Flashforge Creator Pro User manual

www.ff3dp.com
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User Guide
Creator Pro Desktop 3D Printer
Flashforge Creator Pro 3D
Printer User Guide

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Contents
Contents......................................................................................................................2
Preface........................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................ 4
Notice......................................................................................................................... 4
Safety Notice.............................................................................................................. 5
Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology.............................................................................8
Chapter 2: Accessories..............................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Unpacking............................................................................................... 11
Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly.................................................................................14
Chapter 5: About Software........................................................................................16
5.1 Software Installation..............................................................................16
5.2 Exploring FlashPrint..............................................................................16
Chapter 6: Basic Printing.......................................................................................... 33
6.1 Generate a Gcode......................................................................................... 33
6.1 Installing Filament....................................................................................... 36
Chapter 7: Advanced Printing................................................................................... 41
Chapter 8: Other Information....................................................................................53

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Preface
On the completion of this User Guide, I here, on behalf the Flashforge team, would like to avail
myself of this opportunity to express my great gratitude to the all Flashforge engineers and the
Flashforge 3D printer users for their unremitting efforts and sincere assistance.
The Flashforge Creator Pro User Guide is designed for the Creator Pro users to start their printing
journey with Flashforge Creator Pro. Even if you are familiar with earlier Flashforge machines or
3D printing technology, we still recommend that you read through this guide, as there is lots of
important information about the Creator Pro for you to get a better 3D experience.
For a better and more successful printing experience, you can refer to the following materials:
(1) Quick Start Guide
Users will find the Quick Start Guide together with the printer accessories. The Quick Start Guide
will help you start your print journey as soon as possible.
(2) Official Flashforge Website:www.ff3dp.com
The official Flashforge website contains the up-to-date information concerning Flashforge software,
firmware, device maintenance and so on. Uses are also able to get the contact information from
there.

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Introduction
Notes：
The Flashforge Creator Pro 3D Printer User Guide contains the information needed for you to set
up and use this device.
This User Guide including the following parts:
Notice
·Please read Flashforge Creator Pro 3D Printer User Guide carefully before use.
·The User Guide is written based on Windows 7 OS.
·The version of the Flashprint is 3.8.0.
·The version of the Firmware is 20160122.
·The device illustrations in the User Guide hall be those of Creator Pro.

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Safety Notice
! Notices: Read all the instructions in the manual and familiarize yourself with the Flashforge
Creator Pro User Guide before set-up and use. Failure to comply with the warning and instructions
may result in individual injury, fire, equipment damage or property damage.
PLEASE STRICTLY FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY WARNINGS AND NOTICE BELOW ALL
THE TIME.
·Work Environment Safety
①Keep your work place tidy.
②Do not operate Creator Pro in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
③Store Creator Pro out of reach of children and untrained people.
·Electrical Safety
①Always use the Creator Pro with a properly grounded outlet. Do not modify Creator Pro plug.
②Do not use Creator Pro in damp or wet locations. Do not expose Creator Pro to burning sun.
③Do not abuse the cord.
④Avoid using the device during an electric storm.
⑤In case of uncertain accident, please unplug the device if you do not use it for long.
·Personal Safety
①Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during printing.
②Do not touch the nozzle
③Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away
from moving parts.
④Do not operate the device while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or
medication.

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·Cautions
①Do not leave the device unattended for long.
②Do not make any modifications to the device.
③To lower the build plate before loading/unloading filament. (The distance between the nozzle
and build plate should be kept for at least 50mm)
④Operate the device in a well-ventilated environment.
⑤Do not touch the nozzle and build plate during operation.
⑥Never use the device for illegal activities.
⑦Never use the device to make any food storage vessels.
⑧Never use the device to make any electrical appliance.
⑨Never put the model into your mouth.
⑩Do not remove the models with force.
·Environment Requirements
Temperature: RT 15-30℃
Moisture: 20%-50%
·Filament Requirements
Do not abuse the filament. Please make sure you use the Flashforge filament or the filament from
the brands accepted by Flashforge.
Legal Notice
All the information in this document is subject to any amendment or change without the official
authorization from Flashforge.
FLASHFORGE CORPORATION MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD
TO THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRATIES

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OF MERCHANTA- BILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Flashforge shall not be liable for errors contained herein for incidental consequential damages in
connection with furnishing, performance or use of this material
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright.
Copyright © 2016 Flashforge Corp. All Rights Reserved

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Chapter 1: 3D Printing Technology
1.1 Definition
3D printing is transforming three-dimensional models into physical objects that you can hold and
touch. It is also called additive manufacturing because the 3D model is created by “adding” layers
upon layers of material until the object is fully formed.
1.2 Technique
Fused Filament Fabrication(FFF) is the most common method of 3D printing. It is also the method
that the Creator Pro uses. It works by melting plastic material called filament onto a print surface in
high temperature. The filament solidifies after it cools down, which happens instantaneously after it
is extruded from the nozzle. 3D objects are formed with the filament laying down multiple layers.
1.3 Process
3D printing involves three steps:
1.) Make or download a 3D model
2.) Slice and export the 3D model
3.) Build the 3D model
①Make a 3D Model: Currently, there are three ways of creating a 3D model.
·Designing From Scratch You can use free CAD (computer-aided design) software such as
AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro-E to design your very own 3D model.
·3D Scanners An alternative method to creating a 3D model is to scan an
object. 3D scanners work by digitizing a physical object, collecting its geometric data, and saving it
to a file on your PC. There are also apps that can turn a mobile device into a 3D scanner.

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·From the Cloud The most popular way of obtaining a 3D model is to download it from websites
that allow users to upload 3D models that they designed.
E.g. www.ishare3d.com
②Slice and Export the 3D Model:
Slice software is the software that prepares 3D models for printing and turns them into instructions
for the 3D printers. FlashPrint is the slicing software used for the FlashForge Creator Pro.
Using FlashPrint, you can prepare stl. files to be x3g files for printing. Then users can print files via
SD card.
③Build the 3D Model:
Once the output file has been transferred to your Creator Pro, it will start to turn the 3D model into
a physical object by laying down layers of filament.

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Chapter 2: Accessories
Along with your Creator Pro 3D printer, the box also contains the followings:
On the top of the PE foam sheet, you’ll find:
Filament guide tube*2
Quick start*1
Build tape*2
Leveling card*1
Within the accessory PE foam
Power cable *1
USB cable*1
Spool holder*2
Dual extruder*1
Tool bag(Allen Wrench/Leveling knob/Bolt)
Extruder’s accessory kit(Bolt/Turbofan baffle)
4G SD card *1
Under Creator Pro’s build platform:
ABS filament*1kg (2.2pounds),
PLA filament*1kg (2.2pounds),
Lid*1

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Chapter 3: Unpacking
The Creator Pro was carefully packaged at FLASHFORGE manufacturing facility. Please follow
the unpacking steps laid out below.
Place your Creator Pro on a clean and stable surface, open the carton and then take the foam sheet
out. Within the PE foam sheet are lying two filament guide tubes, one piece of build tape, one
piece of Flashforge leveling card and one Quick Start Guide.
Firmly grasp the two side handles of Flashforge Creator Pro. Lift it out of the box and place it on a
stable surface. Then open and remove the transparent covering.
The Flashforge Creator Pro and its accessories shall be displayed in front of you. Take the dual
extruder out and place it onto a clean ground.
CAUTION
Handle the package and its contents with extra care; do not use any unnecessary force.
Do not remove the wrapping around the nozzle. It consists of a ceramic fiber fabric and heat
resistant tape that helps to keep the nozzle at a constant temperature.

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Take the accessory foam container out, within which are lying a power cable, a USB cable, two
spool holders, a bag of tools, a SD card, a bag of extruder accessories and turbofan baffle.
Slide the X-axis rods to the very back. Take the transparent lid together with two rolls of filament
out from the printer. Take the two rolls of filament(PLA filament * 1, ABS filament * 1) out from
the enclosed lid.
Elevate the build plate to its limit. Take the side protective foam sheets from the printer. Take the
bottom protective foam from the printer.

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Congratulations! You’ve finished the unpacking process. (Tip: Save your Flashforge Creator Pro
packaging for future transportation and storage. )

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Chapter 4: Hardware Assembly
First, you need two M3*8 bolts from the extruder’s accessories kit(including bolts and turbofan
baffle), and the 2.5mm Allen Wrench. Lower the build plate as much as possible, hold the extruder
by both sides, take it out of the accessory sleeve and position it on the extruder seat with the fan
facing forward. Align the screw holes and fasten with the two short silver bolts.
Unscrew the two turbofan bolts and take out the turbofan baffle to install.(Note: Beside the turbofan
bolt hole locates a small hole. You need to insert the bump of turbofan baffle to this hole) Take out a
M3 x 6 bolt and a 2.5mm Allen Wrench to secure the turbofan baffle onto the extruder. Finally,
screw the two turbofan bolts.
The next step goes to the installation of the spool holders. Install one on each side.
To install a spool holder, level it and insert the end into one of the openings. Turn down the spool
holder to make the holder bottom cleave to the printer back.

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To lock the filament guide tube with R-shape buckles and insert another end to the filament intake.
To avoid filament jams, always ensure that any filament spool you mount on the Creator pro feeds
from the bottom of the spool toward the top. Filament mounted on the right spool holder when
viewed from the back should always unspool clockwise and filament loaded onto the left spool
holder should always unspool counterclockwise.
Congratulations! You’ve finished the hardware assembly process.

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Chapter 5: About Software
5.1 Software Installation
5.1.1 Software Acquisition
Method 1: To get the installation package from the SD card in the toolkit.
Method 2: Open the link below to download the installation package:
http://www.ff3dp.com
Steps: Support---Downloads---Creator Pro FDM 3D Printer
5.1.2 Software Installation and Start-up
1. Decompress the zipped file or start the installation program, and then install the software
according to the direction.
2. Start the software with the start menu shortcut or by clicking the software icon.(See 5-1)
5-1
5.2 Exploring FlashPrint
Note：Before updating Firmware, you need to install a relevant drive (As for the details, please
refer to 5.2.13.1 Update Firmware).
5. 2.1 Machine Type Selection
! After starting FlashPrint, you need to select the target machine type first.
When you start FlashPrint, a dialog box will pop up. Just need to select Flashforge Creator Pro in
the machine type list and click [OK]. You can also change the machine type via clicking [Print]--
[Machine type]. Please see graphic 5-2:

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5-2
5.2.2 Software Introduction

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Load one or multiple files.
Enter the support edit mode
Print it directly with your Creator Pro or export to your USB Stick
View FlashPrint home screen from one of six viewing angles
Move model around on xy-plane; shift+click to move along z axis
Turn and rotate your model
Scale the size of your object
Cut model into several parts
5.1.3 Loading
You can load a model file or Gcode file into your Flashprint by the following six methods:
Method 1: Click the Load icon on the main interface. Then select the object file.
Method 2: Select the file for loading and drag the file to the main interface of the software.
Method 3: Click [File]--[Load File]. Then select the object file for loading.
Method 4: Click [File]--[Examples]to load the example files
Method 5: Click [File]--[Recent Files]to load the files opened recently.
Method 6: Select and drag the target file to the icon of Flashprint.
Note: .STL, .OBJ, and .FPP,ways to store 3D models, are supported by Flashprint for editing.
Generating Rilievo

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Loading a png, jpg, jpeg, bmp picture file into the FlashPrint. And the following dialogue box(5-3)
will pop up. The setting box includes settings for shape, mode, maximum thickness, base thickness,
bottom thickness,width, height, top diameter and bottom diameter.
Shape: including plane, tube, canister and lamp.
Mode: including “darker is higher”and “lighter is higher”.
Maximum thickness: Z value of the model
Base thickness: The minimum raft thickness and the default value is 0.5mm
Width: X value of the model
Depth: Y value of the model
Bottom thickness: For tube, canister and lamp to set up bottom thickness
Top diameter: For tube, canister and lamp to set up the top diameter
Bottom diameter: For tube, canister and lamp to set up the bottom diameter

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5-4
5.1.4 Views
①Changing views
Change model views by moving, rotating, scaling.
●Drag
Click the [View] icon and then you can move the object by the following three methods:
Method 1: Hold down the left mouse button and drag.
Method 2: Hold down the middle mouse button and drag.
Method 3: Hold down the Shift key, hold down the right mouse button and drag.
●Rotate
5-3