Setting up PrusaSlicer

v0.0.5 by Ger Walsh - June 2020

PrusaSlicer is Prusa's own in-house developed slicer software based on the open-source project Slic3r. PrusaSlicer is an open-source, feature-rich, frequently updated tool that contains everything you need to export the perfect print files for your Original Prusa 3D printer.

PrusaSlicer is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and we even provide builds for ARM devices and Chromebooks.

You can download it from prusa3d.com - Current version 4.2.4.

Getting Started

1. Open your model file
   • Click the Model+ icon, top left, or you can drag-and-drop an .STL file from your desktop. You may have more than one on the print bed in the same job.
2. Adjust model scale and Position,
   • With a model selected, the menu that appears on the left-hand-side allows you to position, scale, rotate, lay flat, split. There are two icons that allow advanced Paint on Supports and Seam Painting.
3. Adjust print settings
   • This is accessed on the right panel. It will say "Print Settings", which is a dropdown showing the name of the profile, click the cog at the right to expand. Your options can show Simple, Advanced or Expert, whether you are a beginner or would like the full list of options, including many experimental settings.
   • Note that the App Bar at the top, that says Plater | Print Settings | Filament Settings | Printer Settings allows you to navigate back to the original view (Plater).
   • Start with one of the default profiles, like "0.15mm Quality". On the Print Settings screen, use the magnifying glass icon to search for a parameter you can't find.
   • Also set the "Printer:" dropdown to the printer you intend to use. If you need to add a new machine, jump down to this section.
4. Slice
   • Click the Slice Now button on the Plater screen.
   • An overlay will show a breakdown of time taken to do various features.
   • Note there is a vertical slider on the right that you can move down to look through the layers. If View is set to Feature type, it can help you differentiate support, infill and other lines, matching the colours in the time breakdown.
   • Note, to go back to edit anything, click the icon bottom left to go from sliced preview to solid model.
5. Transfer to the printer...
   • Export G-code lets you save your file to your local disk, or SD card (if inserted).
   • Add a name, save and eject the card.

Materials

Adding new machines

The first time you run PrusaSlicer, you will be asked to select a printer - In the Fab Lab, this is likely the Prusa i3 Mk3s or the Prusa Mini+. You will also be asked to tick the nozzle thickness (generally 0.4mm). And then click Add.

To add another printer, go to where it says "Printer:" on the right hand panel, click the cogwheel and Add/Remove Presets, then Prusa FFF, Other Vendors or Custom Printer.

To remove a printer profile, uncheck. Click Finish when done.