# Software/Slicer Glossary

Prusa has its own slicing software, aptly named PrusaSlicer. You can download it for free from [**here**](https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/releases/tag/version_2.3.0).

What is a slicer? As the name suggests, it reads your mesh model and then proceeds to slice it up into contours with a height matching the selected layer height. Each layer then gets a toolpath generated with various settings and a g-code is produced for the 3D printer to read and execute the printing process.

![Slicing diagram from Ozeki](https://1820679795-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXautSvCbUco5Lv7YrH%2F-MS2iwg2uKNL3jYir8w5%2F-MS51kcp52FWV2AJDdhh%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=d3bcfab5-6d6d-4a25-a71f-363bdeb99f7b)

While PrusaSlicer is the recommended default slicer, there are other freely available slicers out there such as [**Cura**](https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura),[ **Ideamaker**](https://www.raise3d.com/ideamaker/) and [**SuperSlicer**](https://github.com/supermerill/SuperSlicer)**.** Each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Compared to the Makerbot Print, these slicers also tend to provide more control and settings for the user to manipulate. For this section of the knowledge base, PrusaSlicer will be the main focus, but its general structure and features are similar with other slicers across the board.

**The model workspace in PrusaSlicer is called the Plater and has a virtual print bed where you can drop your model into to visualise it. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="software-slicer-glossary/plater-virtual-print-bed" %}
[plater-virtual-print-bed](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/software-slicer-glossary/plater-virtual-print-bed)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**The Print Settings tab contains settings such as speed, layer height, perimeters, infill, extrusion width and many more. You can read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="software-slicer-glossary/print-settings" %}
[print-settings](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/software-slicer-glossary/print-settings)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**PrusaSlicer has a dedicated Filament Settings tab which houses the extrusion multiplier, extrusion and bed temperatures, cooling and other filament related settings. Find out more here:**

{% content-ref url="software-slicer-glossary/filament-settings" %}
[filament-settings](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/software-slicer-glossary/filament-settings)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**The Printer Settings tab contains the physical printer settings such as retraction length as well as start and end g-code among others. Read about it here:**

{% content-ref url="software-slicer-glossary/printer-settings" %}
[printer-settings](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/software-slicer-glossary/printer-settings)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/software-slicer-glossary.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.