tracetoforge.

FROM PHOTO TO CUSTOM INSERT

Every tool.
In its place.

Turn a photo of your tools into an insert made for your workspace.

Free tracing and preview. Export with credits.
YOUR TOOL. THE START OF SOMETHING BETTER.
Illustration inspired by the original black-and-blue pliers and the insert with a crosswise finger-access channel
AI concept visualization · Inspired by the workflow below; geometry and fit are illustrative.
Made for your workflow.
Gridfinity · Custom trays · STL · 3MF · SVG · DXF

ONE TOOL. THE FULL PROCESS.

Your photo is
the starting point.

Follow the same pair of pliers through the original workflow. Select any image to see it in full.

01

Photograph

Start with a top-down photo of your tool on paper.

02

Trace & adjust

Inspect the detected outline and adjust the trace.

03

Preview

Review the insert in the program before exporting.

04

Prepare to print

Open the exported model in your slicer to prepare the print.

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE IT

One trace.
Choose what comes next.

Choose an output mode in the editor, then shape it around the job at hand.

01 / Object

The outline, in 3D.

Turn your traced shape into a 3D object. Set its dimensions and thickness.

02 / Tray

A place for every tool.

Arrange tool cavities in a custom tray. Adjust the tray size, depth, and walls.

03 / Gridfinity

Build around your grid.

Create a tool insert for your Gridfinity setup, with adjustable grid size and a stacking lip.

04 / Gasket

Take the flat route.

Start with the flat gasket preset. Export SVG or DXF for a cutting template.

Preview your design in the editor. Export when you’re ready.

Explore the editor ↗
03 / INSIDE TRACETOFORGE
The original insert preview, displayed without changes
The actual program preview.
The same tool-shaped outline.

BUILT FOR WHAT YOU MAKE

Made around your tools.
Built around your workflow.

Set real dimensions and tolerance. Rotate and position your tools, clone a shape, and inspect the result in 3D.

Make it easier to grab. Add finger notches and a bevel around the cavity opening.

Lay out the whole tray. Combine multiple tools and adjust their positions.

Try these controls with a sample ↗

YOUR NEXT DESIGN STARTS AHEAD

A good trace
is worth keeping.

Keep your own tool shapes close, or start with a trace someone else has shared.

MY LIBRARY

Trace once.
Use it again.

Save a traced tool with its dimensions and edits. Load it into another design when it’s time for a new tray.

Open editor → My Library ↗Sign in to save and load your personal tools.
COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Someone may have
traced it already.

Browse shared tool shapes and load one into the editor as a starting point for your own layout.

Browse community traces ↗Browsing is open to everyone. Exports use credits.

TEMPLATES FOR THE BOXES YOU OWN

Pick your box.
The fit is already done.

These boxes have ready-made templates in the editor. Don't have one yet? Grab it here.

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AT THE WORKBENCH

A better first build.

Practical guides for getting from your first photo to a design you can make.

YOUR NEXT WORKSHOP PROJECT

Make room for
something better.

Start with a sample. Bring your own tools next.

Try a sample tool ↗

Original workflow image