Have a piece of stock, and need to make it into smaller pieces, and want to maximize material (who doesn't?). Found this tool yesterday after playing with shapes in Adobe Illustrator, and was looking for something quick, easy (and free), and found this tool - optiCutter.
Input some data, like the material, blade (kerf) thickness, and stock dimensions (can specify multiple!) and then your cuts that you need and then through some wizardry, generates a cut plan, even a neanderthal like me can use and understand. You can then export to PDF, Excel (or CSV).
I love this thing. And the price is right up our alley (free - with limitations).
Have any tools you use for generating cut lists? List it below. I am a software architect by day. You'd think I'd use more software for woodworking and metalworking... but I don't. I'm trying to be better