Printer Profiles | Reference

Printer profiles store machine-specific settings for the slicer: build volume, nozzle diameter, default temperatures, speed limits, and acceleration constraints. vcad ships with profiles for popular FDM printers and supports custom profiles via JSON files.

Built-in Profiles

Bambu Lab X1 Carbon

Parameter	Value
Build volume	256 x 256 x 256 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	300 C
Max bed temp	110 C
Max speed	500 mm/s
Max acceleration	20000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm
Default print temp	220 C (PLA)
Default bed temp	55 C (PLA)

The X1C profile enables high-speed printing with aggressive acceleration values. It also sets the input shaping frequency for vibration compensation. Use this profile for the X1 Carbon and X1 (non-Carbon) with the standard 0.4mm hardened steel nozzle.

Bambu Lab P1S

Parameter	Value
Build volume	256 x 256 x 256 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	300 C
Max bed temp	110 C
Max speed	500 mm/s
Max acceleration	20000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm

Shares the same core motion system as the X1C. The profile differs primarily in the absence of the lidar first-layer scanner, which affects the start G-code sequence.

Bambu Lab A1

Parameter	Value
Build volume	256 x 256 x 256 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	300 C
Max bed temp	100 C
Max speed	500 mm/s
Max acceleration	15000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm

Bambu Lab A1 Mini

Parameter	Value
Build volume	180 x 180 x 180 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	300 C
Max bed temp	80 C
Max speed	500 mm/s
Max acceleration	15000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm

Bambu start G-code

Bambu profiles include proprietary start sequences for the AMS (Automatic Material System) and bed leveling. The slicer generates these automatically based on the selected profile.

Prusa MK4

Parameter	Value
Build volume	250 x 210 x 220 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	290 C
Max bed temp	120 C
Max speed	200 mm/s
Max acceleration	5000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm
Default print temp	215 C (PLA)
Default bed temp	60 C (PLA)

The MK4 profile supports input shaping and uses Marlin-compatible G-code. It includes start G-code for the load-cell-based first-layer calibration and mesh bed leveling sequence.

Ender 3 V3

Parameter	Value
Build volume	220 x 220 x 250 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	260 C
Max bed temp	100 C
Max speed	250 mm/s
Max acceleration	2500 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm
Default print temp	210 C (PLA)
Default bed temp	55 C (PLA)

Conservative acceleration and jerk values suit the Ender 3 V3's Bowden extruder and V-slot motion system. If you have upgraded your Ender 3 with a direct-drive extruder and linear rails, consider creating a custom profile with higher limits.

Voron 2.4

Parameter	Value
Build volume	350 x 350 x 340 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	300 C
Max bed temp	120 C
Max speed	500 mm/s
Max acceleration	10000 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm
Default print temp	215 C (PLA)
Default bed temp	60 C (PLA)

The Voron 2.4 profile targets a 350mm build with Klipper firmware. The profile includes Klipper-compatible start macros (PRINT_START, PRINT_END) instead of raw G-code sequences. Adjust the build volume if your Voron uses a different frame size (250mm or 300mm).

Generic

Parameter	Value
Build volume	200 x 200 x 200 mm
Nozzle diameter	0.4mm
Max nozzle temp	260 C
Max bed temp	100 C
Max speed	60 mm/s
Max acceleration	1500 mm/s^2
Default layer height	0.2mm

The generic profile uses conservative values that work on virtually any FDM printer. Use it as a fallback when your printer is not listed, or as a starting point for a custom profile.

Custom Profiles

Create a custom printer profile as a JSON file and place it in ~/.vcad/profiles/ (or pass it directly via --profile path/to/profile.json).

{
  "name": "My Custom Printer",
  "build_volume": { "x": 300, "y": 300, "z": 350 },
  "nozzle_diameter": 0.4,
  "max_nozzle_temp": 300,
  "max_bed_temp": 120,
  "max_speed": 300,
  "max_acceleration": 8000,
  "max_jerk": 12,
  "default_layer_height": 0.2,
  "default_print_temp": 215,
  "default_bed_temp": 60,
  "retraction_distance": 0.8,
  "retraction_speed": 40,
  "z_hop": 0.3,
  "firmware": "klipper",
  "start_gcode": "PRINT_START BED={bed_temp} HOTEND={print_temp}\n",
  "end_gcode": "PRINT_END\n"
}

namestringrequired

Display name for the profile.

build_volumeobjectrequired

Build volume as {x, y, z} in millimeters.

nozzle_diameternumber (mm)required

Nozzle orifice diameter. Affects minimum feature size and maximum layer height (80% of nozzle diameter).

max_speednumber (mm/s)required

Maximum print speed. The slicer will not exceed this regardless of other settings.

max_accelerationnumber (mm/s^2)required

Maximum acceleration. Higher values enable faster speed changes but may cause ringing artifacts on less rigid machines.

firmwarestringoptional

Firmware type for G-code dialect: marlin (default), klipper, reprapfirmware, grbl. Affects command formatting and macro usage.

start_gcodestringoptional

Start G-code template. Supports variable substitution: {bed_temp}, {print_temp}, {layer_height}, {first_layer_height}.

end_gcodestringoptional

End G-code template. Typically retracts, raises the nozzle, homes X/Y, disables heaters, and turns off motors.

Profile discovery

The CLI vcad slice --list-profiles command lists all available profiles, including custom ones found in ~/.vcad/profiles/.

Using Profiles

In the App

Select a printer profile from the dropdown at the top of the slicer panel. All settings update to the profile defaults. Override individual settings as needed -- your overrides take priority.

In the CLI

vcad slice part.vcad -o part.gcode --profile bambu_x1c
vcad slice part.vcad -o part.gcode --profile ~/my-profiles/custom.json

In MCP

Printer profiles are not directly referenced in MCP tools. Instead, use the create_cad_document tool to build geometry and export_cad for mesh export. Slicing is performed via the CLI or the app UI.