Creality Ender-3 V3 SE: The Arch Linux Workshop

A field-tested, terminal-first guide to 3D printing on Arch Linux with the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE. Covers system setup, CLI printer control via raw G-code, slicer workflow, and applied mathematics through OpenSCAD — from geometric primitives to organic modeling with signed distance functions.

Designed to be shared with friends, used as a teaching tool for children, and extended into a maker/engineering education platform.

Scope

Part Description Status Notes

I: System Setup

Serial ports, udev, OrcaSlicer Flatpak

✅ Done

Field-tested on ThinkPad P16g

II: First Print

3DBenchy calibration boat

✅ Done

Filament seating issues resolved

III: CLI Control

picocom, pronsole, G-code reference

✅ Done

Full command reference tables

IV: OpenSCAD Math

Geometric → organic → SDF modeling

✅ Done

Don Quijote model included

V: V-22 Osprey

Multi-part assembly project

🟡 In progress

Design phase

Appendix

Field-tested troubleshooting (11 issues)

✅ Done

Every issue from live walkthrough

Software Stack

Package Install Method Command Purpose

OrcaSlicer

Flatpak

flatpak run com.orcaslicer.OrcaSlicer

Slice STL models into G-code

picocom

pacman

picocom -b 115200 /dev/ender3v3se

Raw serial terminal — talk G-code directly to firmware

printrun

AUR (yay)

pronsole.py

CLI print controller — load G-code, print, monitor, pause

OpenSCAD

pacman

openscad

Code-based 3D modeler — design meets math

Blender

pacman

blender

Organic 3D sculpting (optional — for non-code workflows)
Install all at once:
sudo pacman -S flatpak picocom openscad blender
flatpak install flathub com.orcaslicer.OrcaSlicer
yay -S printrun

Printer at a Glance

Model

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE

Build Volume

220 × 220 × 250 mm

Extruder

Sprite Direct Drive (dual-gear)

Nozzle

0.4 mm brass (stock)

Max Speed

250 mm/s (X/Y)

Firmware

Marlin 2

USB Chip

CH340 (QinHeng HL-340)

Connectivity

USB-B, MicroSD
Direct drive means shorter retraction distances (1.2 mm) compared to Bowden setups (4–7 mm). OrcaSlicer’s built-in profile handles this automatically.

Prerequisites

  • Arch Linux (up to date: sudo pacman -Syu)

  • An AUR helper (yay or paru)

  • USB-B cable (included with printer)

  • PLA filament loaded on the spool holder

  • Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and a lint-free cloth

Field Value

PRJ ID

PRJ-2026-05-ender3-v3se

Author

Evan Rosado

Created

2026-05-29

Updated

2026-05-29

Status

Active

Category

Hardware / Education / Maker

Priority

P1