SynthBlocks (Advanced)

SynthBlocks is a visual block-based programming system for creating custom G-code toolpaths. Instead of editing a profile spline, you snap together blocks that define geometry, movement, and extrusion -- and the engine compiles them into print-ready G-code.

What It Is

• Block canvas -- drag blocks from the toolbox and connect them. No scripting required.
• Geometry -- circles, polylines, bezier curves, polygons, text, spirals, and more.
• Z strategies -- Spiral Up, Stack Layers -- lift 2D shapes into 3D.
• Math & variables -- procedural variation using normZ, z, layerIndex, and custom variables.
• Process blocks -- speed, flow, temperature, retraction, custom G-code at any point.

What You Can Build

• Stacked cylinders and tapered columns -- Repeat + Circle + variables for growing/shrinking shapes
• Spiral vases -- Spiral Up + Circle with math expressions for dynamic radius
• Procedural patterns -- polar arrays, grid arrays, and loops for complex repeating geometry
• Custom toolpath control -- per-layer speed, flow, and temperature changes for advanced prints

When to Use It

SynthBlocks is ideal when you need:

• Arbitrary 2D shapes (not just radial profiles)
• Loops, arrays, and procedural variation
• Per-layer or per-segment control over speed, flow, or temperature
• Designs that go beyond a single profile curve

Tutorials in This Section

Start here and work through the tutorials in order:

• Tutorial 1: Circular Shape with Repeating Layers -- learn Travel, Variables, Repeat, Circle, and Arithmetic blocks by building a tapered column
• Tutorial 2: Spiral Vase with Dynamic Radius -- Spiral Up, normZ, Map Range, and a seamless tapered vase in five blocks

Learn More

• Documentation -- SynthBlocks Overview, Block Reference, and Examples under the "SynthBlocks" section in Docs