Gridfinity, the open-source modular storage system created by Zack Freedman, has become the go-to solution for workshop organization. The standard 42mm grid, stackable bins, and magnetic baseplates make it endlessly customizable. But when you need a bin that holds a specific tool in a specific position, you either need to learn CAD or find someone who already made that exact insert.
Photo-to-insert tools have changed that. You can now generate a custom Gridfinity bin with a precision-cut tool cavity starting from nothing more than a smartphone photo.
How Photo-Based Gridfinity Generators Work
The concept is straightforward. You place your tool on a standard sheet of paper (A4 or US Letter), take a top-down photo, and upload it to a web-based tool. The software uses the paper as a known size reference to calculate real-world dimensions. It then traces the tool outline using edge detection algorithms. That outline becomes the cutout shape in a Gridfinity-compatible bin.
The result is an STL or 3MF file with proper Gridfinity base geometry (the profile that clicks into a baseplate), the correct 42mm grid alignment, and a cavity shaped exactly like your tool.
Step-by-Step: Photo to Gridfinity Insert
1. Set Up Your Photo
Place a sheet of paper on a flat, well-lit surface. Set your tool on the paper. Make sure the entire tool and all four corners of the paper are visible in the frame. Use a contrasting background if possible (dark tool on white paper works best).
2. Take the Photo
Hold your phone directly above the tool, as close to perpendicular as you can get. This minimizes parallax distortion. The further away you are (with zoom), the more accurate the scale will be. Some users prefer a flatbed scanner for maximum accuracy, but a phone camera works well for most tools.
3. Upload and Trace
In TracetoForge, upload your photo. The app detects the paper and tool outlines automatically. You can adjust the trace if needed, for example removing shadows or refining edges around complex shapes. Set the paper size so the dimensions scale correctly.
4. Switch to Gridfinity Mode
Select "Gridfinity Bin" as your output mode. The app calculates the optimal grid size (how many 42mm units wide and deep your bin needs to be) based on your tool dimensions plus clearance. You can adjust the bin height, cavity depth, and add finger notches for easy tool removal.
5. Preview and Export
The 3D preview shows the complete Gridfinity bin with the proper base profile, stacking lip, and your custom cavity. Export as STL or 3MF, slice, and print.
Tips for Better Results
- Tolerance/clearance: Add 0.5 to 1.0mm of clearance around the tool outline. This accounts for printer tolerances and makes inserting and removing the tool easier. Most generators have a tolerance slider for this.
- Cavity depth: Measure how deep the tool sits. You want enough depth to hold it securely but not so deep that it is hard to grab. For hand tools, 15 to 25mm is typical. For larger power tools, 30 to 50mm.
- Multi-tool bins: If you want multiple tools in one Gridfinity bin, TracetoForge supports adding additional tools with independent depths. A pair of pliers and a wire stripper can share a 2x4 bin with different cavity depths.
- Finger notches: These U-shaped cutouts at the edge of a cavity make it much easier to lift a tool out. Position them at the heaviest end of the tool for the best grip.
Gridfinity Generators Compared
There are several tools available for generating custom Gridfinity bins:
- Tooltrace.ai focuses on foam shadowbox inserts with a Gridfinity option. Free tier allows 3 active tooltraces. Pro is $8/month for unlimited.
- Gridfinity Generator (Perplexing Labs) creates parametric bins and baseplates but does not support photo-based custom cutouts.
- Fusion 360 + Gridfinity Plugin is powerful but requires learning CAD software and manual tool modeling.
- TracetoForge generates Gridfinity bins from photos with multi-tool support, independent cavity depths per tool, finger notch controls, and multiple export formats (STL, 3MF, SVG, DXF). Free tier includes 3 exports.
Print Settings for Gridfinity Bins
Gridfinity bins are functional prints that need dimensional accuracy for proper fit on baseplates. Recommended settings:
- Layer height: 0.2mm
- Infill: 15-20% for bins (the base profile is mostly solid anyway)
- Material: PLA works fine for stationary storage. Use PETG if the bins will be transported or exposed to heat (like in a truck toolbox).
- First layer: Make sure your first layer is dialed in. The Gridfinity base profile has tight tolerances and a rough first layer will affect how the bin sits on the baseplate.
Getting Started
The whole process, from taking a photo to having a sliced file ready to print, takes about 5 minutes. The print itself depends on bin size, but a typical 2x3 Gridfinity insert prints in 1 to 3 hours. Once you have one bin dialed in, you will want to do every drawer in your shop.
Related Guides
- Custom Milwaukee Packout Inserts - Use the same photo-to-insert workflow for Packout cases
- Gridfinity vs Packout vs Custom Trays - Deciding which system to use and when
- Photo-to-STL: How It Works - Technical breakdown of photo-based insert generation
- Best 3D Printed Tool Organizer Ideas - More inspiration for workshop organization