> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.3dpreppro.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lattice Infill

> Generate internal structures to strengthen and lighten your model

Lattice Infill fills the interior of your model with a repeating geometric structure. This reduces material while maintaining strength — and can create stunning visual effects for display models.

<Frame caption="Generating a gyroid lattice with the Lattice tool">
  <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline controls poster="/images/editor/tools/lattice-demo-poster.jpg" className="w-full rounded-2xl" src="https://mintcdn.com/alphaworks/ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR/images/editor/tools/lattice-demo.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR&q=85&s=d37f7f5673a3c8444c30ac1681ecbd9c" data-path="images/editor/tools/lattice-demo.mp4" />
</Frame>

## When to use this

* For artistic lattice effects on display models
* When you need precise control over internal structure
* To reduce material usage while keeping strength
* For models where you want the lattice to be visible

## Lattice patterns

| Pattern              | Style          | Description                                                                        |
| -------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Gyroid** (default) | Smooth surface | Continuously curved surface. Beautiful organic look, excellent strength-to-weight. |
| **Schwarz-P**        | Smooth surface | TPMS nested-cube look. Strong under compression; not self-supporting in FDM.       |
| **BCC**              | Strut-based    | Body-centered cubic with diagonal struts. Strong and efficient.                    |
| **Octet**            | Strut-based    | Dense network of struts. Very strong, uses more material.                          |
| **Diamond**          | Strut-based    | Tetrahedral connections. Organic, crystal-like appearance.                         |

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/alphaworks/ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR/images/editor/tools/lattice-patterns.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR&q=85&s=20d0280ff7be2e5b9a6c488dd3eb9af0" alt="Five lattice pattern types: Gyroid, Schwarz-P, BCC, Octet, Diamond" width="574" height="1018" data-path="images/editor/tools/lattice-patterns.png" />
</Frame>

## The result

Applying a lattice replaces the model's solid interior with the pattern you chose, while keeping the outer shape intact. The exterior looks like a normal print; slice into it to see the repeating structure inside.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Frame caption="The finished gyroid lattice">
    <video autoPlay loop muted playsInline controls poster="/images/editor/tools/lattice-result-poster.jpg" className="w-full rounded-2xl" src="https://mintcdn.com/alphaworks/ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR/images/editor/tools/lattice-result.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR&q=85&s=1ecf5acbdd519e89e7e6d621a3414c1c" data-path="images/editor/tools/lattice-result.mp4" />
  </Frame>

  <Frame caption="Slice View reveals the internal infill">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/alphaworks/ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR/images/editor/tools/lattice-result.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=ovWnUpkEFn4EqZKR&q=85&s=5711997bc0a3932a818d1d6b28e1f7b6" alt="Slice-view cross-section showing the gyroid lattice infill inside the model" width="1100" height="731" data-path="images/editor/tools/lattice-result.jpg" />
  </Frame>
</Columns>

## Settings

### Cell size (mm)

The size of each repeating unit. **Smaller = denser lattice.** Default: 5 mm.

### Strut thickness (mm)

Diameter of the connecting struts. Only for BCC, Octet, and Diamond. Default: 0.5 mm.

### Shell thickness (mm)

Wall thickness of the outer shell — and, for the Gyroid and Schwarz-P surfaces, the TPMS surface band. Default: 1.0 mm.

### Interior offset (mm)

Shown only when **Include shell** is off. Shrink or expand the open-cell lattice region relative to the model surface. Positive = shrink inward (leaves a gap). Negative = expand outward past the surface. Default: 1.0 mm — but when you turn Include shell off, this auto-sets to -1 mm to extend the lattice out to the surface. With Include shell on, the lattice domain is automatically eroded by the wall thickness, so this control is hidden.

### Include shell

Toggle (default: on). Keeps the outer surface of your model intact around the lattice.

### Band thickness (Fill Mode)

Controls how much of the interior the lattice fills. Default: 0 = fill the entire interior. Set a value greater than 0 (typically 3–6 mm) to fill only a band just inside the shell — faster and lighter, leaving the body hollow inside.

## Step by step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the Lattice tool">
    Click **Lattice** in the Interactive Tools section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a pattern">
    Click one of the five pattern tiles.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust cell size">
    Smaller cells = denser, stronger lattice. Larger cells = lighter, more open.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set thickness">
    Adjust strut thickness (strut patterns) or shell thickness (Gyroid).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply">
    Click **Apply** to generate the lattice.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips

* **Gyroid** is the most popular choice — strong, beautiful, and prints reliably
* Cell sizes below **3 mm** may be too fine for FDM printers
* Use interior offset to prevent the lattice from touching the outer surface
* Use the [Slice View](/editor/tools/slice-view) tool to inspect the lattice interior

<Warning>
  Very small cell sizes with thick struts create extremely dense lattices that take a long time to process and produce very large files.
</Warning>