SoftFever
db91d4b630
# Description Adds a sketch-first parametric CAD tab to the slicer: sketch → constrain → solid features → commit to plate. The feature recipe is persisted inside the 3MF, so reopening a project restores an editable model rather than a frozen mesh. Opening this at @SoftFever's request, so the code is easier to read than a fork. **The number worth reading first:** the diff is large, but almost all of it is new files. Existing upstream code is touched in **23 files, +622 / -88 total**. That is the entire negotiable surface. The largest single one is `GLCanvas3D.cpp` at +149/-14 (a pick path for the CAD viewport); everything else is under 60 lines. One thing about the raw diff: the file count includes everything new, and the negotiable surface is the 23 modified files above. Thanks for merging `main` in — the branch is current again, and I have kept building on top of it. The regenerated i18n catalogues (`OrcaSlicer.pot`, `OrcaSlicer_it.po`, `list.txt`) have been kept OUT of this branch deliberately — they were 27,314 added lines of build product standing between you and the code. They regenerate from source with `scripts/run_gettext.sh` whenever you want them refreshed. A Romanian catalogue that had been riding along was pulled out at the same time — a translation has no business being reviewed inside a CAD feature PR. | | | |---|---| | Kernel | OCCT — already linked for STEP import. The dependency delta is one line: `BUILD_MODULE_ModelingAlgorithms=OFF → ON`. Measured cost in [`docs/cad_dependency_weight.md`](https://github.com/tommasobbianchi/Orca-Cad/blob/cad-mainline/docs/CAD/cad_dependency_weight.md) | | Constraint solver | vendored SolveSpace `libslvs` subset, 21 files / ~10k lines under `src/libslic3r/slvs/` | | Build gate | `SLIC3R_CAD` (default ON). With it OFF the tab is not compiled and the deps prefix matches upstream exactly | | Persistence | CAD recipe embedded in both the 3MF and BBS-3MF writers | | User docs | [`docs/design_tab.md`](https://github.com/tommasobbianchi/Orca-Cad/blob/cad-mainline/docs/CAD/design_tab.md) | | Interaction model | object-driven — point at geometry, it offers the verbs that apply: [`docs/cad_ux_guidelines.md`](https://github.com/tommasobbianchi/Orca-Cad/blob/cad-mainline/docs/CAD/cad_ux_guidelines.md) | ### Why it belongs in the slicer Every round trip through an external CAD tool costs an export, a re-import, and the design intent both steps discard. A part changed after slicing should come back to its feature history, not to a mesh. Keeping the model in the slicer preserves that loop — nozzle diameter, build volume and material are known at design time. Longer argument in [`docs/design_tab_upstream_portability.md`](https://github.com/tommasobbianchi/Orca-Cad/blob/cad-mainline/docs/CAD/design_tab_upstream_portability.md). ### Two things I'd rather you hear from me than find **Licensing.** The vendored solver is **GPL-3.0**, not LGPL (`src/libslic3r/slvs/LICENSE`). The combined work is distributable under AGPL-3.0 and the compatibility argument is written out in the portability doc, but this is a project-level decision and I would like it confirmed explicitly rather than assumed. If GPL-3.0 in-tree is not acceptable, the solver is the separable part — the timeline, features and persistence do not depend on it. **One CMake change is larger than it looks.** `CMakeLists.txt` is +41/-56: it replaces a hand-maintained list of OCCT DLLs to copy on Windows with a glob plus an assertion that every linked toolkit actually has a DLL. The explicit list had already drifted from what `libslic3r` links and shipped a portable that died at launch with `error 126`. Happy to split that out into its own PR if you'd prefer it reviewed separately. ### Not verified - No automated GUI test. A green kernel run says nothing about the viewport — synthetic clicks never drift, so the suite and the UI are two separate realities. - Card wiring for 9 of the 16 late-wired tools has never been click-tested. - The click-test defect rate has not converged: one pass found nothing, four further days of work found five more defects. I would not present the quiet pass as evidence of stability. # Screenshots/Recordings/Graphs One part, start to finish: sketch it, feature it, print it — without leaving the slicer.  **1. Sketch, constrained and dimensioned.** A 100 × 90 rounded rectangle drawn straight onto the bed, R20 corners, live dimensions, and the solver's remaining degrees of freedom reported in the panel. The bed is the sketch plane, so the part is sized against the machine it will be printed on from the first line.  **2. The feature tree is the part.** `Sketch1 → Extrude2 → Chamfer3 → Sketch4 → Extrude5 → Hole6 → Thread7`. Every step stays editable and re-evaluates downstream — the modelled thread in the boss is a real helical feature, not a texture.  **3. Committed to the plate.** The same body arrives in Prepare as `Design Body`, 100 × 90 × 78 mm, 581,634 mm³, ready for a Sovol Zero and PETG. No export, no re-import, no lost design intent.  **4. Sliced.** The thread comes out as real helical toolpaths, and the estimate is 3h26m / 134.54 g. This is the whole argument for the feature in one frame: the geometry that was parametric two screens ago is now G-code, and it is still parametric if you go back. ## Tests 215 `TEST_CASE` blocks across 6 new test files, plus 2 `SCENARIO`s added to `tests/libslic3r/test_3mf.cpp` covering the CAD recipe's round trip through both 3MF writers. `scripts/kernel-test.sh` is the headless contract: it builds only `libslic3r_tests`, needs no display, and exit 0 means the CAD suite passed. Happy to slice this differently — kernel + solver first, GUI second — if that reviews better for you.
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
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Download the universal DMG, which runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
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Drag OrcaSlicer.app to Application folder.
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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
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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.
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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.