Getting started

#Opening the app

Go to alchemycast.app/app in any modern browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox or Brave. There's nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. The app runs entirely in your browser, so your models and projects stay on your device and are never uploaded.

The first time you open it, the app picks a country from your browser's language setting. That sets the currency for prices and the stores on the Products page. You can change it at any time from the flag button at the right of the menu bar. See Country and language.

#Installing it

Installing puts Alchemy Cast on your home screen or desktop. It then opens in its own window, works without internet, and updates itself the next time you're online.

• Android (Chrome or Brave): open the app, tap the browser menu (⋮), then Install app or Add to Home screen.
• iPhone and iPad: open the app in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.
• Windows, Mac and ChromeOS: open the app in Chrome or Edge and click the install icon at the right of the address bar.

Tip: On a tablet at the bench, install the app and turn it sideways. Every page fits a tablet screen in either direction.

#Your first tree

The quickest way in is the Setup Wizard, the purple Start here card at the top of the Viewer & tree page. It asks a few questions and builds everything for you. See Setup Wizard.

If you'd rather set things up yourself, click Open model…, choose an STL, OBJ or 3MF file, pick your metal and flask in the sidebar, then click Generate sprue tree.

#Projects and the File menu

A project keeps everything about one job: the settings, the list of parts and their quantities, any hand adjustments, and the original model files. Projects are saved as .acast files, so a project opens exactly the same on any computer.

The File menu at the top left has:

• New project, Open project… and Open recent.
• Save (Ctrl+S) and Save as… (Ctrl+Shift+S). Open is Ctrl+O.
• Shortcuts to add a part, export the tree, and create the 2D diagram.

The app warns you before you lose unsaved work. On a Mac, use ⌘ in place of Ctrl.

#Moving around the 3D view