3D Printing Orientation: Models and Slicers

This class is offered online. It is open to everyone. $5 fee for non-members. Payment information is below. Please note: this is not the tool signoff for 3D printing at Tampa Hackerspace. Effective April 2024, this class focuses on PrusaSlicer, rather than Cura. While Cura offers the broadest printer support for Hackerspace members and nonmembers alike, the audience has shifted since the pandemic to more people looking to use the Prusa machines we have onsite.

This is a hands-on, online class for anyone who is brand new to 3D printing and wants to get up and running with choosing models and getting them ready to print. We recommend that you join this class from a computer you will be using to prepare models for printing, especially if you are a member of Tampa Hackerspace and plan to use the machines at our site. This class does involve installing software on your computer and following along with the instructor; however, there is no final project, and you are free to listen and take notes instead.

We’ll take a look at a few sources for models that you may want to print, and we’ll look at how to tell what kinds of modifications your model might need to print successfully. We’ll walk through setting up PrusaSlicer, an interface that will convert the digital images of your model into toolpaths for the printer to make your model into a physical object. Finally, we’ll take a model from .STL to GCode to show you the full process of getting a print ready for production. Once we’re done, we can cover some questions and answers you may have about 3D printing and, if applicable, joining Tampa Hackerspace.

If you do not already have PrusaSlicer installed, you can download it directly from Prusa (for free!) at https://www.prusa3d.com/en/page/prusaslicer_424/ . We won’t spend much time on the install during class, so you can save yourself some time if you download and install before we meet. I will be in the class a bit early in case you have any questions about downloading and installing the software. (Note that PrusaSlicer runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.)

Members no charge (unless you no-show!); non-members $5

The member price is for paid members of Tampa Hackerspace. Information on becoming a paid member can be found on our website (http://tampahackerspace.com/membership). You can prepay for the class at our Square Marketplace (https://tampahackerspace.square.site/product/3d-printing-non-members-/4?cs=true).

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Payment is expected within 24 hours of your RSVP. If anyone hasn't paid by then, they may shifted to the wait list to make room for other students.

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If you've been moved to the waiting list, we couldn't match a payment through Square for the class to your meetup account or verify your membership. If this is in error, please message info@tampahackerspace.com. If you haven't yet paid, please do so at the link above and we'll move you back to the active list.