ideaMaker: Slicing

When you open ideaMaker you'll be prompted with this screen

Click on printer settings to ensure you have the correct printer set up

A new window will open and you can select your printer from the dropdown menu

We have a RAISE3D N2 Plus in the AFL so that will be the profile used in this guide

Click "Save" then x out of the original pop-up window

Click "Import Models" and a file explorer window will pop up

Select your file and click "Open"

Make sure you have the correct file type of .stl or .obj

Check the bounding box dimensions in the lower right corner

Navigating is pretty easy and similar to most other slicers

Scrolling allows you to control zoom

Hold down the right mouse button to orbit about the part

All the basic functions such as move, rotate, and scale have corresponding buttons in the top ribbon

You must have a model selected to use any of these modifiers

This example model is a little trickier than others so the best course of action is using a place by face to correct the orientation

Select the model, then click on the "Model" tab

Click "Lay Flat" to place by face

Select one of the triangles on the model to pace it on the face

Choosing a face that will be parallel to the build plate will also work

Then click "Apply"

The part will automatically rotate to make that face parallel to the build plate

Rotate the model by selecting "Rotate" from the top ribbon

For this example you can just use the buttons to rotate in increments of 90 degrees

The model is still bright red signifying that it is outside of the build volume

To arrange the model click the "Move" button from the top ribbon

Click the "Make Center" button to center the model

Notice the model has turned a faded red color. This means that the model is within the build volume of the printer.

Click the "Support" button on the top ribbon

Modify the pillar size and overhang angle to your desired quantities

Then click "Create Auto Supports"

You can add or subtract supports manually by clicking on their respective buttons

Click the "Start Slicing" button to open the print profiles window

Select your desired print profile

The profile used in this guide can be found in the network drive under \\tw\AFL (Clark)\Raise N2 Plus

Click "Slice" and the software will create the gcode

It will then display a window with relevant print information like time and material used

From the slicing information screen click "Export" to open a file explorer window

Find your desired location and click "Save"