3D Slicing Software, The Next Step

3D slicing software was the next step in my 3D printing journey. One I wasn’t expecting. As I mentioned previously, I decided to get into 3D printing. The decision was based upon the desire to print terrain pieces for my D&D and other role-playing games. With the decision made, I decided to purchase the Ender 3Pro. After some assembly, I was ready to print. Or, so I thought.

3D Slicing Software, The Missing Trick to 3D Printing

After I assembled the Ender 3Pro, I saw that it came with a USB connection and a microSD port. Assuming everything was just plug-and-play, I plugged my Mac into the USB port. Nothing. I next grabbed a microSD card and copied my .stl files. Inserted it into the printer. Nothing, again. Dug through the box for instructions other than the assembly instructions. Nothing. My one complaint so far of the Ender 3D Pro, no getting started or even quick start instructions.

Needless to say, a bit disappointed, a bit frustrated, and a bit lost. My “did I just buy a paperweight” fears came right to the top. Especially with how well the assembly was documented. But, taking a deep breath, I went to Creality’s site to look for instructions. While I didn’t find any instructions, I did find some “slicer” software made by Creality. Apparently, I need to “slice” the .stl files into something called .gcode in order for the printer to understand what to do. Something I missed when I was researching. Thinking that the vendor would be the best slicing software to start with (and it was free), I downloaded and installed it.

What is 3D Slicing Software?

If you are not familiar with 3D printing, a 3D slicer program is a software application that takes a 3D model and converts it into a set of instructions that can be understood by a 3D printer. This is called the “.gcode”. The slicer program takes the 3D model and divides it into thin layers. It then calculates the path the printer head will need to take to create each layer. The slicer program also determines the speed, temperature, and other settings that will be used to print each layer.

There are many different 3D slicer programs available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular 3D slicer programs include Ultimaker Cura, Slic3r, and PrusaSlicer. As I mentioned, chose Creality Slicer since it was made by the same folks who created the Ender 3Pro

Software But No Instructions

After downloading the software, I started to dig through the folders it installed. Unfortunately, no PDFs of instructions were included. So I launched the program thinking there would be some tutorials or something. Nothing. Not even step-by-step tutorials. So, once again a bit frustrated, I began to poke around. The saving grace of Creality’s 3D slicing software was that it was pretty much self-explanatory. Once I launched, I entered my printer and selected the material (PLA). Then opened a .stl file and everything loaded up nicely. Even a big button that said “slice”.

What did I Load into the Software?

What did I choose? A little sailboat dinghy from The Pirates vs Sailors Nightmare at Sea Kickstarter. It seemed like a good starting project. The model contained structure and organic shapes. The Kickstarter came with the sailboat in individual parts but when I loaded up the complete model, it fit on my print bed so I decided to print that first. With everything set, I hit “slice.” Then copied the files to the microSD card.

The Creality 3D Slicing Software

Creality Slicer is a free, open-source 3D printing slicer program developed by Creality. It is designed to be used with Creality 3D printers but can be used with any 3D printer that supports the .gcode file format. Creality Slicer has a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and use. From the research, it includes a variety of features that allow users to customize their prints. Though I will admit, at the time, I had no clue as to what these meant. Some of the features include:

• User-friendly interface
• Support for a wide range of filament types
• Multiple print profiles
• Support for dual extrusion printing
• Support for 3D printing from USB
• Support for remote printing

But like all software, there are some cons.

• Some users have reported stability issues (I did not experience any.)
• The documentation is not always clear (I couldn’t even find any.)
• The program can be slow at times (Was fine for me, but I have nothing to compare it to.)

Overall, Creality Slicer was a good choice for me. A simple slicing program that allowed me to get up and running with my model. Easy to use, powerful, and versatile (hopefully). Now, with my model ready, sliced, and loaded into the printer. Time to hit “Print”.