Camo Stencil Studio v2.0

Camo Stencil Studio is a professional-grade desktop application designed to bridge the gap between 2D image processing and physical fabrication. It converts standard photographs or reference images into multi-layer camouflage patterns, vector stencils for vinyl cutters, and robust 3D models for printing.

Version 2.0 introduces a fully persistent workspace, advanced 3D geometry processing (auto-bridging), and a project management system.

New in v2.0

• Project Files (.json): Save your work—including the source image, palette, and layer mappings—and resume exactly where you left off.
• Smart Memory: The app now remembers your global settings (Denoise strength, Dimensions, etc.) and your last opened folder between sessions.
• 3D Auto-Bridging: Automatically detects "floating islands" (e.g., the center of a donut shape) in stencil mode and cuts structural bridges to anchor them to the frame.
• Stability: Fixed JSON serialization crashes and optimized thread handling.

Key Features

Workspace & Management

• Persistent Configuration: Set your preferred export units, smoothing levels, and bridge widths once; the app remembers them automatically.
• New Project Workflow: Dedicated controls to clear the workspace or load previous projects instantly.
• Center-Stage UI: Clean interface with a drag-and-drop style "Open Image" workflow and tabbed result previews.

Color & Layering

• YOLO Mode (Auto-Scan): One-click analysis that detects dominant colors, sorts them by visual similarity (brightness/hue), and assigns layer numbers automatically.
• Hybrid Selection: Combine auto-detection with manual color picking by clicking anywhere on the canvas.
• Bulk Assignment: Select multiple color swatches via checkboxes and assign them to a single output layer in one click.
• Orphan Detection: Optional mode to capture background "white space" or unassigned pixels to ensure 100% surface coverage.

Processing Engine

• Smart Denoising: Configurable Gaussian blur and morphological operations to smooth out pixel noise before vectorization.
• Min Blob Filtering: Automatically removes tiny, isolated speckles ("dust") that are too small to cut or print.
• Vector Smoothing: Adjustable Ramer-Douglas-Peucker simplification for organic or angular aesthetic styles.

Export Capabilities

• 2D Vector (SVG): Exports clean, layered SVG bundles compatible with Laser Cutters, Cricut, and Silhouette machines.
• 3D Model (STL):
  • Stencil Mode: Inverted plates with holes (for spray painting). Includes Auto-Bridging logic to make stencils physically viable.
  • Solid Mode: Positive extrusions for texture mapping or physical inlays.
  • Precision: Define exact physical width (mm/in), extrusion height, and border width.

Installation

Prerequisites

Ensure you have Python 3.x, venv, and pip installed. The application relies on the following libraries:

pip install opencv-python numpy svgwrite Pillow trimesh shapely

Quick Start (Windows)

1. Double-click setup_windows.bat (if provided) to install dependencies.
2. Double-click run.bat to launch.

Quick Start (Linux)

1. Open a terminal in the directory.
2. Run setup: chmod +x setup_linux.sh && ./setup_linux.sh
3. Launch: ./run.sh

Workflow Guide

1. Import

Click the central OPEN IMAGE button (or Ctrl+O). Supported formats: JPG, PNG, BMP.

2. Define Colors

• Auto: Click YOLO Scan to let the app decide.
• Manual: Click on the image to pick colors.
• Refine: Use the sidebar to merge similar colors into the same Layer #. Grouping 3 shades of green into "Layer 1" creates a complex, organic pattern.

3. Process

Click PROCESS IMAGE (Ctrl+P). The app will generate masks, apply smoothing, and create a preview. Switch between tabs to see individual layers.

4. Export

• 2D: File > Export SVG Bundle (Ctrl+E).
• 3D: File > Export STL Models (Ctrl+Shift+E).
  • Tip: For spray stencils, ensure Invert is checked and Bridge Width is set to at least 2.0mm.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
New Project	Ctrl + N
Open Image	Ctrl + O
Open Project	Ctrl + Shift + O
Save Project	Ctrl + S
Process	Ctrl + P
YOLO Scan	Ctrl + Y
Export 2D	Ctrl + E
Export 3D	Ctrl + Shift + E
Config	Ctrl + ,

Configuration Details

Settings are accessed via Properties > Configuration and are auto-saved on exit.

Setting	Description
Max Color Count	(Auto-Mode only) How many clusters K-Means should look for.
Denoise Strength	Higher values blur the input more, resulting in smoother, rounder blobs.
Path Smoothing	Lower (0.0001) = High detail/organic. Higher (0.005) = Low poly/angular.
Min Blob Size	Filters out small islands (noise) in pixels.
Orphaned Blobs	Forces the app to create a layer for any pixels not covered by selected colors.
Filename Template	Naming convention for exports (e.g., %INPUTFILENAME%-%COLOR%).