[3D Printing Tutorial] Complete Cura 4 Series Tutorial: Slicing with the Teacher!

For those who love using Ultimaker 3D printers, 3DMART has prepared a complete tutorial for the latest Ultimaker Cura 4.5 series. Follow these steps to get started easily:

I. Interface Overview
II. Adjusting Objects
III. Merging and Grouping Functions
IV. Saving Settings
V. Firmware Update
VI. Custom Mode

I. Interface Overview
．Place Files and Settings (Prepare)
First, select Prepare, then place your 3D model files and configure settings.
 
1. Workspace options – select 3D printer, panel layout, print settings
2. Display print bed
3. Unprintable areas – indicated by gray shading
4. Unprintable models – parts not within the build volume
5. Printable models – displayed in a solid color corresponding to the selected 3D printing filament

．Slice Preview Mode (Preview)
After selecting Preview, you can preview the 3D printing process. After using the slice function button in the bottom right corner, a perspective view will automatically be displayed. Selecting Layer View will show the sliced 3D model, and Ultimaker Cura will display the actual 3D printing path to be executed.
 
1. Preview type – view type, color selection, print settings
2. Display print bed
3. Layer count – enter a number to switch to the desired layer
4. Layer slider – drag up and down to display the slicing range
5. Slice slider – both top and bottom sliders can preview the slicing status
6. Print information – displays detailed information and time for each print job
7. Network connection – this function sends print jobs directly to the 3D printer via the network (USB connection can also be used in offline mode)
8. Preview path – simulates the actual position of the 3D model
9. Start simulation – simulates the actual 3D printing process

．Color Mode
The layer view includes many color types, allowing you to choose to display or hide print functions, such as: Material Color, Feedrate, Layer thickness.
 
．X-ray View Mode
This mode provides a translucent view of the 3D model. When errors are detected, Ultimaker Cura will display them in red, helping you perform a final model check before starting the print job.
 
．Monitor Function
Ultimaker Cura's monitoring function allows you to view the status of models during 3D printing at any time, and check the operation status and work schedule of each 3D printer.
 
1. 3D model information
2. 3D printer information
3. Connected computer host
4. Monitoring mode
5. Filament settings
6. Camera view – displays the internal camera of the connected Ultimaker 3D printer
7. Next 3D print schedule
8. Cura Connect
9. Print schedule information

II. Adjustment Tools
Ultimaker Cura's adjustment functions enable you to effectively scale, rotate, and move 3D models on the workspace.

．Move Tool
Use the move tool to ensure no overlapping models and accurate alignment with the build plate.
 
1. Move tool
2. Numerical input – allows setting precise coordinates for the 3D model
3. 3D model – can be freely moved after selection
4. XYZ axis sliders – can be dragged individually to adjust position 3D models can be scaled in three different ways: millimeters, percentage, and XYZ axis sliders.
 
1. Scale tool – selected models will be scaled proportionally
2. Numerical input – allows setting exact model dimensions in millimeters
3. Percentage input – allows setting model scale as a percentage
4. XYZ axis sliders – can be dragged individually to adjust size
5. Uniform scaling – when dragging the scale slider, this option will scale by 10%
6. Reset to default values
7. Proportional scaling

．Rotate Tool
 
1. Rotate tool – rotates around the model's origin
2. Reset to default values
3. Lay flat function – helps Ultimaker Cura determine the surface to lay flat on the print bed by rotating it
4. XYZ axis sliders – can individually rotate different axes
5. Angle indicator – shows how many degrees the model has been rotated
6. Snap rotation – when adjusting the rotation slider, it will rotate in 15% increments

．Mirror Tool
 
1. Mirror tool
2. XYZ axis sliders – can individually mirror different axes

．Individual Model Settings
Ultimaker Cura allows setting multiple models with different structures on the same workspace, which can improve 3D printing efficiency.
 
．Select the model you want to modify (2)
．Select settings for each model (1)
．Select settings (7) to open a pop-up list of available settings
．Find the setting and check the confirmation box (4)
．Use the filter (3) to quickly find your settings
．After adding all the settings you want to change, click the close option (5)
．Use the input field (6) to change the setting value
．Use the "–" button to delete custom settings from the list

．Select 3D Print Head
Ultimaker Cura allows individual setting and changing of the 3D printing print head used for models.
 
．Select the desired model on the print bed (3)
．Select the print head for the model (1 is default)
．Select (2) to change nozzle settings

III. Merge and Group Functions
Ultimaker Cura allows you to merge or group multiple 3D models on the print bed. Grouping and merging functions are very useful when multiple 3D printers are working simultaneously.
 
．Grouping Objects
When moving, scaling, rotating, and mirroring objects simultaneously, the grouping function can reduce the chance of errors during the adjustment process and effectively improve the efficiency of pre-print operations.

1. Select two or more models on the print bed using "Shift" + left-click on each model.
2. The selected objects will display a blue outline.
3. Right-click on one of the selected objects and choose "Group Models" (shortcut Ctrl / Cmd + G).

．Merging Objects
The merge function is very useful when using dual material/color models, combining models in the simplest way.
 
1. Select two or more models on the print bed using "Shift" + left-click on each model.
2. The selected objects will display a blue outline.
3. Right-click on one of the selected models and choose "Merge Models" (shortcut Ctrl / Cmd + Alt + G).
4. Merged objects will display a gray border and align with the corresponding center point.