3D Printer

How to Send a 3D Print

1. Log in to the 3D Printer computer in the Makerspace with your valid Waterloo Public Library card.
2. Click on the Bambu Studio icon to run the 3D print software.
3. Pick a file you want to print from the Bambu Studio Library, or if you have brought your own custom file continue to step 4.
4. For Custom Files Only: Open the file you wish to print in Bambu Studio by clicking File > Import > Import 3MF/STL…. Find the .3mf, .stl or .obj file you want to print and select “Open.”
5. Assuming all the default settings are what you want, and the file opens up in the desired orientation, select the green “Slice plate” button in the top right corner.
6. After slicing you will be provided a total time estimate for the print. Make sure your print time fits into your 2-hour booking and then select the green “Print plate” button.
7. Once “Print plate” has been selected, you will be asked to pick your print colours. All available colour options will load automatically, and you’ll see a preview of what your print will look like in colour (more details below).

Printing Using Colours

If your design is one colour and you want to print in multiple colours, follow the steps below. Multi‑colour prints will take longer.

1. Colours are assigned to specific slots identified by a number, located under the Filament drop-down on the left side of the screen. 1 is black (default), 2 is white, 3 is red, 4 is yellow, 5 is green, 6 is blue, 7 is orange, and 8 is purple. While it is possible to play around with the colours in the Bambu software, any object assigned to be 1 will always be black, 2 white, etc.
2. If you want to “paint” your object in multiple colours, select the paint bucket on the top right and use the tools in the window that pops up to paint your object in different colours.
3. In the Filaments window that opens on the right, you will have different tools you can use to paint with, and you can select the different slots to pick which colour to use.
4. Select the colour you want to paint with and the tool type to fill your 3D object with. In the example below, black is selected and the circle tool will be use to paint with. The 5th tool over, the paint bucket called the “Fill” tool, is the most convenient tool for quickly painting 3D objects.

Printed instruction sheets are also available with the machine when you arrive for your reserved time.

3D Modeling Applications

• Tinkercad – Great for beginners to prototype simple shapes, toys or simple mechanical parts
• FreeCAD – An open-source parametric software for creating functional objects
• SketchUp Free – For architectural shapes and simple, intuitive design
• Blender - For complex, artistic designs, character modeling, and sculpting

3D Object File Websites

• Thingiverse
• Thangs
• Yeggi

Tips for 3D Printing

First time 3D printing? Check out these tips to help you get started and set yourself up for a successful print.

Play with the Software First

You can download Bambu Studio, the free 3D printing software used in the Makerspace, on most devices to practice at home before booking the 3D printer. Bambu Studio is also available on all public computers at the Eastside Branch.

Print Small, Quick, and Simple

For your first 3D print, we recommend choosing something small and simple. Sample projects are displayed on the 3D printing pegboard in the Makerspace. Smaller prints are easier to learn with, help avoid common mistakes, and may give you time to print more than one item during your 2-hour booking. Plus, if something goes wrong, you’ll have time to try again.

Use makerworld.com for Your First Print

To find your first project, use the search and browse features in Bambu Studio. Projects come from MakerWorld and are already optimized for Bambu 3D printers, making them a great place to start.

Try Scaling

If your print is just over 2 hours, try scaling it down. Select the object and click [S] to make it smaller, then slice it again to check the print time. You may need to adjust the size a few times. Some models may not scale well if they contain small details or parts that fit together.

Common Errors and Pitfalls

Make Sure to Select the Correct 3D Printer

Our 3D printer is a Bambu P1S. Before slicing your model, make sure P1S is selected as the printer in the top-right corner of Bambu Studio.

Multi-colour Printing Take More Time

Printing in multiple colours is fine, but each colour change adds time to your print. If possible, it may be faster to print each colour separately and assemble the pieces afterward