A computer-implemented method for generating a nesting plan for controlling a cutting process of a flatbed machine tool for cutting out workpieces from a material panel, wherein the nesting plan comprises a non-overlapping arrangement of sub-spaces (9A, 9B,...) in a two-dimensional planning space, the sub-spaces corresponding to the workpieces, as well as a spatial arrangement of predetermined support spaces, wherein the support spaces correspond to bearing surface regions of the material panel, the regions being supported during the cutting process, the method having the steps of: sequentially arranging sub-spaces (9A, 9B,...) in the planning space according to an insertion sequence and an arrangement rule, the arrangement rule assigning, in the planning space, an initial position to each newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), at least one point of each sub-space (9A, 9B,...) in said initial position being arranged at the workpiece minimum distance away from another sub-space (9A, 9B,...) that has already been inserted, evaluating the initial position using a packing density evaluation and at least one evaluation which incorporates the position data, setting up, on the basis of an evaluation result of the initial position of a newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), a local search space that includes at least one alternative position for said newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), evaluating the at least one alternative position using the packing density evaluation and the at least one evaluation which incorporates the position data and comparing the evaluation results of the initial position to the at least one alternative position in order to establish, specifically for the insertion sequence, one of the evaluated positions as the cutting position for the newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...) in the nesting plan, outputting a nesting plan which includes the sub-spaces (9A, 9B,...) arranged at the cutting positions, wherein sections of the contour, or positions along the contour, are assigned to the support spaces (27, Sp) using the position data in order to evaluate a sub-space (9A, 9B,...) that is positioned in an alternative position, characterized in that in the evaluation of a sub-space that is positioned in an alternative position, an evaluation value of the position of the sub-space to be evaluated is determined for the support space on the basis of the extent of the sections of the contour, or on the positions along the contour, that have been assigned. sequentially arranging sub-spaces (9A, 9B,...) in the planning space according to an insertion sequence and an arrangement rule, the arrangement rule assigning, in the planning space, an initial position to each newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), at least one point of each sub-space (9A, 9B,...) in said initial position being arranged at the workpiece minimum distance away from another sub-space (9A, 9B,...) that has already been inserted, evaluating the initial position using a packing density evaluation and at least one evaluation which incorporates the position data, setting up, on the basis of an evaluation result of the initial position of a newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), a local search space that includes at least one alternative position for said newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...), evaluating the at least one alternative position using the packing density evaluation and the at least one evaluation which incorporates the position data and comparing the evaluation results of the initial position to the at least one alternative position in order to establish, specifically for the insertion sequence, one of the evaluated positions as the cutting position for the newly inserted sub-space (9A, 9B,...) in the nesting plan, outputting a nesting plan which includes the sub-spaces (9A, 9B,...) arranged at the cutting positions, wherein sections of the contour, or positions along the contour, are assigned to the support spaces (27, Sp) using the position data in order to evaluate a sub-space (9A, 9B,...) that is positioned in an alternative position, characterized in that in the evaluation of a sub-space that is positioned in an alternative position, an evaluation value of the position of the sub-space to be evaluated is determined for the support space on the basis of the extent of the sections of the contour, or on the positions along the contour, that have been assigned.