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.bgcode is Prusa’s optional binary way to package and compress ordinary ASCII G-code for 3D-printing workflows. It adds a structured file layout for G-code, metadata and optional thumbnails; it does not replace the G-code commands themselves or establish a new universal CNC standard. Whether it is useful depends on support across the slicer, printer firmware and any control software in the workflow.
What is .bgcode?
A conventional G-code file is text: its commands can be opened and read in a text editor. A .bgcode file is a structured binary representation of that G-code. Prusa’s format specification describes a header followed by ordered blocks that can contain file, printer, print and slicer metadata, optional thumbnails, and G-code.
The header identifies the format with a magic number and binarization version, and specifies a checksum type. The documented version field is 1, and multi-byte integers use little-endian byte order. Blocks include information such as their type, compression method and sizes, along with block-specific parameters, data and an optional checksum.
The specification documents no compression, Deflate and two Heatshrink configurations. G-code blocks can be unencoded, MeatPack-encoded, or use a modified MeatPack encoding that retains comment lines. These options make the file more than plain text with a different extension, but the underlying G-code instructions remain the content being represented.
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What changes compared with ordinary G-code?
| Consideration | ASCII G-code | Binary .bgcode |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and editing | Commands are directly readable and editable in a text editor. | Not directly human-readable; use suitable software to inspect or convert it. |
| File structure | Text commands, with any metadata represented in the text file. | Typed blocks can separate G-code, metadata and optional thumbnails. |
| Size | Uncompressed text representation. | Can use compression and G-code encoding. Prusa reports an average reduction of about 70% in its testing; that figure is not a guaranteed saving for every file. |
| Navigation and checks | Plain text does not provide the documented block-level structure of .bgcode. | Prusa describes faster navigation and checksums as format properties; these are not independent benchmark results. |
| Workflow requirements | Widely straightforward to inspect with text tools. | Requires compatible slicer, printer firmware and, where applicable, control software. |
Prusa presents distinct metadata and G-code blocks, smaller files, faster navigation, validity checks and extensibility through custom blocks as benefits of the design. These describe intended benefits and format capabilities, not proof that every workflow will be faster or that checksums eliminate all file-handling risks.
How much smaller are binary G-code files?
Prusa Research states in its Binary G-code support article: “Our testing shows that using binary G-code reduces the average size by about 70%.” The article does not state the test date, sample or method, so treat this as Prusa’s reported average—not an independently verified result or a prediction for a particular print file.
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A smaller file can reduce storage and transfer burden, while structured blocks can make metadata and thumbnails easier for compatible tools to handle. If direct text inspection or hand-editing is more important, ASCII G-code is simpler; binary files need conversion before editing.
How do you create, open or convert a .bgcode file?
PrusaSlicer supports exporting and loading binary G-code, along with configuration, preview and file associations. According to Prusa, binary export is enabled by default starting with PrusaSlicer 2.7.0 when the selected printer supports it. The documented conversion path is File > Convert, which converts between ASCII and binary G-code.
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- To convert a file: Open the file in PrusaSlicer and use File > Convert to convert between ASCII G-code and binary G-code.
- To edit the commands: Convert
.bgcodeto ASCII G-code, edit the text file, then convert it back if the destination workflow requires binary G-code. - To build software support: Prusa’s libbgcode project provides APIs and components for reading, writing, binarizing and converting binary G-code.
Do not expect a binary file to display as usable G-code when opened directly in a plain text editor.
Which printers and software support .bgcode?
Prusa’s support article identifies Original Prusa MINI, MK4 and XL printers as supporting binary G-code starting with firmware 5.1.0, and says the firmware must be updated. The same article also identifies the MK3.9 family as relevant. These statements apply to the named Prusa families and the article’s firmware guidance; they do not establish support for every printer or firmware release.
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Compatibility also depends on the computer-side workflow. Prusa warns that some external printer-control programs, including OctoPrint, may have issues with binary G-code. If a control program cannot handle the file correctly, Prusa advises disabling binary export in PrusaSlicer for that workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is .bgcode a new CNC G-code standard?
No. The evidence supports describing .bgcode as an optional Prusa-documented format for 3D-printing files, not as a replacement for conventional CNC G-code or a universal CNC standard. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s report describes ISO 6983-1:2009 as defining the data format commonly known as G-code, with standardized ASCII-based commands and vendor variations in machine-tool implementations. It also calls G-code a near-universal format for computer-based NC machines. That context does not make Prusa’s binary container an ISO standard.
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In practical terms, choose ASCII when human readability and broad text-tool access matter. Consider .bgcode when reduced file size or structured metadata is useful and the complete receiving workflow supports it.
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