3D-printing to Cura as single object vs. one object per component

[AagAag]

I have recently replaced my main machine. Now, every time I print from Fusion to Cura, each component is treated as a separate object. This creates all sorts of headaches in Cura, because objects are pushed down to the build plate and lose their joints to each other. I am not sure whether this new behavior is due to some updates, or (more likely) to some erroneous setting in either Fusion or Cura. Can anybody shed light on this?   

[etfrench]

Switch to PrusaSlicer 😀

[AagAag]

What exactly do you think is useful or funny about your suggestion?

[etfrench]

It's not particularly funny, but it could be useful if you tried PrusaSlicer.  It handles multiple components better than Cura.  It's free, so the only thing you'll be out of is a little time.

[AagAag]

We have Ultimaker printers here, hence we use Cura. I would be grateful if this thread would stay on-topic and not pivot to a discussion of advantages/disadvantages of different slicer software.

[KristianLaholm · Accepted solution]

This is the behavior of Cura with 3mf files (I use Cura 4.10.0).

3D printer option in Fusion then sending to Cura locks the format to 3mf and you have to do this in Cura:

• Select All Models (CTRL-A)
• Merge All Models (CTRL-ALT-G)
• Arrange All Model (CTRL-R)
• After that you might need to rotate the models on the buildplate for correct print orientation.

Or change the Output in 3D Print to Custom and set the "Application"  path to Cura executable.
This will lock the format to STL and Cura should interpret the file correctly.

[etfrench]

It's just a slicer.  They'll work on any machine.  It's an available option which may also be the only way you'll be able to print that particular model.  I use both Cura and PrusaSlicer, so I use the one which fits the model best.

[AagAag]

Thank you! That explains it. I had previously set up the Fusion output as STL, but I changed to 3MF without realizing the implications. 

[g-andresen]

Hi,

Check out one of these tutorials on the 3MF format.

günther 

[billbedford]

Check that this menu is set to one file:

[AagAag]

thank you. However, I think that your suggestion may only apply to "save as mesh", but not to "3d print". In the latter, these options are all greyed out.

[AagAag]

I have investigated the matter in more depth now. This illustrates nicely what happens if you print a group of 3mf objects (grouped with Ctlr-G, left) as opposed to a single STL (right) in Cura. The former is going to be unstable and will fall apart very quickly. I deduce that, while 3MF may be the more versatile file format, if you want the G-code to calculate the best way of printing your object as a whole, you better use the STL option.

[billbedford]

Sorry, that was the wrong dialog. This is the one you are looking for. The description of this checkbox is:

"After selecting multiple bodies to print, if you have the "Automatic" checkbox checked within the "Arrangement" section of the Setup dialog, your selected bodies will be automatically moved around to fit in the build platform separately. If you wish to keep them in their original position, uncheck the Automatic checkbox before creating the setup."

[KristianLaholm]

Looks to me like STL format makes a combine of all bodies before output and 3MF will carry over the individual bodies.

If the design intent is one singel body I would combine before output to 3D printer (slicer).