Overview
The Narrows Digital Commons area was designed to be the hub of innovation, collaboration and a driving force in the creativity of the community at Cedar Crest College. This combination of three rooms features a state-of-the-art 3D printer. This 3D printer is easy to use, and prints very fast. This is a basic set of instructions on printing a 3D model.
From the main screen, you have options as to how to load a model. You can load a model you have saved from somewhere else, or from the online model library. These instructions show you how to load from the model library.
Printing using the Creality K1 3D Printer
To begin, it is worth your time to create an account within the Creality Software. That allows you to save models, settings, and also to download models from the model library. You also need to connect the printer to your software first, click here if you have not done that yet.
This set of instructions assumes you have done that.
- First, launch the Creality Print software. If you need to install this, click here for Windows and here for Mac.
Note: The software is already installed on the workstation in The Narrows. You may download this and install it on your computer.
- From the main screen, click on the icon with three squares that says Models in the screenshot.
- As long as you are signed in, you will be taken to the model library. If not, it will prompt you to sign in to Creality Online.
From here you can select based on a topic or search based on keywords.
Note: The blue buttons are FREE items, the orange ones require payment.
- Once you have searched or clicked on a topic, you will see a set of results. Click the arrow to download your selected model to the system.
- It will start downloading - this is what that looks like. However, it often downloads very fast.
- Once complete, you sill see this box - click Go to model library.
- You will see the model you just downloaded (and maybe others). Select the model you'd like to work with, and click Import.
If the model is bigger than the printing area, you will be asked if you want to resize it -- say yes.
- Now, you will see your model on screen. Click Slice in the lower right corner.
- Notice that your model is now a different color. That is normal. Next, click LAN Printing.
- Click Confirm.
- Next, select the printer and click One Click Printing.
Note: If you want to send the model to the printer without printing, click Send G-Code and the printer will store the model until you are ready to print.
- It takes 30-60 seconds for the model to be sent. After the printer receives the model, the light will turn on and it will start to warm up. It can take up to 5 minutes to begin a print. You can watch this box for the status of your print, included an estimate of the time needed to print your model.
