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Sequential printing

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This option is unavailable when PrusaSlicer is in Simple mode.

When printing multiple objects at once, you can finish them sequentially, one at a time. This differs from standard printing, where all objects are built layer by layer simultaneously. The main advantages are:

  • Reduced Stringing/Oozing: Less travel between parts as each is finished individually.
  • Improved Layer Adhesion: Each object completes without interruption.
  • Mitigates Print Failures: Failure of one part is less likely to ruin others.
  • Multi-Object Vase Mode: Enables printing multiple items in vase mode sequentially.

This feature uses advanced collision avoidance automatically arranges and orders objects on the build plate in a way that the print head assembly (extruder, rods, cables) does not collide agaist already compelted objects.

Note that this is only available for supported Prusa Printers. When slicing for other printers, PrusaSlicer will fall back on generic clearance settings (Extruder clearance radius and Extruder clearance height) to define the simplified shape used for collision checks. The settings for Extruder clearance radius and Extruder clearance height are located in Printer Settings -> Sequential printing limits.

Using the feature

You can turn this feature on by enabling Print settings -> Output options -> Complete individual objects.

After that, in the Plater view, click to arrange icons or press the A key. This will automatically arrange the objects in a safe way for sequential printing.

If the items are moved and a potential collision is detected, an error message will appear identifying the affected object. The error does not block export of the G-code, but requires careful review.

You'll have to check on the printer regularly, with every object there is a chance that the specific part won't stick to the print bed.

Check the print sequence. The print order is shown top-to-bottom on the Object list. You can manually reorder by dragging items here. Press E in the 3D view to visualize the printing sequence numerically on the objects.

G-code preview

Starting from the PrusaSlicer version 2.9.1, and exclusively for Prusa Printers, you are also able to see in the preview a 3d model of the extruder by using the horizontal slider. The standard mode will only show the preview of the top layer. By clicking on the gear on the bottom right of the plater and unchecking "Sequential slider applied only to top layer", you can see the preview of the entire print project.

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36 comments

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Biofreak
Are there any plans on fixing these collision problems during multi material print with several print heads? Apparently several users experience this kind of problem even with correct sequential printing limits. I use the Slicer version 2.9.3 with a Prusa XL printer.
BladeSage
I was very hopeful for this feature, it still seems like it needs some work.

removal of the visual boundary when moving objects in 3d is especially frustrating. This has made the workflow of arranging the print bed manually much more tedious. I am rolling back to 2.9.0.
Chad Johnson
This is so annoying. I've searching forever to try and figure out how to turn it on untill I ran across this comment!
mkingery
this feature still needs a lot of work. despite knowing the geometry of my prusa mini prusa slicer keeps arranging geometry in non-sensical ways and i'm getting lots of print head strikes despite the slicer saying everything is kosher.
BTHRE3D
Hello, Im trying to do sequential printing, but with the multi-material unit. I have a model with a lighting bolt stl located in the center of the surface of another stl. i want the green color that represents the lighting bolt to print first before printing the rest of the body in black, is there any way to do this?
Dimitris
Hello everyone!
PrusaSlicer 2.9.2
Every G-code file contains this text at the top:
; external perimeters extrusion width = 0.40mm
; perimeters extrusion width = 0.40mm
; infill extrusion width = 0.40mm
; solid infill extrusion width = 0.40mm
; top infill extrusion width = 0.40mm
; support material extrusion width = 0.35mm
; first layer extrusion width = 0.40mm
However, if multiple platess are required and each plate is saved as a separate G-code file, this G-code file will contain the above text multiple times, one below the other, i.e., plate-1-gcode once, plate-4-gcode four times, etc.
Is this intentional?