# UltiMaker Cura

Application: UltiMaker

Also called cura, ultimaker cura

UltiMaker, Creative

Common FDM slicer. The process is UltiMaker-Cura.exe. It is not PrusaSlicer.

## What you need to know

Cura is UltiMaker's slicer. It is not PrusaSlicer.

UltiMaker-Cura.exe is the common classroom FDM slicer. PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio are different apps.

- **What is it?**: FDM slicer

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If a Prusa profile pack will not load, I open PrusaSlicer. UltiMaker-Cura.exe is the other slicer.

## What is UltiMaker Cura?

Cura slices meshes to G-code with intent profiles and a large printer list. PrusaSlicer is the Slic3r-family sibling, not a Cura reskin.

## If you have never used it

If a class or printer maker said "use Cura", this is UltiMaker's slicer. Download it from ultimaker.com. PrusaSlicer is a different app with a different profile system. Bambu Studio is for Bambu printers.

## What is it used for?

**Slice for many FDM brands**

Marketplace and built-in printers. Prusa-only workflows often stay in PrusaSlicer.

**Intent and custom profiles**

Cura's profile stack. Prusa's print/filament/printer trio does not paste in.

**Plugins from the Marketplace**

Optional extras. Those are Cura plugins, not Bambu Studio connectors.

## Who is it for?

- UltiMaker printer owners
- Schools that standardized on Cura
- People handed a .3mf from Cura

## Current status

UltiMaker Cura (2014) is a current fdm slicer from UltiMaker. The vendor still points Windows users at https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura.

## How old is it?

Cura began at Ultimaker in 2014 and became the default many FDM printers mention. The exe name is now UltiMaker-Cura.exe. An old Cura 15.04 screenshot is history.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

UltiMaker Cura 5.x

Cura 4.x (older)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.          |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| UltiMaker-Cura.exe | Main Windows executable |
| ------------------ | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

Cura does not need to start with Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\UltiMaker Cura \<version>\\ |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

STL, 3MF, GCODE

## Common problems

### Imported a PrusaSlicer project and settings vanished

Mesh plus G-code may transfer. Full preset stacks do not. Reslice in Cura or stay in PrusaSlicer.

### Bambu printer owned by another app

Bambu Studio is the sibling for that hardware. Cura community profiles are unofficial.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura

support.ultimaker.com has printer setup. Skip "Cura Pro" bundles.

### Add the printer from Cura's add-printer list

That loads Cura profiles, not Prusa config wizard packs.

### Watch the exe name: UltiMaker-Cura.exe

Old cura.exe shortcuts can point at a leftover 4.x install.

## Alternatives

PrusaSlicer is the Slic3r fork. Bambu Studio targets Bambu hardware. IdeaMaker and others exist for specific printers.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura ](https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [support.ultimaker.com/ ](https://support.ultimaker.com/)Vendor support                                                  |
| Official site | [ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura ](https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

Slicing is CPU and RAM. The printer is separate. A GPU is optional for the preview.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[PrusaSlicer: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/prusaslicer)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [UltiMaker Cura official site ](https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura)· Vendor product page
- [UltiMaker Cura help ](https://support.ultimaker.com/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: UltiMaker

  **Category**: FDM slicer

  **Process**: UltiMaker-Cura.exe

  **License**: LGPL (Cura). Some marketplace plugins vary

  **First released**: 2014

  **Official site**: [ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura](https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/cura/)

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