Print preparation

3D Print Orientation Planner

Compare six axis-aligned STL or 3MF directions locally. Review the rotated envelope, nominal printer fit, downward-facing area and estimated coplanar bed contact without treating one metric as a universal winner.

Choose a model

Your STL or 3MF stays in this browser. It is not uploaded or changed.

Try an example

Question to explore

Which source axis and face should become the base after a tilted import?

Settings: Load locally in the orientation planner, assume millimetres, and compare all six source-axis-up rows at a 45° threshold.

Example file

Downloads this public control, then opens it locally. Your own file can still be chosen above.

Read the explanation · Download and compare controls · Methods and processing

What this planner can and cannot decide

It compares +Z, -Z, +X, -X, +Y and -Y as source-axis-up directions. The +Z candidate preserves the source rotation. It does not test every face or arbitrary angle, generate supports, simulate bridge paths, predict warping or calculate strength. Confirm the selected candidate in the intended slicer, printer, material and profile.

Recheck filament and fit after changing orientation

Rotating a 200 × 100 × 50 mm box so the 200 mm axis is vertical can fit a nominal 180 × 180 × 250 mm envelope that rejects the original horizontal width. That same choice can reduce contact area and alter supports, layer direction and elapsed time.

Interpret the result and choose the next step

Compare the actual sliced layers, supports and complete consumption before deciding. An orientation that fits a box is not a guarantee of strength or print success. Feed the updated slicer estimate into the spool planner rather than reusing a different orientation’s material figure.

Check the updated job estimate against your spool

Owned asymmetric orientation control

Compare candidates, then choose for the actual job

The local planner exposes each supported metric rather than compressing them into an overall score. STL uses your unit assumption; supported 3MF build geometry is resolved to physical millimetres before analysis.

Keep intended strength, surface finish and support removal as separate decisions. Review the selected candidate in your slicer and include every brim, support and machine allowance. See the orientation procedure for the full trade-off.