The increasing use of heuristical methods has advanced the frontier of application of optimization and automatization techniques in complex industrial processes. One emerging utilization for these methods in the pattern nesting process in the garment industry. The aim is to nest the pattern in such a way as to minimize the waste of fabric. The present work aims to contribute to the optimal nesting of general planes figures. The methods which will be discussed, employ heustical rules implemented thorough computacional algorithms. The focal point of the work is a methodology of obtaining a sequence of partial and complete nesting from which the best one can be selected. The computacional algorithm embodies two distinct methods for the placement of the figures on the nesting plane avoiding superposition. Both methods are used in such way that the resulting algorithm profits from their advantages. Present diffuclties and future trends are outlined in the conclusions.