A method of processing workpieces through a saw module , wherein the workpieces are wooden logs, stems, or cants, and the saw module has a range of depths of cut and a corresponding range of throughput speeds, and the greatest of said depths of cut corresponds to the least of said throughput speeds and vice versa, such that the speed at which the saw module processes a given workpiece depends at least in part on the depth of the cut made to the workpiece by the saw module, the method comprising: identifying a first depth of cut for the saw module based at least in part on a corresponding first throughput speed, a current depth of cut, a current throughput speed, or input entered by a human operator; calculating a first group of cut patterns for a workpiece based at least on the first depth of cut, wherein the first group of cut patterns defines a predicted cut product (144; 146) to be cut from the workpiece , and the first group of cut patterns includes a first cut pattern for implementation by a precut module disposed upstream of the saw module and a second cut pattern for implementation by the saw module , wherein the precut module has one or more profilers or circular saws , and wherein the first and second cut patterns define corresponding first and second portions, respectively, of a through-cut to be made longitudinally through the workpiece along a plane, wherein the second portion (150b; 150d; 150f) of the through-cut has a depth that is less than or substantially equal to the first depth of cut; causing the precut module to cut the workpiece longitudinally along the plane according to the first cut pattern to thereby implement the first portion (150a; 150c; 150e; 150g) of the through-cut , such that the precut module cuts only partially through the thickness of the workpiece within said plane; and causing the saw module to cut the workpiece longitudinally along said plane according to the second cut pattern to thereby implement the second portion (150b; 150d; 150f) of the through-cut , such that the saw module completes the through-cut through the workpiece . identifying a first depth of cut for the saw module based at least in part on a corresponding first throughput speed, a current depth of cut, a current throughput speed, or input entered by a human operator; calculating a first group of cut patterns for a workpiece based at least on the first depth of cut, wherein the first group of cut patterns defines a predicted cut product (144; 146) to be cut from the workpiece , and the first group of cut patterns includes a first cut pattern for implementation by a precut module disposed upstream of the saw module and a second cut pattern for implementation by the saw module , wherein the precut module has one or more profilers or circular saws , and wherein the first and second cut patterns define corresponding first and second portions, respectively, of a through-cut to be made longitudinally through the workpiece along a plane, wherein the second portion (150b; 150d; 150f) of the through-cut has a depth that is less than or substantially equal to the first depth of cut; causing the precut module to cut the workpiece longitudinally along the plane according to the first cut pattern to thereby implement the first portion (150a; 150c; 150e; 150g) of the through-cut , such that the precut module cuts only partially through the thickness of the workpiece within said plane; and causing the saw module to cut the workpiece longitudinally along said plane according to the second cut pattern to thereby implement the second portion (150b; 150d; 150f) of the through-cut , such that the saw module completes the through-cut through the workpiece . <EOS>