Beginner's Guide

How to Use PrintPilot

A step-by-step guide to simulating your 3D prints in the browser. No downloads, no account required.

Launch Simulator → View Pricing

Getting Started

1

Open the App

Go to printpilothq.com/app. No signup needed. The simulator loads instantly in your browser — nothing to install, no account required.

2

Choose Your Printer

Select from 14 printer profiles at the bottom-left of the viewport. The 3D model updates automatically to match your printer's build volume, kinematics, and printhead dimensions.

3

Load a File

Drag and drop a .gcode or .3mf file anywhere on the page. 3MF files are decompressed automatically. PrintPilot auto-detects your printer from slicer comments and metadata.

4

Press Play

Use the playback controls at the bottom of the screen. Adjust speed from 0.25x to 100x. Scrub to any point in the file using the progress bar or layer slider.

5

Explore the 3D View

Orbit: left-click drag. Pan: right-click drag. Zoom: scroll wheel. Toggle overlays (Grid, Axes, Part, Head, Motion, Collisions) using the buttons at the bottom-right.

6

Check for Warnings

Yellow = warnings (potential collisions). Red = errors (gantry or printhead collisions). Open the Warnings tab next to the Terminal to see full details and jump to problem lines.

Understanding the Interface

Everything you see in the app, explained.

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3D Viewport

Where the simulation renders. Toggle Part, Grid, Head, Axes, Motion, and Collisions overlays using the buttons at the bottom-right of the viewport.

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Control Panel

Shows live position (X/Y/Z), temperatures, fan speed, and feedrate. Use jog buttons for manual control — every action generates real G-code under the hood.

Playback Controls

Play/Pause, speed selector, layer slider, and progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Scrub to any point instantly or step through line by line.

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Terminal & Warnings

Tab bar showing the G-code terminal (every command logged with responses) and the Warnings panel (collision detection results with line numbers).

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Printer Selector

Bottom-left dropdown with 14 printer profiles. Auto-detected from file metadata when available. Each profile includes accurate dimensions and kinematics.

Settings

Gear icon in the top bar. Access mode switching, data management (reset/delete), and about & legal information.

Supported File Types

Load files from any popular slicer. Everything is processed locally in your browser.

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G-code (.gcode)

Raw G-code from any slicer — Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, OrcaSlicer, and more. Supports Marlin, RepRap, Klipper, and Griffin G-code flavors with automatic flavor detection.

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3MF (.3mf)

3MF archives from Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, and other slicers. Decompressed in-browser using JSZip. Printer model and build volume are auto-detected from embedded metadata.

Pro Modes

The simulator is free forever. Pro modes unlock advanced automation features.

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Print Farm

Automate multi-file print sequences with a visual timeline editor. Queue jobs, add automation presets (bed clear, cooldown, preheat), and simulate entire farm runs.

Learn more →
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Touch

Automate phone screen interactions using your 3D printer's stylus. Configure touch presets (tap, swipe, long press) with precise screen coordinates.

Learn more →

Drawing

Convert freehand art and shapes into G-code toolpaths. Draw directly on a virtual paper sheet and export as printable G-code with pen drawing mode.

Learn more →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account?

No. The free simulator works without any account. Accounts are only needed if you want to subscribe to pro modes like Print Farm, Touch, or Drawing.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser using Web Workers. Your G-code and 3MF files never leave your device. There is no server-side processing.

What browsers are supported?

Any modern browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. No plugins or extensions needed. PrintPilot uses standard WebGL for 3D rendering, which is supported everywhere.

Can I use this on mobile?

Yes. The interface adapts for touch screens with pinch-to-zoom and touch dragging. The layout adjusts automatically for smaller screens.

How do I change simulation speed?

Use the speed selector next to the playback controls at the bottom of the screen. Options range from 0.25x (slow motion) to 100x (fast forward).

Ready to try it?

Drop a file in and see for yourself. No signup, no download, no risk.

Launch Free Simulator →