G-code Sculptor

G-code Sculptor is 3dSynth’s vase-mode module: you draw a profile (radius versus height), stack effects that offset the single wall, and preview the toolpath in real time. Export is G-code for vase or spiral-style printing on your machine—without running this path through an external slicer first.

This is one design module among several; from the empty canvas you explicitly choose it (or open a project that already uses it). Machine, material, and nozzle choices live in the Print tab and apply the same way they do everywhere else in the app.

Quick start

1. Shape the base profile (radius vs height in the profile editor).
2. Set total height and align printer / material / nozzle presets with your machine.
3. Add effects in the effects stack (ripples, noise, transforms, caps, and more).
4. Tune parameters (frequency, depth, smoothing) until the preview looks right.
5. Preview the toolpath in the 3D viewer; use the viewer layer range on the right to inspect a band of layers.
6. Export G-code and print.

Mental model

In this module the print is built layer by layer along Z. The engine follows a single-wall path around your silhouette and applies stacked effects as offsets along that path.

• Profile: the radius–height silhouette.
• Effects stack: ordered modifiers (order matters—see Effects); put base texture early and caps last.
• Print presets: speeds, temperatures, and line-width assumptions written into the G-code.

Step-by-step

1) Build a clean profile

Start with a simple silhouette before adding heavy texture. Avoid very thin necks until you know your printer can bridge them.

2) Set scale and hardware assumptions

• Total height drives layer count and print time.
• Nozzle, material, and printer presets keep extrusion math and limits realistic.

3) Add effects

Add effects one at a time and keep early values moderate. Use smoothing when you see spikes or harsh transitions.

4) Preview and inspect

Orbit, pan, and zoom the 3D view; narrow layer range to stress-test tricky heights. If something looks wrong, check warnings and the G-code inspector (bottom panel)—see Interface overview.

5) Export and print

Confirm temperatures and adhesion suit your filament and bed. For detailed surfaces, favor conservative speeds on small radii. If a print fails, try smaller effect depth, more smoothing, or lower speeds before throwing the whole design away.

Where to go next: Profile Editor · Effects · Growth curve · Interface overview · Getting Started