Cura
Cura makes 3D printing EASY. It includes everything you need to prepare a 3D file for printing and print it. It includes a prepackaged version of Skeinforge. Cura is fully preconfigured to work on the Ultimaker. It is optimized to slice about 4 times faster than Skeinforge normally would run. So you'll be spending less time waiting on the software.
Contents
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Download
Latest version can always be found at: Cura home page
Installation
Cura comes with a friendly setup program that help you install the latest firmware as well as calibrate your printer.
Documentation
Main documentation for Cura can be found at GitHub: Cura home page
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Using Cura
Installing Cura is very simple. Click the version required by the system you run, unpack it and you are ready to go.
Slicing
Now, I assume you have an STL file you want to print. Else get one from thingiverse. Cura needs to read this file and convert it into GCode. GCode are the final instructions for your printer. Use the "Load STL" button to load an view your 3D model. Then use "Slice to GCode" button to start the GCode generation.
This will take a while, and when the progress bar is done, you can go to the next step.
Printing the resulting GCode
To print the code generated by Cura you can use PrintRun. This is a lightweight, more stable replacement for the printing in ReplicatorG. And it's packaged with Cura.
Load the STL and click either Prepare print or Print. The GCode file will will be located at the same location as your STL file. Before you know it you have created an new physical object!
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You can print with lower temperatures then 220C, but 220C is a good starting point. You can start lowering the temperature after printing with success. Note that lower temperatures can cause problems, especially at high printing speeds. But they can also reduce stringing and oozing. |
Troubleshooting
Installing Cura on Linux has a few caveats. Check out installing Cura on Linux. If Cura doesn't work for you, then goto the Ultimaker Forums for help.
Guides in other languages
- Pikaopas suomeksi (Cura fi)
Advanced features
- Cura plugins