Onshape to Slicer 3D Printing Workflow Guide Community

What this tool does

Going from an Onshape design to a good print has a handful of steps where things commonly go wrong: wrong units, faceted curves from a coarse export, a model that does not fit the bed, a part printed in the weakest orientation. Choose your slicer (Orca, Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Cura), your printer type and whether the part is functional, visual or a prototype, and the guide produces a personalised checklist covering the design rules in Onshape (millimetres, wall thickness, clearances, overhangs, bed size), the STL export settings (binary, millimetres, fine resolution), checks with free tools, how to import and orient in your slicer, and the print settings that suit your part.

How to use it, step by step

1. Choose slicer, printer type and part purpose.
2. Follow the numbered checklist.
3. Use the linked tools to check, repair or cut the model.
4. Copy or print the checklist for reference.

Tips from the guide

• Always confirm size in the slicer matches Onshape (units!).
• Export at Fine resolution for curved parts.
• Check watertightness before slicing.
• Print a small test of any new tolerance first.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Exporting at Coarse resolution and getting faceted holes.
• Printing in the weakest layer direction for load-bearing parts.
• Forgetting clearances for fits.

Who uses it

• Onshape users new to printing. Avoid common export and orientation mistakes.
• Students. A repeatable workflow for coursework.
• Instructors. Hand students a checklist.

How to ask a question people can answer

A good thread on the Onshape to Slicer 3D Printing Workflow Guide saves everyone time. Start with a title that names the exact problem, such as the input you used, the result you expected and the result you got. A title like “Not working” is hard to answer, while a title with the specifics gets replies quickly.

• Say what you tried. List the steps you followed and any settings you changed, so replies do not repeat what you already did.
• Share a small example. A short sample input and the output you saw is worth more than a long description. Remove anything private first.
• Mention your setup. Your device, browser and whether you are on a phone or a computer can explain many odd results.
• One question per thread. Separate topics get clearer answers and are easier to find later with the search box above.
• Come back and reply. If a suggestion worked, say so and upvote it, and if you found the fix yourself, post it for the next person.

Community rules

Be kind, stay on topic and keep personal data out of your posts. Do not post adult, hateful or illegal content, advertising or repeated links. Every post is shown with its author’s username and date, and posts that break these rules can be hidden by moderators. This space is for help with the Onshape to Slicer 3D Printing Workflow Guide and related tasks, and it is separate from the sitewide discussion forum where broader topics live.