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

3DMart has prepared a complete tutorial for the latest version of Ultimaker Cura 4.5 for all Ultimaker 3D printer enthusiasts. Follow the steps below to get started easily:

I. Interface Overview
II. Adjusting Tools
III. Group and Merge Functions
IV. Saving Settings
V. Firmware Update
VI. Custom Mode

I. Interface Overview
．Prepare
First, select Prepare, load the 3D model file, and configure settings.
 
1. Build plate options – Select 3D printer, panel layout, print settings
2. Display print bed
3. Unprintable area – Indicated by gray shading
4. Unprintable model – Part is outside the build area
5. Printable model – Displays solid color corresponding to the selected 3D printing filament

．Preview Mode
After selecting Preview, you can preview the 3D printing process. The transparent view is automatically displayed after using the slicing function button in the lower right corner. Selecting Layer view will display the sliced 3D model, and Ultimaker Cura will show the actual 3D printing path.
 
1. Preview type – View type, color selection, print settings
2. Display print bed
3. Number of slices – Enter a number to switch to the desired layer
4. Slice slider – Drag up and down to display slice range
5. Slice slider – Both top and bottom sliders can preview slice 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 selected in offline mode)
8. Preview path – Can simulate the actual position of the 3D model
9. Start simulation – Simulates the actual 3D printing process

．Color Mode
The layer view contains many color types, allowing you to choose to display or hide print functions, such as: Material Color, Feedrate, Layer thickness.
 
．X-ray Transparent Mode
This mode provides a semi-transparent view of the 3D model. Ultimaker Cura will display red when errors are detected, which helps to perform a final model check before the printing process begins.
 
．Monitor Function
Ultimaker Cura's monitoring function allows you to view the status of the model during 3D printing at any time, and you can check the operation status and work schedule of each 3D printer.
 
1. 3D model information
2. 3D printer information
3. Connected host computer
4. Monitoring mode
5. Printing filament settings
6. Camera view – Displays the camera inside the connected Ultimaker 3D printer
7. Next 3D printing schedule
8. Cura Connect
9. Print schedule information

II. Adjustment Tools
Ultimaker Cura's adjustment function allows you to effectively scale and rotate 3D models on the work interface.

．Move Tool
Using the move tool ensures that there is no overlap between models and that they fit accurately on the work platform.
 
1. Move tool
2. Numeric input – Can set precise coordinates for the 3D model
3. 3D model – Can be moved freely 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 – The selected model will be scaled proportionally
2. Numeric input – Can set exact model dimensions in millimeters
3. Percentage input – Can set model scale by percentage
4. XYZ axis sliders – Can be dragged individually to adjust size
5. Uniform scaling – This option will scale by 10% when dragging the scale slider
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
4. XYZ axis sliders – Can individually rotate different axes
5. Angle indicator – Shows how many degrees the model has 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 mirror different axes individually

．Individual Model Settings
Ultimaker Cura allows you to set multiple models with different structures on the same work panel, which can improve 3D printing efficiency.
 
．Select the model (2) whose settings you want to modify
．Select settings for each model (1)
．Select setting (7) to open a pop-up list containing available settings
．Find the setting and check the confirmation box (4)
．Use the filter (3) to quickly find your settings
．Add all settings you want to change, then 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 print head used by the model.
 
．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. Group and Merge Functions
Ultimaker Cura allows you to group or merge multiple 3D models on the print bed. Grouping and merging functions are very useful when multiple 3D printers are working simultaneously.
 
．Group Objects
When moving, scaling, rotating, and mirroring objects simultaneously, the grouping function can reduce the chance of errors during adjustment, effectively improving the efficiency of pre-printing 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).

．Merge Objects
The merge function is very useful when using dual material/color models, allowing models to be combined 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.