# 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.

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## 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.

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## 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.