Slicing is the process needed to convert an STL model into an understandable format for your 3D printer. This output is called Gcode, a file format used to save all the commands (like movement and temperature) needed to print the model.
You can slice STL models using our cloud resources. That makes slicing faster than using your own hardware.
Slicer Apps
3DPrinterOS uses Open Source engines to slice the model. Depending on your organization, you may see:
Slicer 5: The recommended default slicer for most standard printers.
Slicer for Prusa: A dedicated engine (Prusa Slicer) specifically for Prusa printers.
Bambu Slicer: The dedicated engine (Bambu Studio) for Bambu Lab printers.
Makerbot Slicer: The dedicated engine for Makerbot printers.
FormLabs Slicer: The dedicated engine (Preform) for SLA (Resin) printers.
Slicer 3 (Discontinued): An older engine that supports granular slicing.
Cloud Slicer (Discontinued): A legacy app.
How to Slice a Model
To generate a print file, follow these steps:
Click the Slice button next to the STL file.
Set up your slicing settings. Note that your options here depend on your school or organization's rules:
Use Default Profiles: 3DPrinterOS provides default slicing profiles so you can print without diving deep into parameters. If you do not see these, your admin may have disabled them.
Adjust Settings: You can manually adjust settings to, for example, speed up the print or increase quality. Your admin may restrict this feature, forcing you to use only specific pre-defined profiles to ensure print success.
Click Slice or Slice & Toolpath Preview inside the application.
The sliced model will appear in the corresponding project. If you chose Slice & Toolpath Preview, the Toolpath Viewer app will open automatically so you can inspect the layers.
Important Note for Bambu AMS Users
The Cloud Bambu Slicer does not currently support multi-color slicing for the AMS (Automatic Material System).
If you need to print with multiple colors or materials using the AMS, you must slice the file locally (using Bambu Studio or Orca Slicer) and upload the .gcode.3mf file directly to 3DPrinterOS.
For a step-by-step tutorial on this workflow, please read our guide: How to Print Using Bambu AMS with 3DPrinterOS Cloud.
Slicers Structure and Modes
The structure of the slicing interface changes depending on which app you are using.
Cloud Slicer (Discontinued) and Makerbot Slicer
Simple Mode: Offers 7 basic parameters.
Advanced Mode: Offers 17 parameters for greater control over the print.
Slicer 3 (Discontinued) and Slicer 5
These are the standard engines for most non-Prusa/Bambu machines, based on the Cura engine.
Simple Mode: Offers 7 basic parameters.
Expert Mode: Offers more than 400 parameters organized into collapsible categories (Machine, Quality, Shell, etc.).
If you do not know what a parameter means in the Expert Mode, hover your mouse over it to read a description.
Parental Relations: Some parameters are linked; changing one may automatically update another to maintain print stability.
Dual Extrusion: Slicer 3, Slicer 5, and Makerbot Slicer support dual extrusion.
Slicer for Prusa
Designed specifically for Prusa printers.
Simple Mode: Distinct interface with specific dropdowns:
Printer family / Printer model: Defines hardware.
Print: Quality strategy
Filament: Material selection
Unique Settings: "Perimeters," "Brim Width," and separate temperatures for "First Layer" vs "Other Layers."
Expert Tab (Read-Only): Displays the raw JSON configuration file. Do not edit this.
Any changes made to the JSON text will not apply to the print.
Bambu Slicer
This slicer is optimized to Bambu Lab printers.
Top Bar Selection: There are five dropdowns at the top:
Printer type: Selects the machine model.
Slicing profile: Loads the pre-defined slicing profile.
Nozzle (mm): Sets the nozzle diameter (e.g., 0.2, 0.4).
Process: Sets the resolution and speed strategy.
Filament: Sets the material profile.
Specific Parameters in Simple Mode:
Wall Loops: This is Bambu's term for "Shells" or "Perimeters." (See "Wall Loops / Shells / Perimeters" in the Glossary below).
Plate Type: You must select the plate that matches what is physically installed on the printer (e.g., Textured PEI Plate, Cool Plate). If this does not match, the printer may not detect the build plate correctly.
Expert Tab / JSON Tab: Like the Prusa slicer or FormLabs slicer, the JSON tab here is Read-Only. Do not attempt to edit the settings via the text file.
FormLabs Slicer
Specifically for SLA (Resin) printers.
Simple Mode: Select your Printer, Profile, Material, and Layer Thickness.
Expert Tab: Read-Only.
Access Restrictions
Your Organization Admin has the ability to restrict access to Advanced or Expert settings. If you cannot see these tabs, it is likely they have been disabled to ensure consistency across the organization.
Slicing Parameters Glossary
This glossary defines the parameters visible in the Simple and Advanced modes of the cloud slicers.
1. Quality & Walls (Shells)
These settings control the outer surface and structural integrity of the print.
Layer Thickness / Layer Height (mm): The height of each horizontal slice.
Lower (0.1mm): High detail, slow print.
Higher (0.3mm): Low detail, fast print, stronger parts.
Wall Loops / Perimeters / Shells: The number of solid vertical walls that make up the "skin" of the print.
Bambu Slicer: Uses "Wall Loops".
Slicer for Prusa: Uses "Perimeters".
Makerbot Slicer: Uses "Number of shells".
Slicer 5: Uses "Wall Thickness (mm)".
Cloud Slicer: Uses "Shell thickness (mm)" (defines thickness in millimeters, not count).
Top & Bottom Thickness:
Cloud Slicer(Advanced): "Bottom/top thick (mm)" - Combined setting for floor and roof thickness.
Makerbot Slicer(Advanced): "Roof Thickness (mm)" and "Floor Thickness (mm)" - Separate controls for top and bottom.
2. Infill (Internal Structure)
Infill Density / Infill (%): The percentage of the model's interior that is solid plastic.
Cloud Slicer: Listed as "Infill(%)".
Makerbot: Listed as "Infill Density" (uses 0.1 for 10%).
Infill Pattern: The geometric shape inside the model (e.g., Grid, Gyroid). Gyroid is often recommended for equal strength in all directions.
3. Material & Temperature
Nozzle / Extruder Temperature (°C): The heat used to melt the filament.
Split Settings (Prusa): "First Layer" (hotter for adhesion) vs. "Other Layers".
Heated Bed / Plate / Build Plate Temperature (°C): The heat of the build platform. * Slicer for Prusa: Also split into "First Layer" and "Other Layers".
Filament Flow (%): (Cloud Slicer) A multiplier for extrusion. 100% is standard.
Size (mm) / Nozzle diameter (mm): (Cloud/Makerbot) Defines the physical filament diameter (1.75mm) and nozzle hole size (0.4mm).
4. Adhesion & Supports
Support Type / Generate Support:
"None" or Unchecked: No supports.
"Normal" / "Auto": Standard vertical supports.
"Tree": Branch-like supports (Bambu/Slicer 5).
Makerbot: Uses a "Supports" checkbox.
Adhesion Type (Brim / Raft / Skirt):
Brim: A flat layer attached to the model edges (Best for preventing warping).
Raft: A thick grid printed under the model (Best for uneven beds, but leaves rough bottom).
Skirt: A line printed around the model without touching it (Primes the nozzle).
Brim/Skirt Specifics:
"Brim Width (mm)": (Prusa) How wide the brim is.
"Distance from brim/object (mm)": (Prusa) The gap between brim and model.
"Brim line amount": (Cloud Slicer) Number of lines in the brim.
"Skirt Loops": (Prusa) Number of circles drawn before printing.
Plate Type: (Bambu Slicer) Defines the physical surface (e.g., Textured PEI, Cool Plate).
5. Speed (Advanced)
Print Speed (mm/sec): The speed of the nozzle while printing.
Traveling Speed / Traveling Speed XY (mm/sec): The speed of the nozzle when moving without printing.
Traveling Speed Z (mm/sec): (Makerbot) The speed of the bed moving up/down.
Bottom Layer Speed (mm/sec): (Cloud Slicer) Slower speed for the first layer to ensure adhesion.
Retraction Distance (mm): (Cloud Slicer) How far filament is pulled back to prevent stringing during travel moves.
6. Cooling (Advanced)
Fan Speed Min/Max (%): (Cloud Slicer) The range of fan power allowed.
Fan Default Speed (0-1): (Makerbot) 0.5 = 50% speed.
Fan Full On Height (mm) / Fan Layer #: Defines at which height or layer number the cooling fan turns on fully. (e.g., "Fan layer # 1" means it turns on at layer 1).
Minimal Layer Time (sec): (Cloud/Makerbot) The printer will slow down if a layer takes less than this time to print, allowing the plastic to cool.