Profile Shape

Spline to Toolpath.
No Mesh. No Slicer.

Profile Shape generates 3D-printable geometry from a single parametric curve. Define the radius at every height, stack surface modulators, and export deterministic G-code. The toolpath is the geometry.

Try in app Tutorials

Core Concept

One curve defines the entire form

Profile Shape works on a simple principle: a 2D spline curve describes the side silhouette of a rotationally symmetric object. The horizontal axis maps to radius, the vertical axis maps to height. 3dSynth sweeps this profile into a continuous spiral toolpath and generates G-code directly. No intermediate mesh is created.

What it is

A parametric profile editor that converts a Bezier spline into a manufacturing-ready toolpath. You control the exact radius at every layer. The output is deterministic: same profile, same G-code.

What it is not

Not a mesh modeler. Not a slicer. There is no STL in the pipeline, no triangulation, and no approximation of your intended form. The toolpath follows the mathematical curve.

Profile Editor

Define the silhouette. Control every point.

The profile editor is a 2D spline graph. Each control point sets the diameter at a specific height. Bezier handles between points create smooth transitions. The result is a continuous curve from the base to the top of the object.

  • Radius at every height
    Each point defines how wide the object is at a given layer. Move points to reshape the form.
  • Bezier interpolation
    Smooth curves between control points. Drag handles to adjust curvature.
  • Exact height
    Set total object height as a single parameter. Layer count is derived from your layer height setting.
  • Shape presets
    Start from cylinder, vase, bowl, or cone profiles. Then adjust.
Profile Shape Editor: Bezier spline graph with control points defining diameter and height, and a profile points table for precise numeric input

31+ Modulators

Stack effects onto the profile

Modulators displace the profile radially per layer, per angle, or per path position. They are parametric functions applied to the base curve. Stack multiple modulators to combine surface behaviors. Each one has its own amplitude, frequency, phase, and layer range.

Blob Push Bottom Cap Bump Map Contour Flow Envelope Extrusion Texture Faceted Triangles Flow Ridges Glitch Half Blobs Harmonics Hex Iso Flow Hex Topo Contour Hole Field Julia Flow Ridges Line Pattern Noise Polygonizer Radial Blobs Shift X/Y Single Line Speed Mod Top Cap Topo Contour Wave Shaper XY-Ripple Z-Ripple more to come

Shape Modes

Three ways to generate the toolpath

Profile Shape supports multiple generation modes. Each one produces a different toolpath structure from the same profile curve.

Spiral Vase

The default mode. Generates a continuous spiral with a constant Z increment per revolution. Single-wall construction with no seam and no layer transitions.

Spiral vase generated from a profile curve, continuous single-wall toolpath with no seam

Julia Stack

Replaces the circular cross-section with quadratic Julia set boundaries. The fractal parameters morph over Z, producing forms that cannot be described by conventional profiles.

Julia Stack shape mode with quadratic Julia set boundaries morphing over Z

Contour Wave

Generates a woven lattice structure. Z-height oscillates per layer with a 180-degree phase shift between consecutive layers, creating interlocking ridges.

Contour Wave woven lattice structure with phase-shifted Z oscillation between layers

Workflow

Profile to print in four steps

1

Draw

Define the profile curve. Set control points and adjust Bezier handles.

2

Modulate

Stack modulators to add surface displacement, texture, or structural patterns.

3

Preview

Inspect the generated toolpath in the real-time 3D viewport. Changes update immediately.

4

Export

Download G-code for your printer. Or export as STL, OBJ, or glTF.

Growth Curve

Control effect intensity over height

The Growth Curve scales the strength of each modulator from 0% to 100% over the object's height. Each effect can have its own start and end layer range. This allows effects to fade in, peak, and fade out at specific heights within the same object.

Growth Curve editor with control points defining effect intensity over height percentage

Output

Export formats

Direct G-code

The primary output. G-code is generated directly from the parametric profile and modulators. No intermediate mesh or slicing step. Includes verified start/end sequences for your printer profile.

3D model export

For use outside 3dSynth, export the generated geometry as STL (binary), OBJ, glTF/GLB, or animated glTF with layer-by-layer build animation.

Try Profile Shape

Draw a profile. Stack effects. Export G-code. No account required for the free version.

Open in browser Read the documentation

For arbitrary 2D shapes or procedural toolpath programming, see SynthBlocks.