Download
Make sure you've downloaded the latest version of the ReplicatorG software. We recommend you download the "installer" version, which will also install several commonly-used drivers.
Windows Installer Instructions
The software developers in the secretive Botlair have streamlined the ReplicatorG Windows Installer to make this process as smooth as possible. Make sure you’ve downloaded the most up-to-date version.
After you’ve downloaded the file, run it. You might see a dialog like the one below.
Go ahead and say yes. We haven’t been certified by the beneficent creator of Windows, but we’re trustworthy — we promise.
Next the installer will ask you where you’d like to install the program. You can put it anywhere you like, but if you’re on Windows 7, you might have issues if you install ReplicatorG in a read-only directory like C:\Program Files.
Now the installer will check for Python, which ReplicatorG needs to run Skeinforge, its slicing engine. If you see a message like the one below, you’re OK.
Note: This check is not 100% accurate. If you see this message, but you know that you’ve already installed Python, feel free to continue. You may need to use the ReplicatorG preferences menu to manually specify where you’ve installed Python.
You can also go back and install Python at a later point in time, Python doesn't need to be installed to continue.
If you see a message like this, though, you’ll need to install Python. Just follow the link and download v2.6.
Now the installer can go to work.
Once that’s done, the Device Driver Installation Wizard will pop up to help you install the driver for the Replicator.
This part of the installer will ask you several times to confirm that you want to install the drivers.
At some point, Windows will tell you that it can’t verify the publisher of the software. Choose “Install this driver software anyway. We promise we’re trustworthy.
Finally, the Installation Wizard will report back.
If you see some red X’s instead of green checks, you might need to manually install some drivers. If everything has a green check, then you can connect your Replicator to your PC and start ReplicatorG! You’ll see its yellow icon in the Windows start menu.
Manual Installation Instructions
These instructions are for releases before ReplicatorG 0031. You'll need these if you've downloaded the .zip version of ReplicatorG, or for versions prior to 0031.
Prerequisites
Note: Java now comes bundled with ReplicatorG on Windows, and should not need to be installed separately.
Install Python
The program that slices your model (turns it from a 3D model into a printable path) is called Skeinforge. It is written in python, which you'll need to install. You'll want Python 2.6. Download it from python.org, and follow the installation instructions.
Copy folder
Unzip the folder you downloaded and put it in a convenient directory.
- Note: If you encounter errors while unzipping the file to your user directory, it may be that the maximum filename length is exceeded. Try unzipping it to another directory, such as C:\Program Files.
- Windows 7 note: in some Windows 7 systems, some users have had permissions problems when installing ReplicatorG in the "Program Files" directory. If you encounter hanging issues when trying to edit or run Skeinforge profiles, try reinstalling ReplicatorG in a directory other than "Program Files".
Install Drivers
The drivers folder contains drivers for the FTDI USB -> Serial converter chips that the Motherboard uses. If you've already installed Arduino, you can skip this step. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the Arduino website.
Alternatively (helpful for XP systems) download these drivers from the FTDI website.
Here are some instructions specifically for installing the new drivers you'll need to use with The MakerBot Replicator™.
Run it!
You can run the application by double clicking the ReplicatorG application.
Done!
Next, move on to the usage page for instructions on configuring and using ReplicatorG.