Help & FAQ
Answers to the questions people actually ask about PrintSlice. Can't find yours? Get in touch.
What does PrintSlice actually do?
It takes a 3D model (STL file) that's too big to fit your printer's bed, splits it into pieces that do fit, and automatically generates connectors — pins, keys, or dovetails — on the seams so the printed pieces snap together into the original shape after printing.
What file formats are supported?
STL files (both binary and ASCII) for input, and binary STL for the split output pieces — the standard format every slicer accepts.
Is my model uploaded to a server anywhere?
No. The splitting, connector generation, and 3D preview all run entirely in your browser — your STL file never leaves your computer or gets sent anywhere. This also means larger files process instantly with no upload wait.
Will the printed pieces actually fit together?
Yes — every connector pair (the male tab and the female socket) is generated from one shared definition using real solid geometry, with a small configurable clearance (default 0.2mm) built in, so they fit snugly without needing sanding or manual adjustment.
What connector types are available?
Rectangular key (a simple straight tab and socket), Pin & socket (a round peg), and Dovetail (a locking, wedge-shaped joint that resists pulling apart). You can mix types across a model, though placing very different connector types extremely close together on the same seam can occasionally leave a rough edge — spacing them out a bit avoids that.
Can I adjust the size, depth, or clearance of a connector?
Yes — click any placed connector in a part's preview to edit its type, size, depth, and clearance individually, or set the defaults before placing new ones.
A connector didn't place where I clicked, or got rejected — why?
PrintSlice checks that a connector is actually printable before placing it — it'll reject a spot if the connector would be too big for the part, deep enough to poke through the other side, or the surface there is too thin. Try a nearby spot with flatter, thicker material, or reduce the connector's size/depth. If a connector places but comes out visibly wrong (a rounded or tapered surface not fully cut, for example), we'd genuinely like to see it — share the STL file and what went wrong in our Community or via the contact page and we'll dig into it.
Placing a connector is really slow, or says it's "taking too long"
This is almost always down to how detailed the model is — the "Triangles" count shown after loading a file is a good indicator. A model with hundreds of thousands of triangles can take a lot longer to compute a connector than one with a few thousand, since PrintSlice works directly with the real geometry at that spot. If a specific model is consistently slow, running it through a mesh-simplification tool first (e.g. Blender's Decimate modifier) to bring the triangle count down — often with no visible difference in the printed part — usually fixes it.
Which slicer or printer can I use the output with?
Any of them — the exported pieces are standard STL files, so they work with Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, or whatever slicer/printer you already use.
Do I need to do anything special when printing the connector pieces?
No special settings are required, but printing connector-bearing faces flat on the bed (rather than overhanging) generally gives the cleanest, most accurate fit.
Is there a free trial?
PrintSlice is a single $8.99/month plan with no separate free tier, but we occasionally give a limited number of people free early access to test the tool before subscribing — see the early access page to request a spot. Otherwise, reach out via the contact page if you're unsure it's for you.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Log in, and use the "Manage billing" button in the app's sidebar — that opens Stripe's billing portal where you can cancel or update your payment method directly, no need to contact support.
I signed up but never got a confirmation email.
Check your spam folder first. If it's genuinely missing, contact us with the email address you signed up with and we'll sort it out.
I was charged but the tool won't unlock.
This is rare, but if it happens: log out and back in once (this refreshes your account status), and if it's still locked after a minute or two, contact us — we'll check your payment and fix it manually.