to preserve the expected structure.

For a reliable handoff, keep the original workbook, the checked project and its final workshop PDF together. Re-importing a corrected workbook replaces the table again; save a revision first.

1. Open Tools > OpenAI API settings to enter your key privately. Keys entered through this settings dialog are saved using the system credential store and are not included in project files.
2. Choose Import > From photo / PDF, then Add files. Set Source units, Default material, Default edge banding, Grain and Allow part rotation to match the source.
3. Choose a Recognition mode: Accurate — recommended, Fast / economical or Basic / lowest cost. Click Start recognition.
4. In Review recognized data, compare every required source row with the result. Verify dimensions, quantity, material, all four edges, grain and rotation. Review warnings; an AI outline is approximate.
5. Use In project checkboxes to include rows. Blue highlighting only selects rows for editing. Resolve unclear edge sides explicitly; “one length edge” does not identify top versus bottom.
6. Click Confirm checked rows. Correct any row still unconfirmed. Editing a row clears its confirmation, so confirm it again. Click Add to project when all checked rows are valid and confirmed.

Review and export carefully

Rows provides grouped review commands. Delete unchecked rows removes them from the review window; Undo delete restores the last deleted group. The source file is unchanged. All rows to Excel exports every remaining row, including unchecked, unconfirmed and invalid rows; the Review sheet keeps review notes. Treat that workbook as review material.

Handwritten forms and connection problems

Use Templates > Customer order form for structured handwritten intake. Enter dimensions in mm, one digit per box, and follow the edge-count instructions. Keep all four black corner markers visible in photographs. Recognition still needs review.

Connection errors require internet access; key errors require a valid key; credit or model errors require checking OpenAI API billing or project access. API use may incur OpenAI charges. Do not assume a ChatGPT subscription includes API credit. Never include an API key in a project, workbook, screenshot or support message.

Set kerf and margins

On Parts, set Saw kerf to the width of material removed by a cut. Set Edge margin to the reserved border around the sheet. Check these values against the actual equipment and stock. Initial application values are not a universal recommendation.

Choose an optimization mode

Open Additional settings and choose Optimization mode. The available choices are:

• Vertical panel saw — guillotine cutting with backfill (recommended)
• Balanced — fewer sheets and simple cutting
• Minimum waste — multiple optimization strategies
• Horizontal strips — guillotine cutting

Use a mode appropriate to your process, then examine its actual cutting arrangement and validation. A mode name is not a guarantee of mathematically minimum waste or compatibility with a particular machine.

Include other stock sizes

1. In the layout workspace, choose Sheets > Available sheets / offcuts....
2. Click Add offcut / other sheet size. Select the material, enter the exact remaining dimensions, quantity and unit price, and leave Use enabled for stock to include.
3. Confirm with OK and run Layout again. Available stock is considered before adding new full sheets. For tracked inventory and reservations, follow the offcut chapter.

Generate and compare

Click Layout. Cutio opens the Layout tab and reports sheet count. Correct any named row with invalid dimensions, material or quantity. For a part that does not fit, check the usable sheet dimensions after both margins and the part's rotation/grain restrictions. If a generated layout fails validation, the previous layout is retained.

Read the result

Use Material to choose the material shown and Fit all sheets to bring its sheets into view. Headers identify material, sheet number, size and source. Part labels show number and dimensions; the banding legend explains edge markings. Check required quantities and Unplaced parts.

Click the validation status to open Layout validation. Results lists issues; double-click an issue to locate the part or sheet. Cutting steps shows the available through-guillotine-cut sequence. Its coordinates start at the sheet's upper-left corner and mark the start of the kerf. This is a planning list, not a machine control file.

Move or rotate a part

• Drag a part to a valid position or another sheet of the same material. Green preview means valid placement; red means it will not fit. Boundaries, margins, nearby parts and kerf clearance are checked.
• Right-click a part to rotate it 90 degrees. Rotation is refused if disabled, grain is locked or the rotated part does not fit at that position.
• Drag a part into Unplaced parts to park it temporarily. List groups copies compactly; Diagram shows them to scale. Dragging a grouped list row places one copy at a time.

Navigate and finish

Search unplaced parts by number or dimensions. Top clears the search and returns to the beginning. Resize the free-zone divider when needed. The mouse wheel zooms; F11 toggles full screen. View > Grid spacing changes placement increments. Dragging also snaps near sheet and part edges, so use the green preview to judge the result.

Use Sheets > Add a blank full sheet for extra placement space and Sheets > Remove empty sheets to remove unused blanks. Manual changes trigger validation and cost recalculation. Return all required parts from the unplaced area, inspect validation again and save. Running Layout again replaces the arrangement.

1. Choose Sheets > Offcut inventory... in the layout workspace.
2. Use Add existing offcut only for a rectangular piece that physically exists. Record material, dimensions, quantity and storage location. Length follows the material grain axis; this dialog uses millimetres.
3. Select a suitable piece and choose Use existing offcut. Enter the total quantity to reserve for this project. Check material, thickness and grain, then regenerate the layout to include the stock.
4. If it is no longer needed, select the piece and use Release reservation. Closing the project does not release its reservations.
5. After the job is physically cut, identify the rectangular outputs you will actually keep. Use Mark as reusable offcut for the intended outputs in the layout, then choose Sheets > Cutting completed / update inventory....
6. Review the selected outputs and storage location. Check I confirm that cutting is physically complete. and click Update inventory only when that is true.

Identify stock and protect the record

Use Offcut labels for available or reserved pieces and Back up inventory to save a separate inventory backup. Store labels where they remain attached to the corresponding piece and use a storage location you can find in the workshop.

If inventory updates but the project cannot be saved, reopen inventory and save the project. Do not repeat the inventory transaction.

1. Validate the parts and generate a layout. Open Cost calculation to review sheet count, part area, actual utilization, actual waste and costs.
2. Open Project materials / prices. Check this project's sheet prices, edge-material rates and application rates.
3. Choose Update prices from catalog only when you intend to adopt the current catalog prices. Review proposed changes before applying them, then save.
4. Under Project prices, check Cutting rate, Edge allowance and Profit markup. Expand Additional costs for Fixed overhead and Overhead percentage. Review the tax choice and rate.
5. Check Total price. Use Excel report to save an .xlsx report. Keep it with the corresponding project revision.

Understand the calculation

Project prices are retained

Prices are stored with the project. Updating the shared catalog does not automatically update an existing job. Price-only changes recalculate cost without moving parts. If parts or cutting specifications change, generate and validate a new layout before relying on the calculation.

If project and catalog currencies differ, use project-price controls to enter the appropriate amounts. A draft or incomplete layout can produce a misleading quote. Check the source quantities, missing parts, sheet allocation and rates rather than judging readiness from the total alone.

1. Check that the parts table has valid dimensions and quantities. A layout is not required for part labels.
2. Choose Project > Export > Part labels.
3. Choose a Preset or Custom. Check Label width, Label height, every margin and the horizontal and vertical gaps against the A4 label stock.
4. Choose Print test page. Print on plain A4 paper at 100% scale before using adhesive labels.
5. Measure the first and last label positions. Adjust margins and gaps as needed, then click Update preview. Inspect all content and resolve size warnings.
6. Use Print or Save PDF. Keep A4 portrait and 100% scale in the printer or PDF print settings.

Calibrate in the right order

Preset margins are starting values, not a guarantee of alignment on your printer. Compare measured positions on plain paper with the physical label sheet. Correct the label geometry rather than using page scaling to hide a mismatch.

Keep a known good setup

Label settings are saved for all projects. Restore preset defaults returns to the selected preset's starting geometry. Recheck calibration if you change printers, paper stock or driver settings. Before applying labels, compare the part number, dimensions and any edge information with the corresponding physical part and the current project revision.

1. In the layout workspace, select exactly one physical part and click Hinges. For grouped parts, select an individual instance in the free-zone diagram.
2. Check the displayed original part height and orientation before entering offsets.
3. Set Number of hinges, Original top edge to first center, Original bottom edge to last center and Side.
4. Review the listed center positions and click Save. Use Remove hinge marks when the annotation should be cleared.
5. Save the project and inspect the marks in the output you will use in the workshop.

Read orientation consistently

Top, bottom, left and right refer to the annotation's original orientation. The marks follow the part when it is rotated in the layout. Compare the intended door orientation with the original part orientation before choosing the side or measuring an offset.

If the parts table and layout differ, update the layout before editing hinge annotations. If the design changes later, recheck the selected part, offsets and final output rather than assuming earlier marks are still appropriate.

For repeated parts, inspect each relevant physical instance. A compact grouped display is convenient for selection, but it is important to verify which copy carries the annotation before releasing the job.

Print or save the layout PDF

1. Click Print / PDF after generating and checking the layout. Cutio validates the current result before opening the preview.
2. Use Fit and the minus/plus zoom controls to inspect every page. Check project/customer details, material, sheet dimensions, parts list, banding legend and validation status.
3. Choose Print for the printer dialog or Save PDF for a PDF filename and location. The PDF includes all layout sheets. Paper follows Project settings, with A4 or Letter in landscape orientation.

Export DXF

1. Choose Project > Export > DXF > Current sheet... or All sheets....
2. For a single sheet, verify Material and sheet. All sheets includes every material in the project.
3. Choose whether to include Part numbers (LABELS) and Dimension labels (DIMENSIONS).
4. Use Save DXF... and choose a new filename or output folder. Existing files are not overwritten. Open the result in downstream software and check dimensions and layers.

DXF preserves the current geometry. It does not repair errors, enlarge gaps or prepare machine paths. Saw gaps can be too small for a router. Prepare tool compensation, machine settings and cutting paths separately. Note that DXF's bottom-left origin differs from the upper-left origin used in Cutting steps.

Trial and existing purchases

On the welcome screen, choose Start Free Trial for the 14-day trial. Initial activation needs internet access. The trial requires no email or credit card and does not automatically charge you. Reinstalling does not restart the trial.

Use Already purchased? Sign in to access an existing purchase. Sign-in uses your email and a one-time code. The account supports purchase access, license recovery and account/device management. Review the current purchase options in the application; this guide does not fix prices or available plans.

Offline verification and viewer access

A trial's offline verification period is limited to a maximum of 72 hours per signed verification and never extends beyond the trial end. Reconnect and use Refresh status when verification is required. Photo/PDF recognition needs internet access even when the desktop license is valid offline.

If you cannot activate now, Continue in Viewer Mode permits opening and viewing projects; saving and recovery remain available. Editing and production actions that require an active license are restricted.

Devices and payment status

Open License > License and activation to check status. If the license is in use on another computer, open My devices to review it. Release the old computer before activating the new one. Signing out alone does not free the server device seat. If payment status is pending or unclear, refresh the existing order before trying to purchase again.

Ask for help with enough context

Contact Cutio support. Include Cutio version, the action you attempted, the exact error text and whether the problem affects one project or several. For an output problem, include relevant settings such as units, paper size, kerf and margin.

Before releasing the job

• Confirm the correct project revision, material codes, thickness and physical stock.
• Check units, intended cutting dimensions, quantities, grain, rotation and the four physical edges.
• Check kerf, margins, available stock and the selected optimization mode.
• Place every required part and review validation for every material and sheet.
• Inspect the final PDF, labels, hinge marks or DXF that the workshop will actually use.
• Save the .lamproj file. Complete the inventory transaction only after physical cutting.