up

.gitignore

@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 __pycache__
+release

README.md

@@ -1,47 +1,50 @@
 # NodeSlicer
 
-NodeSlicer is a high-performance Blender extension that provides a custom node-based interface for mesh slicing and G-code generation. By bypassing traditional Blender modifiers and using NumPy and Shapely for geometry processing, it offers a flexible and extensible workflow for 3D printing and procedural geometry tasks.
+NodeSlicer is a high-performance Blender extension that provides a custom node-based interface for mesh slicing and G-code generation. By using NumPy for geometry processing and Pyclipper for robust 2D polygon operations, it offers a flexible and extensible workflow for 3D printing, CNC toolpathing, and procedural geometry tasks.
 
 ## Key Features
 
-- **Custom Node Editor**: A dedicated node tree type for slicing workflows.
+- **Custom Node Editor**: A dedicated node tree type (`NodeSlicer Tree`) for slicing workflows.
-- **Fast Geometry Processing**: Uses NumPy for vectorized mesh operations and Shapely for robust 2D geometry manipulation.
+- **Fast Geometry Processing**: Vectorized mesh operations using NumPy and robust 2D geometry manipulation via Pyclipper.
-- **G-code Generation**: Direct conversion of 2D contours (toolpaths) into G-code.
+- **G-code Lifecycle**: Direct conversion of 2D contours (toolpaths) into G-code, with support for loading, joining, and exporting G-code.
-- **Live Preview**: Debug nodes to visualize generated toolpaths directly in the Blender viewport.
+- **Advanced Slicing**:
-- **Extensible**: Modular architecture allowing for easy addition of new nodes and processing logic.
+    - **Shell Slicing**: Accurate Z-layer extraction.
+    - **Buffered Offsetting**: Layer-independent offsetting with support for Euler rotations (tilted/non-planar offsetting).
+    - **Consistent Infill**: Cross-hatch grid infill that maintains alignment across layers and supports degree-based rotation.
+    - **Boolean Slices**: Union, Intersection, and Difference operations on slice boundaries.
+- **Visual Preview**: Built-in G-code to Mesh conversion with automated Geometry Nodes integration ("Nonplanar Slicing Preview") for high-quality viewport feedback.
 
 ## Installation
 
 ### Requirements
-- Blender 4.2 or newer (uses the new Extension system).
+- Blender 3.6 or newer.
-- Dependencies (bundled or installed via `uv`):
+- Dependencies: `numpy`, `pyclipper`. (Included in the `wheels/` directory or managed via `uv`).
-    - `numpy`
-    - `shapely`
-    - `pyclipper`
 
-### As a Blender Extension
+### Setup
-1. Zip the repository contents (excluding `.venv`, `__pycache__`, etc.).
+1. Download or clone this repository.
-2. In Blender, go to `Edit > Preferences > Get Extensions`.
+2. In Blender, install as an addon by pointing to the directory or zip.
-3. Click the arrow in the top right and select `Install from Disk`.
+3. Ensure the dependencies are available in your Blender Python environment.
-4. Select your zip file.
 
-## Quick Start
+## Workflow
 
-1. Open the **Node Editor**.
+1. **Initialize**: Open the **Node Editor** and switch the tree type to **NodeSlicer Tree**.
-2. Switch the tree type to **NodeSlicer Tree**.
+2. **Import**: Use a **Get Mesh** node to bring a Blender object into the slicing engine.
-3. Create a new tree.
+3. **Slice**: Use **Slice Shells** to generate layer boundaries.
-4. Add an **Object Input** node and select a mesh object.
+4. **Process**:
-5. Connect it to a **Get Mesh** node.
+    *   Add perimeters with **Buffer Shells**.
-6. Connect the mesh to **Slice Shells**.
+    *   Add internal structure with the **Infill** node.
-7. Connect the slices to **Slices to Paths**, then **Paths to Gcode**.
+    *   Combine or modify paths using **Join Paths** or **Join Slices**.
-8. Use a **Gcode To File** node to export your result.
+5. **Generate**: Convert paths to G-code using **Paths to Gcode**.
+6. **Export & Preview**: Use **Gcode To File** to save the result, and **Gcode to Mesh** to visualize the final toolpaths in the viewport.
 
 ## Documentation
 
-- [Project Overview](doc/README.md)
+For detailed information on nodes and modules, see:
-- [Module Reference](doc/MODULES.md)
+- [User Guide](doc/USER_GUIDE.md) - **Start here!**
 - [Node & Socket Reference](doc/NODES.md)
+- [Module Architecture](doc/MODULES.md)
+- [Project Overview](doc/README.md)
 
 ## License
 
-This project is licensed under the GPL-3.0-or-later license. See `blender_manifest.toml` for details.
+This project is licensed under the GPL-3.0-or-later license.

build.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+TMPDIR="$(mktemp -d)"
+cleanup() { rm -rf "$TMPDIR"; }
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+mapfile -t FILES < <(git ls-files -co --exclude-standard \
+    | grep -v -xE '(\.gitignore|build\.sh)') 
+
+tar -cf - "${FILES[@]}" | tar -xf - -C "$TMPDIR"
+
+cd "$TMPDIR"
+/home/nicolas/Applications/blender-5.1.0-linux-x64/blender \
+  --command extension build --split-platforms \
+  --output-filepath "$SCRIPT_DIR/release/NodeSlicer_0.0.1.zip"
+
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"

doc/MODULES.md

@@ -10,42 +10,40 @@ This file provides a mapping of modules to their primary responsibilities and ke
     - **Sockets**: Definitions for all `SLICESOCK_*` classes.
     - **Nodes**: Definitions for all `SLICENODE_*` classes.
     - **Evaluation Engine**: 
-        - `_resolve_input()`: Recursively evaluates linked sockets.
+        - `resolve_input()`: Recursively evaluates linked sockets.
         - `_resolve_output()`: Computes node outputs with a caching system (`_EvalCache`) to avoid redundant calculations.
         - `_follow_reroute()`: Handles Blender's Reroute nodes during evaluation.
-    - **Error Handling**: `NodeException` for user-facing evaluation errors.
 
 - `registry.py`: 
     - **Auto-Registration**: Utility to track classes decorated with `@register_class`.
-    - **Resource Management**: Logic for dynamic icon and timer registration.
 
 - `blender_manifest.toml`: 
     - Metadata for the Blender Extension platform.
-    - Lists required wheels (Shapely, PyClipper) for different platforms.
 
 - `pyproject.toml`: 
     - Standard Python project configuration.
-    - Lists development and runtime dependencies.
 
 ## `/core` (Geometry & Slicing)
 
 - `slice.py`:
     - `slice_at_range()`: Top-level slicing function that iterates through Z-heights.
     - `slice_at_z()`: Vectorized plane-mesh intersection using NumPy.
-    - `Pather`: Class that converts toolpaths into G-code strings. Handles layer change comments and extrusion calculations.
+    - `Pather`: Class that converts toolpaths into G-code strings.
-    - `segments_to_slice()`: Utility to convert raw intersection segments into closed loops using Pyclipper and the Even-Odd fill rule.
+    - `segments_to_slice()`: Utility to convert raw intersection segments into closed loops using Pyclipper.
     - `link_segments()`: Logic for joining loose segments into continuous paths.
-    - `buffer_slice()`: Offset utility using PyclipperOffset. Groups paths by Z-height to ensure independent buffering of layers.
+    - `buffer_slice()`: Offset utility using PyclipperOffset. Supports rotated offsetting.
+    - `infill_slice()`: Generates rotated grid infill patterns, ensuring layer-to-layer consistency.
+    - `boolean_slice()`: Performs 2D boolean operations (Union, Intersection, etc.) on slice sets.
 
 - `geometry.py`:
-    - `crc32_array()`: High-performance checksum generation for NumPy arrays, used for internal caching and data validation.
+    - Geometry utility functions.
 
 ## `/infra` (Blender Integration)
 
 - `blender_mesh_capture.py`:
-    - `SlicingObject`: Represents a single mesh as a NumPy triangle array. Computes bounding boxes and checksums.
+    - `SlicingObject`: Represents a single mesh as a NumPy triangle array.
-    - `SlicingCollection` / `SlicingGroup`: Hierarchical wrappers for managing multiple meshes and their metadata (e.g., Wipe Tower location).
+    - `capture_mesh_edges()`: Extracts edges from a Blender mesh for path-based workflows.
-    - `objects_to_tris()`: Performance-critical function that extracts mesh data from Blender objects into NumPy arrays using `foreach_get`. Handles world-space transformation and unit scaling.
 
-- `blender_bridge.py`:
+- `blender_slice_nodes_generic.py`:
-    - **Hierarchy Utilities**: Helpers like `get_all_children()` for traversing Blender's object tree.
+    - Base classes for NodeSlicer nodes (`SliceNode`) and sockets (`SliceNodeSocket`).
+    - Core evaluation logic (`resolve_input`).

doc/NODES.md

@@ -8,23 +8,24 @@
 | `SLICESOCK_Float` | `float` | Python float | Numeric value |
 | `SLICESOCK_Int` | `int` | Python int | Integer value |
 | `SLICESOCK_String` | `str` | Python string | Text/Path value |
+| `SLICESOCK_Vector` | `tuple` | Python tuple (3) | XYZ or Euler rotation value |
 | `SLICESOCK_Mesh` | `SlicingObject` | NumPy NDArray (Triangles) | Internal mesh data (Transformed/Scaled) |
-| `SLICESOCK_Paths` | `list[np.ndarray]` | List of paths (N, 3) | Generic toolpaths or slice boundaries |
+| `SLICESOCK_Paths` | `SlicePaths` (list) | List of paths (N, 3) + groups | Generic toolpaths or slice boundaries |
 | `SLICESOCK_Gcode` | `str` | Multi-line string | Generated G-code text |
 
 ## Detailed Data Types
 
 ### SlicingObject (`SLICESOCK_Mesh`)
 The `SlicingObject` class wraps a high-performance NumPy representation of a Blender mesh.
-- **`.mesh`**: A NumPy `ndarray` of type `float64` with shape `(N, 4, 3)`.
+- **`.mesh`**: A NumPy `ndarray` of type `float64` with shape `(N, 3, 3)`.
     - `N`: Number of triangles.
     - `[i, 0:3, :]`: The three vertices of the $i$-th triangle.
-    - `[i, 3, :]`: The face normal of the $i$-th triangle.
 - **Coordinates**: Transformed to world space and scaled by the Blender scene unit scale (multiplied by 1000 for mm-standard G-code).
 
-### Paths (`SLICESOCK_Paths`)
+### SlicePaths (`SLICESOCK_Paths`)
-A `list[np.ndarray]` (each `(N, 3)`) containing toolpaths or slice results.
+A custom list subclass `SlicePaths(list[np.ndarray])` containing toolpaths.
-- **Content**: Can be open or closed segments. When generated from `Slice Shells`, they are guaranteed to be closed loops forming valid manifold boundaries.
+- **Content**: Each `np.ndarray` has shape `(N, 3)`.
+- **Groups**: Maintains a `.groups` list of integers mapping each path to a layer or logical group.
 - **Z-Awareness**: Coordinates are stored as 3D `(X, Y, Z)` to maintain the correct layer height.
 - **Topology**: Generated and cleaned using `pyclipper`.
 
@@ -32,30 +33,38 @@ A `list[np.ndarray]` (each `(N, 3)`) containing toolpaths or slice results.
 A standard Python string containing formatted G-code.
 - **Format**: `G0` for travels, `G1` for extrusions.
 - **Extrusion**: Calculated as absolute `E` values based on Euclidean distance and a configurable `EXTRUSION_RATE`.
+- **Metadata**: Includes `;OFFSET_X=` and `;OFFSET_Y=` comments to allow reconstruction of original coordinates.
 
 ## Nodes
 
-### Input Nodes
+All nodes are found in the **Add (Shift+A)** menu under the **SliceNodes** category.
-- `SLICENODE_InputFloat`: Single float input.
-- `SLICENODE_InputInt`: Single integer input.
-- `SLICENODE_InputString`: Single string/path input.
-- `SLICENODE_InputObject`: Blender object picker.
-- `SLICENODE_GcodeBlock`: Manual text area for entering raw G-code.
 
-### Processing Nodes
+### Data & Input
-- `SLICENODE_GetMesh`: Converts a Blender Object into internal `SlicingObject` format.
+- **Object**: Blender object picker.
-- `SLICENODE_SliceShells`: Slices a `SlicingObject` into 2D `Paths` at a given layer height.
+- **Float**: Single float input.
-- `SLICENODE_BufferShells`: Offsets/buffers 2D `Paths` using a "Distance" parameter. Buffers each Z-layer independently to maintain 3D structure and uses winding rules to correctly handle nested holes.
+- **Integer**: Single integer input.
-- `SLICENODE_GridInfill`: Generates a grid of lines clipped by boundary paths.
+- **String**: Single string/path input.
-- `SLICENODE_PathsToGcode`: Converts `Paths` into G-code blocks.
+- **Rotation**: Input for Euler rotation vectors.
+- **Printer Intrinsics**: Configures bed size and extrusion rates.
+- **Gcode Block**: Manual text area for entering raw G-code.
 
-### Joiner Nodes (Variable Inputs)
+### Geometry Processing
-- `SLICENODE_JoinMesh`: Merges multiple `SlicingObject` instances into one.
+- **Get Mesh**: Converts a Blender Object into internal `SlicingObject` format.
-- `SLICENODE_JoinPaths`: Merges multiple paths.
+- **Get Paths**: Extracts existing edges from a mesh as paths.
-- `SLICENODE_JoinGcode`: Concatenates multiple G-code strings with newline separators.
+- **Slice Shells**: Slices a `SlicingObject` into 2D `SlicePaths` at a given layer height.
+- **Buffer Shells**: Offsets/buffers 2D `SlicePaths`. Supports rotated offsetting and multiple miter types.
+- **Infill**: Generates a cross-hatch grid of lines clipped by boundary paths. Supports rotation in degrees.
+- **Boolean Paths**: Performs 2D boolean operations (`UNION`, `INTERSECTION`, `DIFFERENCE`, `XOR`) on multiple slice sets.
 
-### Action Nodes (Executable)
+### Utility & Joiners
-- `SLICENODE_GcodeToFile`: Writes G-code string to a file on disk.
+- **Join Mesh**: Merges multiple `SlicingObject` instances into one.
-- `SLICENODE_GcodeToMesh`: Decodes G-code and creates a Blender mesh (Edges) for visualization/debugging.
+- **Join Paths**: Combines multiple `SlicePaths`. Supports Sequential or Interleaved modes.
-- `SLICENODE_LoadGcode`: Reads a G-code file from disk into a string.
+- **Join Gcode**: Concatenates multiple G-code strings.
-- `SLICENODE_Test`: Triggers evaluation for debugging purposes.
+- **Integer Math**: Simple integer operations (Add, Multiply, etc.).
+
+### Action & I/O
+- **Paths to Gcode**: Converts `SlicePaths` into G-code blocks.
+- **Load Gcode**: Reads a G-code file from disk.
+- **Gcode to File**: Writes G-code string to a file on disk.
+- **Gcode to Mesh**: Decodes G-code and creates a Blender mesh ("Debug" object) for visualization. 
+- **Test**: Triggers evaluation for debugging purposes.

doc/USER_GUIDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# NodeSlicer User Guide
+
+This guide will walk you through finding the NodeSlicer interface and creating your first slicing workflow.
+
+## 1. Finding NodeSlicer
+
+NodeSlicer lives in its own dedicated Node Tree type. To access it:
+
+1.  Open any **Node Editor** area in Blender (usually found in the Shading or Geometry Nodes workspaces).
+2.  In the header, click the **Tree Type** icon (next to the "New" button).
+3.  Select **NodeSlicer Tree** from the list.
+4.  Click **New** to create a new slicing project.
+
+## 2. Basic Usage: "The Quick Slice"
+
+Follow these steps to generate G-code for a simple object and preview it:
+
+### Step 1: Input your Object
+*   Press `Shift+A` to open the Add menu.
+*   Look for the **SliceNodes** sub-menu at the bottom.
+*   Select **Object** to add an object picker.
+*   Use the eyedropper to select the mesh you want to slice.
+*   From the same menu, add a **Get Mesh** node and connect the Object output to it. This converts the Blender object into a format the slicer understands.
+
+### Step 2: Slice into Layers
+*   Add a **Slice Shells** node from the **SliceNodes** menu.
+*   Connect the Mesh output from "Get Mesh" to the Mesh input of "Slice Shells".
+*   Set your **Layer Height** (e.g., 0.2 mm).
+
+### Step 3: Create Paths and G-code
+*   Add a **Paths to Gcode** node.
+*   Connect the Paths output of "Slice Shells" to the Paths input of "Paths to Gcode".
+*   This node generates the raw G-code text.
+
+### Step 4: Preview the Result
+*   Add a **Gcode to Mesh** node.
+*   Connect the Gcode output to it.
+*   Click the **Update Debug Mesh** button on the node.
+*   A new object named **Debug** will appear in your scene, showing the toolpaths.
+
+> **Pro Tip**: If your file contains a Geometry Nodes group called "Nonplanar Slicing Preview", it will be automatically assigned to the Debug object for a high-quality visualization.
+
+---
+
+## 3. Adding Perimeters and Infill
+
+A single slice is just an outline. To make a 3D print, you need wall thickness and internal structure.
+
+### Buffering (Walls)
+*   Use the **Buffer Shells** node between "Slice Shells" and "Paths to Gcode".
+*   Set a negative **Distance** (e.g., -0.4 mm) to create an inner perimeter.
+*   You can chain multiple Buffer nodes to create multiple walls.
+
+### Infill (Internal Structure)
+*   Add an **Infill** node.
+*   Connect your slice paths to its input.
+*   **Density**: Controls how close the grid lines are.
+*   **Rotation**: Rotates the grid (in degrees). The grid is calculated globally, so it stays perfectly aligned across layers.
+
+---
+
+## 4. Exporting to a File
+
+Once you are happy with the preview:
+1.  Add a **Gcode to File** node.
+2.  Connect your G-code string to it.
+3.  Type a **Filename** (e.g., `C:/temp/my_slice.gcode` or `/tmp/test.gcode`).
+4.  Click **Generate File**.
+
+## 5. Tips for Success
+*   **Scale**: The slicer treats 1 Blender unit as 1 meter, but scales everything to **mm** for the G-code output.
+*   **Orientation**: The slicer currently assumes your object is oriented correctly for printing (Z is up).
+*   **Performance**: For very complex meshes, the "Get Mesh" and "Slice Shells" nodes might take a moment to compute. The result is cached, so changing settings further down the chain (like Infill density) will be much faster.