Parametric Pill Columns Tray Generator (Modular Design)

Create high-quality custom trays for organization, gifts, or home decor in the modern "pill columns" style. This project was developed to offer maximum flexibility: simply adjust the dimensions, and the script seamlessly recalculates the vertical column distribution around the perimeter, maintaining a flawless geometry designed for support-free 3D printing. Perfect for both personal use and the production of unique, exclusive pieces.

---
DETAILED PARAMETER MANUAL
---

1. Basic Settings

- Tray Shape:
 - Oval: Generates a classic stadium-shaped tray (straight sides with semi-circular ends). Perfect for keys, perfumes, or glasses.
 - Rectangular: Generates a rectangular tray with customizable rounded corners. Great for organizing boxes, drawers, or office items.

- Tray Length and Width:
 The absolute maximum exterior bounds of the tray (measured in millimeters). The script uses these dimensions as constraints and automatically scales the column count to fit exactly inside these bounds. Note: Width must be less than or equal to Length.

- Column Height:
 The total height of the boundary columns from the base to the top (mm). This determines how deep the tray cavity is.

- Base Thickness:
 The height of the tray's bottom floor (mm). A value of 3mm is recommended to ensure structural rigidity, prevent warping during printing, and allow safe depth for bottom engravings without breaching the interior floor.

2. Pill Columns Style Settings

- Column Radius:
 Half of the column's thickness (mm). A smaller radius (e.g., 3.3mm) yields many small, delicate columns, while a larger radius (e.g., 8mm or 10mm) results in fewer, chunkier pillars.

- Lateral Overlap:
 Controls how deep adjacent columns merge into each other (expressed as a percentage: e.g., 0.15 = 15%). 
 - Lower values (0.0 to 0.10): Columns barely touch, creating deep, sharp V-valleys on the outside (warning: values close to 0 make the print structurally weak).
 - Ideal values (0.15 to 0.25): Columns merge perfectly to form a strong, watertight, cohesive outer wall with a smooth, pleasing texture.
 - Higher values (0.30+): Columns interpenetrate deeply, flattening the outer texture.

- Top Style:
 - Round: Finishes the top of each column with a smooth, spherical dome. This gives a very soft, organic look.
 - Flat: Cuts the columns flat at the top. Recommended if you want a clean, modern, architectural look.

- Top Bevel Radius:
 Only active when Top Style is set to Flat (mm). It rounds off the sharp top edge of the flat pillars. A bevel of 1.0mm is recommended to eliminate sharp corners, make the top feel premium to the touch, and prevent print delamination.

- Inner Wall Style:
 - Wavy: The inner wall mimics the wavy, scalloped shape of the columns. This looks highly organic and consistent but forms internal valleys that can catch dust or soap.
 - Smooth: A clean, flat inner wall is sliced directly into the columns. This creates a flat interior face, making it extremely easy to wipe clean and ensuring objects placed inside sit flat against the wall without catching.

3. Column Cross-Section Shape

- Column Cross Section:
 - Round: Classic circular pillars.
 - Oval: Eliptical pillars. This allows you to squeeze or stretch the columns.

- Oval Aspect Ratio:
 Only active when Column Cross Section is set to Oval. It scales the column's width along the perimeter path while keeping its radial thickness constant.
 - Values > 1.0 (e.g., 1.35): Stretches the columns along the perimeter, making the columns look wider and flatter horizontally.
 - Value = 1.0: Standard circular columns.
 - Values < 1.0 (e.g., 0.80): Squishes the columns, making them thinner along the perimeter and deeper radially.

4. Advanced and Customization Settings

- Corner Radius:
 Only active when Tray Shape is set to Rectangular (mm). Controls the rounding radius of the tray's outer corners. Must be larger than the Column Radius.

- Enable Top Text and Top Text Height:
 Adds raised (embossed) 3D text (such as a name or brand name) to the center of the tray's interior floor. You can configure the font size and height (typically 1.0mm is ideal).

- Enable Bottom Logo and Engraving Depth:
 Engraves (debosses) a signature text, brand name, or website handle (e.g., @brand) into the bottom face of the tray base. The engraving uses standard text fonts. The depth is automatically limited to prevent piercing the base. Since it is engraved inwards, it does not affect the tray's stability on flat tables.

- Display Mode:
 - Full: Renders the complete model ready for STL export.
 - Base Only / Border Only: Isolates parts to inspect details.
 - Cross Section: Cuts the model in half longitudinal to inspect wall thickness, internal clearances, and engraving depths before printing.
 

RECOMMENDED PRINT SETTINGS (Bambu Studio / OrcaSlicer)
---

- Layer Height: 0.16mm (Optimal for the vertical curves of the spheres)
- Wall Generator: Arachne (Recommended for filling small fusions)
- Infill: 10% Gyroid or Cross Hatch
- Supports: No supports needed!
- Fuzzy Skin (Optional for premium finish): Contour, Thickness: 0.3mm, Point distance: 0.8mm

💡 Pro Tip: Enable Variable/Adaptive Layer Height in your slicer.