Current development build

CMYKForge Standard

A local-first workflow for preparing images, planning CMYK material distributions, previewing color, generating geometry, and testing multi-material 3MF export.

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CMYK / CMYKW · local-first · no required AI · 3MF export in active testing

In active development — beta not open yet. Details may change before release. Join the newsletter to follow progress.

Full Spectrum.

Cyan, magenta, yellow, black — and optional white. Every color between them, planned from a handful of spools.

Process Cyan

Printed color varies with filament, calibration, and lighting.

Highlights

Get the highlights.

Current development build Subject isolation Identify the likely main subject, remove the background, and manually add or remove selected areas before generation. Explore the workflow

Real physical print of the color wheel project

Real prints, really photographedUnretouched results, shown next to the original image. Full Spectrum colorFive filament channels, every color between them.

The Color EngineCMYK-style planning from your actual filaments.

Offline badge — a crossed-out wireless symbol ringed in CMYK colors

Offline by designLocal-first. No cloud processing of your images.

Print settings panel from the current build

Slicer-ready 3MF export3MF is in active testing; STL and OBJ are planned.

CMYKForge Pro, later PlannedThe planned flagship edition — a long way out, never required.

Real progress

From source image to physical print.

The same project shown at three stages. The middle image is a labeled software simulation; the final image is the real physical print.

Original source image used as input to CMYKForge — 01Original imageSupplied source artwork.

CMYKForge simulated color preview of the expected print — 02CMYKForge previewSoftware simulation — not a photograph.

A real physical print produced from a CMYKForge-generated project — 03Physical printReal output from the same project.

A founder-approved slicer capture for this exact project is not yet available. CMYKForge does not replace the slicer; exported files are opened in compatible slicer software.

Color engine

The Color Engine

CMYKForge Standard is designed around a color-focused generation workflow. The software analyzes image color, prepares CMYK-style material strategies, and helps translate visual information into printable model data for multi-material FDM printers.

CMYK-based preparation: Plans cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and optional white distributions for image-based color FDM models.; Requires accurate transmission-distance and color values for each filament.
Filament-aware workflow: Connects color preparation to the behavior of the materials selected for the project.; Inaccurate profile values can change color-mixing results.
Preview before export: Provides a labeled simulation to review before generating files for slicing and printing.; The preview is an estimate, not a controlled physical-print result.

Explore CMYK Color Separation Pick any color to see its CMYK mix. Illustrative color breakdown — not a prediction of final printed color.

#000000

Total 100%

Normalized CMYK + white filament blend — every mix totals 100%. Illustrative; real plans come from your filament profiles.

Color range

From three primary filaments to colors between them.

Cyan, magenta, and yellow overlap in planned layers to reach the colors between them — the same principle behind the color wheel. Actual results depend on calibration and filament behavior.

Cyan Magenta Yellow

At a glance

1 Export format in testing Multi-material 3MF is in active testing. STL and OBJ are planned.

5 Filament channels Cyan, magenta, yellow, black — plus optional white.

100% Local processing The core workflow is designed around local use — no cloud processing.

50 Colors in the live demo Try the interactive mix demo above — every blend totals 100%.

Every color decision is made before the first layer prints.

Core systems

The Systems Behind CMYKForge Standard

CMYKForge Standard is more than a visual editor. Under the interface, multiple systems work together to turn an image into a color-aware 3D printable model.

Image Analysis System

CMYKForge Standard begins by reading the uploaded image and preparing it for color-aware model generation. Before the Color Engine builds a CMYK-style material plan, the Image Analysis System studies the image's color structure, contrast, detail, and visual regions.

This helps CMYKForge understand where smooth gradients, sharp edges, shadows, highlights, and important visual transitions exist so the rest of the workflow can make more informed generation decisions.

No AI is required. Image analysis in CMYKForge Standard is part of the core local workflow.

Color Structure

Reads the image's visible color regions before CMYK-style material planning begins.

Detail Detection

Helps identify edges, fine details, and visual transitions that may affect the generated model.

Contrast Mapping

Looks at shadows, highlights, and tonal separation so the image can be prepared more intelligently.

Print-Aware Prep

Prepares image information for the next systems in the CMYKForge Standard workflow.

Color Engine

The Color Engine helps translate image color into cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and optional white material strategies for multi-material FDM printing. It is the system that connects image color, selected filament data, and preview expectations into a color-aware material plan.

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Optional White

Model Generation System

The Model Generation System turns CMYKForge's color and image planning into an actual 3D printable structure. After the image has been analyzed and the Color Engine has prepared the material strategy, this system converts that information into layered geometry designed for real multi-material FDM workflows.

This system helps turn color decisions into real model data, preparing the project for slicer-compatible file generation.

Generation Pipeline

Image Analysis→ Color Engine→ Layer Geometry→ Export Ready

The model is generated from the same color and material plan used throughout the workflow.

Export & Printability System

The Export & Printability System is the final step in the CMYKForge Standard workflow. After the model has been generated, this system helps prepare the project for slicer-compatible file output, including multi-material 3MF workflows where supported.

This step focuses on making the generated model usable beyond the preview. CMYKForge Standard is designed to help carry the color plan, material layout, and geometry into export-ready files for real FDM printing workflows.

Model generation

Color, resolved layer by layer.

CMYKForge turns the color plan into real geometry — stacked FDM layers that carry your material strategy from the build plate up.

Current development build

Start with the part that matters.

CMYKForge Standard identifies the likely main subject and removes the background before the main generation workflow begins.

The initial selection stays editable. You can manually add areas that should be included or remove areas that should not continue into generation.

This capability is implemented in active development builds, not generally released. Exact behavior may change before beta.

01
Identify
Find the likely main subject in the source image.
02
Refine
Manually add or remove selected areas when the automatic result needs adjustment.
03
Continue
Send the refined subject into the existing image-analysis and generation workflow.

Workflow

From image to print

One clear path from a flat image to a color-aware print. Without jumping between disconnected tools.

Image

Start with a photo, artwork, logo, or design.

Analyze

Read color structure, contrast, and detail.

Generate

Build a CMYK-style plan and layered geometry.

Preview

Review the expected result before exporting.

Export

Generate a slicer-compatible 3MF file. STL and OBJ are planned for later.

Slice

Open the files in your slicer of choice.

Print

Run the multi-material print on your FDM printer.

Export pipeline

01 — Render

The model takes shape.

Color-aware geometry is generated from your image, layer by layer, using the CMYK material plan.

02 — Export

A slicer-ready file is generated.

The model, colors, and material layout are packed into a multi-material 3MF file.

03 — Download

Saved and ready to slice.

Open the exported file in your slicer and send the print to your multi-material FDM printer.

Trust and control

Your images. Your machine. Your choices.

CMYKForge Standard is designed around a local-first workflow. Image preparation, filament profiles, previews, and model generation do not require cloud processing or AI tools.

Local-first

No cloud processing required

The Standard generation workflow is designed to run locally, so the images you prepare stay on your machine.

Standard workflow

No AI required

CMYKForge Standard does not depend on cloud AI or local AI models by default.

Clear labeling

Honest previews

On-screen previews are identified as simulations and are not presented as photographs of physical prints.

Privacy details

Understand what leaves your device

The newsletter is handled separately by Brevo. Read the privacy information for the website’s current data handling.

Optional AI tools may be offered later through a separate edition or upgrade. They are planned additions, not a requirement for CMYKForge Standard.

What's included

What's Included

Everything in the core local-first workflow. From image to slicer-ready file.

01
Subject isolation
Identifies the likely main subject, removes the background, and supports manual addition or removal of selected areas.
02
Image analysis
Reads color structure, contrast, and detail before model generation.
03
CMYK / CMYKW color engine
Plans cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and optional white distributions from image color.
04
Model generation
Turns the material plan into layered geometry for multi-material FDM workflows.
05
Preview and printability checks
Provides a labeled simulation and helps identify fragile or disconnected geometry before export.
06
3MF export testing
Prepares multi-material 3MF output for a separate slicer. STL and OBJ output are planned.

Requirements

What You'll Need

Printer & Filament

Multi-Material FDM Printer

Best suited for printers that can use multiple filament colors.

CMYK or CMYKW Filaments

Designed around cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and optional white workflows.

Compatible Slicer

Generated files are intended to be opened and prepared in slicer software.

Calibration Matters

Final results depend on printer setup, filament behavior, layer settings, and slicer settings.

Notes

No dedicated GPU is required for standard use.
Internet is not required for the Standard edition after installation.
Future Pro features may recommend additional memory and storage.
Requirements may change slightly during beta development.

Compatibility

Compatibility at a Glance

A quick reference for what CMYKForge Standard supports today and what is reserved for future versions.

CMYKForge Standard compatibility status and notes
Workflow Type	CMYKForge Standard Support	Notes
Image-based color models	Supported	Built around photos, artwork, logos, and designs.
CMYK / CMYKW material planning	Supported	Uses cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and optional white workflows.
3MF export	In active testing	Primary export target for multi-material color workflows.
STL / OBJ export	Planned	Planned for broader model compatibility, where supported.

Beta access

Built with Early Tester Feedback

CMYKForge Standard is currently being prepared for a limited beta testing group. Early users will help test real image workflows, export reliability, preview accuracy, slicer compatibility, and printability across different printer and filament setups.

A limited first testing group is planned.

Color resultsGenerated models compared with the intended image.

Export reliabilityFiles opened and prepared in compatible slicers.

Workflow clarityThe full process tested with real users.

PrintabilityGenerated models sliced and printed on real hardware.

FAQ

Questions Before Beta

Quick answers about CMYKForge Standard, the workflow, and future product plans.

Does CMYKForge replace my slicer?

Will the printed colors be perfect?

Why do filament profiles matter?

How many beta testers are planned first?

Principles

The principles behind the work.

Honest previews

On-screen previews are labeled as simulations, never passed off as photographs. Read the approach.

Local-first

The Standard workflow is designed around local use, so project images stay on the user’s machine.

Physical validation

Claims follow prints made on real hardware, not renders. See current status.

Capability status

A clear line between current, beta, and planned

“Current” means implemented in active development builds, not generally released. Exact behavior and compatibility may still change before launch.

Current development build

Standard foundation

Local-first subject isolation and manual refinement, CMYK/CMYKW processing, optical blending, filament calibration, LAB and Delta-E color optimization, preview simulation, printability checks, and model generation.

Limited beta — not open yet

Testing targets

Preview accuracy, 3MF export, slicer interoperability, print reliability, and end-to-end workflow clarity on varied hardware and filament profiles.

Planned

Future scope

STL/OBJ export, Pro and Business editions, and separately offered optional AI guidance. No planned AI feature is required for Standard.

Keep exploring

Keep exploring CMYKForge.