Flexi Cutter (Create your Own Fidget Flexi Toys)

Want to create your own fidget toys, but not sure where to start? With the use of InkScape and Blender you can create your own Flexi fidget toy with this simple cutter. 

Instructions (How to use this file)

1. Choosing your Source Image: Start by finding an image of an object you want to turn into a flexi toy. High-contrast images work best—ideally a single subject that clearly stands out from the background.
   In this example, a banana image is used. (Silhouettes or flat illustrations generally produce cleaner results than detailed photos.)

2. Open your image in a vector graphics editor and trace it into a vector outline. (Note that if your image has a background, it may be included in the trace—delete any unwanted shapes so only the main object remains.)

   • Inkscape: Use Path → Trace Bitmap.

     • The Brightness Cutoff mode works well for high-contrast images.

     • You may need to adjust the threshold so the entire object is captured.

   • Other editors:

     • Adobe Illustrator: Image Trace

     • Affinity Designer: Trace Bitmap

     • CorelDRAW: PowerTRACE

3. Save as a SVG: Export or save the traced object as a simple .svg file.
   Avoid extra layers, strokes, or effects—clean paths work best when importing into Blender.

4. Import the SVG into Blender: Import the SVG into Blender and scale it to your desired size. Once imported, ensure the SVG is properly oriented and scaled before continuing.

   • A sample Blender file is provided for reference.

   • The Flexi Cutter is included both in the sample file and as a standalone .stl.

5. Convert and Solidify the Shape:

   1. Convert the SVG object to a Mesh.

   2. Apply a Solidify modifier to give the object thickness. (The thickness of the solidified object should not exceed the depth of the Flexi Cutter, or the Boolean operation may fail or produce incomplete cuts.)

6. Apply the Flexi Cutter: 

   1. Add a Boolean modifier to your mesh object.

   2. Set the operation to Difference

   3. Select the Flexi Cutter as the target object

7. Export for Printing:

   Once the cuts look correct:

   1. Hide or disable the Flexi Cutter from view and export.

   2. Export the finished flexi toy as an .stl file.

   3. Slice and print as normal.

If you end up making something cool, please consider uploading your make here.