3D printers are powerful tools for visualization, invention, and creation. In the Media Center, we are pleased to offer you access to these printers, but ask that you please contact a member of the Academic Technology department to learn proper use and ensure we can continue to offer access to 3D printing to all.

1. Saving your Object

You will want to make sure the object you want to print is saved as an STL, OBJ, X3D or 3MF file type. The file type is listed after the file name as shown below. You will need to transfer the file to the computer in the Makery via email, OneDrive, or an SD card.

2. Preparing your Object for Printing

On the computer located next to the 3D printers in The Makery, sign into the Temp account using the below login information:

User: Temp 
Pass: dson1223! 

3. Opening the PrusaSlicer Software

From the desktop, select the Prusa Slicer icon.

The software should open a blank project. If it instead loads a previous project, select File > New Project. 

4. Importing your file into PrusaSlicer 

In PrusaSlicer, click on the box with the plus at the top of the screen and select your item from the computer’s files. The object should appear on the screen in green. You can also click and drag the file in from its folder. Note: you can select multiple files to import by holding Ctrl/Cmd on your keyboard, but you will need to properly arrange the objects on the platter prior to printing (see step 6).

5. Placing Objects on the Build Plate

The build plate is the grid under the object that defines the area that the printer is capable of printing within. 

To create a 3D object, the printer stacks layers from the bottom up which means that each layer must be supported. This usually involves placing the large, flat side of the object onto the build plate.

For example, if printed the table in the below image, you would want to flip the table onto it’s surface to ensure there is ample support for the print.

To ensure the object is properly placed on the build plate:

• Select the object.
• Press the F key or select the Place on Face button from the toolbar.

6. Manipulating your Object

The menu on the sidebar displays the types of manipulations you can perform.

• You can Rotate the camera by clicking and dragging anywhere in the window.  

• Rotate the camera. Hold the Ctrl/Cmd key and click and drag anywhere in the window.
• Move an object.  With the object selected, click the M key on the keyboard or click in the toolbar on the box with four arrows. Drag the arrows in the direction that you want the object to move.  
• Scale an object. With the object selected, press the S key on the keyboard or click the dotted box tool in the toolbar. Adjust the object by dragging the orange squares. Scale on one axis by dragging either the red, blue, or green squares.  
• Rotate an object. With the object selected, press the R key on the keyboard or click the angled box with the curved arrow tool in the toolbar. Drag each square in the direction you would like the object to rotate. 
• Precise control. Use the object manipulation values on the right side of the window. You can change between metric and imperial by checking/unchecking the box in the bottom left. 

7. Resetting Printer Settings 

Before printing an object, the printer settings should be set to default.  

Be sure that the Printer option on the left-hand side of the screen is set as follows: 

Then, click through the tabs at the top of the screen labeled “Print Settings”, “Filament Settings”, and “Printer Settings.” Ensure that each box looks like the screenshot below without a “(modified)” label.

If a modified symbol does appear, click on the orange page on the left. In the below example, it’s Extruder 1. 

From the page, click the orange lock to reset to default values. After clicking it should turn grey, indicating the value has been reset. 

Repeat this process until all modified indicators have been removed. 

8. Deciding on Supports

If a part of your model exists without support directly beneath it, it needs supports. For example, the chair seen in the below screenshot cannot be rotated in an orientation where every piece is supported from below. In other words, it needs supports. 

Although some prints can be rotated to avoid using supports (see the screenshot in step 5), oftentimes, you will need to add supports. To do so, check the box next to Generate Support in the right side of the Print Settings menu. 

Supports can be pulled away once the print is finished. 

Note: even if using supports, the object should still be placed in an orientation that minimizes the amount of supports needed for the object (see step 5). 

9. Determining the Infill

Infill provides support from inside the object. Most objects should have between a 5% and 15% infill. The more infill you add, the stronger your print will be and the longer it will take to print.

To change the infill, adjust the Infill from the dropdown located on the right side of the screen.

10. Preparing for the Printer

SD cards for the Prusa 3D printers are in the SD card slot located on the left side of the printer’s screen. Remove the card and insert it into the computer using the black adapter plugged into the back. Then, follow the steps below. 

In the PrusaSlicer software, click the Plater tab at the top of the screen, then click the Slice Now button in the bottom right. 

Sliced objects show each layer that the printer will print. Orange parts are the objects and green parts are the generated supports (if applicable). 

Once your object has been sliced, click the Export G-code button in the bottom right. Select the SD card as your folder. 

Note: If you receive an error stating that there is an object with no extrusions in the first layer, this means that the object needs supports before it can print. Refer back to step 8 to see how to add supports. 

11. Starting your Print

Insert the SD card with your G-code generated by the PrusaSlicer software into the SD card slot located on the left side of the printer’s screen.

• Press the dial in to wake the printer.  
• Rotate the dial on the printer to navigate to Print From SD.
• Press the dial to select that option. 
• Find your file from the list and press the dial to start the print.

The printer will heat up and begin its calibration process.

Once it’s ready, it will begin printing. Please wait at the printer to ensure your object actually begins printing. If your print does not start, ask a Media Center employee for help.

12. Removing your Object from the Build Plate

Peel up the build plate from the printer. Remove your object by gently bending the build plate and pulling the object off the surface. If it’s stuck, you may have to use something to carefully scrape it off the surface, paying extra attention to not damage the plate.

Remember to remove any and all filament from the print surface so that the plate is completely clean before being placed back onto the printer. 

If you used supports, you may have to use pliers to carefully remove them from your print.

Place the plate back onto the 3D printer and push it back ensuring the screws align with the indent on the back of the plate.