How to Take the Right Photo for a Custom Gridfinity Bin

An accurate custom Gridfinity cutout starts with a photo that preserves the tool's real outline and size. Some details matter; others do not. Here is what to focus on.

1. Place the Paper and Object

• Use paper with known dimensions. A4 and US Letter are the easiest options. You can also use a custom sheet, but you will need its exact width and height so ShapeAny can calculate the tool's real size.
• Put the paper on a level surface. Smooth out severe curls or folds that could distort the paper calibration, especially near a corner.
• Place one object in its natural storage position. Let it rest flat in the orientation you want it to have inside the custom Gridfinity Bin.
• Leave clear space around the object. Keep the complete object within the sheet, with a visible gap between the tool and every paper edge.
• Keep the calibration area unobstructed. All four paper corners and the complete object boundary should remain visible.

2. Take the Photo

• Position the phone above the center of the sheet. Keep the phone parallel to the paper; the camera grid can help you judge whether it is level.
• Shoot from as high as practical. Crop the photo moderately afterward. More distance reduces perspective distortion.
• Choose an appropriate lens. Use the standard camera or a 2× optical lens when you have enough distance.
• Check focus before moving the setup. Tap the object to focus, take the photo, and zoom in to confirm that its edges are sharp.

3. What ShapeAny Can Handle and Common Mistakes

ShapeAny Can Usually Handle

• Heavy shadows, uneven lighting, and bright-to-dark gradients across the sheet
• A cluttered workbench outside the paper, as long as the paper itself stays clear
• Low contrast between part of the object and the paper
• Reflections that do not completely hide the object's edge
• Paper that appears rotated in the photo
• Multiple objects on the same sheet, although photographing one object at a time is recommended for better accuracy

Common Mistakes

• Using an ultra-wide lens or digital zoom, which can distort the outline or reduce detail
• Cropping out part of the object or a paper corner
• Using a blurry photo or allowing glare, a hand, or another object to hide the boundary
• Selecting a paper size that does not match the sheet in the photo

4. Why the Phone Must Be Parallel to the Paper

ShapeAny creates the Shape from the object's visible silhouette. In a straight top-down photo, that silhouette closely matches the outline needed for the Bin. In a tilted photo, the camera also sees part of the object's side, which can make the generated cutout wider or create a bulge on one side.

What to Do Next

Once the photo is ready, upload it, select the paper size you used, and confirm the four calibration points before generating the Shape.

For the complete workflow from photo to finished Bin, see How to Quickly Make a Gridfinity Cutout Bin from a Photo.