Tutorial 6: The Profile Points Table
While the visual canvas is great for free-form shaping, sometimes you need exact numbers. The Profile Points Table below the canvas gives you numerical readouts for every control point — diameter, height, and layer mapping — plus controls for point modes and deletion.
What you'll learn
- How to read the Profile Points table
- What each column represents (Diameter, Height, Layer)
- How to use the numeric input fields for precise values
- How to sort points and manage selections
- How point selection syncs between canvas and table
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with the profile canvas (Tutorials 1–4).
- A profile with at least 4 control points.
Step 1: Locate the Profile Points table
Step 1
Find the table below the canvas
Scroll down in the Shape Curve card, below the profile canvas. You will see a table with one row per control point. The rows are sorted by height (bottom point first, top point last).
Step 2: Understand the columns
Each row in the table contains:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| ⌀ mm | The diameter at that point in millimeters. This is 2 × radius — the actual width of the object at that height. |
| Height mm | The height of this point in millimeters (computed from the normalized position × Total Height). |
| Layer | The approximate layer number at this height, based on your printer's Layer Height setting. |
| Mode toggle | Switch between Smooth and Sharp for this point. |
| Delete | Remove this point from the profile (disabled if only 2 points remain). |
Step 2
Read the values
Look at each row and compare the values to what you see on the canvas. The bottom point should show Height = 0 mm. The top point should show Height = your Total Height value.
Step 3: Edit values with the numeric fields
Step 3
Type exact dimensions
Click on the ⌀ mm field of any row. Type a new value — for example, 60 — and press Enter. The control point on the canvas moves to match: its radius becomes 30 mm (60 ÷ 2). The 3D preview updates accordingly.
The numeric input fields use BlenderNumField controls — you can:
- Click and type a precise value
- Click and drag horizontally to scrub the value up or down
- Scroll the mouse wheel to increment or decrement
Step 4
Set a precise height
Click on the Height mm field of an interior point. Type a value to reposition it vertically. For example, changing the height to 25 on a 100 mm tall object moves the point to exactly 25% height.
Step 4: Use the Layer column as a reference
Step 5
Check layer alignment
The Layer column shows which print layer each point falls on. For example, if your layer height is 0.2 mm and a point is at 10 mm, the Layer column shows 50. This is useful when you want a feature (like a neck or shoulder) to start at a specific layer.
The Layer column is read-only — it is derived from the height and your printer's layer height setting. To change it, adjust either the point height or the layer height in your printer settings.
Step 5: Select points from the table
Step 6
Click a row to select
Click anywhere on a row in the table. The corresponding point on the canvas highlights, and if it is in Smooth mode, its Bézier handles appear. This two-way sync means you can select from the table and edit on the canvas, or vice versa.
Clicking a point on the canvas also highlights its row in the table.
Step 6: Toggle point modes from the table
Step 7
Switch Smooth/Sharp in the table
Each row has a mode toggle button. Click it to switch between Smooth and Sharp for that point. This has the same effect as using the canvas toggle — the curve updates immediately.
Step 7: Delete points from the table
Step 8
Delete a point via the table
Each row (except the first and last) has a delete button. Click it to remove that control point. The curve and 3D preview update immediately.
Step 8: Practical workflow — design by numbers
Step 9
Design a vase with precise dimensions
Use the table to create a vase with exact measurements:
1. Set the bottom point to ⌀ 50 mm
2. Add a point and set it to Height 30 mm, ⌀ 70 mm (wide belly)
3. Add a point at Height 55 mm, ⌀ 40 mm (narrow neck)
4. Set the top point to ⌀ 55 mm (flared rim)
5. Set Total Height to 80 mm
You now have a vase with known, repeatable dimensions — useful when designing for a specific use case or matching an existing object.
Outcome
The Profile Points table gives you precise numerical control over every aspect of your profile. You can now:
- Read diameter, height, and layer values for every control point
- Edit exact dimensions using the numeric input fields
- Select points from the table and see them highlighted on the canvas
- Toggle modes and delete points directly from the table
- Design with exact measurements for functional or production work
What's Next
Tutorial 7: Shape Modes — Spiral, Layer, Contour Wave, and Julia Stack — Discover the four different ways your profile curve can be turned into a printable toolpath.