Okay I SWEAR this is the last one

[KnightRid]

Now I am ready to begin experimenting. I am not quite sure about the file format this printer requires. I am GUESSING that they are ".stl files?"

Can someone point me to some simple files to use for test prints? Nothing huge or time consuming. Maybe a mechanical fidget toy, or a small jar with a lit or something? I want to drag the files into Fusion360 to examine them, ALTER them, and perhaps successfully re-print them with my changes.

Do sites exist where I can simply download ready-to-print 3D files?

I have already begun to make a list of things I want to design and print, IF ONLY for the experimental value and the learning curve I must go through.

Joe

Yes stl is the most common.

thingiverse.com. printables.com, thangs.com are just a couple sites as there are a LOT more. They all have search engines and can help you get what you want.

[space670]

A few more
https://www.makeronline.com/en?utm_sour ... n=20240410
https://makerworld.com/en?from=bambulab.com
https://cults3d.com/en
Happy Printing

[Unimogs]

Joe; Nicely done. You can find out about the new file format .3mf here. https://blog.prusa3d.com/3mf-file-forma ... eat_30986/

Your 3d printer probably still uses gcode to print the files. Which slicer are you using? The newer slicer programs can handle either stl or 3mf formats.

Have you looked into using Octoprint on a Raspberry pi to interface with your 3d printer?? https://octoprint.org/ It allows you to remote the 3d printer away from where your computer. You can upload the gcode from the slicer to Octoprint the USB interface connected to the 3d printer. They are very easy to build.

Steve.

[joejones]

Slicer? Rasberry? You are WAY ahead of my knowledge level on this thing. I tried to print a box last night, but evidently, the adhesion to the base was insufficient. The edges curled up and I stopped it before it ran its course.

I have to see WHY it didn't stick to the build base plate. Dirt? Clean it with Alcohol prior to printing?

This is another learning curve for me, for sure.

Joe

[LAHobbyGuy]

Do sites exist where I can simply download ready-to-print 3D files?

There are lots of websites with free STL files. I would probably recommend Thingiverse to someone new to 3D printing.

[joejones]

Thank you. I am going to get into this stuff and begin to learn something. So far, I am having fun. 3D printing and Lasers are both very ADDICTIVE!

Joe

[joejones]

So I am at MakerWorld. I picked a simple design and now I am supposed to choose a "print profile."

The choices are:

P1S
P1P
X1
X1 Carbon
X1E
A1
A1 Mini

I am clueless. What is the difference?

Joe

https://makerworld.com/en/models/844842 ... eId-791755

[LAHobbyGuy]

Those are files designed for the Bamboo Labs series of printers. They're printer profiles. Go to Thingiverse and you'll find the same files where you can download the STL.

[joejones]

I haven't figured out how to SCALE a .stl file yet. Say I wanted to print the nut and bolt, but at a 1" diameter. How do I scale it up? I have to assume it is possible, but with software that is still foreign to me?

Joe

[KnightRid]

I haven't figured out how to SCALE a .stl file yet. Say I wanted to print the nut and bolt, but at a 1" diameter. How do I scale it up? I have to assume it is possible, but with software that is still foreign to me?

Joe

You can scale right in the slicer.