Choosing which face of a model should point toward the build platform, and which face should point away, is a decision that affects more than just printability. The face that acts as a base is usually impacted the most by support marks that result in a rough surface finish. If preserving the fine details on your model is important, try orienting the model with that face away from the build platform.

For more orientation best practices, check the article Model orientation best practices for SLA printing.

Angle your model along the X, Y, and Z axes to orient it around the build platform.

1. Select the model. Manipulators are overlaid on the model.

1. Click Orientation. A dialogue box opens.
2. To rotate:
   • Click-and-drag along the sphere manipulator to spin the model freely.
   • Click-and-drag on a ring to move the model along that axis.
   • Enter a specific angle into an axis field.
   • Click on an axis arrow.
   • Hover the pointer over an axis field and use the scroll wheel.

Move a model to a different location on the build platform to create space for other parts or to prolong the life of a tank.

1. Select the model. Manipulators are overlaid on the model.
2. To move:
   • Click-and-drag the Move manipulator to a new location on the build platform.
   • Click-and-drag the selected model to a new location on the build platform.

Starting with PreForm 3.62.0, you can move models outside the build volume. Use this feature to more easily arrange your models, determine if they will all fit in the current build, and decide if you should move them to a new build.

To move a model outside the build volume, click-and-drag it past the edge of the build volume. The model will stop moving at the edge of the build volume, but if you continue dragging, it pops past the edge.

To bring a model back into the build volume, click-and-drag it past the edge of the build volume—there is no resistance when dragging a model back in. Operations that change the layout of your models, like Layout (SLA) or Pack (SLS) also place the model back in the build volume.

To disable this feature, go to PreForm > Preferences > General and disable Allow models outside the build volume.

On Formlabs Fuse 1 generation printers, PreForm allows models to be placed anywhere within the build volume. The closer a model is to the bottom of the build volume, the sooner it begins to print during the print job.

PreForm provides users with a custom manipulator controls for Fuse 1 generation printers to make movement in three dimensions easier:

1. To view the manipulators in PreForm, click View > Show Manipulators > All from the menu bar.
2. To move a model on a single axis, click and drag the arrow controls. A black dot references your starting position as you drag.
3. To move a model on a plane, click and drag the rectangular plane controls. A black dot references your starting position as you drag.
4. To move a model on the XY plane, click and drag the model directly in the scene.
5. To rotate a model on a single axis, click and drag the arc rotation controls. An arc shows the total rotation as you drag.
6. To rotate the model freely, click and drag the free rotation sphere control in the center of the manipulator. This allows the model to spin freely.

Preserve the fine details of your model by facing the smaller features away from the build platform.

To choose which side faces the build platform:

1. Select the model. Manipulators are overlaid on the model.
2. Click Orientation. A dialogue box opens.
3. Click Select Base…. A window opens and the pointer appears as an orange arrow.
4. Click a face of the model to point it toward the build platform.
5. Click Done. The window closes.