> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Use B&W Image Slicing

## Objective:

Learn how to slice an implicit body into an image stack for additive manufacturing printers that accept images.

## Applies to:

* Additive Manufacturing
* Slices for Open DLP and Binderjet systems

## Procedure:

**1. Prepare the part**

* Convert the part into an Implicit body

**2. Choose a Build Volume**

* If you are printing from an EOS M or Renishaw AM machine, you can choose from built-in **Build Volume** blocks.
* If your machine isn't one of these, create your build volume with a **Bounding Box** block

**3. Orient the part within the Build Volume**

* Use the **Translate Object** block to move the part into the **Build Volume**
  * You may need to orient it or create support structures for an optimal build
    * [How to generate bar supports under a part](/help-articles/knowledge-base/additive-manufacturing-preparation/how-to-generate-bar-supports-under-a-part)
    * [How to use Minimum Support Orientations](/help-articles/knowledge-base/additive-manufacturing-preparation/how-to-use-minimum-support-orientations)

**4. Slice the part**

* Add a **Slice Body to B\&W Image Stack** block
  * **Path:** Choose the destination to save the slices
  * **Fill Suffix:**
    * Toggled On: Names the files: "slice\_001", where the number of 0's before the slice number is determined by the total number of slices.
    * Toggled Off: The files are named "slice\_1", with no 0's.
  * **Body:** Insert the Implicit Body you want to slice.
  * **Layer Height:** Define the spacing between the layers. You may need to check the printer settings for the appropriate range of heights.
  * **Frame:** This is the coordinate system for the build plate. It is auto-populated but may need to be edited depending on the printer settings.
  * **Print Volume:** Insert the **Bounding Box** or **Build Volume** from Step 2.
  * The resolution is the number of pixels in the X and Y directions. This value may change depending on your printer and desired resolution. The maximum image resolution supported is 1 billion pixels.
    * Image X resolution: 1920
    * Image Y resolution: 1280
  * **Greyscale bits:** 8 bits

![The visualized implicit body to be sliced using the Slice Body to B\&W Stack.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/additive-manufacturing-prepartion/34385609296787.png)

After all the inputs are filled, the block saves the resulting .png file format image stack in the zip folder defined earlier.

![A gif showing the B\&W images that are exported from nTop.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/additive-manufacturing-prepartion/1500010202701.png)

And that's it! You've successfully learned how to generate a B\&W Image stack for manufacturing.

Are you still having issues? Contact the [support team](https://support.ntopology.com/hc/en-us/requests/new), and we'll be happy to help!

## Download the Example file:

* [Example file](https://files.learn.ntop.com/Support%20Article%20Example%20Files/Knowledge%20Base/Additive%20Manufacturing%20Preparation/Slice_BW_Image.ntop)

## Keywords:

*additive black renishaw eos slicing print slices image white B\&W b\&w and imaging images resin*