The ability to craft anything from your imagination makes 3D printers invaluable for DIY projects involving microcontrollers, SBCs, and other computing devices. By letting you concoct everything from custom screws and cable ties to full-on racks and cases for your paraphernalia, a 3D printer serves as a solid investment for home labs.

Likewise, a self-hosting workstation is fairly useful if you’re into 3D printing, as it lets you arm your CAD model-creating machine with a host of useful services. While we’re on the subject, here’s a quick list of the best applications you can deploy on your home server to aid your 3D printing workloads.

4 Nextcloud

A private cloud for your .3mf files

When you’re experimenting with different CAD models and blueprints for your 3D printer, you’re bound to end up with dozens, if not hundreds, of .stl and .3mf files. If you’re anything like me, you might want to save the model configurations for future projects. Perhaps you’re saving money for an AMS module and wish to create your favorite prints with multiple colors. Or maybe you’re looking to recreate a model at a larger size.

A self-hosted personal cloud app like Nextcloud can help out with that, especially if you don’t have a dedicated NAS/backup device. Better yet, this neat tool even supports a 3D model viewer as a plugin, so you can browse your blueprint collection from Nextcloud’s web UI. Manifold is also a great alternative to Nextcloud, though I prefer the latter as I use it for several other files besides my favorite 3D models.

3 Spoolman

To track your filament usage

Running out of filament in the middle of a long print is every 3D printing enthusiast’s nightmare. As such, it’s a good idea to keep a weather eye on your filament usage, especially if you don’t want to deal with the issues of changing the filament mid-print.

That’s when a self-hosted Spoolman instance comes in handy. Designed for 3D printing lovers, this bookkeeping app lets you maintain detailed records of your filaments and spools, and you can even use the REST API to integrate Spoolman with other apps in your software stack.

2 Containerized UltiMaker Cura/Orca Slicer

Otherwise, a remote desktop app works, too

Capable of converting your pristine models into G-code instructions for your 3D printer, slicing tools are the quintessential part of every printing workstation. But if you’re away from your PC or prefer using smartphones, SBCs, and other low-power devices, you can deploy a slicer app or two on your home server by harnessing the power of containerization.

Since Orca Slicer and UltiMaker Cura are available as container images, you can host them using Docker/Podman and access their UIs from any device on your home network. Alternatively, you can configure a remote desktop application to slice your 3D models from the other systems in your computing arsenal.

1 OctoPrint

Perfect for managing your 3D printer lab

Considering all the things that can go wrong when you’re turning a model from a bunch of pixels into a tangible object, it’s important to manage your 3D printer. Thankfully, OctoPrint allows you to do just that from its convenient web UI.

Compatible with a host of 3D printers, OctoPrint not only lets you monitor your printer, but it even helps you control its operations. As if that’s not enough, OctoPrint is compatible with a host of useful plugins that let you add everything from live z-offset control and Wake-on-LAN support to region exclusion and navbar temp monitoring to your 3D print management server.

Build a powerful home server suite for your 3D printer

With the vast expanse of the self-hosting ecosystem, there are a couple of other apps that deserve to be mentioned on this list. Spoolman, for instance, can be paired with Prometheus to provide better insights into your filament consumption metrics. Tailscale is another worthwhile utility, as it offers a (relatively) secure way to access every service on this list from external networks.