From Photo to 3MF: How AI Generates Custom Gridfinity Trays

The Problem with Custom Trays

Custom Gridfinity trays — the ones with individually shaped pockets for each tool — are the holy grail of workshop organization. Every tool has its place, you can see at a glance if something is missing, and everything stays put when you open the drawer.

The problem is making them. Traditional workflow: measure each tool, open Fusion 360 or OpenSCAD, sketch pocket outlines, extrude, boolean subtract, add the Gridfinity lip profile, export STL, slice, print. That's 2–4 hours of CAD work for a single tray.

How GridPilot Works

GridPilot replaces the CAD step entirely. Here's the actual workflow:

Step 1: Take a Photo

Lay your tools out on a flat surface with some space between them. Take a photo from directly above. A phone camera works fine — you don't need studio lighting or a tripod. Just make sure tools aren't overlapping and the photo is in focus.

Step 2: Upload to GridPilot

Go to gridpilot.us/project/new and upload your photo. The AI analyzes the image and detects each tool automatically. You'll see bounding boxes appear around each detected item within seconds.

Step 3: Review and Adjust

The AI labels each tool and creates a pocket outline for it. You can adjust pocket sizes, add clearance, rename labels, or remove items you don't want in the tray. The editor gives you full control over the final layout.

Step 4: Choose Your Grid Size

Select how many Gridfinity units wide and deep your tray should be. GridPilot shows you how the tools fit into the grid and automatically arranges them to minimize wasted space.

Step 5: Export 3MF

Hit export and download a print-ready 3MF file. Open it in your slicer (PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio, Cura — all support 3MF), slice it, and send it to your printer.

What Makes This Different

Other Gridfinity generators let you create bins with rectangular pockets in standard sizes. That's useful, but it's not custom — you're still fitting your tools into generic boxes.

GridPilot creates pockets shaped to your actual tools. A wrench pocket is wrench-shaped. A screwdriver pocket is round. A pair of pliers gets an angled slot that matches its profile. That's the difference between organized and perfectly organized.

Try It

The design step is free. Upload a photo, play with the layout, and see what the AI generates. You only pay when you export. Start a project now.