Setting up PrusaSlicer

v0.3 by Ger Walsh - Mar 2025

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 even ARM devices and Chromebooks.

You can download it from prusa3d.com - Current version 2.9.1.

When you hit download, wait for the timer to complete. You do not need to make an account, if you would rather not!

Getting Set Up

On first run, you will get a pop-up so that you can configure your printer profiles. Again, a PrusaConnect account is optional here.

First, confirm which sources to use for machine profiles. (Choose, at least, "Prusa FFF").

Then, you may skip directly to Prusa Research on the list on the left. These are the printers that you need to select:

Note: If you need to get back to that set up screen, click on the cog icon beside the Printer dropdown, and go to Add/Remove Presets.

Now, select the following machines, and nozzles. The Mk4 (not Mk4s!) is third on the Mk4 column, and the "Mini Family" is a bit further down.

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 that 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 that 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, USB or SD card (if inserted).
   • Add a name, save and eject.

Adding Material

On the Configuration Assistant screen, go to Filaments, filter and enable the different profiles.

You can copy a preset to make your own profile, with setting that you want to tweak, or find online.

Use the search box at the top of the main screen to find where settings are that you want to change.

Adding Custom Machines

To get back to the Machine Profile screen, click on the cog icon beside the Printer dropdown, and go to Add/Remove Presets.

To add another printer, choose Prusa FFF, Other Vendors or Custom Printer.

If you select Define a Custom Printer, follow the steps to fill in details about the build volume and extruder(s).

Click Finish when done.