Q: Oh cool, a new RepRap slicer?
A: Yes.
Slic3r takes 3D models (STL, OBJ, AMF) and converts them into G-code instructions for 3D printers. It's compatible with any modern printer based on the RepRap toolchain, including all those based on the Marlin, Sprinter and Repetier firmware. It also works with Mach3, LinuxCNC and Machinekit controllers.
See the project homepage at slic3r.org and the manual for more information.
The core geometric algorithms and data structures are written in C++, and Perl is used for high-level flow abstraction, GUI and testing. If you're wondering why Perl, see http://xkcd.com/224/
The C++ API is public and its use in other projects is encouraged. The goal is to make Slic3r fully modular so that any part of its logic can be used separately.
Key features are:
- multi-platform (Linux/Mac/Win) and packaged as standalone-app with no dependencies required
- complete command-line interface to use it with no GUI
- multi-material (multiple extruders) object printing
- multiple G-code flavors supported (RepRap, Makerbot, Mach3, Machinekit etc.)
- ability to plate multiple objects having distinct print settings
- multithread processing
- STL auto-repair (tolerance for broken models)
- wide automated unit testing
Other major features are:
- combine infill every 'n' perimeters layer to speed up printing
- 3D preview (including multi-material files)
- multiple layer heights in a single print
- spiral vase mode for bumpless vases
- fine-grained configuration of speed, acceleration, extrusion width
- several infill patterns including honeycomb, spirals, Hilbert curves
- support material, raft, brim, skirt
- standby temperature and automatic wiping for multi-extruder printing
- customizable G-code macros and output filename with variable placeholders
- support for post-processing scripts
- cooling logic controlling fan speed and dynamic print speed
You can just download a precompiled package from slic3r.org; it will run without the need for any dependency.
If you want to compile the source yourself just do the following (checkout slic3r.org for more details):
$ git clone https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r.git
$ cd Slic3r
$ perl Build.PL --sudo
$ perl Build.PL --sudo --gui
$ ./slic3r.pl
Sure! Drop me a line at aar@cpan.org. You can also find me in #reprap and in #slic3r on FreeNode with the nickname Sound. Before sending patches and pull requests contact me to discuss your proposed changes: this way we'll ensure nobody wastes their time and no conflicts arise in development.
Slic3r is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3. The author is Alessandro Ranellucci.
The Silk icon set used in Slic3r is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. The author of the Silk icon set is Mark James.
Usage: slic3r.pl [ OPTIONS ] [ file.stl ] [ file2.stl ] ...
--help Output this usage screen and exit
--version Output the version of Slic3r and exit
--save <file> Save configuration to the specified file
--load <file> Load configuration from the specified file. It can be used
more than once to load options from multiple files.
-o, --output <file> 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.) If a
directory is specified for this option, the output will
be saved under that directory, and the filename will be
generated by --output-filename-format.
Non-slicing actions (no G-code will be generated):
--repair Repair given STL files and save them as <name>_fixed.obj
--cut <z> Cut given input files at given Z (relative) and export
them as <name>_upper.stl and <name>_lower.stl
--split Split the shells contained in given STL file into several STL files
--info Output information about the supplied file(s) and exit
-j, --threads <num> Number of threads to use (1+, default: 2)
GUI options:
--gui Forces the GUI launch instead of command line slicing (if you
supply a model file, it will be loaded into the plater)
--no-plater Disable the plater tab
--gui-mode Overrides the configured mode (simple/expert)
--autosave <file> Automatically export current configuration to the specified file
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.
-m, --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/makerware/sailfish/mach3/machinekit/no-extrusion,
default: reprap)
--use-relative-e-distances Enable this to get relative E values (default: no)
--use-firmware-retraction Enable firmware-controlled retraction using G10/G11 (default: no)
--use-volumetric-e Express E in cubic millimeters and prepend M200 (default: no)
--gcode-arcs Use G2/G3 commands for native arcs (experimental, not supported
by all firmwares)
--gcode-comments Make G-code verbose by adding comments (default: no)
--vibration-limit Limit the frequency of moves on X and Y axes (Hz, set zero to disable;
default: 0)
--pressure-advance Adjust pressure using the experimental advance algorithm (K constant,
set zero to disable; default: 0)
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: 0)
--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 or % over perimeter speed
(default: 30)
--external-perimeter-speed
Speed of print moves for the external perimeter in mm/s or % over perimeter speed
(default: 70%)
--infill-speed Speed of print moves in mm/s (default: 60)
--solid-infill-speed Speed of print moves for solid surfaces in mm/s or % over infill speed
(default: 60)
--top-solid-infill-speed Speed of print moves for top surfaces in mm/s or % over solid infill speed
(default: 50)
--support-material-speed
Speed of support material print moves in mm/s (default: 60)
--support-material-interface-speed
Speed of support material interface print moves in mm/s or % over support material
speed (default: 100%)
--bridge-speed Speed of bridge print moves in mm/s (default: 60)
--gap-fill-speed Speed of gap fill print moves in mm/s (default: 20)
--first-layer-speed Speed of print moves for bottom layer, expressed either as an absolute
value or as a percentage over normal speeds (default: 30%)
Acceleration options:
--perimeter-acceleration
Overrides firmware's default acceleration for perimeters. (mm/s^2, set zero
to disable; default: 0)
--infill-acceleration
Overrides firmware's default acceleration for infill. (mm/s^2, set zero
to disable; default: 0)
--bridge-acceleration
Overrides firmware's default acceleration for bridges. (mm/s^2, set zero
to disable; default: 0)
--first-layer-acceleration
Overrides firmware's default acceleration for first layer. (mm/s^2, set zero
to disable; default: 0)
--default-acceleration
Acceleration will be reset to this value after the specific settings above
have been applied. (mm/s^2, set zero to disable; default: 0)
Accuracy options:
--layer-height Layer height in mm (default: 0.3)
--first-layer-height Layer height for first layer (mm or %, default: 0.35)
--infill-every-layers
Infill every N layers (default: 1)
--solid-infill-every-layers
Force a solid layer every N layers (default: 0)
Print options:
--perimeters Number of perimeters/horizontal skins (range: 0+, default: 3)
--top-solid-layers Number of solid layers to do for top surfaces (range: 0+, default: 3)
--bottom-solid-layers Number of solid layers to do for bottom surfaces (range: 0+, default: 3)
--solid-layers Shortcut for setting the two options above at once
--fill-density Infill density (range: 0%-100%, default: 40%)
--fill-angle Infill angle in degrees (range: 0-90, default: 45)
--fill-pattern Pattern to use to fill non-solid layers (default: honeycomb)
--solid-fill-pattern Pattern to use to fill solid layers (default: rectilinear)
--start-gcode Load initial G-code from the supplied file. This will overwrite
the default command (home all axes [G28]).
--end-gcode Load final G-code from the supplied file. This will overwrite
the default commands (turn off temperature [M104 S0],
home X axis [G28 X], disable motors [M84]).
--before-layer-gcode Load before-layer-change G-code from the supplied file (default: nothing).
--layer-gcode Load after-layer-change G-code from the supplied file (default: nothing).
--toolchange-gcode Load tool-change G-code from the supplied file (default: nothing).
--seam-position Position of loop starting points (random/nearest/aligned, default: aligned).
--external-perimeters-first Reverse perimeter order. (default: no)
--spiral-vase Experimental option to raise Z gradually when printing single-walled vases
(default: no)
--only-retract-when-crossing-perimeters
Disable retraction when travelling between infill paths inside the same island.
(default: no)
--solid-infill-below-area
Force solid infill when a region has a smaller area than this threshold
(mm^2, default: 70)
--infill-only-where-needed
Only infill under ceilings (default: no)
--infill-first Make infill before perimeters (default: no)
Quality options (slower slicing):
--extra-perimeters Add more perimeters when needed (default: yes)
--avoid-crossing-perimeters Optimize travel moves so that no perimeters are crossed (default: no)
--thin-walls Detect single-width walls (default: yes)
--overhangs Experimental option to use bridge flow, speed and fan for overhangs
(default: yes)
Support material options:
--support-material Generate support material for overhangs
--support-material-threshold
Overhang threshold angle (range: 0-90, set 0 for automatic detection,
default: 0)
--support-material-pattern
Pattern to use for support material (default: honeycomb)
--support-material-spacing
Spacing between pattern lines (mm, default: 2.5)
--support-material-angle
Support material angle in degrees (range: 0-90, default: 0)
--support-material-contact-distance
Vertical distance between object and support material
(0+, default: 0.2)
--support-material-interface-layers
Number of perpendicular layers between support material and object (0+, default: 3)
--support-material-interface-spacing
Spacing between interface pattern lines (mm, set 0 to get a solid layer, default: 0)
--raft-layers Number of layers to raise the printed objects by (range: 0+, default: 0)
--support-material-enforce-layers
Enforce support material on the specified number of layers from bottom,
regardless of --support-material and threshold (0+, default: 0)
--dont-support-bridges
Experimental option for preventing support material from being generated under bridged areas (default: yes)
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)
--retract-lift-above Only lift Z when above the specified height (default: 0)
--retract-lift-below Only lift Z when below the specified height (default: 0)
--retract-layer-change
Enforce a retraction before each Z move (default: no)
--wipe Wipe the nozzle while doing a retraction (default: no)
Retraction options for multi-extruder setups:
--retract-length-toolchange
Length of retraction in mm when disabling tool (default: 10)
--retract-restart-extra-toolchange
Additional amount of filament in mm to push after
switching tool (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: 30)
--min-print-speed Minimum print 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)
--min-skirt-length Generate no less than the number of loops required to consume this length
of filament on the first layer, for each extruder (mm, 0+, default: 0)
--brim-width Width of the brim that will get added to each object to help adhesion
(mm, default: 0)
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)
--duplicate-grid Number of items with grid arrangement (default: 1,1)
--duplicate-distance Distance in mm between copies (default: 6)
--xy-size-compensation
Grow/shrink objects by the configured absolute distance (mm, default: 0)
Sequential printing options:
--complete-objects When printing multiple objects and/or copies, complete each one before
starting the next one; watch out for extruder collisions (default: no)
--extruder-clearance-radius Radius in mm above which extruder won't collide with anything
(default: 20)
--extruder-clearance-height Maximum vertical extruder depth; i.e. vertical distance from
extruder tip and carriage bottom (default: 20)
Miscellaneous options:
--notes Notes to be added as comments to the output file
--resolution Minimum detail resolution (mm, set zero for full resolution, default: 0)
Flow options (advanced):
--extrusion-width Set extrusion width manually; it accepts either an absolute value in mm
(like 0.65) or a percentage over layer height (like 200%)
--first-layer-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for first layer
--perimeter-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for perimeters
--external-perimeter-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for external perimeters
--infill-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for infill
--solid-infill-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for solid infill
--top-infill-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for top infill
--support-material-extrusion-width
Set a different extrusion width for support material
--infill-overlap Overlap between infill and perimeters (default: 15%)
--bridge-flow-ratio Multiplier for extrusion when bridging (> 0, default: 1)
Multiple extruder options:
--extruder-offset Offset of each extruder, if firmware doesn't handle the displacement
(can be specified multiple times, default: 0x0)
--perimeter-extruder
Extruder to use for perimeters and brim (1+, default: 1)
--infill-extruder Extruder to use for infill (1+, default: 1)
--solid-infill-extruder Extruder to use for solid infill (1+, default: 1)
--support-material-extruder
Extruder to use for support material, raft and skirt (1+, default: 1)
--support-material-interface-extruder
Extruder to use for support material interface (1+, default: 1)
--ooze-prevention Drop temperature and park extruders outside a full skirt for automatic wiping
(default: no)
--ooze-prevention Drop temperature and park extruders outside a full skirt for automatic wiping
(default: no)
--standby-temperature-delta
Temperature difference to be applied when an extruder is not active and
--ooze-prevention is enabled (default: -5)
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