Sliceform generator Pro

Two sets of interlocking cross-sections that slot together into a lattice of your model.

Open Sliceform in the app Pro generator: explore its settings in the app; cut files come with the Pro plan (coming soon).

A turtle built from interlocking plywood cross-sections

In short: Cuts a 3D model into two sets of vertical slices that slot into each other in a grid. Good for animals, heads, landscapes and other chunky shapes.

A sliceform (or egg-crate) model is built from flat slices that cross each other at right angles, like the cardboard dinosaur kits. The generator cuts your 3D model into two sets of vertical slices, one along each horizontal axis, and joins every pair that meets inside the model with a cross-lap slot: half the slot in each part, so they lock together at the right height.

It works best on chunky shapes without thin necks: animals, heads, cars, landscapes. You choose how many slices go each way, and the slot width is your sheet thickness plus your clearance, so the joints are snug without glue.

To assemble, stand the slices of one set up with their slots facing up, then lower the other set onto them. It uses far less material than a solid stack and is quick to put together.

Your model is read in your browser and never uploaded. Start from the built-in turtle to see how it works.

Settings

All of these can be changed in the app, and the 3D preview updates as you type. The name under each setting is its key in a share link, e.g. https://laserpuzzle.app/app/#/sliceform?model=…; a link only needs the settings that differ from the defaults.

Model

Setting	Default	What it does
3D model `model`	your file	Mesh file (STL recommended).
Up axis `up_axis`	z	Which axis of the file points up. Most STL files are Z-up; 'auto' = the longest one. Options: auto, x, y, z.
Upside down `flip`	off	Flip if the model comes out inverted.
Rotate about vertical `rotate`	0 °	Turns the model relative to the slicing grid. From -180 to 180 °.
Size `size`	160 mm	Scale the model so its longest side is this long. 0 keeps the file's units (assumed mm). From 0 to 1500 mm.

Slices

Setting	Default	What it does
Slices across X `ribs`	6	Number of slices perpendicular to the X axis (ribs). From 1 to 40.
Slices across Y `frames`	3	Number of slices perpendicular to the Y axis (frames). From 1 to 40.
Edge inset `edge_inset`	0.15	Fraction of the model's width left free at each end, so the outer slices still cut through solid material. From 0 to 0.45.
Smallest feature `min_feature`	1.5 mm	Features thinner than this are removed (laser-cut wood breaks below ~1 mm). From 0 to 10 mm.

Plus the material and machine settings every generator has: material thickness, kerf, slot clearance, sheet width, sheet height, part spacing, engrave part labels, cut line colour, engrave line colour.

Related generators

Two chess pawns made of stacked plywood layers

Sliceform generator Pro

Settings

Model

Slices

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Stacked layers

Relief map

Fitted case