Tutorial 1: Parametric Spiral Vase
Build a spiral vase in Node Sculptor and drive radius, layers, and taper (end scale) with Number nodes and the viewport HUD. This is your on-ramp: canvas, Print Bed, Circle, Vase Spiralizer, and the Output node.
What you'll learn
- How to add nodes (Shift+A or the Nodes dock) and connect sockets
- Why Print Bed → center anchors geometry on the active printer
- How Vase Spiralizer turns a closed path into a continuous spiral toolpath
- How to pin Number and node params for viewport sliders
Prerequisites
- Start 3dSynth and create a project with the Node Sculptor module
- Pick a printer profile (bed size and layer height are used by the toolpath)
Step 1: Print Bed to Circle
Print Bed & Circle
Print Bed outputs center and size for the active machine. Circle needs a center and radius and emits a closed Path in the XY plane.
Step 1
Add Print Bed, Circle, and a Number for radius
Add a Print Bed node, a Circle node, and a Number (set the value to about 25). Wire Print Bed center → Circle center, and Number value → Circle radius. Leave Segments on the circle at 96 (or your preference).
You should see the live preview update as the circle’s radius changes.
Step 2: Vase Spiralizer and second Number for layers
Vase Spiralizer
The Vase Spiralizer walks the profile path in a continuous helix—classic vase mode. Layers and Layer H control how long the spiral runs; Start scale and End scale taper the profile in XY.
Step 2
Insert Vase Spiralizer and a Number for layer count
Add a Vase Spiralizer. Wire Circle path → path on the spiralizer. Add another Number (e.g. 120) and wire it to the layers input on the spiralizer. In the spiralizer’s parameters, set End scale to about 1.35 for a gentle flared top.
Layer H (mm)- Height gained per full lap—matches your print profile (e.g. 0.2 mm).
Z Start- First Z height; keep above 0 to avoid the bed collision.
Start / End scale- Scales the profile in XY at the base vs top of the print.
Step 3: Output and G-code
Output
The Output node is the only terminal. Its Toolpath socket drives G-code export; Preview mesh drives STL when you use a mesh node chain.
Step 3
Wire the toolpath to Output and export
Connect Vase Spiralizer toolpath → Output Toolpath. Use the toolbar to Export G-code and confirm a non-empty path.
Step 4: Tag parameters (HUD)
Tagged parameters
In the right dock, tag the Number for radius, the Number for layers, and End scale on the spiralizer. Pinned float/int values appear in the 3D view HUD for real-time sculpting.
Step 4
Tag radius, layers, and end scale
Select each of those parameters and add them to the tagged list. Drag sliders in the viewport to reshape the preview without re-opening nodes.
The embedded project already includes these tags.
Node graph summary
| # | From | To | Sockets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Print Bed | Circle | center → center |
| 2 | Number | Circle | value → radius |
| 3 | Number | Vase Spiralizer | value → layers |
| 4 | Circle | Vase Spiralizer | path → path |
| 5 | Vase Spiralizer | Output | toolpath → Toolpath |
Outcome
A printable vase mode G-code with a flared top. Radius and layers stay live-tunable; end scale controls the silhouette.
Load this tutorial
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
What’s Next
Tutorial 2: Superformula Starfish — exotic profiles from a single Superformula node, then the same spiral stack.