Getting Started with GrabCAD - Advance FDM Mode

Introduction to Lesson 1:

Software Comparison

As you know GrabCAD has a lot of great features; smart default setting, animated slice previews, importing CAD files, organized print queues and tracking material levels to name a few. But when that very troublesome STL file came along that just would not print right, there was Insight. Insight gives the user layer by layer toolpath control, automatically splitting tool paths with unique geometries to be assembled and other abilities beyond your imagination. But as you would guess this program has its own 2-day training course and a 200-page manual, which is not for everyone. Some people need more abilities than GrabCAD but not as much as Insight. There was a middle ground need, but no answer… until now.

Let me introduce GrabCAD – Advance FDM Mode. Which brings some of the functionality of Insight into the user experience of GrabCAD enabling customers the ability to easily modify parts using multiple bodies and/or faces of the part. This allows users to control style of infill, percent infill, angle of infill, number of contours, seam avoidance, self-supporting holes, and inserts which modify the holes in your CAD, all without leaving GrabCAD.

Check out the chart to see how GrabCAD, Insight and Adv. FDM compare in features. (Dark green = 1 to 1 conversion, light green = partial conversion)

If you have not already, please Download GrabCAD print:

Overview of Insight Launch Process:

Unfortunately, getting to Advance FDM mode is not as easy as Insight:

Click apps

Click “launch Insight”

(10-second Loading page)

Welcome to Insight

Step by Step Advance FDM Mode Activation:

Advance FDM mode is a new tab on your GrabCAD home page: If you have this 4^th tab please proceed to my next blog(s) on using Advance FDM Mode features. If you only have 3 tabs: continue with this blog post to reveal the 4^th tab.

If your new to Advance FDM Mode and your home screen only has 3 tabs, follow these instructions.

Click File in the top left corner:

From the File drop-down, Select “Preferences”

In the Preferences window popup: select “FDM”

Check the box “enable Advance FDM”

VERY IMPORTANT: Click save, don’t click anywhere else outside of the popup window or it will cancel the changes.

Welcome to Advance FDM Mode:

Please proceed to the next blog(s) about Advance FDM Mode. We will explore how to use each new feature to give you more control over your printed parts.  Check out this sneak peek:

Keith Weber
Application Engineer for Manufacturing Solutions
Computer Aided Technology, LLC

Advance FDM Mode: General Tour

1 of 4: General Menus & Add Models

2 of 4: Print Settings & Orientation Menus

3 of 4: Selection Settings Menu & Face and Body tabs

4 of 4: Slice Preview Menu and Manufacturing Notes

Getting Started with GrabCAD – Advance FDM Mode