# Setting Up Your Qidi Tech i-fast ## About Your Printer Your **Qidi Tech i-fast** is what we call a "traditional" or "classic" 3D printer. Here's what that means: **The situation:** This printer can't connect to the internet or cloud services on its own. It doesn't have WiFi or any local API that SimplyPrint can talk to. It's designed to print from an SD card or USB connection - which is fine for basic use, but it means you can't monitor or control it remotely. **The solution:** To make your printer "smart" and connect it to SimplyPrint, you need to add some external hardware that acts as a bridge between your printer and the internet. Think of it like adding a WiFi adapter to an old computer. **What you'll need:** - **Raspberry Pi** - A small, affordable computer (about $35-75) - **USB cable** - To connect the Pi to your printer - **MicroSD card** - For the Pi's operating system (8GB minimum) - **Power supply** - For the Raspberry Pi **Don't have a Raspberry Pi?** If you don't know what a Raspberry Pi is, you most likely don't have one and will need to purchase one. It's a small, credit-card sized computer that's perfect for this purpose. **Where to buy:** - [Raspberry Pi](https://simplyprint.io/go/raspberry-pi-amazon?vendor=amazon) - [Official Power Supply](https://simplyprint.io/go/raspberry-pi-official-power-supply?vendor=amazon) - [MicroSD Card](https://simplyprint.io/go/microsd-card-8gb-min?vendor=amazon) - [Which USB cable do I need?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/which-cable-to-use-for-simplyprint-octoprint-a31397/) **Already have a Raspberry Pi?** Great! Let's proceed with the setup. --- ## Setup Options ### Recommended: Standard setup (OctoPrint-powered) Your Qidi Tech i-fast is a traditional printer that connects via USB. A Raspberry Pi running OctoPrint is the most popular and well-supported method for these printers. **Requires:** Raspberry Pi (or similar single-board computer) ### Alternative Options - **[Klipper](/setup-guide/methods/klipper-powered.md)**: If you've upgraded your printer to Klipper firmware (you access it via Mainsail or Fluidd) - **[Creality Sonic Pad](/setup-guide/methods/sonic-pad.md)**: If you have a Creality Sonic Pad (a touchscreen device that connects to your printer) - **[BIGTREETECH Pad](/setup-guide/methods/bigtreetech-pad.md)**: If you have a BIGTREETECH Pad (a touchscreen device that connects to your printer) - **[Creality Nebula Smart Kit](/setup-guide/methods/nebula-smart-kit.md)**: If you have a Creality Nebula Smart Kit (a touchscreen device that connects to your printer) - **[Co Print ChromaPad](/setup-guide/methods/chromapad.md)**: If you have a Co Print ChromaPad (a touchscreen device that connects to your printer) ### Need Help Deciding? - **Do you already have a Raspberry Pi?** → Use the OctoPrint method - **Does your printer already run Klipper?** → Use the Klipper method - **Do you have a Creality Sonic Pad or BIGTREETECH Pad?** → Use that specific method - **Not sure?** → Start with the "OctoPrint-powered" method using a Raspberry Pi - it's the most widely supported --- # Standard Setup Guide: OctoPrint-Powered Connect any 3D printer to SimplyPrint using a Raspberry Pi running OctoPrint. This is the most versatile and widely-supported setup method — it works with almost any printer that has a USB port. ## Setup Guide Choose your situation: - **New to OctoPrint?** → Follow the [Fresh Setup](#fresh-setup-new-users) steps below - **Already have OctoPrint running?** → Skip to [Already Using OctoPrint](#already-using-octoprint) - **Want advanced options?** → See [Other Setup Methods](#other-setup-methods) below > **Did you mod your printer and install Klipper firmware?** > If your printer runs Klipper (you access it via Mainsail or Fluidd web interface), you don't need OctoPrint! Use the **[Klipper Setup Guide](/setup-guide/methods/klipper-powered.md)** instead - it's simpler and you won't need any extra hardware. --- ## Why Do I Need Extra Hardware? Your printer connects via USB - it doesn't have built-in WiFi or cloud connectivity. To make it "smart" and connect it to SimplyPrint, we need a small computer to act as a bridge between your printer and the internet. **The most common solution:** A **Raspberry Pi** - a small, affordable computer about the size of a credit card. ### What is OctoPrint? **OctoPrint** is free, open-source software that runs on your Raspberry Pi and handles all communication with your printer. Think of it as the "translator" between your USB-only printer and the cloud. **Here's how it works:** 1. Your Raspberry Pi connects to your printer via USB 2. OctoPrint (running on the Pi) talks to your printer 3. The SimplyPrint plugin connects OctoPrint to our cloud 4. You control everything through SimplyPrint's app and dashboard ### Do I Need to Learn OctoPrint? **No!** Once set up, OctoPrint runs invisibly in the background. You'll use SimplyPrint for everything - starting prints, monitoring progress, managing your printer. OctoPrint is just the "engine" that makes it all work. > OctoPrint is made by amazing people we support financially. We're proud to build on their work while giving you a simpler cloud experience. --- ## Equipment Requirements Before you begin, make sure you have everything needed for a successful setup. ### What You'll Need | Item | Details | |------|---------| | **Raspberry Pi** | One per printer. Recommended models: Pi 5, Pi 4B, Pi 3B (any RAM variant), Pi Zero W **2**, or Pi 400 | | **Official Power Supply** | Using non-official power supplies can cause stability issues due to insufficient power | | **SD Card** | Minimum 4GB. Use speed class 10 or higher for reliability and longevity | | **USB Cable** | Connects the Pi to your printer. Type varies by printer (USB-C, micro USB, mini USB, or USB-B) | | **Network Connection** | WiFi or Ethernet cable to connect the Pi to the internet | ### Which Raspberry Pi Should I Get? | Model | Notes | |-------|-------| | **Raspberry Pi 5** | Latest model, excellent performance | | **Raspberry Pi 4B** | Great choice, widely available | | **Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+** | Good budget option, fully supported | | **Raspberry Pi Zero W 2** | Compact and affordable, works well | | **Raspberry Pi 400** | Keyboard-integrated Pi, works great | > **Note:** The original Pi Zero W (version 1) and Pi 2 are **not recommended** due to performance limitations. The Pi 2 also lacks built-in WiFi. 📖 **[Guide: How to pick the right Raspberry Pi](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/pick-the-right-raspberry-pi-2wj57s/)** 📖 **[Guide: Which USB cable do I need?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/which-cable-to-use-a31397/)** ### Don't Have a Raspberry Pi? If you don't know what a Raspberry Pi is or don't have one yet, we recommend getting one — it's the most reliable and well-supported option. They're affordable (around $35-75 depending on model) and easy to set up. However, if you'd prefer not to buy a Pi, we cover [other setup options](#other-setup-methods) later in this guide, including using an old Android phone, a Windows/Mac/Linux computer, or alternative single-board computers. --- ## Fresh Setup (New Users) If you're starting from scratch with a new Raspberry Pi, follow these steps: ### Step 1: Flash SD Card with Raspberry Pi Imager 1. **Insert your SD card** into your computer - Use the SD card slot if your computer has one, or use a USB adapter 2. **Download and install [Raspberry Pi Imager](https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/)**, then open it 3. **Choose the operating system:** - Click **"Choose OS"** - Scroll down and click **"Other specific-purpose OS"** - Click **"3D printing"** - Click **"SimplyPrint"** - Click **"SimplyPrint OS (latest)"** 4. **Choose your SD card:** - Click **"Choose Storage"** - Select your SD card from the list - ⚠️ **Warning:** Make sure you select the correct drive - all data will be erased! - Tip: Remove other USB drives first to avoid selecting the wrong device 5. **Click "Next"** 6. **Configure settings:** - When asked about OS customisation, click **"Edit settings"** **Set up SSH login (Services tab):** - Enable **"Enable SSH"** in the **Services** tab - Enter a **Username** and **Password** - ⚠️ **Important:** Remember these credentials - you'll need them for troubleshooting later! **Set up WiFi (if not using Ethernet):** - Enable **"Configure wireless LAN"** - Enter your **WiFi network name (SSID)** - this is case-sensitive! - Enter your **WiFi password** - Select your **country code** for wireless regulations - Click **"Save"** 7. **Flash the SD card:** - Click **"Yes"** to confirm (you may need to confirm twice) - Wait for the flashing process to complete - this takes several minutes - **Note:** File explorer windows may pop up during flashing - just ignore them ### Step 2: Insert SD Card and Power On 1. Remove the SD card from your computer 2. Insert the SD card into your Raspberry Pi's SD card slot 3. Connect the power supply to your Raspberry Pi 4. Wait for the Pi to boot up - Newer Pi models (Pi 4, Pi 5) boot quickly - Older models (Pi 3, Pi Zero) may take a few minutes longer ### Step 3: Connect Pi to Printer 1. Connect the USB cable from your Raspberry Pi to your printer > ⚠️ **Pi 4 & Pi 5 Users:** Use one of the **black** USB ports on the Pi (not the blue USB 3.0 ports). The blue ports can cause communication issues with some printers. 2. Make sure your printer is powered on 3. **That's it!** Your printer should appear in SimplyPrint within a few minutes. Proceed to the next step to link it to your account. 📖 **[Not sure which USB cable you need?](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/which-cable-to-use-a31397/)** --- ## Already Using OctoPrint? If you already have OctoPrint running on a Raspberry Pi or other device, you just need to install the SimplyPrint plugin. ### Finding Your OctoPrint Interface Not sure how to access OctoPrint? Try these methods: 1. **Try the default address:** Go to [http://octopi.local/](http://octopi.local/) in your browser 2. **Check your router:** Look for connected devices in your router's admin panel to find the Pi's IP address 3. **Use a network scanner:** Try [Angry IP Scanner](https://angryip.org/) (works on Windows, macOS, and Linux) to find devices on your network 4. **Still stuck?** Check the [OctoPrint community guide on finding your Pi's IP](https://community.octoprint.org/t/finding-the-pis-ip-address/844) ### Installing the SimplyPrint Plugin 1. **Open OctoPrint** in your web browser 2. **Click the Settings icon** (🔧 wrench) in the top navigation bar 3. **Go to Plugin Manager** - scroll down in the left sidebar and click "Plugin Manager" 4. **Click "Get More"** at the top of the Plugin Manager section 5. **Search for "SimplyPrint"** in the search box, then click **Install** on "SimplyPrint Cloud" 6. **Restart OctoPrint** when prompted 7. **Copy your setup code** - after OctoPrint restarts, look for the SimplyPrint setup code in the top bar. Use this code to link your printer to your SimplyPrint account in the next step. --- ## Troubleshooting Having issues getting your printer connected? Here are some common problems and solutions: - **Can't find the setup code?** Make sure the SimplyPrint plugin is installed and OctoPrint has been restarted. - **Printer not detected?** Check that the USB cable is properly connected and your printer is powered on. - **Pi won't connect to WiFi?** Double-check that your WiFi name (SSID) and password were entered correctly during flashing — the SSID is case-sensitive. 📖 **[Full troubleshooting guide: Printer not detected / Can't find setup code](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/printer-in-setup-isnt-detected-cant-find-setup-code-3jyftm/)** --- ## Other Setup Methods Not using a Raspberry Pi? There are other ways to run OctoPrint and connect to SimplyPrint. > ⚠️ **Advanced:** The options below require more technical knowledge. SimplyPrint does not provide support for these alternative setups. ### One Pi, Multiple Printers **Yes, running multiple printers on a single Raspberry Pi is possible** - but it requires technical knowledge and isn't officially supported. **Options:** - **[OctoPrint Deploy](https://github.com/paukstelis/octoprint_deploy)** (Recommended) - A script that simplifies setting up multiple OctoPrint instances on one Pi or Linux machine - **[Docker containers](https://octoprint.org/download/#docker)** - Run multiple OctoPrint instances in Docker 📖 **[Read our in-depth multi-printer setup guide](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/multiple-printers-on-1-raspberry-pi-or-other-device-with-simplyprint-octoprint-or-klipper-multi-printer-setup-1yhicgv/)** ### Alternative Devices (No Raspberry Pi) | Device | Description | Link | |--------|-------------|------| | **Octo4A** | Turn an old Android phone into an OctoPrint server. The phone's camera works as a webcam too! | [Learn more](https://github.com/feelfreelinux/octo4a) | | **Orange Pi** | Cheaper single-board computer alternatives that can run OctoPrint | [Setup guide](https://octoprint.org/download/#octoprint-for-orange-pi) | | **Windows PC** | Run OctoPrint on Windows. Computer must stay on 24/7. | [Get OctoPrint for Windows](https://github.com/jneilliii/OctoPrint-WindowsInstaller) | | **Mac** | Run OctoPrint on macOS. Computer must stay on 24/7. | [Mac setup guide](https://community.octoprint.org/t/setting-up-octoprint-on-macos/13425) | | **Linux** | Install OctoPrint manually on any Linux system | [Linux installation guide](https://octoprint.org/download/#installing-manually) | | **Docker** | Run OctoPrint in a Docker container on any Docker host | [Docker documentation](https://octoprint.org/download/#docker) | > **Note:** For all alternative setups, once you have OctoPrint running, simply install the SimplyPrint plugin as described in the [Already Using OctoPrint](#already-using-octoprint) section above. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I need to buy a Raspberry Pi? Yes, for this method you need a Raspberry Pi or similar device. They're available on Amazon, Micro Center, or the official Raspberry Pi website for about $35-50. ### Which Raspberry Pi should I get? We recommend the **Raspberry Pi 4** (2GB or 4GB RAM) or **Raspberry Pi 5**. The Pi 3B+ also works well. Avoid the Pi Zero - it may be too slow for reliable printing. See our [guide on choosing a Raspberry Pi](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/pick-the-right-raspberry-pi-for-running-simplyprint-octoprint-2wj57s/). ### Which USB cable do I need? It depends on your printer's USB port. Most printers use USB-B (the square connector). Check our [cable guide](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/which-cable-to-use-for-simplyprint-octoprint-a31397/) to find the right one for your printer. ### Do I need to learn OctoPrint? **No!** OctoPrint runs in the background as the communication layer. You'll control everything through SimplyPrint's interface. Think of OctoPrint as the engine - you never need to look under the hood. ### Can I use an old Android phone instead? Yes! You can use Octo4A on an old Android phone as an alternative to a Raspberry Pi. It's free and works well for single-printer setups. ### Can I run multiple printers on one Raspberry Pi? Yes, but it requires more technical knowledge. We recommend one Pi per printer for beginners. For advanced users, check out [OctoPrint Deploy](https://github.com/paukstelis/octoprint_deploy) or our [multi-printer guide](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/multiple-printers-on-1-raspberry-pi-or-other-device-with-simplyprint-octoprint-or-klipper-multi-printer-setup-1yhicgv/). ### My printer isn't detected after connecting the USB cable Try these steps: 1) Make sure the printer is powered on, 2) Try a different USB cable (faulty cables are common), 3) On Pi 4, use a **black** USB port (not blue), 4) Try a different USB port, 5) Restart OctoPrint.