We’re excited to announce a major upgrade to one of the Polar Cloud’s most helpful features: the Estimator!

If you’ve been a Polar Cloud user for a while, you might remember that our old Estimator gave you a rough idea of how long your object would take to print, how much material it would use, and what it would cost. It worked by analyzing your uploaded STL file and running a quick calculation based on the model’s size and estimated density.

It was good — but we knew we could make it even better.

What’s New?

We’ve completely rebuilt the Estimator from the ground up, with a brand-new engine that slices your object behind the scenes. Instead of guessing based on model volume alone, the new Estimator actually generates real slice data — just like you would if you were preparing the file to print.

Here’s what that means for you:
• Extremely accurate print time predictions
• Precise material usage (in grams)
• Up-to-date cost estimates based on your material settings
• Data saved to your account so it can be used across the app

Because the new Estimator uses full slicing, it accounts for everything: infill, shells, supports, layer heights, and more. You’ll get a true picture of what printing your object will require — no more surprises when it comes time to print.

Improved Security and Performance

Another big improvement: we made the new Estimator even more secure.
Your files are processed safely within the Polar Cloud infrastructure. We also improved the performance behind the scenes to make estimating faster and more scalable — meaning even large files or busy days on the platform won’t slow you down.

Connected to Everything You Do

When you upload an object, the Estimator now writes the estimated values directly to our database. That means other parts of the Polar Cloud — like pricing tools, class project planners, or printer queues — can instantly pull the information without needing to reprocess your file.

This not only speeds things up but also unlocks new possibilities for automation, reporting, and future features.

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Whether you’re a student planning your first project or a teacher managing a fleet of printers, the new Estimator gives you the confidence to plan smarter and print better.

We’re proud of how far the Polar Cloud has come, and the Estimator upgrade is just one of many improvements we’re rolling out this year. Stay tuned!