Kromacut
Free open-source image to color-layer print tool with auto-paint and 3MF export
Opens kromacut.com
About Kromacut
Kromacut is a free, open-source tool for turning 2D images into stacked color-layer prints, the same idea as HueForge. It runs locally in your browser, with desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux, and exports either STL or 3MF with the color layers kept.
The project goes further than most free alternatives. An auto-paint mode simulates how light passes through each filament and searches for the best layer stack and filament order for your image. You can calibrate your own filaments by printing a wedge test instead of buying a measuring device, reduce the palette, weight important regions of the image, and step through the print layer by layer before exporting.
Kromacut is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and is under active development on GitHub. It suits tinkerers who want serious filament painting features at no cost and do not mind a tool that is still evolving.
What you can make
- Filament paintings
- Color-layer wall art
- Multicolor 3MF prints
- Posters and logos
How to use it
- Open kromacut.com/app or install the desktop build
- Load an image and add your filaments
- Run auto-paint or set the layers by hand
- Export STL or 3MF and print
Good
- Free and open source
- Physics-based auto-paint picks filament order
- Filament calibration with a printed wedge test
Not so good
- Still evolving, with open issues
- Desktop builds are unsigned on Windows and macOS
- Many advanced options to learn
What you'll need to print it
Materials and parts that give the best results with Kromacut.
Matte PLA for signs and Gridfinity
Matte filament hides layer lines and cuts glare, so raised lettering on signs and nameplates stays readable from any angle and a drawer full of bins looks uniform.
- Bambu Lab PLA MatteWide colour range with AMS-ready RFID, ideal for multi-colour signs.
- Polymaker Panchroma Matte PLA (formerly PolyTerra)The former PolyTerra line under a new name: soft matte look and good value for printing Gridfinity in bulk.
- SUNLU Matte PLALow-cost matte option for large batches of bins and baseplates.
Multicolour filament systems
An automatic filament changer prints multi-colour signs, keychains and HueForge pieces without you standing by to swap filament at every colour layer.
- Bambu Lab AMS liteFour-spool open unit for the A1 series; the cheapest way into Bambu multicolour.
- Bambu Lab AMS 2 ProEnclosed four-spool unit with built-in filament drying for Bambu's enclosed printers.
- Creality CFS (Creality Filament System)Creality's multicolour unit for K2-series printers; expands to 16 colours with RFID and moisture-proof storage.
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Alternatives to Kromacut
All image to 3d generators
Image to 3D
ImageToStl
Free online converter that turns PNG or JPG images into heightmap or extruded STL
Image to 3D
MakerLab Chroma Canvas
Bambu Lab's free browser tool for HueForge-style filament paintings from any image