As a designer and stock illustrator, I had the exact same idea. I already had JSX scripts for bounding-box-based nesting, so I decided to combine my work into a full-fledged Adobe Illustrator plugin - but with the addition of true-shape nesting. That is how Arrange Master was created.
It was built specifically to address the points you mentioned: it works natively on both macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel) and Windows, and it is an affordable one-time purchase ($39) rather than an expensive enterprise subscription.
It does true-shape nesting where you define the exact spacing (in mm, pt, or inches) to tightly interlock irregular vector objects and minimize vinyl waste on a plotter.
A few other features that might be useful for your workflow:
• Multi-layer retention: Keeps your CUT contours, PRINT graphics, and marks on their original layers after nesting.
• Vector gravity (X and Y axes): Allows you to pack items directionally to keep print runs as short as possible on roll media.
• Other modes: Includes Knolling, structured Grids with square cells, and packing inside custom vector containers.
There is a free demo version available on the website (andrewr.online) if you want to test how it handles your cut files first.
Andrew R
As a designer and stock illustrator, I had the exact same idea. I already had JSX scripts for bounding-box-based nesting, so I decided to combine my work into a full-fledged Adobe Illustrator plugin - but with the addition of true-shape nesting. That is how Arrange Master was created.
It was built specifically to address the points you mentioned: it works natively on both macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel) and Windows, and it is an affordable one-time purchase ($39) rather than an expensive enterprise subscription.
It does true-shape nesting where you define the exact spacing (in mm, pt, or inches) to tightly interlock irregular vector objects and minimize vinyl waste on a plotter.
A few other features that might be useful for your workflow:
• Multi-layer retention: Keeps your CUT contours, PRINT graphics, and marks on their original layers after nesting.
• Vector gravity (X and Y axes): Allows you to pack items directionally to keep print runs as short as possible on roll media.
• Other modes: Includes Knolling, structured Grids with square cells, and packing inside custom vector containers.
There is a free demo version available on the website (andrewr.online) if you want to test how it handles your cut files first.