SoftFever
6dfd1c2a0a
# Description
Follow-up to #15238. A review of the Design tab, and then testing its
Linux AppImage on desktops, turned up UX inconsistencies, kernel bugs
and a crash. This PR fixes them and fills the gaps found along the way.
Everything stays behind `SLIC3R_CAD` and the `enable_cad_feature`
preference. With the preference off, Prepare and Preview behave and
render exactly as before.
The first four commits are Design-tab fixes that landed on the fork
after #15238 and were never sent upstream: the value-field label, the
`GUI.hpp` include, sketch tool batches 9–14 and honest tool messages.
The later commits build on them.
**Interaction: one rule for mouse, Enter and Esc** (charter
`docs/CAD/cad_ux_guidelines.md` §4.2)
- Enter does what ✓ does; Esc does what ✗ does. Esc steps back one level
(value field → gesture → tool → selection) and never deletes anything.
- A click on empty space clears the selection and never applies a
pending operation.
- A right-click with nothing pending opens the offer. The click is
recognised by drift alone; the 200 ms timing rule is gone, since §6.2
forbids timing-dependent gestures.
- The panel's CHAR_HOOK owns Delete, Esc, Ctrl+Z/Y and F, so the
duplicate handlers in `GLCanvas3D` are removed.
- Ctrl+Z/Y work inside a sketch, and Edit ▸ Undo/Redo drive the Design
history while that tab is shown.
- A value the geometry cannot take (zero length, sweep > 360°, …) is
refused inside the field, and the field says why.
**Kernel**
- Solver: tangency and point-on-line pick the correct side;
circle–circle tangency is handled; the partitioned solve maps sentinel
references; constraints that could not be applied are reported instead
of silently dropped.
- Trim, extend, offset and mirror are fixed for arcs and ellipses.
Negative scale is handled, and zero-radius circles no longer produce
geometry.
- Feature → body references resolve by identity, so hiding, reordering
or deleting a feature no longer re-targets later features.
- Hole standards table corrected: inch countersinks are 82°. New threads
use the nominal diameter; new patterns use inclusive spacing. Both are
gated by flags, so existing recipes rebuild unchanged.
- **A closed loop that crosses or folds back is not a region.** Such a
loop passed the closed-loop check and MakeFace, and extruded into an
invalid solid with no caps. `SketchEngine::wires_to_face` now checks the
face (BRepCheck) and fails with a reason; `sketch_loop_defect()` finds
the crossing or cusp exactly, and the sketch tints the loop red and
marks the point.
- Recipe: saves origin, body colours and the loop auto-close setting in
a trailing block; the v4 reader is frozen as `load_flat_v4`; the 3MF
reader caps the entry at 1 GiB and the legacy entry name never overrides
the current one. New fields (`dressup_edges`, the Text parameters,
`revolve_axis_entity`) are appended at the end of the framed recipe, so
existing projects load and rebuild unchanged.
- OCCT failures are caught before `std::exception` in the new code (OCCT
≥ 8).
**Modelling**
- **Several solid edges in one Fillet/Chamfer.** Shift/Ctrl+click adds
or removes edges of the picked body; one feature dresses them all at one
size, every id resolved against the same body. The card and the offer
name the count.
- **Sketch Offset takes the whole outline** the picked curve belongs to,
with a live preview, instead of one segment (on a text outline a segment
is a fraction of a millimetre, so nothing seemed to happen).
- **Revolve about a line of the sketch.** The axis was only the sketch
plane's X or Y axis. It can now be any line of the profile sketch: a
construction centerline (preselected when the sketch has exactly one) or
an edge of the profile. The gizmo draws the axis dashed. A profile on
both sides of the axis is refused with the reason (MakeRevol failed
there with none). Surface Revolve takes the same axes.
**Panel, offer, text**
- The offer menu: its strings are translatable (the generator emits
`L()` markers, and the files are added to `list.txt`); it opens with a
title naming the selection; blocked verbs stay in place, greyed, with
their reason; each verb has one refusal wording.
- Extrude defaults to Join when the profile touches a solid, otherwise
New body. All result menus use one vocabulary: New body / Join / Cut /
Intersect.
- Interference and volume/area reports go to the status line, in
mm³/mm². Delete Body no longer asks for confirmation, since it is
undoable.
- **Text is its own feature** ("Text N" in the tree). Its dialog offers
any installed font (bold, italic) and the height in mm; it is modeless
and opens at the top right of the window, and the outline is drawn in
the view where it will go while typing. Editing the feature reopens the
dialog with its string, font and height. The outlines are saved too, so
the project opens the same on a machine without that font.
- New feature names match the card header (`Extrude 3`) and are
translated. Terminology and units are unified ("Coordinate system",
"Angle (°)").
- The Prepare Sketch/Primitive gizmos can be selected only when the CAD
feature is on.
- MCP: write methods are refused while the tab is busy (including while
the Text dialog is open); a timed-out command never runs; only a socket
is ever unlinked; `fillet`/`chamfer` accept an array of edges.
**Rendering in the Design view**
- Once extruded, a part was hard to read: both lights of the object
shaders sit near the camera, so the sides of a part came out in nearly
the same tone, and nothing marked where one face ends.
- The phong shader gains a studio lighting model, selected by a new
`lighting_model` uniform: a sky/ground hemisphere in world space, a key
light from the upper left and a weak fill, a plastic-like highlight, and
a darker base with a faint sheen toward the silhouette.
`GLCanvas3D::set_studio_lighting()` enables it per canvas; only the
Design canvas does. Every canvas sets the uniform on each use (0 for the
slicer's canvases), so Prepare and Preview render exactly as before.
- Every B-rep edge of a body is drawn as a 2 px dark line, depth tested
and pulled a few pixels toward the eye, so it hides behind the faces in
front. Seams of closed surfaces and degenerate edges are left out
(`GeometryEngine::display_edges`).
**Crash fix (Linux AppImage)**
- Drawing anything in a sketch crashed the AppImage: the constraint list
labels were formatted from narrow literals holding `—`, `·` and `°`;
`AppRun` sets `LC_ALL=C`, so wx's conversion returned NULL and
`wxString::Format` dereferenced it. They now go through
`wxString::FromUTF8`, as the panel's other non-ASCII literals already
do.
Docs updated to describe the design as it now stands: `design_tab.md`,
`interaction-model.md` and the portability note.
No change to slicing, profiles or presets. Existing 3MF recipes load and
rebuild as before: the v3/v4/v5 fixture tests pass.
# Screenshots/Recordings/Graphs
None attached. The behaviour was checked on the fork's Linux tester
AppImages, driven under Xvfb (see Tests).
## Tests
- `libslic3r_tests` on this branch, rebased on `main` (dc0e26918): 943
of 944 cases pass (1 skipped), 79,733 assertions. Linux, system OCCT.
- New or updated cases cover: the solver side and tangency fixes;
trim/offset/mirror on arcs and ellipses; body identity across history
edits; datum remapping, expressions, bindable fields; circular pattern,
hole standards, threads; the round trip of colours, origin and
auto-close; `body_touching_sketch`; multi-edge fillet/chamfer and its
save/load; the crossing/cusp loop analysis and the extrude refusal; the
Text parameters' save/load; `display_edges` on box, cylinder and cone;
revolve about a centerline, about the profile's own edge, refused
through the profile, stale axis index, axis save/load. The
truncated-recipe test accounts for every new tail field.
- All touched GUI translation units compile with GCC, and with clang
`-fsyntax-only` under the macOS job's warning flags. The modified
shaders pass `glslangValidator`.
- `gen_offer_table.py --check` passes, and `xgettext` + `msgfmt
--check-format` are clean on the CAD sources.
- On the fork's Linux tester AppImages (same code on `cad-mainline`),
driven headless:
- drawing lines and rounded rectangles no longer crashes;
- Offset on one side of a rectangle selects and previews the whole
outline; Enter adds it;
- Text: the dialog opens at the top right, "Text N" appears in the tree
and the outline in the view while typing; double-clicking the feature
reopens it and a new string redraws in place;
- a block with a through hole and fillets: faces separate by
orientation, fillets shade round, edges are drawn and hidden behind the
part;
- a half-profile beside a construction centerline: Revolve preselects
the centerline, shows the axis dashed and builds the expected tube
(4000π mm³).
- **Not verified by hand:** multi-edge selection and the red loop
marking; Windows and macOS were not run.
[How to Download Pull Requests Artifacts for
Testing](https://www.orcaslicer.com/wiki/how_to_download_pr_artifacts)
OrcaSlicer: an open source Next-Gen Slicing Software for Precision 3D Prints.
Optimize your prints with ultra-fast slicing, intelligent support generation, and seamless printer compatibility—engineered for perfection.
Official links and community
Official Website:
Github Repository:
Follow us:
Join our Discord community:
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Main features
- Advanced Calibration Tools
Comprehensive suite: temperature towers, flow rate, retraction & more for optimal performance. - Precise Wall and Seam Control
Adjust outer wall spacing and apply scarf seams to enhance print accuracy. - Sandwich Mode and Polyholes Support
Use varied infill patterns and accurate hole shapes for improved clarity. - Overhang and Support Optimization
Modify geometry for printable overhangs with precise support placement. - Granular Controls and Customization
Fine-tune print speed, layer height, pressure, and temperature with precision. - Network Printer Support
Seamless integration with Klipper, PrusaLink, and OctoPrint for remote control. - Mouse Ear Brims & Adaptive Bed Mesh
Automatic brims and adaptive mesh calibration ensure consistent adhesion. - User-Friendly Interface
Intuitive drag-and-drop design with pre-made profiles for popular printers. - Open-Source & Community Driven
Regular updates fueled by continuous community contributions. - Wide Printer Compatibility
Supports a broad range of printers: Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Voron, and more. - Additional features can be found in the change notes.
Wiki
The wiki aims to provide a detailed explanation of the slicer settings, including how to maximize their use and how to calibrate and set up your printer.
Download
Stable Release
📥 Download the Latest Stable Release
Visit our GitHub Releases page for the latest stable version of OrcaSlicer, recommended for most users.
Nightly Builds
🌙 Download the Latest Nightly Build
Explore the latest developments in OrcaSlicer with our nightly builds. Feedback on these versions is highly appreciated.
Belt Printer Builds
The nightly release ships two parallel builds: the standard build and a belt-printer build. Both are attached to the same release — tell them apart by the filename suffix:
- Standard — no suffix (e.g.
OrcaSlicer_Windows_Installer_x64_nightly.exe) - Belt —
_beltsuffix (e.g.OrcaSlicer_Windows_Installer_x64_nightly_belt.exe)
The _belt builds add experimental support for belt / conveyor (infinite-Z) printers, where the model is sliced against a tilted belt surface instead of a flat horizontal bed. They include ready-to-use belt printer profiles, the full belt slicing pipeline (mesh rotation and G-code transforms), belt-aware support generation, and a tilted-bed preview.
⚠️ Belt printer support is under active development and is not yet merged into
main— it currently ships only in these parallel_beltbuilds, produced from thebelt-printerbranch. See tracking PR #14394 and the original documentation in #12998.
How to install
Windows
Download the Windows Installer exe for your preferred version from the releases page. Both x64 and arm64 installers are published — pick the one matching your CPU.
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For convenience there is also a portable build available.
Troubleshooting
- If you have troubles to run the build, you might need to install following runtimes:
- MicrosoftEdgeWebView2RuntimeInstallerX64
- vcredist2019_x64
- Alternative Download Link Hosted by Microsoft
- This file may already be available on your computer if you've installed visual studio. Check the following location:
%VCINSTALLDIR%Redist\MSVC\v142
Microsoft Store
Install from the Microsoft Store when you prefer a Store-signed package (helps on Windows 11 Smart App Control).
Windows Package Manager
winget install --id=SoftFever.OrcaSlicer -e
Mac
-
Download the universal DMG, which runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
-
Drag OrcaSlicer.app to Application folder.
-
If you want to run a build from a PR, you also need to follow the instructions below:
Quarantine
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Option 1 (You only need to do this once. After that the app can be opened normally.):
- Step 1: Hold cmd and right click the app, from the context menu choose Open.
- Step 2: A warning window will pop up, click Open
-
Option 2: Execute this command in terminal:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OrcaSlicer.app -
Option 3:
- Step 1: open the app, a warning window will pop up
- Step 2: in
System Settings->Privacy & Security, clickOpen Anyway:
- Step 1: open the app, a warning window will pop up
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Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask orcaslicer
The Homebrew cask installs the official macOS DMG from GitHub Releases.
Linux
Flathub (Recommended)
OrcaSlicer is available through FlatHub:
Install from the command line:
flatpak install flathub com.orcaslicer.OrcaSlicer
flatpak run com.orcaslicer.OrcaSlicer
It can also be installed through graphical software managers (KDE Discover, GNOME Software, etc.) when Flathub is enabled. Search for OrcaSlicer in your software center.
AppImage
AppImages are published for both x86_64 and aarch64 (ARM64). Pick the file matching your CPU — the ARM64 build has aarch64 in its name (e.g. OrcaSlicer_Linux_AppImage_Ubuntu2404_aarch64_*.AppImage).
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Download App image from the releases page.
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Double click the downloaded file to run it.
-
If you run into trouble executing it, try this command in the terminal:
chmod +x /path_to_appimage/OrcaSlicer_Linux.AppImage
How to Compile
All updated build instructions for Windows, macOS, and Linux are now available on the official OrcaSlicer Wiki - How to build page.
Please refer to the wiki to ensure you're following the latest and most accurate steps for your platform.
Klipper Note
If you're running Klipper, it's recommended to add the following configuration to your printer.cfg file.
# Enable object exclusion
[exclude_object]
# Enable arcs support
[gcode_arcs]
resolution: 0.1
Supports
OrcaSlicer is an open-source project, and we're deeply grateful to all our sponsors and backers.
Their generous support helps fund filaments and other essential 3D printing materials for the project.
Thank you! :)
Sponsors
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Backers:
Ko-fi supporters ☕: Backers list
Support the project
Some Background
Open-source slicing has always been built on a tradition of collaboration and attribution. Slic3r, created by Alessandro Ranellucci and the RepRap community, laid the foundation. PrusaSlicer by Prusa Research built on Slic3r and acknowledged that heritage. Bambu Studio in turn forked from PrusaSlicer, and SuperSlicer by @supermerill extended PrusaSlicer with community-driven enhancements. Each project carried the work of its predecessors forward, crediting those who came before.
OrcaSlicer began in that same spirit, drawing from BambuStudio, PrusaSlicer, and ideas inspired by CuraSlicer and SuperSlicer. But it has since grown far beyond its origins. Through relentless innovation — introducing advanced calibration tools, precise wall and seam control, tree supports, adaptive slicing, and hundreds of other features — OrcaSlicer has become the most widely used and actively developed open-source slicer in the 3D printing community. Many of its innovations have been adopted by other slicers, making it a driving force for the entire industry.
The OrcaSlicer logo was designed by community member Justin Levine.
License
- OrcaSlicer is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.
- The GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 ensures that if you use any part of this software in any way (even behind a web server), your software must be released under the same license.
- OrcaSlicer includes a pressure advance calibration pattern test adapted from Andrew Ellis' generator, which is licensed under GNU General Public License, version 3. Ellis' generator is itself adapted from a generator developed by Sineos for Marlin, which is licensed under GNU General Public License, version 3.
- The Bambu networking plugin is based on non-free libraries from BambuLab. It is optional to the OrcaSlicer and provides extended functionalities for Bambulab printer users.