Gridfinity insert from a photo
Pliers, screwdrivers, calipers or headphones: for items with irregular shapes, Gridmint turns a single photo into a snug Gridfinity insert. Place the items on an A4 sheet, take a photo from above, and the outlines are detected automatically – right in your browser.
| What to do | Why |
|---|---|
| A4 sheet on a dark surface | The sheet serves as the scale; the contrast makes its corners easy to detect |
| Straight from above, from about 40–50 cm | Keeps sizes and shapes undistorted |
| Even light, no flash | Hard shadows and reflections distort the outline |
| All items fully on the sheet | Only what lies on the sheet can be measured accurately |
| Enter the height for tall items | Gridmint corrects the perspective |
Light or white items on white paper, very shiny and transparent objects are difficult. There are tools to fix the outline.
How it works
- Photo: In the “Photo” section, choose an image – on a phone straight from the camera – or try the sample photo first.
- Sheet: Gridmint detects the A4 sheet automatically. You can fine-tune the four corners with a magnifier.
- Outlines: Objects are detected and can be selected individually. For each one, set a name, the object height and the cutout depth.
- Insert: Gridmint creates the custom insert and picks the size automatically. Arrangement (as photographed or compact), bin height, border, stacking lip and bottom are adjustable.
Then place the insert in your drawer, keep editing it in the bin designer, or open it straight in your slicer.
Fix what detection misses
Not every photo is perfect. Use the magic wand to add or remove areas, the lasso to draw freely, and “Drag outline” to grab a line and move it. Zoom helps with fine details.
Fit: depth, clearance and finger notches
- Cutout depth: 3 to 80 mm per object, or one depth for all. Gridmint recommends about two thirds of the object's height – the rest sticks out so you can grab it.
- Clearance all around: 1 mm by default, so items slide in easily.
- Finger notches: round notches 12 to 40 mm in diameter, so you can lift items out easily.
With carefully placed corners and flat items, accuracy is around one millimeter. For your first try, a shallow test print is worth it.
Multiple photos, library and export
If a set doesn't fit on one sheet, collect the items from several shots with “Save & add another photo”. Gridmint then packs them compactly into one insert. Each single item still has to fit on an A4 sheet.
The bookmark saves an outline to your tool library, so the same screwdriver goes into any future insert without a new photo. Outlines can also be exported 1:1 as SVG or DXF, with separate layers for tool, cutout, finger notches and interior – for example for laser cutters, foam inserts or a shadow board for your tool wall.
Your photo stays with you
All processing runs in your browser, including the AI detection. The model (about 25 MB, once) is loaded from gridmint.net and then kept in your browser. The photo is never uploaded. If you prefer, switch off the AI refinement and use classic outline detection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an A4 sheet?
Yes. The A4 sheet serves as the scale so Gridmint can calculate real dimensions. Other paper sizes such as US Letter are not detected.
Can I stitch a long tool together from several photos?
No. Multiple photos are for collecting different items into one insert. Each single item has to fit on an A4 sheet.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The photo is analyzed only in your browser, and the AI runs locally too.
Related
Gridfinity is an open standard by Zack Freedman. Gridmint is an independent, Gridfinity-compatible tool.