How to Quickly Make a Gridfinity Cutout Bin from a Photo

Making a custom Gridfinity Bin does not have to start with a CAD model. With ShapeAny, you can photograph a tool, turn its outline into a reusable Shape, place that Shape in a Gridfinity Bin, and download ready-to-slice STL files.

The recommended workflow is:

Photo → Shape → Bin → Test Print → Final Bin

This guide walks you through the complete process.

1. Take a Clear Top-Down Photo

• Place one object on a flat sheet of paper.
• Keep the entire object inside the sheet, and make sure all four paper corners are visible.
• Shoot from as far above as practical. Use a 2× optical lens if available; avoid ultra-wide and digital zoom.
• Make sure the photo is sharp. Shadows and uneven lighting are okay—ShapeAny can often detect edges that are difficult to see by eye.
• Avoid blur, glare, and covered paper edges.
• Keep the plane of the phone parallel to the plane of the paper. The paper does not need to be perfectly horizontal or vertical in the photo. The important thing is to avoid tilting the camera. If the photo shows the side of the object, that side may become part of the detected outline and make the cutout too large.

2. Upload and Calibrate the Paper

Upload the photo to ShapeAny, then configure the paper settings:

• Select the paper size you used: A4, US Letter, or Custom. For a custom sheet, enter its actual width and height.
• ShapeAny detects the paper orientation automatically. You can also switch the width and height manually if needed.
• Check that the four calibration points match the four paper corners. ShapeAny uses these points and the known paper dimensions to correct perspective and calculate the object's real-world size.

After checking the paper settings and calibration points, click Generate Shape. ShapeAny will isolate the object and create a reusable, true-to-size Shape from its top-down outline.

3. Shape Settings

After generating the Shape, check the following:

• The outline includes the whole object without unwanted areas.
• The displayed dimensions are close to the real object.

If the outline and dimensions look correct, review the Shape settings:

• Clearance expands the outline used to create the Bin pocket, giving the object extra room to fit. Camera angle, printer calibration, material shrinkage, and slicer settings can all affect the final fit. Use at least 0.2 mm of clearance; in most cases, it is best to keep the default 0.5 mm or more.
• Edge smoothing, Corner sharpness, and Path simplification let you refine the Shape boundary. The default settings work well in most cases.
• Turn Keep holes on or off depending on whether you want detected internal openings to remain part of the Shape.

When the Shape looks correct, click Create Bin.

4. Customize the Gridfinity Bin

Choose the Bin's grid width, grid depth, and height. With the standard 42 mm grid unit, the finished Bin is designed for standard Gridfinity baseplates.

Arrange the Shapes in the 2D Layout

Move and rotate the Shape until the pocket is positioned where you want it. Add finger holes where needed to make the tool easier to remove.

You can also add more Shapes if you want to store several tools in one Bin.

Review the Bin Settings

• Size: Set the grid width, grid depth, height, and grid unit size.
• Pocket: Set the pocket depth and chamfer, and enable a Contrast Insert if needed.
• Structure: Adjust the wall thickness and enable options such as the stacking lip or magnet holes.
• Partial Bin: Remove unneeded grid cells to save material and space when organizing irregularly shaped tools. You can use the freed cells for other Gridfinity Bins.

Hover over the help icons beside supported settings for a more detailed explanation.

Don't forget: If the Bin contains only one tool, set its pocket depth in the settings panel. If the Bin contains multiple tools that need different pocket depths, select each Shape in the 2D Layout and set its depth individually.

When the layout and settings are complete, click Download STLs (.zip).

5. Download the STL Package

The ZIP package contains:

• A 0.4 mm Test Print STL
• A separate Contrast Insert STL, if that option is enabled
• The complete Gridfinity Bin STL

Import the files into your usual slicer. No manual tracing or CAD work is required.

6. Try the Test Print

Before printing the full Bin, print the included 0.4 mm Test Print. It is a thin layer representing the Bin interior and cutout, allowing you to check the fit before printing the complete Bin.

Place the object into the Test Print:

• If the fit is too tight, increase the Shape clearance.
• If the fit is too loose, reduce the Shape clearance.
• If one side is noticeably wrong, check whether the original photo was tilted or showed too much of the object's side.
• If the whole Shape is the wrong size, confirm the paper dimensions and calibration points.

Note: The Test Print checks the 2D outline and clearance. It does not include finger holes or test the pocket depth or chamfer.

7. Print the Gridfinity Bin

Once the real object fits the Test Print, slice and print the full Bin STL. If you want a contrasting color inside the pocket, print and install the optional Contrast Insert.

Place the finished Bin on your Gridfinity baseplate, and you are done: one photo, a quick fit check, and a custom Gridfinity cutout Bin ready to use.