> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dev-docs.nestapi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Nesting settings

> The knobs that control how parts are placed: spacing, rotations, and material handling.

Settings travel inside the `Request` object of a nesting call and control **how** parts are
placed. The exact field names and defaults are in the **Nesting** section of the
[API Reference](/api-reference); this page explains the concepts behind the common ones.

## Spacing

The gap kept between neighbouring parts, and between parts and the sheet edge. Set this from
your process (kerf width, heat-affected zone, safe handling margin). Too small risks parts
touching; too large wastes material.

## Rotations

Which orientations the nester may try when placing a part. Allowing more rotations usually
improves utilisation but can conflict with **directional material** (grain, brushed finish,
corrugation), where you may want to restrict rotation to preserve appearance or strength.

## Material and grain

Directional stock is respected by constraining rotations so parts keep a consistent
orientation relative to the sheet.

## Common cutting

An advanced option where adjacent parts **share a cut line**, eliminating the gap between
them to save material and cutting time. See [common cutting](/concepts/common-cutting).

## Where settings live

Settings are part of the endpoint's `Request` payload (e.g. `Base64NestingRequest.Settings`),
not top-level request fields. The top-level fields are `Request`, `ResultsWebhookUri`, and
`AutomaticallyStartNesting` — see the [nesting workflow](/guides/nesting-workflow).

<Note>
  Field names, valid ranges, and defaults are defined by the request models in the
  [API Reference](/api-reference). Treat this page as orientation, not a field list.
</Note>