Grid: Free, local-first, browser-based 3D printing/CNC/laser slicer
by cyrusradfar on 1/29/2026, 10:38:57 PM
Comments
by: rbbydotdev
- 100% free, no subscriptions, no accounts, no cloud<p>- Local-first: all slicing and toolpath generation runs on your machine<p>- Works in any browser, even offline once loaded<p>YES!<p>I think a new type of open source is emerging centering around what is now possible in browsers. Browsers have a great track record when running legacy projects. Relying on a backend could be a liability for longevity.<p>I built opal editor myself, a local first open source free markdown editor with these same principles, <a href="https://github.com/rbbydotdev/opal" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/rbbydotdev/opal</a>
1/30/2026, 5:13:06 AM
by: cyrusradfar
Surprised this hasn't been shared here before.<p>Built by my former colleague, Stewart Allen (Co-Founder/CTO of WebMethods, CTO of AddThis, Co-Founder/CPO of IonQ, et al.).<p>What caught my attention:<p>- 100% free, no subscriptions, no accounts, no cloud<p>- Local-first: all slicing and toolpath generation runs on your machine<p>- Works in any browser, even offline once loaded<p>- Supports FDM/SLA, CNC milling, laser cutting, wire EDM<p>- Fully open source: github.com/GridSpace/grid-apps<p>Refreshing to see a tool that isn't trying to lock you into a subscription or harvest your data.
1/29/2026, 10:42:05 PM
by: SethTro
I've used kiri:moto for several simple CNC projects!<p>This probably won't scroll to the correct place on the page but there's some images of my project at <a href="https://hcc.haus/propmania/#2024-palm-torches" rel="nofollow">https://hcc.haus/propmania/#2024-palm-torches</a> and <a href="https://static.cloudygo.com/static/Prop%20Making/2024%20Palm%20Torch%20-%20Complete%20Blank.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://static.cloudygo.com/static/Prop%20Making/2024%20Palm...</a><p>I used it instead of the terrible closed source Easel App for a CARVEY hobby CNC. For metal milling I find Fusion 360 is necessary.
1/29/2026, 11:37:30 PM
by: abdullahkhalids
OT: Why is that Alphabet, Mozilla, Apple, etc can get together to create web standards that allow anyone to create software that works cross-platform - only a browser is needed, but Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple, Canonical, etc can't get together to create standards that allow anyone to create software that works cross-platform?
1/30/2026, 12:32:15 AM
by: bsimpson
More open source, browser-accessible tools is a good thing.<p>That said, aren't Prusa/Orca/etc. all already open-source (and part of the same lineage)?
1/29/2026, 11:39:50 PM
by: WJW
Am I weird in not being too surprised? It don't have experience with wire EDM but every toolpath generator or slicer I've ever used was just local software.
1/29/2026, 11:51:04 PM
by: caditinpiscinam
For those wondering why having a browser based slicer is useful: teaching. The site mentions this, but I'll add my own experience that having good in-browser software like this is incredibly useful when you have a classroom full of students who a) aren't used to installing desktop software, b) are running a bunch of different operating systems (including chrome os), and c) have firewalls prevents them from installing local software anyway.<p>I wouldn't want online tools to be come the default (like google docs) but having them as an options is great. (I find onshape and photopea useful in this way as well).
1/30/2026, 3:56:07 AM
by: the_fall
Part of me wants to be wary. The useful life of industrial machinery such as CNC mills is much longer than the lifespan of websites, so locally-installed software you own is usually a better choice.<p>But another part of me realizes that everyone is using Fusion360, despite the fact they have a history of taking away features to force people to migrate to paid tiers. So it probably doesn't matter.
1/30/2026, 2:07:58 AM
by: danfunk
Great tool for a Makerspace - really appreciate the ability to use the same tool for laser cutting, 3d printing, and CNC. These are big jumps for people typically - having a familiar tool would help people transition from one area to another.
1/30/2026, 12:01:26 AM
by: eseymour
This looks great. I was hoping it would have been a good OrcaSlicer replacement for my FDM printer, but unfortunately it didn't generate any top surfaces (except for the topmost one) for a model I imported in. I didn't know if it was the printer profile (Creality.Ender3) or something else, but it seems I'm still using OrcaSlicer for the time being.
1/29/2026, 11:57:55 PM
by: FloatArtifact
It's a shame they don't have an actual application for a truly offline experience. If they had both, people could have their cake and eat it too.
1/30/2026, 1:59:46 AM
by: reactordev
Now if we can only get an offline printer…
1/29/2026, 11:20:59 PM
by: zaps
Stop it with “free forever”. It never ever is.
1/30/2026, 3:19:01 AM