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VIII. PRINTING YOUR OWN MODELS - SLICERS
What is a slicer?
A program which takes a model file, the most common file formats are STL, OBJ and FBX files, etc.) and cuts it into thin slices so it
can be printed one layer on top of another by the 3D Printer. It has to take account of the printer, the filament type being used and
many other factors affecting speed and quality of the finished print before generating the Gcode file which the printer can read and
execute.
You can download G-code files from the Internet and copy them to a microSD™ card and print them without the need of building
any model files by yourself. But make sure that any Gcode you download is suitable for use on the Ender 3 V2 and you are using
the same filament type that the code was generated for.
For its features and ease of use Cura is recommended as a slicer, especially if this is your first 3D Printer. It is free to use.
You can download the current versions from the respective websites. Versions of some are provided on the SD card but we
recommend that to get the latest version, installation instructions and tutorials you download them from the internet.
To download Cura go to
https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
There are many slicers available for most PC operating systems. Most are free to use, some require a subscription or purchase.
Follow the suppliers installation instructions and read the manuals and tutorials for the slicer you have selected.
Normally one of the first steps is to define your printer. If the Ender 3 V2 is not available Ender 3 or Ender 3 PRO can be used..
If setting up your printer manually the firmware used on the printer is Marlin, the bed size is 235x235mm and the printing size is
220x220mm with a height of 250mm. Standard Nozzle size is 0.4mm.
