Build guides and step-by-step films
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Turn any project into a complete illustrated build guide with shopping list, cut sheet, saw setups, joint close-ups, and an exported step-by-step build video.
In Publish -> Share, clicking Generate build guide turns your project into a complete, saved build guide that reads like a classic shop plan: the finished 3D model at the top, a single shopping list, a cut list with every piece named, the board cutting layout, every saw setup, and step-by-step assembly pictures with X-ray joint close-ups.
Here is the generated build guide and step-by-step film for Sawhorse (fork) (https://sawdust.diy/share/882f2473-d283-46d0-8f38-7b289253d68f):
What goes into a generated build guide
A generated guide names every cut piece after its role in the build (web, bottom flange, top rail, leg, gusset) rather than internal step IDs. Repeated identical cuts collapse onto one saw card with a multiplier badge, and each assembly step shows the newly added boards highlighted in place followed by close-ups of every joint showing exactly how many screws go where.
One Surprise
On this page, these are static screen shots. But on the guide page, you can interact with any image. Tap it and swipe around to orbit the view, pinch to zoom. Every image can be instantly swapped in with the live view of the model. Angle making it unclear how two pieces come together? No problem, just move the view.
Step-by-step films up to 10 minutes
In Publish -> Video, you can generate a step-by-step film directly from your build guide, with exports now supporting up to 10 minutes of runtime. Cut sequences place the 3D saw rig on the left and its length, miter, and bevel dials on the right at full 1920x1080 legibility; assembly sequences slide each board into place, zoom into X-ray views as screws are driven in one at a time. You can ask your agent to change anything you like, it has access to the full film editing and animation tool suite.
