Between a 3D model on a computer screen and a finished part from the printer there\u2019s an important intermediate step \u2014 slicing<\/strong>. A slicer is software that turns a three-dimensional model into a set of instructions for a 3D printer, known as G-code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Without a slicer, a 3D printer can\u2019t print a part: it simply doesn\u2019t understand 3D model formats (STL, OBJ, 3MF). The printer works with coordinates and commands \u2014 where to move the head, how fast, when to feed plastic, what temperature to hold. All of this is generated by the slicer.<\/p>\n The name \u201cslicer\u201d comes from the English word slice<\/em>. The program literally \u201cslices\u201d the 3D model into thin horizontal layers and creates a toolpath for the print head on each layer.<\/p>\n There are several leading slicer programs on the market, each with its own strengths:<\/p>\n Cura<\/strong> is the world\u2019s most popular free slicer. Developed by UltiMaker, it supports a huge number of printers and has an intuitive interface. Cura offers both basic settings for beginners and hundreds of advanced options for experienced users.<\/p>\n PrusaSlicer<\/strong>, developed by the Czech company Prusa Research, is considered one of the most powerful and precise slicers. It\u2019s based on the open-source Slic3r project and is constantly being improved.<\/p>\n Also worth mentioning: OrcaSlicer<\/strong> \u2014 a PrusaSlicer fork with extra features that\u2019s quickly gaining popularity; Bambu Studio<\/strong> \u2014 optimised for Bambu Lab printers; Simplify3D<\/strong> \u2014 a paid slicer with powerful capabilities.<\/p>\n G-code<\/strong> is a programming language for computer numerical control (CNC), used not only in 3D printing but also in milling machines and lathes. In 3D printing, G-code is a text file containing a sequence of commands for the printer.<\/p>\n Here are a few typical G-code commands:<\/p>\n A typical G-code file for one part can contain anything from a few thousand to several million lines of code. That\u2019s why nobody writes G-code by hand \u2014 the slicer does that job.<\/p>\n The quality, strength and appearance of a printed part depend directly on the right slicer settings. Let\u2019s look at the most important ones.<\/p>\n This is the thickness of each horizontal layer the part is built from. Typical values:<\/p>\n Layer height is probably the very first setting that affects print time and appearance. Halving the layer height roughly doubles the print time.<\/p>\n 3D-printed parts usually aren\u2019t solid inside \u2014 they have an internal infill structure. The key settings:<\/p>\n Gyroid<\/strong> is one of the best infill patterns, giving even strength in all directions.<\/p>\n When a part has features overhanging at more than 45\u00b0, temporary support structures<\/strong> have to be printed under them. After printing, the supports are removed by hand.<\/p>\n Modern slicers offer different types of supports:<\/p>\n The print head\u2019s speed is measured in mm\/s and directly affects print time and quality:<\/p>\n Each material needs its own temperature:<\/p>\n Preparing a model for 3D printing in a slicer takes a few steps:<\/p>\n If all of the above sounds complicated, that\u2019s perfectly normal. Slicing is a whole science, and getting the settings right takes experience and an understanding of each material and each type of part.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why, when you order 3D printing at 3dprint.lviv.ua<\/a>, you don\u2019t need to know anything about slicers or G-code. Our specialists will prepare your model for printing, choose the best settings for each part and make sure you get the best result. All you need to do is send a 3D model or even just a sketch \u2014 the team will do the rest.<\/p>\n You can learn more about the available printing materials<\/a> and service prices<\/a> on the relevant pages of the site.<\/p>\n A slicer is the brain of 3D printing \u2014 the program that turns a beautiful 3D model into a practical set of instructions for the printer. Good slicing is the difference between a successful print and a pile of wasted plastic. Understanding the basic settings will help you describe your quality and performance requirements more clearly.<\/p>\n Ready to order 3D printing?<\/strong> Contact the 3dprint.lviv.ua team<\/a> \u2014 we\u2019ll handle the whole process from slicing to the finished part, ensuring the best quality and result for your project.<\/p>\n Need quality 3D printing? printing materials<\/a>. prices<\/a>. order 3D printing<\/a>. Delivery across Ukraine by Nova Poshta.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What a slicer is and why you need one Between a 3D model on a computer screen and a finished part from the printer there\u2019s an important intermediate step \u2014 slicing. A slicer is software that turns a three-dimensional model into a set of instructions for a 3D printer, known as G-code. Without a slicer, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technologies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":486,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions\/486"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/3dprint.lviv.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Popular slicers for FDM printing<\/h2>\n
Cura (UltiMaker Cura)<\/h3>\n
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PrusaSlicer<\/h3>\n
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Other slicers<\/h3>\n
What G-code is<\/h2>\n
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Key slicer settings<\/h2>\n
Layer height<\/h3>\n
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Infill<\/h3>\n
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Supports<\/h3>\n
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Print speed<\/h3>\n
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Print temperature<\/h3>\n
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Other important settings<\/h3>\n
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How to prepare a model for printing<\/h2>\n
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Don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ll do it all for you<\/h2>\n
Summary<\/h2>\n
Order 3D printing<\/h2>\n