Preparing files for the Makerbot Replicators Digital Media Tutorial Written by Trevor Williams Before using this tutorial, review the Prepare Models for 3D Printing tutorial on DM Online.

Makerbot Desktop or Makerware may prompt you to login. This is unnecessary. When you open Makerbot Desktop or Makerware, you will start with one of these two screens:

If you see the left screen, select the Prepare option in the top toolbar.

In the menu at the top, click on Devices >

Select Type of Device > …

then select one of our 3 types of Makerbot:   

Replicator 2 [PLA] Replicator 2X [ABS w/ soluble support] Replicator (5th Gen) [PLA]

Keep in mind that these files are not interchangeable. If you want to print to multiple kinds of device, you’ll need to generate multiple files.

From the Model Preparation screen, click the Add File button on the secondary toolbar:

Once you’ve selected the STL or OBJ file that you wish to print, you can modify the model using the tool tiles on the left side of the window.

With the view tile selected, click & drag will move your camera around and the three buttons will move the camera to the preset locations listed. Reset View will take your camera to a default position looking at the entire build volume at an angle.

With the move tile selected, you can drag your model around. You can also move the model by entering XYZ values. On Platform will move the lowest points in your model to face of the build plate. Center will place your model in the XY center of the build volume.

With the turn tile selected you can rotate your model by clicking and dragging. You can also rotate on 90° increments with the buttons or you can rotate a specific amount by entering custom values. Lay Flat will rotate your model to align a flat surface that is near the ground plane, with the ground plane. Reset Position will reorient your model to its original orientation.

With the scale tile selected, you can click and drag to resize your object uniformly. If you want to scale your model non-uniformly, uncheck the box and then enter specific XYZ dimensions. Inches -> mm will scale your object by 25.4 (use this if you modeled your object in inches). Maximum Size will uniformly scale your object to the largest size that will fit within the build volume. Reset Scale will return your object to its original size.

When your model is positioned and sized appropriately, click the Settings button:

Choose the resolution you want to print at: Low (0.3mm/layer), Standard (0.2mm/layer), or High (0.1mm/layer). Standard is recommended.

Unless your print has a large, flat base, print with a raft. If your part has significant overhangs, (larger than 1/8” or 3mm) that are also more than 45° away from vertical, print with supports. The Advanced Options allow you to adjust the density of the internal structure (infill), the number of continuous layers to build around the infill structure (Number of Shells) and to adjust the vertical resolution manually (Layer Height).

It’s also possible to adjust the temperature of the extruders and the heated bed (for the 2X) and the speed at which the device will print your part, but we recommend strongly against changing any of these values. If you wish to change in-depth details about the way your model is sliced and printed, press the Create Profile button and follow Makerbot’s Slic3r Documentation. Only do this with help from the DM Office. Understand that you are responsible for any misprints from a custom profile.

When you’ve finished adjusting the settings for your model, click the Print button:

When you hit the Print button the following window will appear with a progress counter showing the slicing process: Click PRINT PREVIEW to see a 3d visual approximation of your finished print.

Notice that there is also an approximation of the material that will be consumed and the time it will take to complete the print.

Press Close when you are ready to export your file.

When exporting your file keep in mind that for the Replicator 2 or the Replicator 2X you will need to generate a *.gcode file.

To print on the new Replicator (5th Gen) you will need to generate a *.makerbot file.

If you do not see the correct option available for export, then you’ll need to cancel the export operation, go back to the beginning of the process, and change the type of Makerbot that you are setting up for.