Connect your FDM printers

This article explains how to connect to your FDM printers in GrabCAD Print. If you have a J750 or Objet 1000, be sure to read how to  Set up your PolyJet printers for GrabCAD Print.

If your printers are connected to the network

1. Open the printer panel
2. Expand the "Printers" tab. Printers are organized by "Favorites", connected "Printers", and printer templates based on technology.
3. Select the printer you want to use. 
4. Find a printer by model, material, tip, status, or IP address using the "Search" tool at the top of the panel. 
5. If your printer is not found, add your printer by IP address.

Favorite frequently used printers by clicking the star icon in its search result. When a printer is favorited it is moved from the "Printers" or "Templates" tabs to the "Favorites" tab.

If your printers are on the network but aren't showing up

There is a hardware setting on the printer that enables network discoverability, known as UPnP. When UPnP is disabled you will need to determine your printer's IP address, then enter it into GrabCAD Print.

1. First, find the network settings for your F123 or Fortus series printer using the printer UI.
2. Write down the IP address shown.

Then add this printer to GrabCAD Print:

1. Open the Printer panel. Expand the "Printers" tab. Scroll until the "Connect to a Printer via IP" field appears.
2. Enter the IP address in the text box and click "Add".

If your printers are NOT on the network

If your normal workflow consists of carrying the CMB file to the printer on a thumb drive, you can still use GrabCAD Print to achieve this! See:  Printing to an offline printer

You can also connect directly from the printer to a computer using an ethernet cable. Set the printer to Dynamic IP so that it retrieves a new IP address from the computer, then follow the Add by IP steps above. 

Next step: Take a quick tour or Start printing!