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Formlabs PreForm
Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
What it is
Formlabs PreForm prepares 3D prints and sends them to Formlabs SLA or SLS printers. Its automatic tools arrange print layout, orientation, and supports, and its checks include validated settings, real-time estimates, printability checks, and auto-recovery. Supports V2 uses touchpoints up to 50% smaller to help make surfaces smoother and support removal easier. Users can adjust exposure, layer height, heating, and layer thickness for Formlabs and certified third-party materials. For Fuse Series SLS printers, automatic packing optimizes packing density and can lock model orientation and position. PreForm lists native integrations with Rhino, SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, 3Shape, Fusion 360, and Netfabb, and imports CAD models including STEP and SolidWorks. Its API supports CAD integrations, batch preparation, and printer status and progress monitoring through MES or other software. It runs on Windows 10 version 1809 or later and macOS 13 or later. The free plan has no license, annual fee, or installation limit for Formlabs SLA and SLS printers.
For and against
For
- Automatic tools arrange layout, orientation, and supports.
- Includes estimates, printability checks, and auto-recovery.
- Supports certified third-party material settings.
- Free for Formlabs SLA and SLS printers.
- No installation limit is listed.
Against
- The free plan is for Formlabs SLA and SLS printers.
- Available for Windows and macOS only.
- Latest Form 1+ compatible version is 2.20.0.
The verdict
PreForm covers print preparation, checks, and printer submission, with additional controls for materials and Fuse Series packing. It is free for Formlabs SLA and SLS printers, but the Form 1+ compatibility limit points users of that printer to an older version.
Who it suits
PreForm suits people preparing prints for Formlabs SLA or SLS printers, including users who want automated layout and support generation. Its custom material settings and CAD integrations may also suit users with more specific print workflows.
Plans and prices
Free
No licenses, annual fees, or installation limits · Formlabs SLA and SLS printers
Read 4 Oct 2026 · formlabs.com
On the record
- API
- The Formlabs API supports CAD integrations, automated batch preparation, and printer status and progress monitoring through MES or other software.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- CAD integration
- The page lists native integrations with Rhino, SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, 3Shape, Fusion 360, and Netfabb, and says PreForm imports native CAD models including STEP and SolidWorks.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Company
- Formlabs says it began in 2011, when three MIT graduate students built its first printer, and lists Boston, Massachusetts as its global headquarters.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The latest PreForm version compatible with Form 1+ is 2.20.0, released March 12, 2019.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Custom settings
- Users can customize print settings for Formlabs and certified third-party materials, including exposure, layer height, heating, and layer thickness.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- PreForm 3.63.1 was released September 25, 2026, with a new Fast Arch print setting and crash fixes.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The download page offers Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 or later and macOS 13 or later, with Apple Silicon and Intel Mac downloads.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Print checks
- PreForm provides validated print settings, real-time estimates, printability checks, and auto-recovery.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PreForm prepares 3D prints automatically and uploads them to Formlabs SLA or SLS printers.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- SLS packing
- Automatic 3D packing for Fuse Series SLS printers optimizes packing density and can lock model orientation and position.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support resources
- Formlabs provides PreForm setup, model design, print settings, upload, firmware, and troubleshooting support articles.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supports
- Supports V2 uses touchpoints up to 50% smaller to help produce smoother surfaces and easier removal.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Its automatic algorithms arrange print layout, orientation, and supports for users without specialized training.formlabs.com · read 4 Oct 2026
