Can I print presupported models with my Formlabs SLA printer?

Consumer 3D models are often shared with supports already generated as part of the model file (also called “presupported models”). This can be convenient, since you don’t have to orient and support the model yourself, but it can also lead to unintended consequences, because presupported models are made for a specific printer.

When presupported models are printed as they are in PreForm, some parts of the models, such as the support touchtips that are made and optimized for another specific printer (SLA or otherwise), may not print correctly.

Formlabs recommends finding an equivalent model without supports (if possible) and generating supports for it within PreForm.

For best results when printing a presupported model:

1. Print with Alpha Model Resin.
2. Download the custom presupported model print setting from Formlabs.
   • 30 micron layer thickness
   • 50 micron layer thickness
3. Import the print setting into PreForm.
   1. Open PreForm.
   2. Click Job Setup. The Job Setup screen appears.
   3. Scroll to the Choose Print Settings section and click Create or Import Custom Print Setting. The Print Settings Editor window appears.
   4. Click Import FPS file. A file dialog box appears.
   5. Select the downloaded print setting FPS file and click Open.
   6. Click the X in the upper-right corner. The Job Setup screen reappears.
   7. Select your Form Studio 1 printer and Alpha Model Resin.
   8. Select the layer thickness corresponding to the print setting you imported.
   9. Select the Pre-supported model settings option under Choose Print Settings.
   10. Click Apply. The 3D scene appears.
4. Set up your print with the presupported model.