Settings, units, and kerf
SawWise separates display choices from its underlying dimensional calculations. Set units for comfortable reading, then configure the stock and kerf that match your real workshop.
Display units
After import, use Units in the header:
- Model follows the recognised SketchUp unit and formatting information, displaying millimetres or inches.
- Millimetres displays decimal millimetres.
- Inches displays fractional inches, normally rounded to sixteenths, regardless of the model's original decimal or architectural format.
Changing display units does not resize the model or convert a part into a different physical size. It changes how the same dimensions are shown and how editable lengths are interpreted.
SawWise keeps calculations consistent when converting between millimetres and inches. Fractional-inch display is normally rounded to the nearest sixteenth, so switch units or check the model dimension when that rounding matters.
Tip: Pick the unit system you find easiest before entering custom stock, offcuts, or kerf. SawWise handles the conversions for you.
Timber and sheet kerf
Timber blade kerf and Sheet blade kerf are separate because you may use different blades, machines, or cutting methods.
Kerf is the width of the slot removed by a cut. It is not always the same as the blade plate thickness, tooth width printed on packaging, or the width of a pencil line.
To measure kerf, make a test cut in similar scrap with your normal blade and measure the slot. For an average over several cuts, compare the material before and after and divide the lost width by the number of cuts.
Kerf reserves material in the plan. You choose the blade side and datum when setting up each real cut.
Timber plan style
Timber plan style sets the default calculation preference:
- Safer balanced waste spreads remainder more evenly.
- Compact offcuts concentrates remainder into larger offcuts where possible.
- Grouped repeat cuts prioritises fewer changes between repeated cut lengths.
You can also change Cut plan mode in the Timber tab. The setting applies to recalculated timber plans; it does not create a required saw-operation sequence.
Global setup and project choices
Browser-wide preferences include:
- Custom and built-in stock entries in Cutting settings.
- Timber and sheet kerf in Cutting settings.
- The default timber plan style in Cutting settings.
- The display-unit preference selected from Units in the page header.
Project choices can be reused when the browser recognises an imported project. Recognition uses the filename and model structure, so renaming a file may start a fresh set of choices. Saved choices include part overrides, sheet materials by thickness, and the full/half-sheet preference.
After re-importing an updated model, have a quick look at the saved choices to make sure they still suit the design.
Reset defaults restores built-in stock and cutting setup while keeping project-specific choices.
Browser storage
Settings and project choices are stored locally when browser storage is available. They do not automatically follow you to another browser or device. Clearing site data can remove them.
The imported .skp model is not saved as a complete local SawWise project. Re-import after refresh.
Allowances to add separately
SawWise does not automatically include:
- Rough-cut oversize.
- Final crosscut or rip sizing.
- Jointing or planing allowance.
- Sheet-edge cleanup or factory-edge trim.
- Edge-banding thickness.
- Snipe, checking, damaged ends, or defect removal.
- Spare material for mistakes or test cuts.
Add whichever of these you use to the model, part overrides, or purchasing margin. Keep kerf for the blade width so the cut layout remains easy to understand.
Tip: Stock, kerf, and plan-style changes recalculate the plans, so take another look at Overview, Timber, and Sheets afterwards.