How to Slice and Print on the XL

The left printer has all 0.4 nozzles installed and the right printer has all 0.6 nozzles installed. The left printer is typically more reliable.

1. Slicing an STL

Step 1

If you have not already installed PrusaSlicer, follow this guide
To add the XL to your PrusaSlicer, select the gear next to the Printer dropdown and select Add/Remove presets

Step 2

Scroll down and to the Original Prusa XL - 5T Input Shaper
Select the 0.4 and 0.6 nozzles
Be careful not to select a similar looking one!

Step 3

Ensure the XL is selected from the printer dropdown
You can choose either the 0.4 or 0.6 nozzle
You can also change it later if needed

Multicolor Print Files

You can create multi-color files using different STL's for each body.

For example, this benchy has many different files and they are all oriented so that they assemble when imported together.

To find files online that are made like this, look up MMU or multicolor in the search bar.

If you can't find the files you want where the colors are split into different STLs, you can use the painting tool.

This can be found on the left sidebar.

The brush allows you paint on designs.

The smart fill is great for selecting large areas.

The bucket fill allows you to fill a closed shape made with the brush.

Step 4

For a part with multiple STLs, import them all at once
A pop up will come up asking if it is a file with multiple parts, select yes.

Step 5

You’ll notice that there is a weird block next to your file.
This is the wipe tower (aka purge tower) which prevents filament dangling from the nozzle from getting on your print
If you are doing a single color print and you see the purge tower, don't worry it will dissapear when you slice

Step 6

You can select the layer height in the Print settings dropdown
You can change the material for each extruder (in order 1-5) in the dropdown
You can change the color in the display by clicking on small color rectangle on the right of the orange rectangle

Step 7

You can adjust which extruder is assigned to the stl using the dropdown next to the part name

Step 8

Click Slice now in the bottom right to preview the sliced file
You can see how much filament it will use in the top right
If you are doing a large print, make sure you have enough filament, the printer does not sense when it runs out of filament!!!

Step 9

Export your .bgcode to a flashdrive
Even though the name is long, only edit the first part because the end has useful info
Make sure to add your name at the beginning of the file!

Support Material

Multi-extruder printers are useful for printing with a different support material.

Set your primary material (Extruder 1) and support material (Extruder 2).

In the Print Settings tab go to Multiple Extruders and set both Support material extruders to E2.

In the Print Settings tab go to Support material and change the Top contact Z distance to 0 (soluble).

Slice and verify that both extruders are being used.

2. Printing the part

Printer Anatomy

We have the 5 extruders on the Prusa XL. They are numbered left to right 1 to 5.

Filaments for extruders 1-3 are on the left side and load through tubes numbered 1-3.

Filaments for extruders 4-5 are on the left side and load through tubes numbered 4-5.

Step 1

The process of changing filaments and starting the print can take a while
It's recommended to Preheat the printer to the temperatures of the material you are about to print with

Step 2

To unload, select Filament
Select Unload Filament

Step 3

Select the extruder you want to unload
It will ask you to wait until it reaches the correct temperature

Step 4

When it unloads it will look like nothing happened, but it moved the filament slightly up out of the extruder gear
You will have to pull the filament out all of the way through the tube

Step 5

Cut the filament at a 45 deg angle
Insert the filament through the tube section 1

Step 6

Push the filament all the way through the tube until it hits a stop
You should not be able to see the end anymore

Step 7

Select Filament > Load Filament
Select the extruder number

Step 8

Select the material
It will heat up and then prompt you to load
Press continue only after you have pushed the filament all the way through the tube

Step 9

It should start purging, if it is not you may need to push filament into the tube a little more and select Purge More
Check that the filament feels like it is being pulled through the tube
When it looks good select Yes

Step 10

Wipe the bed with 90% + isopropyl alcohol

Step 11

Plug your flashdrive in on the right side of the LCD
- Note: some flashdrives won't show up
Select your file
The screen shows a preview which is nice!
Stick around to watch the first layer - which can take a while!

Last Notes:

If the material that you want to use is already loaded, I recommend doing a purge (Filament > Purge) to make sure it is loaded properly and the filament is not broken
Sometimes filament can break in the tube, in these cases the tube needs to be popped out and all the filament needs to be pushed out - please ask a staff member for help
If filament is not loading or unloading properly, please get a staff member for help

Page updated

Report abuse