Makerbot Desktop

Makerbot Desktop is a program through which a Makerbot Replicator 3D printer can be controlled. It can be used for control during a print, or to convert models into the correct format, and to upgrade the firmware on your Makerbot. In order to get started it needs to be downloaded from www.makerbot.com/desktop. There will be a large “Download” button which will begin to download the latest version of the software. After downloading Makerbot it should be in the downloads folder of your computer, double-clicking on it from there will begin the process of installing the program.

Upon first opening Makerbot Desktop, this is the interface that you should see. Although it will not say Replicator 2 in the bottom left, that will need to be manually changed.

In order to change the 3D printer that Makerbot is set up for, you must go to the “Devices” tab aat the top and then go to “Select Type of Device”. After clicking on the 3D printer you will be working with, you can get started.

Opening a file that is already on your computer is quite easy. All that you need to do is click on the “File” tab, and click “Open” this will bring up a window from which you can browse for the file on your computer. From here a model can be printed directly if the computer is plugged into the printer, or the model can be exported in the correct file format to an SD card for use in the printer.

Exporting the file to an SD card is a simple process, once the model has been opened, simply click on the “Export Print File” button. After processing the file a window like the one below will pop up.

This window gives the specifics of the job such as estimated print time and filament use, as well as the use of rafts and or supports. Clicking on the “Export Now” button will continue the process until a window pops up asking where the file should be saved. Assuming the SD card is in the computer you can just select the SD card as a destination and the file will be saved there.

Printing directly from the computer is an even easier task. Once the computer is plugged into the Makerbot with the provided cord, all you need to do is open a model in .stl and click on the “Print” button in the top right. Another window will then pop up giving the details of the print job, simply click “Print Now” and the Makerbot will begin printing. During the printing process the print can be monitored, cancelled, and paused through the “Monitor” tab at the bottom right of the program as shown below.

The monitor tab provides the details of the print such as the amount of filament to be used as well as the temperature, elapsed time, and estimated time.

A further very useful ability within Makerbot Desktop is the ability to scale the models that you import to any dimensions that can be printed within the printer. To do this you simply need to click twice on the last box down on the left hand side while on object is selected, it looks like a small box in the corner of a larger box.

Here it shows that the objects dimensions can be changed along the X, Y, or Z axis or it can be scaled directly by varying percentages.

If you wish to print multiple of the same object in a single print, objects that are selected can be copied and pasted through the “Edit” tab in the top left of the screen.

That about sums it up for the basic features of Makerbot Desktop that most people would need, however there are a great deal more and intricate features that you can explore and learn about, these aren’t necessary for everyday use however.