<p>The <code>.stl</code> files most commonly used for printing do not have any circles in them at all!</p>
<p><code>.stl</code> files describe the surface of the things they represent with lots and lots of triangles:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Gws40.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="STL file of corner object showing the polygons"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Gws40.png" alt="STL file of corner object showing the polygons" title="STL file of corner object showing the polygons" /></a></p>
<p>That also means that your slicer doesn't really know which parts of the model are supposed to be round (where <code>G2</code> and <code>G3</code> might be applicable).</p>
<p>And, another consideration, though historical: Most 3D printers were (and are) based on relatively weak 8-bit microcontrollers. It's much easier for those microcontrollers to calculate the movements needed for the print if it's just straight lines, rather than elaborate curves.</p>
<p>One issue that can arise with this is when your model is of high quality, and your slicers uses all of that quality - a simple circle can then become hundreds or thousands of tiny segments, which all need to be transmitted, parsed and executed - which may lead to stuttering.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-20T13:13:45.133Z
Thank you!! So if i'd like to print a circle and use the G2 / G3 command , is there an alternative to the STL files?
זהר מרום
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-20T13:20:33.517Z
As of now, I believe all common slicers only accept the common "mesh" file formats - `.stl`, `.obj` and `.amf`.
There are, however, developments like integrating a slicer into Autodesks Fusion 360 CAD suite, which might allow them to use G2 and G3 commands since it could operate directly on your model.

Not all printer firmwares even support G2 / G3 (https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#G2_.26_G3:_Controlled_Arc_Move) and it's optional on some to save space too.
towe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-20T15:24:00.140Z
Autodesk fusion does support the G2/G3 in milling operations.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-20T12:46:55.650Z
2020-10-20T13:22:49.130Z
2020-10-20T13:22:49.130Z
towe
<p>I'm using Cura for my 3D printing (an ultimaker S5 printer) and in order to understand 3D printing I'm trying to learn G-code.</p>
<p>I've noticed that even when the model is full of circles, the G-code is full with the <code>G1</code> command. I haven't seen the <code>G2</code> or <code>G3</code> command at all!
How could this be?</p>

<ultimaker-cura><diy-3d-printer><g-code>
G2 / G3 command in Cura
זהר מרום
# G2 / G3 command in Cura

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-10-20)

I'm using Cura for my 3D printing (an ultimaker S5 printer) and in order to understand 3D printing I'm trying to learn G-code.

I've noticed that even when the model is full of circles, the G-code is full with the `G1` command. I haven't seen the `G2` or `G3` command at all!
How could this be?

**Tags:** ultimaker-cura, diy-3d-printer, g-code

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-10-20. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The `.stl` files most commonly used for printing do not have any circles in them at all!

`.stl` files describe the surface of the things they represent with lots and lots of triangles:

[![STL file of corner object showing the polygons](https://i.sstatic.net/Gws40.png "STL file of corner object showing the polygons")](https://i.sstatic.net/Gws40.png "STL file of corner object showing the polygons")

That also means that your slicer doesn't really know which parts of the model are supposed to be round (where `G2` and `G3` might be applicable).

And, another consideration, though historical: Most 3D printers were (and are) based on relatively weak 8-bit microcontrollers. It's much easier for those microcontrollers to calculate the movements needed for the print if it's just straight lines, rather than elaborate curves.

One issue that can arise with this is when your model is of high quality, and your slicers uses all of that quality - a simple circle can then become hundreds or thousands of tiny segments, which all need to be transmitted, parsed and executed - which may lead to stuttering.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you!! So if i'd like to print a circle and use the G2 / G3 command , is there an alternative to the STL files?  
> **username_1**: As of now, I believe all common slicers only accept the common "mesh" file formats - `.stl`, `.obj` and `.amf`. There are, however, developments like integrating a slicer into Autodesks Fusion 360 CAD suite, which might allow them to use G2 and G3 commands since it could operate directly on your model.  Not all printer firmwares even support G2 / G3 (https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#G2_.26_G3:_Controlled_Arc_Move) and it's optional on some to save space too.  
> **username_2**: Autodesk fusion does support the G2/G3 in milling operations.  

---

