Dimensions and clearances
Enter all project lengths in millimetres. A size such as [100, 80, 30] means X width, Y depth, Z height. A position such as [2, 2] means 2 mm along X and 2 mm along Y. Write numbers without quotes and use no more than three decimal places.
| Field or concept | Measured at | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
box.inner_mm | Inside the game box | Space available before you leave room at the sides or above |
box.side_clearance_mm | Four sides of the box | Space kept between the insert and box |
box.top_reserve_mm | Above the insert | Height reserved for a board, rules, or other contents |
interior.clear_mm | Inside a constructed compartment | Usable space after its panels are accounted for |
containers[].outer_mm | Outside an existing closed container | Space the entire container occupies |
| Container side/top clearance | Around that container | Insertion and removal space |
| Material thickness | Across a sheet | Determines panel size, joints, and outside assembly size |
| Kerf | Width removed by the laser | Lets BGI adjust where the laser beam travels |
| Fit clearance | Difference between mating parts after cutting | Positive means clearance; negative means interference |
For example, a 3.00 mm panel and +0.10 mm fit clearance call for a 3.10 mm finished slot. With 0.16 mm kerf, the beam removes 0.08 mm on each side, so the two beam-centre paths are 2.94 mm apart (3.10 − 0.16). An outer part intended to finish 10.00 mm wide instead needs its beam-centre paths 10.16 mm apart. This straight-edge arithmetic shows why an inner slot and an outer edge offset in opposite directions. BGI offsets full contours, including corners and holes; contours and bundles explains the later steps.
A compartment’s clear dimensions exclude its walls, so a 100 × 80 mm interior needs a larger footprint in the game box. An existing container is positioned by its outside size, which says nothing about its usable capacity. Allow handling space for cards and loose pieces in their component entries. Box clearance governs placement; kerf corrects the laser path.
The bundled material profile supplies defaults. material.overrides replaces them for a project, and CLI material options take final precedence. bgi config FILE --resolved reports each effective value and its source. Measure the sheet and test the cut and joints before relying on the resulting dimensions.
See measuring, materials and calibration, and the project-file reference for the fields you can set.