Orca Slicer

Orca Slicer

Orca Slicer is a free, open source 3D printing slicing and gcode generation software. It supports industry standard file formats like STL and OBJ and can slice prints for most desktop 3D printers. It provides customizable slicing profiles to calibrate print settings based on the
Orca Slicer image
open-source stl obj gcode slicing 3d-printing

Orca Slicer: Free 3D Printing Slicing Software

A free and open source software for slicing and gcode generation in 3D printing, supporting STL and OBJ file formats and compatible with most desktop 3D printers.

What is Orca Slicer?

Orca Slicer is an emerging open source alternative to proprietary slicing software like Cura and Simplify3D. Developed by AOTools, Orca Slicer is completely free to download and use with no restrictions or paywalls. It has an intuitive user interface and simplified workflow to make the slicing process easy for beginner makers and 3D printing enthusiasts.

Orca Slicer can import and process standard 3D model files like STL, OBJ, 3MF as well as project files from CAD software. It offers detailed print previews with customizable support blocks and build plate adhesion. The slicing engine generates optimized print paths and gcode tailored to the printer's firmware. Users can save slicing profiles for different filaments, temperatures, quality and speed tradeoffs.

Key features include support for multiple extruders and filaments, customizable retraction settings to minimize stringing and oozing, sequential printing, custom GCode insertion and more granular control over infill density, pattern, overlap percentage etc. An automated update checker ensures you always have the latest features and bug fixes.

Orca Slicer works with most desktop FDM 3D printers based on the Marlin, Repetier or RepRap firmware. Dual extrusion, delta and robotic arm configurations are also supported. An active community forum provides peer support during setup and configuration. The open source codebase also allows custom modifications and integrations.

Orca Slicer Features

Features

  1. Supports common 3D model file formats like STL, OBJ, 3MF
  2. Allows slicing and generating G-code for FDM 3D printers
  3. Provides customizable print profiles for different filaments, temperatures, nozzles
  4. Has basic editing tools to scale, rotate, cut models before slicing
  5. Open source software with community support and plugins

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use interface

Good print quality and slicing options

Cross-platform - works on Windows, Mac, Linux

Supports many 3D printers

Cons

Lacks some advanced features of paid slicers

Fewer material profiles than proprietary options

Limited technical support compared to paid options


The Best Orca Slicer Alternatives

Top 3D Printing and Slicing Software and other similar apps like Orca Slicer


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Cura is a free, open source software for 3D printing preparation and slicing. Developed by Ultimaker, Cura has become one of the most popular options for converting 3D models into printer-readable gcode instructions.With an intuitive user interface, Cura allows you to import 3D model files in STL, OBJ, and several...
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IdeaMaker

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Slic3r

Slic3r is a free, open source 3D printing tool focused on converting 3D models into instructions for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers. It serves as a slicer, taking 3D models generated in CAD programs or modeling software and slicing them into layers to create gcode that can be understood...
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