PreForm Software
Free desktop software for preparing, orienting, and sending 3D prints to your Formlabs SLA and SLS printers.
What Is Formlabs PreForm Software?
PreForm is Formlabs’ free print preparation software that makes it easy to prepare, optimize, and manage 3D prints.
Import your CAD model, choose your material, and PreForm automatically orients parts, generates supports, and optimizes print settings for reliable results. Advanced users can fine-tune supports, orientation, and other print parameters when greater control is needed. Once your file is ready, send it directly to your Formlabs printer in just a few clicks.
Compatible with Formlabs SLA and SLS systems, PreForm is completely free to download and use, with no license fees, subscriptions, or installation limits.
PreForm Key Features
One-Click Print Setup
Import your CAD file and let PreForm handle the setup. In a single click, the software automatically orients your parts, generates supports, and optimizes the print layout, helping anyone on your team prepare reliable print jobs without extensive experience.
Validated Print Settings
Print with confidence using pre-validated settings for the entire Formlabs materials library. Simply select your printer and material and PreForm automatically applies the recommended print parameters for consistent, reliable results. Advanced users can also customize print settings for specialized applications or certified third-party materials.
Powerful Manual Controls
Need more control? PreForm gives experienced users the flexibility to fine-tune support placement, support density, and part orientation for demanding applications. Features like Adaptive Layer Thickness help balance exceptional surface quality with faster print times.
Advanced SLS Build Packing
Increase throughput and maximize every build with automatic 3D packing for the Formlabs Fuse Series. PreForm intelligently arranges parts throughout the build chamber to improve packing density, reduce material waste, and increase production efficiency. Individual part orientations can also be locked when required.
Extend PreForm with Dashboard & Fleet Control
PreForm is where every print begins, but Formlabs also offers cloud-based tools for monitoring printers, managing teams, and scaling production across multiple machines.
Dashboard is a free, cloud-based platform that lets you monitor printers, track material usage, and manage your Formlabs ecosystem from anywhere. Check print progress in real time, receive status notifications, review print history, and manage users from any web browser.
Designed for organizations running multiple printers, Fleet Control expands Dashboard and PreForm with advanced fleet management capabilities. Centralize print queues, automate printer assignment, manage user permissions, and optimize workflows to maximize printer utilization across your organization.
CAD Integrations & API
Keep your workflow moving with native integrations for leading CAD software, including SOLIDWORKS, Fusion 360, Onshape, and Rhino. Send models directly to PreForm without exporting intermediate files, making it faster to move from design to print.
For advanced workflows, the Formlabs API enables custom integrations with your existing software and manufacturing systems. Automate production workflows, connect to MES platforms, manage batch printing, and build scalable design-to-manufacturing processes tailored to your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Formlabs PreForm Software
What is Formlabs PreForm software?
PreForm is Formlabs‘ desktop print preparation software. It is used to import 3D models, orient parts, generate support structures, slice the file, and send the job to a Formlabs SLA or SLS 3D printer.
How much does PreForm cost?
PreForm is completely free to download and use. There are no license fees, annual subscriptions, or installation limits, so you can install it on as many computers as needed.
What is the difference between PreForm and Dashboard?
PreForm is the desktop software used to prepare and send print jobs to your Formlabs printer. Dashboard is a cloud-based platform for monitoring printers, tracking material usage, reviewing print history, and managing users across your organization.
Do I need to be a 3D printing expert to use PreForm?
No. PreForm’s One-Click Print feature automatically orients parts, generates supports, and optimizes print settings, making it easy for beginners to get started. More experienced users can access advanced controls to fine-tune print preparation.
What file types does PreForm support?
PreForm supports a wide range of common 3D printing and CAD file formats, including STL, OBJ, 3MF, STEP, and SOLIDWORKS files, making it easy to import models from most design workflows.
Does PreForm work with both SLA and SLS printers?
Yes. PreForm is the unified print preparation software for all Formlabs SLA and SLS 3D printers. The software automatically adjusts available tools and print settings based on the printer, material, and technology you select.