Gridfinity Generator

Lisa Ernst · 18.11.2025 · Technology · 7 min

Those who want to efficiently organize tools, electronics, or small parts benefit from a clear system plus tools that automatically generate matching 3D models. This text summarizes what's behind the grid, which generators are important, and how to use them effectively.

Quelle: Custom Representation

Basics of the Gridfinity System

The organizational system is based on an open grid. One unit measures 42 mm in width and depth. The height is planned in increments of 7 mm. Thus, a 1x1 cell is 42x42 mm in size; a 1x2 unit corresponds to 42x84 mm. A technical document describes the system as an 'open standard' where bins can be scaled in all three dimensions as integer or fractional multiples of this basic measure.

Typical components include base plates with a grid, stackable bins with standardized feet, and optional holes for 6mm magnets and M3 screws. For practical planning, rulers and helper models that visualize the 42mm and 7mm units directly on the print bed are helpful.

The system was released as a freely usable framework, deliberately designed for community extensions. A Community-Wiki describes it as a modular, open-source grid with integer multiples of 42x42x7 mm and documents its origins in a public video.

Quelle: makerworld.com

A typical Gridfinity basic element that forms the modular base of the system.

It is confirmed that the system is built on a 42mm grid in X/Y and 7mm steps in Z, supplemented by defined holes for 6mm magnets and M3 screws. A technical PDF further explains the idea of an open standard ('Snapfit'), describes the 1x1x1 unit as 42x42x42 mm, and shows how fractions of the height can be used for low bins. A brief overview in a 3D printing magazine confirms that all components have width and length as multiples of 42mm.

It would be incorrect to assume that the grid can be arbitrarily changed without affecting compatibility. A Fusion-Add-in explicitly points out that the system is based on the 42mm basic size and that deviating grids limit the interchangeability of modules.

Generators and Tools

A generator in this context is a tool that creates complete 3D models from a few parameters. You specify the number of grid units in X/Y, height, compartments, magnet holes, and label zones, and the tool calculates a suitable model and offers STL or STEP download.

In parallel, several online tools have emerged. An interactive generator in the browser offers three modes: Box (individual containers with adjustable walls), Base Plate (simple grid), and Cutout (import STL, create matching cutouts). The software strictly adheres to the 42/42/7 unit system and exports STL files directly from the editor.

A parametric generator from Perplexing Labs supports multiple variants such as 'Rebuilt', 'Extended', 'Rugged Box', Multiboard, and other special systems. It allows options like magnet integration, M3 screw holes, label tabs, different wall patterns, and stacking edges. A current overview describes the generator as a comprehensive web tool for custom storage solutions, including vase mode, thumbscrew support, and adjustable lip styles.

Quelle: gridfinitygenerator.com

A Gridfinity generator in action, enabling the creation of custom bins.

A Übersichtsseite bundles further generators: web tools with an integrated OpenSCAD engine, a CadQuery-based creator with STEP export, and information on the parametric OpenSCAD implementation 'Gridfinity Extended'. A GitHub-Katalog additionally lists resources such as layout builders, configurators, and more generators, including a photo contour generator and an AI-based service for tool inserts.

It is further confirmed that there are several web-based generators that support the system. The interactive generator with box, base plate, and cutout modes documents its unit definition and offers direct STL export. A parametric web generator from Perplexing Labs is described in an independent review as a comprehensive tool that supports variants, magnet holes, screw functions, label tabs, and various wall patterns. The aggregation page lists further generators, such as a CadQuery-based creator with STEP export and an OpenSCAD customizer that works directly in the browser.

Another layer is added by AI tools. A service like Tooltrace automatically creates inserts for foam or the grid system from a photo on a sheet of paper; it is explicitly described as a way to generate custom contours without CAD knowledge. An accompanying analysis of a video post explains how the service is used in practice to efficiently organize specific tools in drawers.

It would also be misleading to state that only generators make the system usable: catalogs with ready-made models, collections in online libraries, and a GitHub catalog provide a large number of directly printable base plates and bins.

Application and Planning

For practical use, a few steps are sufficient, which you can see as a basic framework.

If you want to completely fill a drawer, you first measure the inner length and width and divide these by 42 mm to get practical grid sizes. Using a Web-Generator für Grundplatten , you then create a base that fills the drawer as well as possible; the X and Y sliders directly represent the number of grid units.

In the next step, you plan the bins. An interactive generator with a box mode allows you to define size, height, compartments, and optionally magnet holes and label edges, and download them as STL. For more complex variants or robust, screwable boxes, it's better to choose a parametric generator that supports variants like 'Extended', 'Rugged Box', and Multiboard; there you set grid dimensions, wall patterns, screw holes, and other details. A 'how-to' article additionally shows how you can quickly test the necessary height gradations for 1x1 bins with a simple planning model.

Quelle: user-added

The Gridfinity Base Generator allows for the easy creation of custom Gridfinity bases with various configurations and sizes.

If you want to store particularly irregularly shaped tools, an AI-based approach can be useful. With Tooltrace, you place the tools on a sheet, take a photo, upload it, and receive either foam or grid inserts as a file; an analysis describes how the service saves time, especially with unusual shapes.

For a complete introduction to the entire system, a Schritt-für-Schritt-Tutorial is worthwhile, which shows how to plan grids, prepare prints, and build a complete organizational solution.

Challenges and Solutions

The core problem for many users is simple combination: existing drawers, very different tools, and little desire for complex CAD modeling. The generators address this by encapsulating the grid and standard geometry: you provide dimensions and options, and the tool delivers ready-made models in the correct system.

Behind this is a technological context that is deliberately kept open. The community wiki specifically refers to code libraries in Build123d, CadQuery, and OpenSCAD, which can be used to create custom modules and generators. The aggregation page explicitly describes generators as supplements: they help to quickly create standard bins that can then be further processed in CAD, for example, for specific tool shapes.

Skepticism is directed primarily at two points: first, at printing tolerances, which can lead to bins fitting too tightly in the grid. Discussions in a community explain that some models deliberately plan for 0.25 mm of play on each side and recommend checking dimensions in the slicer. Second, with AI tools, there are discussions about the quality and smoothing of generated contours; post-processing in CAD or the slicer is sometimes recommended here.

It is unclear how permanently individual services will remain available. The collection explicitly points out that a popular photo contour generator may require different hosting in the future and users are asked to report outages so that a mirror can be set up. For at least one generator, announcements in forums indicate that features like savable configurations or automatic splitting of large base plates are still under development and feedback is welcome.

It remains open how stable the landscape of tools is. Some services are described as under development or in alpha status, others refer to potential hosting changes and rely on donations or community support to remain available long-term. Here, the question arises whether you want to save models and scripts locally or rely on open libraries to remain independent of individual websites.

Another question concerns the further development of AI in this area. Today, AI services can extract contours from photos and suggest inserts; it is unclear how far future versions will automatically optimize arrangements or adjust distances and tolerances directly to your printer and material. The balance between open standards and proprietary extensions will also continue to be discussed, especially as more commercial solutions enter the ecosystem.

Conclusion and Outlook

Conclusion and Outlook

For your workshop or crafting area, this grid plus generators mean one thing above all: you can plan custom-fit inserts with manageable effort without delving deep into CAD. The basic system provides clear dimensions and open standards, the community provides ready-made models, libraries, and online tools, and modern generators – classically parametric or AI-assisted – translate your dimensions into print-ready files.

If you measure carefully, consider your tolerances in the slicer, and choose one or two tools that you actually use, you can, step by step, move from a disorganized drawer to a structured, modularly expandable system that can adapt to your projects long-term.