Search everything on PrintPal for a 3D-printing query: community 3D models, free tools and calculators, wiki troubleshooting articles, OpenSCAD/AI-CAD docs, video tutorials, build guides and Academy courses. Returns ids accepted by `fetch` for the full content. Suited to general 3D printing questions such as "why is my first layer not sticking", "PETG temperature" or "3D printed phone stand".
輸入參數query必填
fetch
Fetch a PrintPal item
Fetch the full content of a PrintPal item returned by `search` (or any id of the form `model:<uid>`, `tool:<slug>`, `wiki:<slug>`, `doc:<slug>`, `resource:<slug>`, `project:<slug>`, `course:<slug>`). Returns the complete text (article body, transcript, build steps, BOM, model description and files) plus the canonical URL for citation.
輸入參數id必填
search_3d_models
Search 3D models to print
Find printable 3D models (STL/3MF/OBJ) in the PrintPal community library by keyword — e.g. "articulated dragon", "headphone stand", "Raspberry Pi 5 case". Returns cards with thumbnail, author, tags, likes and a link to the model page where the files can be downloaded. Searches existing uploads only; new models are made by `generate_3d_model` (AI mesh) or `design_parametric_cad` (exact dimensions).
輸入參數limitquery必填category
get_3d_model
Get 3D model details
Get full details for one PrintPal model by uid: description, license, file formats, author, stats, and the page URL to download it. Accepts a uid from `search_3d_models` results or a printpal.io/model/<uid> URL.
輸入參數uid必填
find_3d_printing_tool
Find a PrintPal tool or calculator
Recommend the right free PrintPal browser tool for a task: print cost / resin cost / layer height (magic numbers) / E-steps / flow rate / volumetric flow / filament spool / drying / shrinkage / Vref / Etsy profit calculators; generators for lithophanes, vases, name plates, 3D text, QR codes, bins, puzzles, mold boxes, flexi models, fidget clickers, Desk Pal, terrain maps, Minecraft maps; mesh repair, model splitter, converter, viewer, G-code viewer, AMS/multicolor painters; AI generators. Returns matching tools with links. Pass an empty task to list every tool.
輸入參數tasklimit
calculate_print_cost
Calculate 3D print cost
Estimate what an FDM print costs (material, electricity, machine wear, labor, failure allowance) and a suggested selling price. Needs the print weight in grams and time in hours from the slicer; all other inputs have sensible defaults (1 kg spool at $20, 120 W printer, $0.12/kWh, 5% failures).
輸入參數quantitylabor_minutesmarkup_percentspool_price_usdspool_weight_kgprint_time_hours必填printer_cost_usdprint_weight_grams必填labor_rate_per_hourprinter_power_wattsfailure_rate_percentprinter_lifespan_hours另有 1 個
calculate_filament_usage
Filament weight ⇄ length ⇄ cost
Convert filament grams to metres (and back), compute volume and cost, and estimate how much is left on a spool from its gross weight. Knows densities for PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon, PC, CF blends. Give either `grams` or `meters`.
輸入參數gramsmetersmaterialdiameter_mmdensity_g_cm3spool_price_usdspool_weight_kgempty_spool_weight_gramsspool_gross_weight_grams
calculate_layer_heights
Layer height magic numbers
Compute the Z-axis "magic number" layer heights for a printer from its stepper step angle, microstepping and lead-screw pitch/starts, filtered to what suits the nozzle. Defaults match most Ender/Prusa-style printers (1.8°, 1/16, T8 2 mm × 4 starts → 0.04 mm steps).
輸入參數microsteppinglead_screw_startsnozzle_diameter_mmstep_angle_degreeslead_screw_pitch_mmmax_layer_height_mm
calculate_volumetric_flow
Volumetric flow / max speed check
Check whether a hotend can keep up: volumetric flow (mm³/s) = layer height × line width × speed, compared against the hotend limit, plus the maximum safe speed. Accepts a hotend preset name (stock, v6, bambu, volcano, rapido, high-flow, goliath…) or an explicit max flow.
輸入參數hotendline_width_mmlayer_height_mmprint_speed_mm_s必填max_volumetric_flow_mm3_s
search_build_guides
Search build guides & projects
Find step-by-step PrintPal build guides: Arduino/ESP32 electronics + 3D-printed enclosures, robots, functional prints, printer mods, STEM classroom projects, props and toys. Each result lists difficulty, time, cost, part/file/step counts. Filter by category (electronics-robotics, functional-prints, home-workshop, stem-education, printer-mods, art-props, toys-games) or difficulty (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Leave query empty to browse featured guides.
輸入參數sortlimitquerycategorydifficulty
get_build_guide
Get a build guide (steps, BOM, files)
Read a full PrintPal build guide by slug: summary, bill of materials with quantities and links, downloadable files (STL/3MF/code), every build step, callouts and code blocks. Use when the user wants to actually follow or adapt a project.
輸入參數slug必填
search_learning_resources
Search guides, videos & courses
Search PrintPal's how-to content: the vendor-neutral 3D printing wiki (print quality, filaments, slicer settings, maintenance, error codes, safety), OpenSCAD + AI-CAD docs, short video tutorials with transcripts, and free Academy courses with certificates. Use `type` to narrow. Results include ids accepted by `fetch` for the full article text.
輸入參數typelimitquery必填
generate_3d_model
Generate a 3D model with AI (text or image → STL/GLB/OBJ)
Turn a text prompt or an image into a print-ready 3D mesh (STL/GLB/OBJ geometry) with PrintPal's AI generator. Without a PrintPal API key this returns a link that opens the generator on printpal.io with the prompt prefilled; nothing is generated until the user clicks it. With an API key header (`Authorization: Bearer pp_live_…`) it submits the job to the user's own account, spends that account's credits, and returns a `generation_uid` that `check_3d_generation` accepts. Suited to organic/sculptural objects (figurines, animals, props); exact-dimension mechanical parts are handled by `design_parametric_cad`.
輸入參數formatprompt必填qualityimage_url
check_3d_generation
Check AI 3D generation status / get download
Poll a PrintPal AI generation started with `generate_3d_model` in API-key mode. Returns status (queued/processing/completed/failed) and, when completed, a time-limited download URL for the mesh.
輸入參數generation_uid必填
design_parametric_cad
Design a parametric part with the AI CAD agent
For mechanical / functional parts with exact dimensions — brackets, enclosures, adapters, gears, bins, knobs, mounts — open PrintPal's AI CAD agent with a ready-to-run brief. The agent writes editable OpenSCAD with parameter sliders, live 3D preview and STL/3MF/STEP export. This tool improves the user's description into a precise CAD brief (dimensions, tolerances, mounting, print orientation) and returns the link; the user clicks it to generate.
輸入參數materialdimensionsdescription必填export_format
get_pricing_and_plans
PrintPal pricing, credits & plans
Explain what is free on PrintPal, how AI generation credits and the CAD agent are priced, API access and the on-demand 3D printing service — with links to sign up, buy credits or subscribe. Call when the user asks about cost, limits, subscriptions or how to get more generations.
無需輸入參數。