Batch and automation

The same conversions, run many times or without thinking about them: folders, profiles, right-click actions and scripts.

Convert a whole folder of mixed files

“I’ve got a folder full of downloads in all different file types. I just want them all ready to use, without doing them one at a time.”

Input	A folder (subfolders included) of any supported files
Output	A DXF for each piece of art, a STEP for each mesh, in an output folder
Works with	Downloads from Printables, MakerWorld, Thingiverse, icon packs
Available in	Web app · App · Shortcuts · CLI

Web app

Open › Folder… (desktop browsers), then Convert › Convert All. The results download as one zip, or go into a folder you chose (Chromium on a computer).

App

Drag the folder onto the window (every supported file inside is added), set Save To, then Convert All Files (⇧⌘R). Each file shows ✓, ⚠ or ✕.

Shortcuts

Pass several files from Finder, or a folder’s contents, to Convert with ShapeMason.

CLI

shapemason -r ~/Downloads/models -d ~/CAD/converted

What it does. Converts each file by its kind: vector art to a DXF sketch, meshes to a STEP solid, going into subfolders.

Why. One action instead of dozens of drag-and-drops.

Tips

• If any output already exists, the CLI refuses the whole batch before writing anything. Empty the output folder, or pass --overwrite on purpose. The app and web app ask first.
• A batch exits with its worst result, so one broken file reports failure even though the rest converted. Check each file’s result.
• Add --preview pictures in the same pass if you’re building a catalog.

Save settings for jobs you repeat

“I use the same settings every single time. I want to save them so I can just pick ‘my usual’ and go.”

A laser shop uses the same kerf, DXF version and layers for every customer file; a printer owner always converts downloads the same way.

Input	Any
Output	Any
Works with	Any recurring job
Available in	Web app · App · Shortcuts · CLI (by saving the command)

Web app

Set the options, then save them as a profile from the toolbar’s profile menu or Settings › Profiles. Export moves them to the app.

App

Set the options, then Profiles › Save Options as Profile…. Rename, reorder or delete in Settings › Profiles; Default Profile always exists.

Shortcuts

Pick the profile in Convert with ShapeMason.

CLI

There’s no profile flag yet. Save the command in a shell alias or script; the app and web app show the equivalent command with Copy.

What it does. Turns a set of options, and optionally what to make, into one named choice. See Profiles.

Why. The same result every time, without a forgotten setting.

Tips

• A profile stores only the options you changed, so a better default later reaches profiles that didn’t override it.
• Name profiles for the job, not the settings: “Laser shop: plywood”, not “Offset 0.1 R12”.

Convert from the Finder right-click menu

“I want to right-click a file on my Mac and choose ‘make this ready for my design app’, without opening anything.”

Input	Files selected in Finder
Output	Converted files next to the originals
Works with	Finder
Available in	Shortcuts · CLI (Mac only)

Shortcuts

Make a shortcut that runs Convert with ShapeMason with a profile, and turn on Use as Quick Action for Finder. One shortcut per profile gives one menu item each. See Automation.

CLI

shapemason install-quick-action --name "Extrude 3 mm" --args "extrude --depth 3"
shapemason install-quick-action --dry-run          # see what it would install
shapemason uninstall-quick-action --name "Extrude 3 mm"

What it does. Adds a Finder menu item that converts the selected files in the background and posts a notification with any warnings or errors.

Why. Conversion becomes one right-click where the files already are.

Tips

• The CLI’s Quick Action doesn’t need the app; the Shortcuts one uses the app’s profiles.
• On iPad and iPhone, the same shortcut can go in the share sheet instead.

Chain conversion into a bigger automation

“When a new order comes in, I want the file converted and sent where it needs to go on its own, so I don’t have to babysit it.”

A print farm wants new orders converted, then moved, renamed and handed on automatically.

Input	Any
Output	Any, passed to the next step
Works with	Shortcuts actions (Files, AirDrop, Mail), shell scripts, Makefiles, job runners
Available in	Shortcuts · CLI

Shortcuts

Convert with ShapeMason returns the output files, so the next action can use them (save to a folder, AirDrop, attach to an email), and a summary such as “Converted 3 files, 1 with warnings”.

CLI

shapemason mesh-to-solid order.stl --json > result.json || notify-failure
shapemason extrude logo.svg --stdout | upload-step

What it does. Makes ShapeMason one step in a larger flow.

Why. No human hand-off between download, conversion and the next tool.

Tips

• -q keeps output quiet except for warnings.
• Treat exit code 2 (warnings) apart from 1 (failure) in scripts.

Try it before writing anything

“I’m about to do a big batch and I’m worried about overwriting files I already have. Can I see what it would do first?”

Input	Any
Output	None until you’re happy
Works with	Any
Available in	Web app · App · Shortcuts · CLI

Web app

The preview and report update as you change options; nothing is saved until you Convert.

App

The preview and report update as you change options; nothing is written until you Convert.

Shortcuts

Set Save To to don’t save to get the summary and the files back without writing anything.

CLI

shapemason -r models/ -d out/ --dry-run     # reports what it would write
shapemason validate -r models/              # silent unless something needs attention

What it does. Runs the conversion and reports, without writing files.

Why. No surprises, and no accidental overwrites.

Tips

• Existing files are never replaced without permission: --overwrite on the CLI, a question in the app and web app (unless turned off in Settings), Replace Existing Files in Shortcuts.

Keep generated files in version control

“We share all our project files online. I want the ready-to-use versions to come out exactly the same every time, so it doesn’t look like everything changed when nothing did.”

An open-hardware project keeps source SVGs and meshes in Git, with the generated DXF and STEP files beside them for people without ShapeMason.

Input	Source files in a repository
Output	Generated DXF and STEP files, committed
Works with	Git, GitHub, CI
Available in	Web app · App · CLI

Web app

Makes the same bytes as the CLI and the app for the same input and options.

App

Makes the same bytes as the CLI and the web app for the same input and options.

CLI

shapemason -r src/ -d generated/ --overwrite
git add generated/ && git commit -m "Regenerate CAD files"

What it does. Makes exactly the same bytes for the same input and options, every run, on every platform and in every front end.

Why. Diffs show only real changes, and anyone can reproduce the files.

Tips

• Pin the ShapeMason version; a new version may change output.
• Combine with validation in CI to catch generated files that are out of date.

Move from the app to scripting

“I worked out the right settings by clicking around in the app. Now I want my computer to do the same thing automatically.”

Input	A conversion set up in the app or web app
Output	The equivalent command line
Works with	Shell scripts, CI, Quick Actions
Available in	Web app · App → CLI

Web app

The report shows the equivalent shapemason command; click Copy.

App

The report shows the equivalent shapemason command; click Copy, or Convert › Copy as Command (⇧⌘C).

CLI

Paste it into a script, or into install-quick-action --args.

What it does. Shows the exact CLI command for what the app is doing.

Why. The app is the easiest place to find the right options; the CLI is the easiest place to repeat them.

Tips

• The help text in the options form is the CLI’s, so option names map one to one (Options).