Properly printing with the Flashforge Creator Pro 3D printer

3D printers are enormously useful devices, with the ability to quickly develop physical products given 3D models. However, models directly exported from CAD software aren't printable using our 3D printer. Here, you will learn how to properly print your models

Sliced VS Unsliced

Files exported from most CAD software will be unsliced 3D models. There are several possible filetypes, most commonly using .stl. These files give information on what an object looks like, and allow for visualizing and manipulating the object in 3D space. These files are not printable by our printer in their current form.

An example of a .STL file
(taken from http://3dprintingninja.blogspot.com/2014/08/remesh-tool-how-to-convert-cad-file.html)

In order for the 3D printer to print a file, it must be of the .x3g filetype. This is a sliced 3D model— the original model is cut up into small pieces, which is then converted into a series of instructions for a printer to follow.

A closeup on a sliced model of a pyramid.
Notice the sharp edges due to slicing

Slicing your model

To convert your model file to a sliced model file, download a slicing software that is compatible with your 3D printer. In our case, we can use FlashPrint (Download Here!). After installing the software, it will ask you what 3D printer you are using. Select the option that reads "FlashForge Creator Pro". This will automatically set most of the settings appropriately for that printer. Once you're done with this, hit the blue "Load" button on the top of the screen, and select the file you want to convert.

The program after loading a file.

You can move, scale, and rotate your model in the buildspace by clicking the relevent icon, and clicking and dragging the model you wish to move. Make sure the model is touching the bottom of the plate, otherwise it will not print! Once your print is positioned properly, hit the Print button.

Make sure the print setting matches the type of plastic the machine is using, in this case, PLA. Then, choose the detail. Higher resolution options take longer to print, but end up looking more similar to the original model. Next, hit the more options button and head to the temperature tab. Make sure that the extruder temperature is set to 200 C and that the buildplate temperature is set to 0 C, for optimal building

All that's left to do is to hit OK, save the file, and copy it to the SD card for printing!