Reference Mark Algorithm

This page details how LayerForge selects and refines alignment marks for each slice. The algorithm is based on a geometric stability metric inspired by GDOP (Geometric Dilution of Precision). It ensures marks remain consistent between layers while avoiding overlaps.

Candidate Scoring

For each contour a set of candidate points is sampled. The ReferenceMarkCalculator computes a stability score equal to the total pairwise distance between the points. Higher scores mean the marks are farther apart and thus easier to align.

class ReferenceMarkCalculator:
    @staticmethod
    def _stability_score(points: list[tuple[float, float]]) -> float:
        score = 0.0
        for i, p1 in enumerate(points):
            for p2 in points[i + 1:]:
                score += calculate_distance(p1[0], p1[1], p2[0], p2[1])
        return score

Marks are chosen iteratively. Existing marks from neighbouring layers are tried first; otherwise the best scoring candidate is selected.

Inheriting Marks

When processing a slice, the algorithm checks whether any stored mark lies inside a contour at a safe distance from the edges. If so, that mark is reused and keeps its original shape. This inheritance gives each layer a shared set of identifiers for accurate reassembly.

flowchart TD
    A[Previous slice marks] --> B{Inside polygon?}
    B -- yes --> C[Reuse mark]
    B -- no --> D[Evaluate candidates]

Adjusting Marks

After placement, marks may still be too close to a contour or to one another. ReferenceMarkAdjuster filters marks that violate the configured minimum separation:

class ReferenceMarkAdjuster:
    @staticmethod
    def adjust_marks(marks, contours, config=None):
        adjusted = []
        for mark in marks:
            pt = Point(mark.x, mark.y)
            if any(poly.boundary.distance(pt) < config.min_distance for poly in contours):
                continue
            if any(pt.distance(Point(m.x, m.y)) < config.min_distance for m in adjusted):
                continue
            adjusted.append(mark)
        return adjusted

The final mark set thus respects minimum distances while preserving inherited shapes whenever possible.

Parameter Effects

The parameters controlling mark placement can be tuned to suit different model sizes. The following diagrams illustrate how each option influences the final reference marks.

tolerance

Marks from a previous slice are reused when they fall within the tolerance radius of a candidate position.

flowchart LR
    A((Stored mark)) -- within tolerance --> B[Reuse]
    A -- beyond tolerance --> C[New mark]

min_distance

Marks must stay at least this far from contours and other marks.

flowchart LR
    C[Contour]
    M1((Mark1)) -- min_distance --> C
    M1 ---|min_distance| M2((Mark2))

available_shapes

When a new mark is required the shapes are cycled in order.

flowchart LR
    S1[Circle] --> S2[Square] --> S3[Triangle] --> S4[Arrow] --> S1

angle

Controls the orientation of newly generated marks.

flowchart LR
    A[Default orientation] -- angle --> B[Rotated]

color

Sets the stroke color used when drawing marks. It does not affect placement but may improve visibility in the output SVGs.

Tips for Different Model Scales

• Small models (<10 cm) – use a min_distance around 2–5 units and a lower tolerance to prevent clutter.
• Medium models (10–30 cm) – the defaults (10 units) usually work well.
• Large models (>30 cm) – increase both min_distance and tolerance proportionally (15–25 units) so marks remain distinct.