Snapsplit - Cut & Build Custom Connectors For 3D Printing

Betakontext in Modeling

SnapSplit 

SnapSplit is an addon for Blender to automate cut/split/slice workflows and connection building for 3D printing. It generates precise, gluefree snap-fit connectors, with adjustable snap spheres to optimize your individual workflow, using robust booleans and material sensible adaptive tolerance models.


It comes with a live preview for all connectors building sections; highly adjustable Dovetail and Snap Dovetail connector with edge sensitive span options; a section for building and using your own meshes as Custom Connectors, translations into 20 languages and more stability Cutting and Capping seams of hollow forms f.e. adding a sensitivity for models hollowed via standard Blender boolean modifier, and options to automated cap seams pre- and post-cut. 


Why SnapSplit?

SnapSplit combines two work steps into one: cleanly segmenting large models and automatically creating matching snap/plug pins or tenons, dovetail or custom connections. Placement along an adjustable line or grid and/or freehand per click onto the spot on the split surface. That saves hours of manual modeling and reduces trial‑and‑error printing thanks to preset tolerances and the new Live‑Preview. Ideal for artists (casting molds, modular sculptures), prop designers, product prototypers, and makers who need large models to be printable and transportable.


Thanks for your feedback. I tried to build in as much as possible. I'm always happy to hear your further needs for next versions and hints for better building experiences. 

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### Changelog:
**V_0.1.6**

- Added live preview option while creating connectors in Line/Grid mode for all connector types and a more adjustment options for connector creations -> Margin, Taper, Chamfer, Edge sensitive Span, Rotations and Offset along Length/Width on the cutting plane 

- Stability fixes for cutting and cap hollow forms created via standard boolean modifier.

**V_0.1.5**

- Full UI localization through switch to Blender's interface language setting with 20 languages: EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, PT, NL, PL, JA, ZH, RU, UK, TR, SL, KO, SW, AR, FA, HI, BN with automatic detection based on Blender's UI language.

**V_0.1.4**

- Added Dovetail and Snap-Dovetail connector types.
- Added Custom Connector: use any mesh object from your scene as a connector shape, scaled to Width/Length/Depth, with click placement support.

**V_0.1.3**

- Initial public connector set: Cylindrical Pin, Rectangular Tenon, Snap-Pin, Snap-Tenon.
- Planar split with adjustable axis/offset, cap seams toggle.
- Seam-line and grid connector distribution, per-click placement.
- Material tolerance profiles (PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, SLA).
- Face-to-face alignment operator.

- Collections cleanup automation

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The panel in the 3D View (N-Panel → “SnapSplit”) features:

Property group with: 

  • Segmentation: Number of parts. Split preview. Cap seams with hollow detection.
  • Connectors: Precise building with live preview and multiple adjustments: Cylindrical Pin, Rectangular Tenon, Dovetail, Snap-Pin, Snap-Tenon, Snap-Dovetail, Custom Connector. Freehand place connector per click
  • Tolerance: Material profiles (PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, SLA)
  • Alignment: Face to face alignment option in object mode

Segmentation:

  • Planar Split along a global axis into the specified number of parts
  • Split preview and adjustment
  • Decap and cap seams toggle, pre and post split

-> Split of a hollowed mesh along Z-axis into 4 parts with cap seams selected.

Connections:

  • Pins, Tenons, Dovetails and Custom connectors including Snap-variants for all
  • Multiple adjustments including Auto Span options for full length Dovetail extensions with automatic edge detections and hard-side cuts.
  • Percentage-based edge margins for precise symmetrical placements
  • Adjustable Snap-sphere additions
  • Taper, chamfer, offsets and rotations 
  • Visual placement controls via Live Preview while adjusting your connectors
  • Seam line / Grid placement of connectors, with rows and columns input
  • Freehand individual per click connector placements onto cut faces.

-> Individual placement of Snap Pins with 2 spheres per click.

-> Dovetails with Snap spheres, Auto span and edge sensitive hard-side cut.

Custom connectors:

  • The Custom Connector section allows self build connector placement f.e. using a user-selected mesh object as reference, scaled to Width/Length/Depth
  • Automated transforms of your selected reference mesh into your Length, Width and Depth definition
  • Adjustable insertion depth. Default: 50%
  • Adjustable Snap-sphere additions
  • Taper, chamfer, offset and rotation adjustments

F.e.: Live Preview testing Blender's Suzanne qualities as a custom connector :) -> Use any mesh as a reference and adjust, distribute and place it via SnapSplit 

Tolerance: 

  • PLA: 0.15–0.25 mm per side
  • PETG: 0.25–0.35 mm per side
  • ABS/ASA: 0.20–0.30 mm per side
  • TPU: 0.30–0.45 mm per side
  • SLA: 0.05–0.15 mm per side

These are provided as presets and can be overwritten.


Alignment: 

  • Alignment in object mode via Face selection
  • After selecting Face A and Face B, face alignment it allows you to also build connectors between two individual meshes

Languages:

The UI is fully localized and automatically follows Blender's interface language setting. Supported languages: English (US), German (Deutsch), French (Français), Spanish (Español), Italian (Italiano), Portuguese (Português), Dutch (Nederlands), Polish (Polski), Japanese (日本語), Chinese (中文), Russian (Русский), Ukrainian (Українська), Turkish (Türkçe), Slovenian (Slovenščina), Korean (한국어), Swahili (Kiswahili), Arabic (العربية), Persian (فارسی), Hindi (हिन्दी), Bengali (বাংলা).

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Included

  • SnapSplit add‑on (v0.1.6) for Blender

  • Presets for connector types & material profiles

  • Short guide & best practice tips

  • Support & bug reporting via [email protected]e

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    Until now I used it on Blender 5.2.2 LTS / 5.2.0 LTS / 5.1.1 / 5.1.0 / 5.0.1 / 4.5.9 LTS and 4.5.3 LTS. Let me know if you use any other Blender version or run into issues. I'd be happy to hear about your projects, how you are using it or if you have any ideas to take SnapSplit and Blender further into 3D print.

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    License & updates

    • Lifetime license for the purchased version; minor fixes included. Major updates may be offered separately.

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Details
Blender Extension Compatible Yes
Sales 30+
Dev Fund Contributor
Published 6 months ago
Blender Version 4.5 - 5.2
Extension Type Add-on
Render Engine Used Cycles, Eevee
License GPL

Betakontext

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