Your first print

This guide walks you through the entire process — from a connected printer to a finished print — with 3DPrintForge as your control center.

Step 1 — Check that the printer is connected

When you open the dashboard, you see the status card for your printer at the top of the sidebar or on the overview panel.

Green status means the printer is online and ready.

Status	Color	Meaning
Online	Green	Ready to print
Idle	Gray	Connected, but not active
Printing	Blue	Print in progress
Error	Red	Requires attention

If the printer shows red status:

1. Check that the printer is powered on
2. Verify that it is connected to the same network as the dashboard
3. Go to Settings → Printers and confirm the IP address and access code

Use LAN mode for faster response

LAN mode provides lower latency than cloud mode. Enable it under printer settings if the printer and dashboard are on the same network.

Step 2 — Upload your model

3DPrintForge does not start prints directly — that is Bambu Studio's or MakerWorld's job. The dashboard takes over as soon as the print begins.

Via Bambu Studio:

1. Open Bambu Studio on your PC
2. Import or open your .stl or .3mf file
3. Slice the model (select filament, supports, infill, etc.)
4. Click Print in the top right corner

Via MakerWorld:

1. Find the model on makerworld.com
2. Click Print directly from the website
3. Bambu Studio opens automatically with the model ready

Step 3 — Start the print

In Bambu Studio, select the send method:

Method	Requirements	Benefits
Cloud	Bambu account + internet	Works from anywhere
LAN	Same network	Faster, no cloud
SD card	Physical access	No network required

Click Send — the printer receives the job and automatically begins the heating phase.

The print appears in the dashboard

Within a few seconds of Bambu Studio sending the job, the active print is displayed in the dashboard under Active Print.

Step 4 — Monitor in the dashboard

Once the print is running, the dashboard gives you a complete overview:

Progress

• Percentage complete and estimated time remaining are shown on the printer card
• Click the card for a detail view with layer information

Temperatures

The detail panel shows real-time temperatures:

• Nozzle — current and target temperature
• Build plate — current and target temperature
• Chamber — air temperature inside the printer (important for ABS/ASA)

Camera

Click the camera icon on the printer card to see a live feed directly in the dashboard. You can keep the camera open in a separate window while doing other things.

Check the first layers

The first 3–5 layers are critical. Poor adhesion now means a failed print later. Watch the camera and verify that the filament is laying down neatly and evenly.

3D model viewer

• 3D model viewer — see an interactive 3D preview of the model during printing

Print Guard

3DPrintForge has an AI-powered Print Guard that automatically detects spaghetti failures and can pause the print. Enable it under Monitoring → Print Guard.

Step 5 — After the print is finished

When the print is done, the dashboard shows a completion message (and sends a notification if you have set up alerts).

Check the history

Go to History in the sidebar to view the completed print:

• Total print time
• Filament consumption (grams used, estimated cost)
• Errors or HMS events during the print
• Camera image from completion (if enabled)

Log a note

Click on the print in the history and add a note — for example "Needed a bit more brim" or "Perfect result". This is useful when you print the same model again later.

Check filament consumption

Under Filament you can see that the spool weight has been updated based on what was used. The dashboard deducts it automatically.

Tips for beginners

Don't leave your first print unattended

Keep an eye on the first 10–15 minutes. Once you are confident that the print is adhering well, you can let the dashboard monitor the rest.

• Weigh empty spools — enter the starting weight on spools for accurate remaining estimates (see Filament Inventory)
• Set up Telegram notifications — get notified when the print is done without having to wait around (see Notifications)
• Check the build plate — clean plate = better adhesion. Wipe with IPA (isopropyl alcohol) between prints
• Use the right plate — see Choosing the right build plate for what suits your filament