UltiMaker Cura 3D Slicer

Cura is a free and open-source 3D printing slicing software developed by Ultimaker, which converts 3D models into printable G-code instructions for 3D printers. Created in 2011 by David Braam and later maintained by Ultimaker, Cura has become one of the most popular slicers in the 3D printing community. Key features: supports a wide range of 3D printers through built-in and community-created printer profiles, with over 200 printer profiles included by default. Advanced slicing engine with configurable layer height, infill patterns (grid, triangles, lines, cubic, gyroid, octet), wall line count, top and bottom thickness, and print speed. Support structure generation including tree supports, normal supports, and conical supports with configurable density, X and Y distance, and z-distance. Material profiles for PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon, PC, PVA, and custom filaments with temperature, flow, and cooling parameters. Build plate adhesion options including brim, raft, and skirt for improved first-layer adhesion. Adaptive layers for variable layer height based on model geometry for balancing quality and print time. Print sequence options including one-at-a-time and all-at-once for multi-part printing. Extruder management for multi-material and dual-extrusion printing with prime tower and ooze shield. Mesh tools for model repair, splitting, and alignment. Preview mode showing toolpaths, travel moves, and estimated print time with speed-coded visualization. Plugin system for extensions including custom supports, per-model settings, and post-processing scripts. Marketplace for downloading community-created plugins and profiles. Cross-platform on Windows, macOS, and Linux.