How to prepare an STL model for printing

Updated 1 month ago by Andrew

STL Editor/Layout app capabilities

In order to open the STL Editor – Click on Layout next to the model.

1. How to orient the model:
   1. Use two fingers on the touchpad or Ctrl/Command + Mouse left button to rotate the camera
   2. Use Shift + Mouse left button to move the camera
2. We recommend to start with selecting the appropriate Printer Type.
   NB! By default, you'll have selected the printer type that you used last time.
   Select another printer, if you're planning to print on a different one.

   

   1. "My printers" – indicated the printers that you have in your account
   2. Or use any of the existing printers, including Industrial. There are no limits!
3. Model Orientation
   At the top menu, the first three items on the left are for the model orientation.
   You can use the controls that appear next to the model (or the fields that appear at the right menu)
   1. Move, Rotate or Scale

      

   2. Quick Orientation features
      1. On Bed – puts model as Z=0
      2. Center – puts the model at the center of the bed
      3. Optimal Rotate – defines the angle of the model, that will provide the best result
         NB! If there are no other models on the build plate it will put the model in the center.
         If there are other models, it will keep the model in the same place to avoid intersections.
      4. Max Bed Size – model is scaled, so it won't go over the boundaries.
         Works for both cases: while increasing and decreasing the model's size.
         The button appears in the Scale side menu.
      NB! By default, 3DPrinterOS uses the metric system. However, the model may be designed in inches.
      In this case, you need to open the Scale menu, and click "mm–>Inch" button.

      

4. Extras

   

   1. First-line – display settings
      1. Show models list
      2. Toggle rulers
      3. Toggle grid
      4. Snap to grid
      5. Build volume cube
      6. Wireframe mode – shows only mesh lines
   2. Second-line models settings
      1. Remove – you can't have less than one model on the build plate
      2. Hide
      3. Copy
         1. You can populate the whole build plate by leaving the Quantity field empty

            

            

      4. Rename
      5. Extruder Selection – for dual extruder prints
      6. Also, there are some more extra possibilities in the top menu:
         1. Mirror X, Y, Z
         2. Center, Restore, On bed (same as at the right menu)

            

5. Dual extrusion
   1. In order to select the extruder – click on the extruder icon at the top menu.
   2. Then select it on the right side of the menu

      

      Read more about dual extrusion printing here.
6. Add file
   You can add multiple files to the build plate. You can select a file from the projects or file tabs.
7. Analyze
   There is a built-in geometry analysis feature, that allows to
   1. Analyze the first layer
   2. Define whether you need to use supports
   3. Define whether you need to use infill and what is the minimal infill rate
   4. Figure out if there are Mesh holes
   5. Figure out if there are Mesh Intersections
8. Save
   You can save the designed model. It will be sent to projects. Read more about how the files are organized here.
9. Slice
   NB! Depending on what Printer is selected, the system will automatically define the appropriate Slicer. If the printer is supported by: Cloud Slicer(discontinued), Slicer 3(discontinued), and Slicer 5 it will select Slicer 5. Read about Slicing in 3DPrinterOS here.

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