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Bambu Studio Basics

From importing a model to sending a print: the essential workflow.

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How do I print my first model?

Drag an STL onto the build plate, pick your printer and filament in the left sidebar, click "Slice Plate", then "Print". Default settings (0.20mm, 15% infill) work for most models.

Title
Bambu Studio Basics: Beginner Slicing Guide
Section
Guides
Last updated
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Status
Not affiliated with Bambu Lab

Which Bambu Studio version is current?

Stable: 2.9.1, released November 3, 2026, the first stable release since 2.8.2.61 (August 21). It adds the H3C, lets one model use nozzles of different sizes (on the H3C only for now) and brings the features of the 2.8.3 and 2.8.4 public betas to everyone. What changed in 2.9.1

Public beta: none newer than 2.9.1 on Bambu's GitHub release page. The fix for a stack buffer overflow in STL import (PR #12153), until now only in the 2.8.4 beta, is part of 2.9.1. If you ran the 2.8.3 or 2.8.4 beta, check your presets: the beta used a separate configuration folder, so presets you made there live in that folder.

Earlier releases: 2.8.3 beta, 2.8.2, 2.8.1 beta, 2.8.0 beta, 2.7. Printer firmware for every model: firmware tracker. Versions checked November 3, 2026.

Layer height quick guide

HeightUse for
0.08–0.12mmFine detail, miniatures
0.16–0.20mmStandard prints (default)
0.24–0.28mmFast prints, mechanical parts
0.32mm+Draft prints, rough prototypes
Bambu Studio layer heights for a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.08 to 0.28 mm, to scale at 0.42 mm line width0.08Extra Fine0.420.12Fine0.16Optimal0.20Standard0.24Draft0.28Extra DraftBambu Studio layer heights for a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.08 to 0.28 mm, to scale at 0.42 mm line width0.08Extra Fine0.420.12Fine0.16Optimal0.20Standard0.24Draft0.28Extra Draft
Fig. 1Six layer heights from Bambu Studio's presets for a 0.4 mm nozzle on the X1 series and P1S, to scale at the default 0.42 mm line width. The labels are the preset names in the slicer, not the use cases in the table above (dimensions in mm).
  • Named after the presets 0.08mm Extra Fine to 0.28mm Extra Draft; Bambu Studio has 11 presets for this nozzle, the others repeat these heights (High Quality, Strength, Support W).
  • Source: Bambu Studio system profiles, BBL set 02.08.00.09 (process presets @BBL X1C), checked 2026-10-16

Infill quick guide

%Use for
10–15%Decorative, display models
20–30%General purpose
40–60%Functional parts
80–100%Max strength, prototypes

What is Bambu Studio?

Bambu Studio is the free slicer software for Bambu Lab printers. It takes 3D model files (STL, 3MF, OBJ) and converts them into print instructions (G-code) that the printer understands. It's based on PrusaSlicer but with deep integration with Bambu hardware: automatic calibration profiles, direct cloud printing, and MakerWorld integration.

Installation

  1. Download from the Bambu Lab website (bambulab.com/download)
  2. Install and launch
  3. Log in with your Bambu Lab account
  4. Select your printer model in the setup wizard, then bind the printer: in Bambu Handy (Devices → + Bind Printer) or in Studio via PIN code (A, P and H series; the X1 series does not support it) or IP address plus LAN access code. It then shows up on the Device tab.

The interface: where is everything?

  • 3D view (center): Your build plate. Drag models here, move them, arrange them.
  • Left sidebar: Printer, Filament and Process presets, with the object list below
  • Toolbar above the 3D view: Import, Move (M), Rotate (R), Scale (S), Place on Face (F) and the other tools
  • Top bar: View modes, slice button, send to printer
  • Device tab: Printer status, camera view and remote control

Basic workflow: import → position → configure → slice → send

  1. Import: Drag and drop an STL file onto the build plate, or use File → Import
  2. Position: Select the model. Use Move (M), Rotate (R), Scale (S), Place on Face (F)
  3. Configure: In the left sidebar, verify Printer, select Filament, set Process (layer height)
  4. Slice: Click "Slice Plate", check estimated time, filament use, and layer preview
  5. Send: Click "Print" to send over Wi-Fi, or export to the microSD card or USB drive (depending on the model)
Schematic of the Bambu Studio window with the five workflow steps: 1 import, drag the STL onto the build plate in the 3D view; 2 position it with the toolbar above the 3D view (Move, Rotate, Scale, Place on Face); 3 configure printer, filament and process in the left sidebar; 4 Slice Plate and 5 Print in the top barDeviceSlice PlatePrintPrinterFilamentProcessObject listMRSF3D view123451Import: drag the STLonto the plate2Position: Move, Rotate,Scale, Place on Face3Configure: printer,filament, process4Slice: Slice Plate, checktime and filament5Send: Print over Wi-Fi,or export to a card orUSB driveSchematic of the Bambu Studio window with the five workflow steps: 1 import, drag the STL onto the build plate in the 3D view; 2 position it with the toolbar above the 3D view (Move, Rotate, Scale, Place on Face); 3 configure printer, filament and process in the left sidebar; 4 Slice Plate and 5 Print in the top barDeviceSlice PlatePrintPrinterFilamentProcessObject listMRSF3D view123451Import: drag the STL onto the plate2Position: Move, Rotate, Scale, Place on Face3Configure: printer, filament, process4Slice: Slice Plate, check time and filament5Send: Print over Wi-Fi, or export to a card orUSB drive
Fig. 2Where the five steps happen in the Bambu Studio window: import onto the plate in the 3D view, position with the toolbar above it, configure printer, filament and process in the left sidebar, then Slice Plate and Print in the top bar. Numbers match the steps above; schematic, not a screenshot.
Auto Orient

Right-click the model → Auto Orient to let Bambu Studio choose the best printing face automatically. Good starting point before manual adjustment.

Supports: when and which type

Enable in Process → Support. Which surfaces get support depends on the threshold angle: with an auto support type, Bambu Studio supports every surface whose slope to the horizontal is less than the threshold. The default is 30°, which Bambu calls safe to print without support for most materials. A higher threshold generates more support.

Support threshold 30 degrees in the 0.20 mm Standard preset: only surfaces flatter than 30 degrees get support, shown on a ball on a stem30°supportschematicmodelSupport threshold 30 degrees in the 0.20 mm Standard preset: only surfaces flatter than 30 degrees get support, shown on a ball on a stem30°supportschematicmodel
Fig. 3In Bambu Studio's 0.20 mm Standard preset only surfaces flatter than 30° from horizontal get support; on a ball that is the cap around the stem.
  • Schematic, not to scale; the default support type is tree (auto).
  • Source: Bambu Studio system profiles, BBL set 02.08.00.09, preset 0.20mm Standard, checked 2026-10-16
  • Normal supports: project the overhang straight down to the plate. Under large flat overhangs they usually give a better underside than tree supports.
  • Tree supports: grow branches down from points on the overhang. For complex models with mostly small, curved overhangs they are stronger and use less material and time, at similar surface quality.
  • Tree Hybrid: normal grid support under big flat overhangs, tree support everywhere else. Studio picks this style by default when you print with support filament or adaptive layer height; otherwise the default is Tree Organic.

Top Z distance: when model and support use the same filament, keep it around 0.2 mm. Set it to 0 only with a dedicated support filament such as Bambu Support for PLA, or the support becomes very hard to remove.

Every support setting, support filaments, PVA and fixes in one place: Supports in Bambu Studio.

Walls (perimeters)

  • 2 walls, visual/display models
  • 3–4 walls, functional parts
  • 4+ walls, structural / high-load parts

More walls = stronger part, longer print time. Walls matter more than infill for strength in most cases.

Section near the top of a print, 0.20 mm Standard preset: two walls of 0.42 and 0.45 mm lines, five top layers, grid infillouter wall 0.42inner wall 0.45top shell5 layersgrid infill15%Section near the top of a print, 0.20 mm Standard preset: two walls of 0.42 and 0.45 mm lines, five top layers, grid infillouter wall 0.42inner wall 0.45top shell5 layersgrid infill15%
Fig. 4The default in section: Bambu Studio's 0.20 mm Standard preset prints two walls, the count the list above gives for display models, in 0.42 and 0.45 mm lines; five 0.20 mm layers close the top, and 15% grid infill fills the inside (dimensions in mm).
  • Walls and top layers to scale; the infill pattern is schematic.
  • Source: Bambu Studio system profiles, BBL set 02.08.00.09, preset 0.20mm Standard, checked 2026-10-16

Multi-plate workflow

Bambu Studio supports multiple plates in one project file. Add a new plate with the Add Plate button in the toolbar (up to 36 per project) and drag models to it; each plate can have its own settings. Slice all / Print all works on the H2 series, X1 series and P2S, on the P1S with a "Send All Plates" prompt, and not yet on the A series. Useful for batching prints with different materials or settings in one session.

LAN-only vs. cloud printing

For cloud printing, the file uploads to Bambu's servers and the printer pulls it. For LAN-only mode (useful if you've disabled cloud access), your computer has to reach the printer over your local network; if the two sit on different subnets or VLANs, bind the printer with its IP address plus access code. LAN mode is also faster for large files.

Sources

Bambu Lab wiki and GitHub.

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