Laser Slicer

The Laser Slicer panel (OBJECT_PT_Laser_Slicer_Panel) cuts the active mesh into a series of cross-sections along a chosen axis and exports them as SVG files ready for a laser cutter.

This page is the parameter and operator reference for the panel.

Source: slicer.py (originally by Ryan Southall, integrated into 3DSC). Sidebar tab: 3DSC. Default state: collapsed (DEFAULT_CLOSED); available only in Object Mode on mesh objects with faces.

Material dimensions

These three values describe the laser-cutter stock and constrain how slices are laid out on the SVG.

Thickness (mm)

Stock thickness. Drives the slice spacing. Range [0.1, 200], default 2.

Width (mm)

Sheet width. Range [1, 5000], default 450.

Height (mm)

Sheet height. Range [1, 5000], default 450.

Cut settings

DPI

Resolution of the laser cutter computer. Range [50, 500], default 96.

Line colour

RGB colour of the SVG cut lines. Default red (1, 0, 0).

Thickness (pixels)

SVG stroke width for cut lines. Range [0, 5], default 1.

Separate files

When enabled, each slice is exported as a separate SVG. When disabled, all slices share one SVG.

Cut position (only when Separate files = false)

How slices are placed on the shared sheet:

  • Top left — keep the original top-left position;

  • Staggered — alternated layout;

  • Centre — recenter every slice.

Cut spacing (mm)

Expected kerf — distance left between adjacent slice outlines. Range [0, 5], default 1.

SVG polygons

When enabled, exports each slice as a single closed polygon (faster but less accurate). When disabled, exports the actual intersection curve (slower, more accurate).

Export file(s)

Destination folder/file path for the SVG output(s).

Slice axis & preview

Slice axis

Axis along which the mesh is sliced (X, Y or Z). Default Z.

Show Slice Preview

Toggles grease-pencil preview lines in the viewport so you can verify the planned cuts before exporting.

The panel also reports the No. of slices computed as object_height_mm / Thickness so you know in advance how many sheets the job will consume.

Operator

object.laser_slicer_3dsc — Slice the object

Performs the slicing on the active mesh and writes the SVG file(s) according to the current settings. The button is enabled only when either Export file(s) is set or the .blend has been saved.

Typical workflow

  1. Select a watertight mesh.

  2. Enter material dimensions (Thickness, Width, Height) for your laser cutter stock.

  3. Pick a Slice axis.

  4. Toggle Show Slice Preview to verify the cuts.

  5. Set Export file(s) and press Slice the object.