🧊 Module 03 · Slicing

Slicing & Print Settings

A slicer is the secret brain between your 3D model and the printer. Master its settings and you control print quality, speed, strength, and cost. Mess them up and you'll waste hours watching a print fail.

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1. Key Concepts

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Layer Height

How thick each layer of plastic is. Thinner (0.1mm) = smoother, more detailed, slower. Thicker (0.3mm) = rougher, faster. Most people start at 0.2mm.

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Infill Percentage

Most prints are hollow inside with a grid for support. 15% infill = lightweight, weak. 50% = heavy, strong. Decorative: 10–20%. Functional: 40–60%.

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Supports

Auto-generated scaffolding that holds up overhanging parts during printing. They're removed afterwards. Only use them when you have to — they waste material.

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Print Temperature

PLA prints at ~200°C for the nozzle, ~60°C for the bed. Your slicer sets this automatically for the right material.

🛠️ Free Slicer Software

Download one of these (free!) slicers to try with your STL files from Module 2:

Ultimaker Cura → PrusaSlicer → Bambu Studio →

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2. Watch & Learn

Watch a beginner walkthrough of slicing a real model in Ultimaker Cura — from opening an STL file to hitting "Slice" and understanding the print time estimate.

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3. Exercise: Slicer Settings Simulator

Adjust the settings below and watch how they affect your print time, material use, and strength — just like a real slicer! Find the settings that give you the best balance.

Layer Height: 0.20mm

Thinner = more detail, slower print

0.10mm0.15mm0.20mm0.30mm

Infill: 20%

More infill = stronger, heavier, slower

5%LightMed80%

⏱ Print Time

2h 14m

🧵 Filament

8.2g

💪 Strength

Medium

🔍 Detail

Good

Layer preview (side view — each line is one print layer)

Internal strength (infill density)

💡 Tip: Adjust the sliders to find your settings!

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4. Your Project: Slice Your Model

🔪 Mission: Slice It!

Take the "Easy Print" STL from Module 2 and slice it in Cura or PrusaSlicer.

Download and install Ultimaker Cura (free) from the link above.
Drag your .stl file into Cura.
Make sure settings are: Layer Height = 0.2mm, Infill = 20%.
Hit "Slice" and note the estimated print time.
Take a screenshot of your slicer preview — that's your deliverable! Save it alongside your STL file.

Slicer Pro! ⭐

You now understand the core settings that make or break a 3D print. Onwards to designing your own!

Complete the slicer simulator exercise to unlock this!