🖨️ Your First Craycle Print Made Easy

Welcome to the world of 3D printed flight ✈️
Before you take off, let’s make sure your first Craycle print goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you’re using Orca Slicer, Bambu Studio, Prusa Slicer, Creality Print, or Cura, this guide will walk you through the essential steps for a successful build.

✅ Part Orientation

All STL files are already pre-aligned and positioned on the build plate.
To achieve the best surface quality:

• On XYZ printers: place parts diagonally
• On CoreXY printers: place parts horizontally or vertically

Proper orientation improves wall smoothness and minimizes vibration artifacts.

✅ Z-Seam Orientation or Painting

On Craycle models, Z-seam placement is important for both appearance and quality, especially in single-wall prints.

We always place the seam along a single, continuous line, usually on the bottom rear corner of each part. This reduces retractions and keeps the seam as hidden as possible.

Thanks to Orca Slicer, we now use seam painting instead of automatic placement. This lets us hide the seam more precisely, sometimes even inside the model.

✅ All Craycle project files (.3mf) include pre-painted Z-seams for every part.
No need to adjust, just slice and print. The result is:

• Stronger, more consistent prints
• Cleaner surfaces
• No retractions and no gaps/stringing issues
• Hidden seam lines

✅ Supports

Craycle models are designed to be printed completely support-free.
No supports are required, and support generation must be disabled in your slicer.
This also means that Craycle’s Settings Tables do not contain support parameters.

✅ Filament Condition

This guide doesn’t cover filament types, but there’s one critical point:
Your filament must be dry.

• Moisture causes stringing, under-extrusion, and brittle prints
• Especially harmful in large prints or batch production
• Store filament in sealed dryboxes or use a filament dryer if needed

✅ Slicer Settings Check

Every Craycle model includes a Slicer Settings Table.
Even if you’re using a provided .3mf project file, you must manually verify that the following parameters match.

Core slicer settings:

• Layer Height
• Wall Count
• Infill
• Bottom Layers
• Top Layers

Critical slicing behavior settings:
These settings protect internal features like wing spars and structural ribs:

• Slice Gap Closing Radius: 0 or disabled
• Overhang Detection: Disabled
• Slicing Mode: Even/Odd
• Wall Generator: Classic
• Line Width (Everywhere): 0.40 mm

✅ Once these values are correctly applied, your configuration can be saved as a valid Craycle Profile.

✅ First Layer Setup

The first layer is the foundation of your print:

• Clean and level the build plate
• Set nozzle height precisely
• Ensure that flow rate and speed match the Settings Table

A well-adhered first layer ensures structural accuracy for the rest of the model.

✅ First Part & Flow Calibration

Start with a large part like a fuselage or wing segment.

• Slice the part and check the estimated weight in your slicer
• Compare it with the value in the Settings Table
• If they match, go ahead and print
• After printing, weigh the actual part
• If it’s significantly lighter than expected, slightly increase flow rate

💡 This simple process serves as your extrusion flow calibration and helps you print every other part with confidence.

🖨️ Slicers and .3MF Project Files

✅ Orca Slicer (Recommended)

We strongly recommend Orca Slicer for Craycle models.

• Craycle-optimized .3mf project files are provided with every model
• These include orientation, tuned settings, and seam painting
• Compatible with Orca Slicer, Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Creality Print, and others

Just open the project file and slice — it’s that simple.

✅ Cura 4.13.1 (Legacy Option)

Prefer Cura? No problem.
Use version 4.13.1 for the best results.

• Download our pre-configured profile and installation guide:
  👉 https://craycle.com/craycle-cura-profile/

🦺 Safety First

Before you walk away from your printer:

• ⚠️ Keep flammable materials away
• ⚠️ Use reliable power connections
• ⚠️ Never leave the printer unattended in a fire-risk environment

Safety ensures your prints (and your home) stay protected.

🙋 Need Help or Want to Share Your Work?

Join our friendly and helpful community:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Craycle Crafter Facebook Group

🗳️ Your Feedback Helps Us Improve

After printing, please take a moment to rate or comment on the product page.
🛩️ Your insights help shape future Craycle models and updates.

💙 Thank You

Thank you for being part of the Craycle family.
We can’t wait to see your aircraft take flight!
🎉 Happy printing,
The Craycle Team