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# How to create and edit machine profiles

# How to create and edit machine profiles
Machine profiles are the printer profiles used by the slicer engine. They define printer-specific slicing details such as build volume, variants, nozzle sizes, and machine settings.

![Create machine profile dialog in the Slicer profiles settings](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/machine-profiles-crud-create-m_1v0ziaw.png)

## When to create a machine profile
Create a custom machine profile if:

- Your printer model does not have a usable system profile for the selected engine
- You need a different build volume or machine setup
- You want a custom set of nozzle variants
- You are adapting an existing machine profile for your account

If a system machine profile already works, copying or inheriting from it is usually better than starting from scratch.

## Create a machine profile
1. Go to **Settings > Slicing > Slicer profiles**.
2. Select the slicer engine.
3. Select **Machine** as the profile type.
4. Click the create button in your custom machines section.
5. Select a printer model, or choose the custom printer option if your model is not listed.
6. Choose an existing machine profile to inherit from, or create from scratch.
7. Select the nozzle sizes you want to include.
8. Configure the machine name, brand, printer model mapping, and variants.
9. Save the machine profile.

## Edit a machine profile
1. Open **Slicer** or **Settings > Slicing > Slicer profiles**.
2. Select the machine profile.
3. Click the edit action.
4. Change the machine details or variants.
5. Save the profile.

If you edit a machine profile from inside the slicer and close without saving, the unsaved changes can apply to the current slicer session. Save the profile if you want to keep those changes for later.

## Machine variants
Variants let one machine profile support different nozzle configurations.

Each variant needs a unique nozzle size and nozzle volume type combination. Cloud Slicer blocks duplicate variant combinations because it would not know which one to use.

## Create from scratch
Creating from scratch is available, but it is not recommended unless you know the slicer engine settings your printer needs.

When possible, inherit from an existing machine profile. Cloud Slicer can copy the existing variant settings and adjust common values such as build volume, print height, nozzle size, and printer structure.

## Related articles
- [How to select a printer, machine profile, nozzle, and bed type](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/how-to-select-a-printer-machine-profile-nozzle-and-bed-type-i8alc8/)
- [Why "No printer profiles" or similar messages appear](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/why-no-printer-profiles-or-similar-messages-appear-1nr25e7/)
- [How to import slicer profiles](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/how-to-import-slicer-profiles-13ex9yc/)
- [Shared organization profiles in the Cloud Slicer](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/shared-organization-profiles-in-the-cloud-slicer-1301o2a/)