{"id":4138,"date":"2021-06-28T20:27:32","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T20:27:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dynamism.com\/learn\/?p=4138"},"modified":"2021-09-24T13:37:10","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T13:37:10","slug":"formlabs-preform-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dynamism.com\/learn\/3d-printing\/formlabs-preform-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Formlabs Preform Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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General Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preform is the software provided by Formlabs that will convert your model file into machine directions to create your print. These machine instructions are produced automatically, based upon user configurable options. This page will go over the basics of setting up your machine settings, changing basic variables for print quality, and ensure successful prints using Formlabs products. More detailed guides and forms regarding post processes will be linked out to our OEM\u2019s continually updated recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download and Install<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To install PreForm on your computer to use with a Fuse 1 printer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Download Preform.<\/a><\/li>
  2. Click the Download<\/strong> button for your computer\u2019s operating system. An EXE or DMG file downloads.<\/li>
  3. Open your Downloads<\/strong> folder.<\/li>
  4. Double-click the file named Preform_setup<\/code> to begin installing PreForm. A setup window opens.<\/li>
  5. Follow the prompts to finish installing.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Selecting a Printer in PreForm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When opening PreForm for the first time, a Virtual Printer<\/strong> is selected by default. Selecting a printer in PreForm allows you to send a new print job to the printer or to view the status of a current print job. To select a printer in PreForm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Click the <<\/strong> button. The Job Info<\/strong> dialog box opens.<\/li>
    2. Click the printer name. The Job Setup<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
    3. Click the Select Printer<\/strong> arrow. The Printer List<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
    4. Click the name of a Printer<\/strong> you wish to select. The Printer Details<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
    5. Click Select<\/strong>. The Job Setup<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
    6. Click Apply<\/strong>. The selected Printer<\/strong> appears in the Job Info<\/strong> dialog box.<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Update Firmware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Download the latest firmware version for your Formlabs SLA printer with PreForm, then upload and install the firmware file on the printer. Review the firmware release notes to learn more about the improvements that come with each version\u2019s release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Open PreForm.<\/li>
      2. Connect the printer to the computer via USB or wire the printer to an Ethernet network.<\/li>
      3. Click the < button. The Job Info dialog box opens.<\/li>
      4. Click the printer name. The Job Setup window opens.<\/li>
      5. Click the Select Printer arrow. The Printer List window opens.<\/li>
      6. Click on the name of a printer you wish to select. The Printer Details window opens.<\/li>
      7. Click Update in the upper-right corner of the Printer Details window. The Firmware Update window opens.<\/li>
      8. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the latest firmware and then upload the file to the printer. To upload firmware, the printer must be connected to the computer via USB<\/a> or the printer must be wired to an Ethernet network<\/a>.<\/li>
      9. The printer may automatically recognize you have sent a firmware update. Tap Continue<\/strong> on the printer\u2019s touchscreen to finish the installation.<\/li>
      10. If you are not prompted to Continue<\/strong>, you must continue the firmware update manually:
        1. On the touch screen, tap Settings > System > Firmware Update<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ol><\/li>
        2. After the firmware update installs, confirm the system restart on the touchscreen or wait 30 seconds for an automatic restart.<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/servicecloudassets.formlabs.com\/media\/Software\/Updating%20Firmware\/115000013690-Updating%20Form%202%20Firmware\/update-firmware-preform-35.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          Matching Materials in PreForm to the Inserted Resin Tank and Cartridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Send a print job to the printer and confirm the print job on your printer\u2019s touchscreen. The printer indicates whether the resin tank and cartridge currently inserted match the print job settings, and prompts you to change materials, if necessary. To change the materials selected in PreForm to the resin tank and cartridge currently inserted in your printer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          1. Click the <<\/strong> button. The Job Info<\/strong> dialog box opens.<\/li>
          2. Click the printer name. The Job Setup<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
          3. Click the Select Printer<\/strong> arrow. The Printer List<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
          4. Click the name of a Printer<\/strong> you wish to select. The Printer Details<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
          5. Click Select<\/strong>. The Job Setup<\/strong> window opens.<\/li>
          6. Click the Resin<\/strong> field. A dropdown appears.<\/li>
          7. Select Current Printer Settings<\/strong> from the dropdown. The material matches what is currently inserted in the printer.<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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