Running Ultimaker Cura on Your Chromebook: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re a 3D printing enthusiast using Ultimaker Cura, the popular slicing software, you may be thrilled to discover that you can run it seamlessly on your Chromebook. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to enable and install Cura on your device, unlocking a new level of printing capabilities.

Enabling Linux on Chrome OS

Before proceeding with the installation of the Cura application, you need to enable the Linux environment on your Chromebook. Follow these simple steps:

1. Access Settings: Click on the clock icon in the bottom-right corner of your Chrome OS interface.
2. Open Settings: From the pop-up menu, select the gear icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. Find Advanced Settings: Scroll down and click on "Advanced" to expand more options.
4. Navigate to Developers: Look for the “Developers” option in the advanced section and click on it.
5. Activate Linux: Under “Linux developer environment,” click on the “Turn on” button. This action will initiate the download of a Debian Linux container and set up a terminal on your Chromebook.

After the installation completes, the terminal app will open automatically. You will see an icon labeled “Penguin,” which provides you access to the Linux terminal.

1. Update Package Sources: In the terminal, enter the command:

   sudo apt update

   This refreshes your Linux container’s software repository.

2. Upgrade Installed Packages: After updating, you can apply any available upgrades with:

   sudo apt upgrade

At this point, your Chromebook is fully equipped to run Linux applications, paving the way for you to install Cura.

Installing Ultimaker Cura on Chrome OS

There are two main methods to install Ultimaker Cura: using a Debian package or via Flatpak. Below, we’ll break down both options for you.

Method 1: Installing Cura via Debian Package

To install Cura as a Debian package:

1. Open the Terminal: Use your app menu to locate and open the terminal by searching for “Terminal.”
2. Access the Linux Terminal: Click on “Penguin” to enter the terminal interface.

3. Install Cura: Execute the following command:

   sudo apt install cura

   Note: The Debian package may not always offer the latest version of Cura, if you prioritize the latest features, consider using the Flatpak method instead.

4. Launch Cura: Once the installation is complete, you can access the Cura app via the “Linux apps” folder in your Chrome OS app menu.

Method 2: Installing Cura via Flatpak

If staying up-to-date with the latest features is essential for you, installing Cura through Flatpak is recommended. Follow these steps:

1. Install Flatpak: First, install the Flatpak package with this command:

   sudo apt install flatpak

2. Add the Flathub Repository: Enable access to the Flathub app store, which hosts the Cura Flatpak version:

   flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3. Install Cura from Flathub: With the repository added, you can install Cura by running:

   flatpak install flathub com.ultimaker.cura

4. Access Cura: Upon completion of the installation, find the Cura app in the “Linux apps” directory of your Chrome app menu.

Setting Up Ultimaker Cura

After successfully installing Cura, it’s time to set it up for your 3D printing tasks. Launch the app and configure your printer settings according to your specific requirements. You can customize everything from layer heights to print speeds to optimize your 3D printing results.

Conclusion

Enabling Linux on your Chromebook and installing Ultimaker Cura allows you to take full advantage of 3D printing capabilities without needing a dedicated machine. With well-structured steps for installation, both novices and experienced users can enjoy a powerful slicing tool right from their Chromebooks. Now, you can prepare your models for printing with ease and efficiency, expanding your creative horizons in 3D printing.