_Q: Oh cool, a new RepRap slicer?_ A: Yes. # Slic3r ## What's it? Slic3r is an STL-to-GCODE translator for RepRap 3D printers, aiming to be a modern and fast alternative to Skeinforge. See the [project homepage](http://slic3r.org/) at slic3r.org for more information. ## What language is it written in? Proudly Perl, with some parts in C++. If you're wondering why Perl, see http://xkcd.com/224/ ## What's its current status? Slic3r current key features are: * multi-platform (Linux/Mac/Win) and packaged as standalone-app with no dependencies required; * easy configuration/calibration; * read binary and ASCII STL files as well as AMF; * powerful command line interface; * easy GUI; * multithreaded; * multiple infill patterns, with customizable density and angle; * retraction; * skirt; * infill every N layers (like the "Skin" plugin for Skeinforge); * detect optimal infill direction for bridges; * save configuration profiles; * center print around bed center point; * multiple solid layers near horizontal external surfaces; * ability to scale, rotate and duplicate input object; * customizable initial and final G-code; * support material; * cooling and fan control; * use different speed for bottom layer and perimeters. Experimental features include: * generation of G2/G3 commands for native arcs; * G0 commands for fast retraction. Roadmap includes the following goals: * output some statistics; * support material for internal perimeters; * new and better GUI; * more fill patterns. ## Is it usable already? Any known limitation? Sure, it's very usable. Remember that: * it only works well with manifold and clean models (check them with Meshlab or Netfabb or http://cloud.netfabb.com/). ## How to install? It's very easy. See the [project homepage](http://slic3r.org/) for instructions and links to the precompiled packages. ## Can I help? Sure! Send patches and/or drop me a line at aar@cpan.org. You can also find me in #reprap on FreeNode with the nickname _Sound_. ## What's Slic3r license? Slic3r is licensed under the _GNU Affero General Public License, version 3_. The author is Alessandro Ranellucci (me). ## How can I invoke slic3r.pl using the command line? Usage: slic3r.pl [ OPTIONS ] file.stl --help Output this usage screen and exit --save Save configuration to the specified file --load Load configuration from the specified file. It can be used more than once to load options from multiple files. -o, --output File to output gcode to (by default, the file will be saved into the same directory as the input file using the --output-filename-format to generate the filename) -j, --threads Number of threads to use (1+, default: 4) Output options: --output-filename-format Output file name format; all config options enclosed in brackets will be replaced by their values, as well as [input_filename_base] and [input_filename] (default: [input_filename_base].gcode) --post-process Generated G-code will be processed with the supplied script; call this more than once to process through multiple scripts. --export-svg Export a SVG file containing slices instead of G-code. --merge If multiple files are supplied, they will be composed into a single print rather than processed individually. Printer options: --nozzle-diameter Diameter of nozzle in mm (default: 0.5) --print-center Coordinates in mm of the point to center the print around (default: 100,100) --z-offset Additional height in mm to add to vertical coordinates (+/-, default: 0) --gcode-flavor The type of G-code to generate (reprap/teacup/makerbot/mach3/no-extrusion, default: reprap) --use-relative-e-distances Enable this to get relative E values --gcode-arcs Use G2/G3 commands for native arcs (experimental, not supported by all firmwares) --g0 Use G0 commands for retraction (experimental, not supported by all firmwares) --gcode-comments Make G-code verbose by adding comments (default: no) Filament options: --filament-diameter Diameter in mm of your raw filament (default: 3) --extrusion-multiplier Change this to alter the amount of plastic extruded. There should be very little need to change this value, which is only useful to compensate for filament packing (default: 1) --temperature Extrusion temperature in degree Celsius, set 0 to disable (default: 200) --first-layer-temperature Extrusion temperature for the first layer, in degree Celsius, set 0 to disable (default: same as --temperature) --bed-temperature Heated bed temperature in degree Celsius, set 0 to disable (default: 200) --first-layer-bed-temperature Heated bed temperature for the first layer, in degree Celsius, set 0 to disable (default: same as --bed-temperature) Speed options: --travel-speed Speed of non-print moves in mm/s (default: 130) --perimeter-speed Speed of print moves for perimeters in mm/s (default: 30) --small-perimeter-speed Speed of print moves for small perimeters in mm/s (default: 30) --infill-speed Speed of print moves in mm/s (default: 60) --solid-infill-speed Speed of print moves for solid surfaces in mm/s (default: 60) --bridge-speed Speed of bridge print moves in mm/s (default: 60) --bottom-layer-speed-ratio Factor to increase/decrease speeds on bottom layer by (default: 0.3) Accuracy options: --layer-height Layer height in mm (default: 0.4) --first-layer-height-ratio Multiplication factor for the height to slice and print the first layer with (> 0, default: 1) --infill-every-layers Infill every N layers (default: 1) Print options: --perimeters Number of perimeters/horizontal skins (range: 0+, default: 3) --solid-layers Number of solid layers to do for top/bottom surfaces (range: 1+, default: 3) --fill-density Infill density (range: 0-1, default: 0.4) --fill-angle Infill angle in degrees (range: 0-90, default: 45) --fill-pattern Pattern to use to fill non-solid layers (default: rectilinear) --solid-fill-pattern Pattern to use to fill solid layers (default: rectilinear) --start-gcode Load initial gcode from the supplied file. This will overwrite the default command (home all axes [G28]). --end-gcode Load final gcode from the supplied file. This will overwrite the default commands (turn off temperature [M104 S0], home X axis [G28 X], disable motors [M84]). --layer-gcode Load layer-change G-code from the supplied file (default: nothing). --support-material Generate support material for overhangs Retraction options: --retract-length Length of retraction in mm when pausing extrusion (default: 1) --retract-speed Speed for retraction in mm/s (default: 30) --retract-restart-extra Additional amount of filament in mm to push after compensating retraction (default: 0) --retract-before-travel Only retract before travel moves of this length in mm (default: 2) --retract-lift Lift Z by the given distance in mm when retracting (default: 0) Cooling options: --cooling Enable fan and cooling control --min-fan-speed Minimum fan speed (default: 35%) --max-fan-speed Maximum fan speed (default: 100%) --bridge-fan-speed Fan speed to use when bridging (default: 100%) --fan-below-layer-time Enable fan if layer print time is below this approximate number of seconds (default: 60) --slowdown-below-layer-time Slow down if layer print time is below this approximate number of seconds (default: 15) --min-print-speed Minimum print speed speed (mm/s, default: 10) --disable-fan-first-layers Disable fan for the first N layers (default: 1) --fan-always-on Keep fan always on at min fan speed, even for layers that don't need cooling Skirt options: --skirts Number of skirts to draw (0+, default: 1) --skirt-distance Distance in mm between innermost skirt and object (default: 6) --skirt-height Height of skirts to draw (expressed in layers, 0+, default: 1) Transform options: --scale Factor for scaling input object (default: 1) --rotate Rotation angle in degrees (0-360, default: 0) --duplicate Number of items with auto-arrange (1+, default: 1) --bed-size Bed size, only used for auto-arrange (mm, default: 200,200) --duplicate-grid Number of items with grid arrangement (default: 1,1) --duplicate-distance Distance in mm between copies (default: 6) Miscellaneous options: --notes Notes to be added as comments to the output file Flow options (advanced): --extrusion-width-ratio Calculate the extrusion width as the layer height multiplied by this value (> 0, default: calculated automatically) --bridge-flow-ratio Multiplier for extrusion when bridging (> 0, default: 1) If you want to change a preset file, just do slic3r.pl --load config.ini --layer-height 0.25 --save config.ini If you want to slice a file overriding an option contained in your preset file: slic3r.pl --load config.ini --layer-height 0.25 file.stl ## How can I integrate Slic3r with Pronterface? Put this into *slicecommand*: slic3r.pl $s --load config.ini --output $o And this into *sliceoptscommand*: slic3r.pl --load config.ini --ignore-nonexistent-config Replace `slic3r.pl` with the full path to the slic3r executable and `config.ini` with the full path of your config file (put it in your home directory or where you like). On Mac, the executable has a path like this: /Applications/Slic3r.app/Contents/MacOS/slic3r ## How can I specify a custom filename format for output G-code files? You can specify a filename format by using any of the config options. Just enclose them in square brackets, and Slic3r will replace them upon exporting. The additional `[input_filename]` and `[input_filename_base]` options will be replaced by the input file name (in the second case, the .stl extension is stripped). The default format is `[input_filename_base].gcode`, meaning that if you slice a *foo.stl* file, the output will be saved to *foo.gcode*. See below for more complex examples: [input_filename_base]_h[layer_height]_p[perimeters]_s[solid_layers].gcode [input_filename]_center[print_center]_[layer_height]layers.gcode