Orca Slicer

Orca Slicer is an open-source 3D printing software that converts 3D models into G-code, which is the exact language your printer understands. It slices your model into thin layers and tells the printer how to move, when to extrude material, and how fast to print. In short, it translates your imagination into physical form.

SoftFever developed Orca Slicer using Bambu Studio as a starting point, then made it more flexible and packed with features. It’s a community-driven upgrade that takes the best parts of Bambu Studio, SuperSlicer, and PrusaSlicer, and adds its own smart improvements.

Orca Slicer runs well on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and includes printer profiles that are ready to use. You can start printing quickly without spending a lot of time adjusting settings.

1. Advanced Algorithm

Orca’s slicing engine is built to handle even the most complex models without slowing down. It calculates precise tool paths and optimizes the print speed and layer thickness to reduce time and material waste. You can expect faster prints with clean, detailed results.

2. Precise Wall and Seam Control

If you’ve noticed small ridges or uneven walls on your prints, you know how annoying that can be. Orca Slicer helps by letting you control where seams appear. You can hide them, line them up, or place them randomly, depending on your model. The precise wall feature gives you smoother surfaces and stronger edges.

3. Calibration Tools

Getting great prints depends on good calibration, and Orca Slicer has all the tools you need. You can adjust temperature, flow rate, retraction, and pressure advance with easy-to-follow tests.

  • Temperature test for consistent filament flow
  • Flow rate tuning to avoid over or under extrusion
  • Retraction tests to reduce stringing
  • Pressure advance calibration to eliminate blobs and oozing
  • Tolerance tests for perfect fitting parts
  • Vertical Fine Artifact tests for the cleanest surface finish

4. Wide Compatibility

A major advantage of Orca Slicer is that it works with many different printers. It supports brands like Prusa, Bambu Lab, and more. You can also use it with custom or DIY printers because of its flexible profiles.

5. Regular Community Updates

Since it’s open-source, anyone can contribute to Orca Slicer. Developers, makers, and everyday users help improve the software by adding features, fixing bugs, and optimizing performance. The result is a tool that keeps getting better with every update.

6. Open-Source Advantage

Because Orca Slicer is open-source, you’re free to customize it to fit your workflow. Whether you want to modify settings, integrate scripts, or explore advanced slicing logic, the flexibility is in your hands.

The latest version of Orca Slicer is much easier to use. One standout feature is its integration with Obico, which lets you manage your 3D printer from anywhere.

Here’s what you can now do right from inside Orca Slicer:

  • Control your printer remotely. Start or stop prints even when you are away.
  • Monitor in real-time. Watch live video feeds and track progress on your phone or computer.
  • AI failure detection. Two smart systems now analyze your print and the first layer to detect problems before they ruin the entire job.
  • Notifications and alerts. If your print fails, the system can pause or stop automatically.
  • Direct integration with OctoPrint, Mainsail, and Fluidd. Send files wirelessly and manage everything from one dashboard.

These updates make Orca Slicer more than just slicing software. It becomes your printing assistant, keeping your workflow organized and efficient.

Windows
Operating System: Windows 7 or newer
Processor: Intel Core i3 or similar
Memory: At least 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 11
Storage: 500 MB free • Size: 93.7 MB
Mac (arm64)
macOS 10.13 or newer
Processor: Apple Silicon (M1/M2)
Graphics: GPU compatible with Metal
Memory: At least 4 GB RAM
Storage: 500 MB free • Size: 190 MB
Linux (older-distros)
Compatibility-focused
Processor: Intel Core i3 or comparable
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: OpenGL 3.2
Storage: 500 MB available • Size: 105 MB
Windows (Portable)
Version: 2.3.1 • Minimum: Windows 10
File Size: 115 MB
Last Update: Oct 5, 2025
Mac (x86_64)
Version: 2.3.1 • Minimum: Universal
File Size: 190 MB
Last Update: Oct 21, 2025
Linux (newer-distros)
Ubuntu 22.04 / Fedora 39 / Debian 11
File Sizes: Ubuntu: 100 MB • aarch64: 121 MB • x86_64: 125 MB
Last Update: Oct 5, 2025

For Windows

  • Operating System: Windows 7 or newer
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 or similar
  • Memory: At least 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 11
  • Storage: 500 MB of free space
  • Size: 106 MB
Download For Windows

For Mac (arm64)

  • Operating System: macOS 10.13
  • Processor: Apple Silicon (M1/M2)
  • Graphics: GPU compatible with Metal
  • Memory: At least 4 GB RAM
  • Storage: 500 MB free space
  • Size: 197 MB
Download For Mac

For Linux (older-distros)

  • Processor: Intel Core i3 or comparable
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Supports OpenGL 3.2
  • Storage: 500 MB of available space
  • Size: 108 MB
Download For Linux

For Windows (Portable)

  • Minimum Requirement: Windows 10
  • File Size: 30 MB
  • Last Update: Oct 27, 2025
Download For Windows

For Mac (x86_64)

  • Minimum Requirement: Universal
  • File Size: 198 MB
  • Last Update: Oct 27, 2025
Download For Mac

For Linux (newer-distros)

  • Minimum Requirement: Ubuntu 22.04, Fedora 39, Debian 11
  • File Size: Ubuntu (109 MB), aarch64 (121 MB), x86_64 (125 MB)
  • Last Update: Oct 27, 2025
Download Linux Flatpak (aarch64) Download Linux Flatpak (x86_64)

Installing Orca Slicer is straightforward and doesn’t require advanced skills. You can get the latest APK or installer files for Windows, Mac, and Linux directly from this site.

Steps to Download

  1. Scroll to the download section and choose your operating system.
  2. Click the corresponding download button.
  3. Wait for the file to finish downloading.

Steps to Install

  • For Windows: Run the .exe file, follow the on-screen setup, and finish installation.
  • For macOS: Open the .dmg file and drag the Orca Slicer icon to your Applications folder.
  • For Linux: Run the .AppImage file directly or execute it using the terminal.

Once installed, open Orca Slicer. The first time you run it, a setup wizard will guide you through adding your printer and filament profiles. That’s it you are ready to slice your first model.

It’s easy to get started with Orca Slicer. You can go from opening the app to printing your first object in just a few steps.

Using Orca Slicer is simple once you know the basics. It’s designed to make 3D printing faster, easier, and more precise. Follow these quick steps to get started.


1. Set Up Your Printer

When you open Orca Slicer for the first time, it asks you to select your printer.

  • Choose your printer model from the list, or add a custom one if it’s not listed.
  • Pick your filament type such as PLA, PETG, or ABS. Orca automatically adjusts print temperature and speed for your chosen material.
  • If your printer supports Wi-Fi (like Bambu Lab models), you can connect directly and send files wirelessly.
Printer Selection Image 1 Printer Selection Image 2

2. Import Your 3D Model

Click New Project, then drag and drop your 3D model file (STL, OBJ, or 3MF) into the workspace.
You can move, rotate, or resize your model using the tools on the left. Make sure it’s placed flat on the virtual bed for better adhesion.


3. Adjust Print Settings

Orca Slicer offers ready-made profiles, but you can customize settings if you want.

  • Layer Height: Thinner layers give more detail.
  • Infill Density: Higher infill means stronger prints.
  • Supports: Add supports only where needed to save material.
  • Print Speed: Slower speeds improve surface quality.

4. Slice and Preview

Click Slice Plate to generate the G-code. Then use the Preview Mode to check each layer and confirm there are no gaps or floating parts. This helps prevent print failures before you start.


5. Send the File to Your Printer

You can export the sliced file in several ways:

  • Save to an SD card or USB and insert it into your printer.
  • Send directly via Wi-Fi if your printer supports it.
  • Connect through OctoPrint, Klipper, or Obico to monitor prints remotely.
Printer Selection Image 1 Printer Selection Image 2

Once printing starts, watch the first few layers to ensure good bed adhesion. After that, Orca Slicer handles the rest smoothly, giving you consistent, high-quality results every time.

There are lots of slicers available, so what makes Orca stand out? It’s all about balance. Orca Slicer blends the simplicity of Cura with the accuracy of PrusaSlicer, plus smart features like AI failure detection and real-time monitoring.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature Orca Slicer Cura PrusaSlicer Bambu Studio SuperSlicer
User Interface Clean and easy Easy Moderate Polished Advanced
Preconfigured Profiles Yes Yes Yes Limited Yes
Wireless Printing Yes No No Yes No
AI Error Detection Yes No No No No
Open Source Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Customization High High High Moderate High

You get the flexibility of open-source software along with features you’d usually expect from paid programs.

Another reason to pick Orca is its community. Thousands of users share settings, profiles, and scripts. You can find tips for almost any printer or filament you use.

Here are a few simple tips that can really help when you use Orca Slicer:

  • Keep your firmware updated to match the slicer’s latest profiles.
  • Use the calibration tools before starting any big print.
  • Preview every print to ensure seams and infill look right.
  • Try the “Variable Layer Height” feature for models with curves or fine details.
  • Save custom profiles once you dial in settings for specific materials.

These small steps help you get the most out of Orca Slicer.

1. Is Orca Slicer free to use?
Yes, Orca Slicer is completely free and open-source. You can download it without paying anything.
2. Is it safe?
Yes, it is safe to install and use. The software is open-source, so its code is publicly available and constantly reviewed by developers around the world.
3. Can I use Orca Slicer with any 3D printer?
Orca Slicer supports a wide range of printers. You can use it with Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, and many more. If your printer is not listed, you can still add a custom profile manually.
4. What makes Orca Slicer better than Cura?
Cura is excellent, but Orca Slicer offers a cleaner interface, built-in AI detection, and direct wireless printing. It’s also faster in handling complex models for many users.
5. Does it run on Linux or Mac?
Yes, Orca Slicer runs smoothly on Windows, macOS, and most Linux distributions.
6. How often is it updated?
The development team and open-source community frequently release updates with new features and performance improvements.
7. Can I monitor my print remotely?
Yes, you can. With the Obico integration, you can watch your print live, pause it, or stop it anytime.
8. Do I need the internet to use Orca Slicer?
Not always. You can work offline, but online access lets you use cloud sync and remote monitoring features.

Orca Slicer isn’t just another 3D printing tool. It’s a full, user-friendly toolkit that offers precision, flexibility, and reliability. Because it’s open-source, it keeps getting better, and features like AI monitoring, calibration tools, and wireless connectivity give it a professional feel.

If you want to get the most from your 3D printer, Orca Slicer is worth learning. You can download the latest version here, install it in minutes, and start printing with confidence.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, Orca Slicer shows that great software doesn’t have to cost anything. All it takes is a community that values quality, and Orca Slicer has that covered.