How KerfCraft works

KerfCraft keeps your whole design in one document. Everything that you see is made from that document: the 3D view, the Model list, the cut list, the cutting plan and the exports. This page explains why it works that way, and what that means for you.

One document#

The document records each component as data: its size, position, material and grain direction, its drilling and joints, and the assembly that it is in. The 3D view draws the document. It does not hold the design itself. KerfCraft never reads a size back from the 3D view. Thus a part looks the same size as it is in the cut list.

Some parts come from a generator, for example a carcass or a stud frame. The generator keeps its parameters, such as the width and the number of shelves. If you change a parameter, the generator makes its parts again from the new values.

Every change is a command#

Each change to the design is a named command, for example "set dimensions" or "set material". A tool in the toolbar, a field in Properties, a keyboard shortcut and the assistant all use the same commands.

For each command, KerfCraft first examines the input. If the input is not correct, the command does not run. Then KerfCraft runs the command on a copy of the document, and examines the result. For example, each size must be positive and each part must be in an assembly that exists. If the result is correct, the copy becomes the document. If not, the document does not change and you see the reason.

A command thus changes the document completely or not at all. A failed command cannot leave a design half changed.

Each change goes on the undo list. You undo a change that the assistant made in the same way as a change that you made.

Why the assistant uses the same commands#

The assistant has no special access to your design. It can only use the commands that you can use, with the same checks. Thus a part that the assistant makes is an ordinary part. You can select it, change it and undo it. For more about the assistant, read How the assistant works.

Why the cut list comes from the document#

A 3D view is made of triangles. Triangles do not record a material, a grain direction or the blank that you must cut before you shape a part. The document records these things. Thus KerfCraft makes the cut list, the cutting plan and the exports from the document.

The cut list changes immediately when the design changes. A change to how a part looks, for example a paint finish, does not change the cut list. Read Materials and finishes for that difference.

KerfCraft does not promise that a cut list is correct for cutting. Read What KerfCraft checks and what you must check.

When there is a new version of KerfCraft#

KerfCraft examines the server for a new version every 5 minutes, and when you go back to its tab. When there is a new version, each open tab loads it. A tab does this only when the reload cannot interrupt your work.

A tab waits until all of these are true:

• The assistant does not write a reply.
• No AI picture, AI video or photoreal render is in progress.
• KerfCraft has saved your last change.
• You do not drag with a tool, and you do not type a value or a message.
• No dialog is open.

Until then, you see Update ready at the top of the window. Click Reload now to load the new version immediately. If the assistant writes a reply, KerfCraft asks you first, because a reload stops the reply.

After the reload, the tab shows the same project, view, camera, selection and panels. The chat shows the same position. Your project and your conversation stay in your browser, so the reload does not remove them. Read Where your designs are stored.