Understanding Cloud Slicing Speed

You've just sent a model to our new Cloud Slicer and may have noticed it takes a moment to process—perhaps a little longer than you're used to when slicing on your own PC. This is completely normal!

While our cloud servers are incredibly powerful, the process of cloud slicing is fundamentally different from slicing locally on your computer. This article explains the journey your model takes and why it's a trade-off for unparalleled convenience.

The Cloud Slicing Journey

When you slice a file on your computer using a program like PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, or BambuStudio, the entire process happens on your machine. Your computer's processor (CPU) is dedicated solely to that task.

Our Cloud Slicer uses these same powerful engines but makes them accessible from any device. This involves a few extra steps that don't happen in a local workflow:

1. File Transfer: First, your 3D model and chosen settings must be uploaded from your device to our slicing servers. The size of your model and the speed of your internet connection can affect how long this takes.
2. The Slicing Queue: To manage server load and ensure fair access for everyone, every slice job enters a queue. Your position in the queue depends on server traffic and your subscription plan. You can learn more about this in our Cloud Slicer Limits & Queue article.
3. Server-Side Slicing: Your model is then processed by our powerful server cluster. While these servers are fast, they are a shared resource handling slices for many users simultaneously.
4. Returning the G-code: Once the slice is complete, the resulting G-code file is sent back to your SimplyPrint account, ready for you to start printing.

Local vs. Cloud: The Key Difference

In short, local slicing is a direct, one-step process where your PC does all the work instantly. Cloud slicing is a multi-step journey: Upload → Queue → Slice → Download.

Even though each step is optimized for speed, the total time for this journey can sometimes be longer than the instant, dedicated processing power of a high-end local computer, especially for simpler models.

The Benefit: Power and Convenience Anywhere

So, why use the Cloud Slicer if a powerful PC might be faster in some cases? The answer is flexibility and accessibility.

• Slice on Any Device: You're no longer tied to a powerful desktop. You can slice models from a basic laptop, a tablet, a Chromebook, or even your phone.
• Free Up Your Computer: Complex slices can max out your computer's resources, making it slow and unresponsive. Cloud slicing offloads all that heavy lifting to our servers so you can keep working, studying, or gaming without interruption.
• Always In Sync: Your slicer profiles and settings are always available and synchronized, no matter what device you're using.

Think of the Cloud Slicer as a powerful supercomputer for 3D printing that you can access from your pocket. While the process involves a few extra network steps that might add a little time, it unlocks the freedom to slice anything, anywhere, on any device.

Updated on: 01/08/2025