Printing plates
Contents
Overview
The printing plate feature lets you arrange 3D models on a virtual build plate for batch printing. Models are represented by their 2D hull footprint, enabling compact packing without overlaps.
Plates list
The Plates section shows all your saved printing plates. From here you can:
- Create a new plate
- Rename or delete existing plates
- Open a plate for editing
Plate canvas
Opening a plate shows a top-down view of the build plate as a canvas.
Adding models
Models can be added to the plate from the model detail page, or by dragging from the model library panel.
Placement and rotation
- Click a model on the canvas to select it.
- Drag to move it to a new position.
- Rotate using the rotation handle or the rotation input field.
Hull modes
The 2D footprint of each model is computed from its geometry:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Convex | Fast, simplified outline - good for most models |
| Concave | Detailed boundary that follows the model’s silhouette - allows tighter packing for complex shapes |
The active hull mode is set per-plate in plate settings.
Raft clearance
The raftHeight setting clips the bottom of the model before hull computation - models with a raft or brim base can have their hulls computed from just above the raft, giving a more accurate footprint for placement.
Set raftHeight globally in Settings or per-directory in findamodel.yaml.
Plate settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Hull mode | Convex or concave hull for collision/placement |
| Spawn position | Where newly added models appear (centre, edge, etc.) |