CommunityCAD for Klipper
Browsing and printing
Finding models from the printer, downloading, and sending files to print.
Describes the private beta build of 6 October 2026. Features may change before launch.
Finding your way around#
Open CommunityCAD in Mainsail or Fluidd. The plugin has these tabs:
| Tab | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Browse | Search CommunityCAD and open models |
| Models | Models saved on this printer, ready to slice |
| Projects | Your slicing projects (see Slicing) |
| Share | Finished prints you can share (see Sharing prints) |
| Settings | Your account, this printer, sending, sharing, presets, profiles and materials |
| About | What the plugin is, its status, these docs, and Feedback |
On a phone, Settings and About are under More.
Browsing#
Browse searches the whole CommunityCAD catalog. Its tabs:
- Fits your printer: only models that fit your build volume. The build volume is read from your printer settings (with your permission, below), and you can override it in Settings → This printer. Delta printers aren't filtered.
- All: everything.
- My models: your own models, private ones included, once the printer is linked.
- Recent: models you opened in this browser, plus models saved or sent to this printer.
Narrow results with the file type chips (G-code, 3MF, STL, OBJ), and Sort by best match, newest, most downloaded, most liked, most printed, or smallest first.
18+ models appear on the printer only for adults who've chosen Show in their CommunityCAD settings, because the plugin can't blur images yet. See Age and 18+ content.
A model's page#
A model page shows swipeable pictures, the description, tags, credit for imported models ("originally by …" with a link to the source), and the README. Long READMEs are shortened behind Read more, and for safety, images from other websites appear as links rather than pictures.
Each file has its own actions:
| File | Actions |
|---|---|
| A model (STL, OBJ, STEP, 3MF) | Print (quick print), Open in slicer, and ⋯ for Add to project, Save to printer and Download |
| Sliced G-code | Print and Save to printer |
Download saves the file to your phone or computer instead of the printer.
Permissions to read your printer#
The first time, the plugin asks for two separate permissions. Both stay on the printer and are never sent to CommunityCAD:
- Read printer settings (
printer.cfg): used for the build volume, speed limits and to match sliced files to your printer; - Read print history: used to offer finished prints for sharing.
You can switch either off in Settings → This printer.
Before your first send#
Once per printer, the plugin shows a short notice: files on CommunityCAD are made by other people and aren't checked, a file made for another printer can damage yours, and you're responsible for your printer. You must accept it before the first send. See Safety.
Saving and printing files#
| File | Where Save to printer puts it |
|---|---|
Sliced G-code (.gcode, .gco, .g) | Your G-code files, in a communitycad folder, ready to print |
Sliced 3MF (.gcode.3mf) | Each plate is extracted as its own G-code file (name-plate1.gcode, …) |
| STL, OBJ, STEP, unsliced 3MF | Models, for slicing; never into your G-code files |
Printer match#
For sliced files, the plugin reads the slicer header and compares it with your printer. On a mismatch it warns you, and the default action becomes Save only. Treat it as a hint, not a guarantee.
Starting a print#
Starting a print always needs your confirmation. If the printer is busy, Print becomes Add to queue (Moonraker's job queue). Saving a file never starts anything.
Download limits#
Downloads from the printer use the same allowance as the website:
- one model sent to one printer counts once per day, however many files or times;
- each printer counts separately;
- your own models are free.
Before each send, the plugin tells you whether it will use one of your remaining downloads or is free. If you're at your limit, it shows when the limit resets and a link to the membership tiers.
Downloads go to a temporary file first, and are moved into place only once complete and checked, so a dropped connection never leaves a half-written file in your G-code folder. Retrying the same send is free.
When CommunityCAD can't be reached#
The plugin says "Can't reach CommunityCAD. Your printer works as normal." with Retry. Files you already saved stay where they are. If only search is down, the plugin says so, and model pages and sending keep working.