Wikibooks

3D Printing/Slicing Software

< 3D Printing
The latest reviewed version was checked on 20 March 2021. There is 1 pending change awaiting review.
Cura, a common slicer, running on a laptop.

Slicers

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A slicer converts a 3D model of an object into layers that a 3D printer can understand.

Many slicers include convenience features. A common example includes printer and material presets.[1] Some FFF slicers include uncommon features that help with complex geometry and print reliability.[2]

SLA slicers produce different support structures from FFF slicers.[3]

Infill

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Infill examples.

Infill determines the amount of material on the inside of a print.

A number of creative infill patterns can be used for different purposes, such as 3D infills[4] and gradient infills.[5]

GCode

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Many 3D printers use GCode for instructions on operation. However not all generated GCode is the same.

There are a number of software packages oriented around GCode. Some software analyses GCode and provides helpful information about a print.[6] GCode post processors can improve print speed and quality.[7] Non-planar GCode can also improve 3D printing results.[8][9]

Slicer features

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Some slicing software supports features that improve build adhesion, such as a sacrificial brim or raft.

Layer height

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Some slicers support variable layer height, allowing for the printer to slow down on detail heavy areas for better quality, and speed up printing for less detailed areas.[10]

Pausing

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Some slicers allow prints to be paused to allow operators to swap materials partway through, or to add things like magnets to the internals of the print.[10][11]

References

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  1. ↑ "PrusaSlicer - Prusa3d.com - 3D printers by Josef Prusa". Prusa3D - 3D Printers from Josef Průša. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Pathio: New 3D Slicer From E3D". Hackaday. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "How to slice 3D objects for the Original Prusa SL1 [updated with video guide]". Prusa Printers. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "3D Internal Structure For Better 3D Printed Objects". Hackaday. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Gradient Infill Puts More Plastic Where You Want It". Hackaday. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "GCode Analyzer/Visualizer by hudbrog". www.thingiverse.com. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "This GCode Post-Processor Squeezes Lines Into Arcs". Hackaday. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "3D Printering: Non-Planar Layer FDM". Hackaday. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "makertum/non-planar-layer-fdm". 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. ↑ a b "PrusaSlicer 2.2.0 is out! Hollowing, support for 3rd party printers and more!". Prusa Printers. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  11. ↑ "Change Filament At Z Cura Plugin by rawlogic". www.thingiverse.com. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
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