To Print a Model in 3D Using a Printer

1. When you have a model open, click File >

Print >

Prepare for 3D Printing. The Tray tab opens and a new tray assembly is created, with your model as a part of the Model Tree. Alternatively, you can create or open a tray assembly file.

Models that are visible on the tray will be printed. Hidden items are not printed.

2. Select a 3D printer from the list of printers.

3. To view information about the printer, click Printer >

Printer Information.

4. For Stratasys and 3D Systems printers, click

3D Printer Appearance and apply colors to your models.

5. For Stratasys printers, to set the a glossy or matte surface finish, click

Surface Finish and select the required finish.

6. For Stratasys printers, to set the quality of the printing, click Printers > Printing Quality and select High Quality, High Speed, or Digital Materials.

7. To set up the printing options, and start the additive manufacturing process, click

Preview 3D Printing. The 3D Print tab opens.

8. To change the STL resolution, follow these steps:

a. Click

Tessellate Models. The STL Parameter Definitions pane opens.

b. For each model you want to modify, change the required STL parameters, click Apply, and review the changes.

c. Click OK. The STL Parameter Definitions pane closes.

9. To view the interior of the model and the support material at various points during the printing process, click

Clipping and use the 3D dragger to display the interior of the model.

10. To slice the model, support structures, and lattice:

▪ If more than one CLI file is generated, the Export Zip dialog box opens. All the CLI files produced by the model are saved in a single ZIP file.

▪ If one CLI file is generated, the Export CLI dialog box opens.

b. Type a name for the CLI files next to File name, and click Save.

▪ A CLI file or a ZIP file that contains the CLI files is created in your working folder:

▪ <CLI_name>_B.cli contains the data for the model geometry

▪ <CLI_name>_<feature_name>_L.cli contains the data for the lattice

▪ <CLI_name>_S.cli contains the data for the support structure

See To Slice a Model. You can display slices by clicking

Display Slices. You can load slices by clicking

Load Slices.

11. To display the required support material, click

Display Support Material. When you connect to a printer through a Materialise build processor, the displayed support material represents the actual support structure that will be created.

12. To set the minimal angle where the support material is added, click View, and type the angle in the

Draft angle box.

13. Click

Print to initiate the 3D printing process.

14. When the printing process completes, click

Return to Tray.