Multiple build plates on PrusaSlicer

Starting from PrusaSlicer version 2.9.0, you can work on multiple build plates. This functionality allows users to manage many objects efficiently and better organize their projects. The main advantages are:

Organizing objects into groups across multiple beds (up to 9)
Automatic arrangement of objects
G-code preview for individual beds
Comprehensive statistics for all beds
Bulk slicing and exporting

All the beds use the same configuration, so it is not possible to have an MK4S bed next to a MINI+ bed, for example.

Adding or removing beds

There are no buttons to add or remove beds. To add a new bed, you can drag the model from the plate being used outside of the bed, and the new bed will show up. Removing the object will remove the extra beds.

It is possible to organize objects in groups into up to nine beds. The beds can be added or removed as needed. One bed is always active, and you can select the active bed by clicking on it. All actions taken, like "Import STL" and similar are processed on the active bed.

Single-click automatic arrangement

There are two different Arrange buttons on the top menu. The Arrange [A] button arranges all objects independent of the bed they are on. If the objects don't all fit the bed, new beds will automatically be added, and the objects will be divided among them. The objects are always arranged so they occupy the least amount of space. If you have objects spread around multiple beds, this button will place them in the smallest possible space and might remove extra plates.

The Arrange current bed [D] will only arrange the active bed at that moment, including objects only partially on it.

G-code preview

On the preview, click on a bed to make it the active bed. This will show individual beds so each bed can be viewed individually. This includes comprehensive statistics for all beds, including material usage and print time breakdowns.

Even if only one bed is active, all objects in the project are sliced. On the top right of the screen, there is a selector toolbar where you can move between the beds.

The 'Sliced Info' statistics and 'Export G-code' buttons on the right panel are related to the currently active bed.

Exporting

It is possible to export the G-code for all beds simultaneously and queue them for Prusa Connect. For that, go to "Slice All" in the Preview, and select "Export all G-codes..."

Version compatibility

PrusaSlicer ensures compatibility if a project is opened in a version before 2.9.0 by inferring bed positions from object placements in 3MF project files, allowing new projects to load in older versions even if they do not have multiple build plates. Older projects with virtual beds are adjusted in PrusaSlicer 2.9.0 to fit within the actual bed grid.

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10 comments

aczekajski

•

Making something that requires being assembled from multiple parts, often means printing each part with different supports settings, layer height, filament etc.. I must say this feature is pretty useless when all the beds share the same settings and your only option is to apply different settings directly to objects

Szumi

•

Wow. I was wondering where one of my parts went and I found the second bed. This can be handy.

Thanks

rekahsoft

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I know there is another comment about this but wanted to add - why is there a hard limit of 9? I'd like to add as many as I'd like (which I don't see why this wouldn't be possible).

Eliwaz Moonsfire

•

I do not see a way to use this to help when upscaling a print size this could be used with that as well too to help in speeding up the cutting fitting of said object. Go great with the generate thing to join them too as well. I would hope this has already been thought of an is in the works as it would help so very many that don't own a bigger printer or do and need to go much bigger would save a whole lot of time.

Kurt Gluck

•

Would very much like to be able to have different print settings by bed. This would make it useful when coordinating all of the parts in a large. build that have different requirements