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Cloud slicing in Dashboard with Fleet Control

Cloud slicing in Dashboard with Fleet Control

When uploading a print job to the printer without Cloud Slicing, PreForm specifies the print settings and slices the digital model into layers for printing. Once setup is complete, PreForm sends the instructions to the printer via a wireless or cable connection. Print preparation takes time and computing energy on the user's end as PreForm compiles the print job for the printer.

Cloud Slicing, available with PreForm 3.46.0 and later enables users to slice models in the cloud for speedier print uploads. Cloud Slicing generates the layers in the cloud and automatically sends the file to the most suitable printer in the printer group. PreForm uploads the unsliced FORM file to Dashboard, where it is sliced for the most suitable printer in the Printer Group. If the assigned printer has been configured with Fit Tuning, Fleet Control may reslice the print job and generate a new print file suited for that specific printer.

Note:

Update your printer to the latest firmware before uploading a print using Cloud Slicing. If you update your printer’s firmware after adding a print job to its queue, the printer may be unable to print the job. If a queued job fails to print, remove it from the queue, update PreForm, and reupload the print job.

If the problem persists after reuploading your print job, contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

Upload your print with PreForm to a printer group

Note:

  • You may see the Generating print files for Fit tuning message if you've applied a custom Fit Tuning setting to your printer.
  • Do not disconnect your printer while the PreForm upload is in progress.
  • The upload may take some time depending on file size and network traffic.
  1. Download the latest version of PreForm.
  2. While setting up your print, select the Printer Group from the Job Setup screen as you would an individual printer.
  3. Import your model into PreForm.
  4. Click the orange Start a print icon in the left toolbar. The Print window opens.
  5. Enter or update the Job Name.
  6. Click Add to Queue to add the print to the Printer Group’s queue.
  7. PreForm uploads the print as a FORM file to Cloud Slicing, adds the print file to the queue, and generates the layer files. When a printer with the matching consumables becomes available, Cloud Slicing sends the model to the printer.
  8. The printer starts the print job. If none of the printers in the selected group are ready to print with the appropriate consumables for the uploaded print job, the print job will stay in the queue until one does.

Upload your print with Dashboard

Note:

  • You may see the Generating print files for Fit tuning message if you've applied a custom Fit Tuning setting to your printer.
  • Do not disconnect your printer while the upload is in progress.
  • The upload may take some time depending on file size and network traffic.
  1. Download the latest version of PreForm.
  2. Open Dashboard.
  3. Click Prints. The Prints page opens.
  4. Under the Queued Prints header, click the Add to Queue button. The Add to Queue window opens.
  5. Drag your FORM file to the Add to Queue upload box, or browse your local drive to select the appropriate FORM file.
  6. Dashboard uploads the FORM file to Cloud Slicing, adds the print file to the queue, and generates the layer files. When a printer with the matching consumables becomes available, Cloud Slicing sends the model to the printer.
  7. The printer starts the print job. If none of the printers in the selected group are ready to print with the appropriate consumables for the uploaded print job, the print job will stay in the queue until one does.