slicers

Slicer is software used in both additive manufacturing and medical imaging. In 3D printing, a slicer converts a digital 3D model into instructions a printer can execute. It slices the model into horizontal layers and generates toolpaths for the printer’s nozzle, including outer perimeters, internal infill, and any supports. The output is typically a G-code file that sets movements, temperatures, and extrusion amounts.

Slicers provide settings such as layer height, wall thickness, infill density, support type, and first-layer calibration, and many offer a preview that shows how each layer will be formed before printing. Models are imported in formats such as STL, OBJ, or 3MF, and can be oriented, scaled, repaired, or adjusted before slicing. Slicers export G-code compatible with a wide range of FDM printers, and some integrate with printers’ firmware or ecosystems for features like multi-extruder control and print-time estimation.

Prominent slicers include Slic3r (open source; influential in early modern slicing), Cura and its CuraEngine (developed by Ultimaker and now community-driven), and PrusaSlicer (a fork of Slic3r with ongoing development). Commercial options include Simplify3D. Additional tools exist to support multi-printer workflows, automation, and integration with other software.

In medical imaging, a related class of slicers visualizes and processes volumetric data. Notable examples include 3D Slicer, an open-source platform used for viewing DICOM data, segmentation, modeling, and planning workflows in research and clinical contexts. The term slicer thus denotes software that generates layered representations from 3D data for fabrication or analysis.