3D Printing/Slicing Software

Cura, a common slicer, running on a laptop.

Slicers

A slicer converts a 3D model of an object into layers that a 3D printer can understand.

Many slicers include convenience features. A common example includes printer and material presets. Some FFF slicers include uncommon features that help with complex geometry and print reliability.

SLA slicers produce different support structures then FFF slicers.

Infill

Infill examples.

Infill determines the amount of material on the inside of a print.

A number of creative infill patterns can be used for different purposes, such as 3D infills and gradient infills.

GCode

Many 3D printers use GCode for instructions on operation. However not all generated GCode is the same.

There are a number of software packages oriented around GCode. Some software analyses GCode and provides helpful information about a print. GCode post processors can improve print speed and quality. Non-planar GCode can also improve 3D printing results.

Slicer features

Some slicing software supports features that improve build adhesion, such as a sacrificial brim or raft.

Layer Height

Some slicers support variable layer height, allowing for the printer to slow down on detail heavy areas for better quality, and speed up printing for less detailed areas.

Pausing

Some slicers allow prints to be paused to allow operators to swap materials partway through, or to add things like magnets to the internals of the print.