[3D Printing Tutorial] Complete Cura 4 Series Tutorial: Play with Slices with the Teacher!

For those who enjoy using the Ultimaker 3D printer , SanDiMa has prepared a complete tutorial for the latest version of the Ultimaker Cura 4.5 series. Follow these steps to easily get started:

I. Interface Overview
II. Adjusting objects
III. Merging and Combining
IV. Storage Items
V. Firmware Update
VI. Custom Mode

I. Interface Overview
• Import Files and Settings (Prepare)
First, select Prepare, import the 3D model file, and configure it.

1. Work Platform Options – Select 3D Printer , Panel Configuration, Print Settings
2. Display the printing platform
3. Areas that cannot be printed – indicated by gray shading.
4. Unprintable model – part not within the working area.
5. Printable models – will display the corresponding solid color with the selected 3D printing filament.

• Slice Preview Mode
Selecting Preview allows you to preview the 3D printing process. Using the slice function button in the lower right corner will automatically display the perspective view. Selecting Layer View will display the 3D model of the slice, and Ultimaker Cura will show the actual 3D printing path executed.

1. Preview Format - View Type, Color Selection, Print Settings
2. Display the printing platform
3. Number of slices – Enter a number to convert to the desired number of slices.
4. Slicing slider – dragging it up or down displays the slicing range.
5. Slicing sliders – Both the top and bottom sliders allow you to preview the slice status.
6. Print Information – Displays detailed information and time for each print job.
7. Network Connection – This function will transmit the print job directly to the 3D printer via the network (USB connection can also be selected in offline mode).
8. Preview Path – Simulates the actual location of the 3D model.
9. Start the simulation – simulate the actual 3D printing process

Color Mode
The layer view contains many color options and allows you to choose to show or hide printing functions, such as: Material Color, Feedrate, and Layer thickness.

X-ray fluoroscopy mode
This mode provides a semi-transparent view of the 3D model. When an error is detected, Ultimaker Cura will display it in red, which can help with a final model check before the print job begins.

• Monitoring function (MONITOR)
Ultimaker Cura's monitoring function allows you to view the status of the model during 3D printing at any time, and check the operation status and work schedule of each 3D printer .

1. 3D Model Information
2. 3D Printer Information
3. Connected computer host
4. Monitoring Mode
5. Print line settings
6. Camera View – Shows the camera inside the connected Ultimaker 3D printer.
7. Next 3D Printing Schedule
8. Cura Connect
9. Print scheduling information

II. Adjustment Tools
Ultimaker Cura's adjustment features allow you to effectively scale and rotate 3D models on the work interface.

Mobile tools
Using the moving tool ensures that the models do not overlap and fit accurately to the work platform.

1. Mobility tools
2. Digital Input – Allows setting precise coordinates for 3D models.
3. 3D Model - Can be freely moved after selection.
4. XYZ axis sliders – their positions can be adjusted individually by dragging them.

3D models can be scaled in three different ways: millimeters, percentages, and XYZ axis levers.

1. Scale Tool – The selected model will be scaled proportionally.
2. Digital Input – Allows setting precise model dimensions in millimeters.
3. Percentage Input – Allows you to set the model scale by percentage.
4. XYZ axis sliders – can be dragged individually to adjust size.
5. Equal-interval scaling – When dragging the scaling slider, this option will scale by 10%.
6. Return to preset value
7. Proportional scaling

Rotate tool

1. Rotate Tool – Rotate around the model's origin.
2. Return to preset value
3. Flat Lay Function – Helps Ultimaker Cura determine the surface to be flattened by rotating it closer to the printing platform.
4. XYZ axis slide bars – capable of rotating independently along different axes.
5. Angle indicator – displays how many degrees the model has rotated.
6. Interval Rotation – When adjusting the rotating lever, rotate it in 15% intervals.

Mirroring tools

1. Mirroring tools
2. XYZ axis slide bars – capable of individually mirroring different axes.

Individual model settings
Ultimaker Cura allows you to set up multiple models with different structures on the same work panel, which can improve the efficiency of 3D printing .

． Select the model whose settings you want to modify (2)
• Select the settings for each model (1)
• Select Settings (7) to open a pop-up list containing available settings. • Locate the settings and check the confirmation box (4).
• Use the filter (3) to quickly find your settings. • After adding all the settings you want to change, click the close option (5).
• Use the input field (6) to change the setting. • Use the "-" button to delete the custom setting from the list.

Select 3D printing printhead
Ultimaker Cura allows you to individually configure and change the 3D printing nozzles used for each model.

Select the desired model on the printing platform (3)
Select the printhead for the print model (1 is the default).
Select (2) to change the nozzle settings.

III. Merge and combine functions
Ultimaker Cura allows you to merge or group multiple 3D models on the printing platform. The grouping and merging functions are very useful when multiple 3D printers are working simultaneously.

Grouped objects
When moving, scaling, rotating, and mirroring objects, the grouping function can reduce the chance of errors during the adjustment process and effectively improve the efficiency of pre-printing operations.

1. On the printing platform, select two or more models and use "Shift" + left-click on each model.
2. Selected objects will be outlined in blue.
3. Right-click on one of the selected objects and select "Group Models" (shortcut key Ctrl, Cmd + G).

Merge objects
The merge function is very useful when using dual-material/color models, allowing models to be combined in the simplest way.

1. On the printing platform, select two or more models and use "Shift" + left-click on each model.
2. Selected objects will be outlined in blue.
3. Right-click on one of the selected models and then select "Merge Models" (shortcut key Ctrl, Cmd + Alt + G).
4. Merged objects will display a gray border, aligned with their corresponding center point.