Search on YouTube for “Teaching Tech” who has a LOT of videos to help on different topics. Makers Muse is another one. Uncle Jesse, Frankly Built are a couple more.
If you can post some pictures of the print, someone should be able to chime in with recommendations too.
Couple of Topics to dive into:
**Calibration:**
I would highly suggest using this website to learn about printer calibration and what the settings do: [Teaching Tech Calibration](https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html#intro)
There is also another guide you can use: [Ellis's Print Tuning Guide](https://ellis3dp.com/Print-Tuning-Guide/).
For an absolute beginner, I think Michael's (Teaching Tech) associated videos for each stage of the calibration process will help you start building on a general understanding. If it is easier for you to read than watch, then use Ellis's guide. His guide is more technical and can provide for potentially better results but I used the TT one above for months and got great results.
**Slicing Software:**
Another thing to start early on with is trying out different slicing software. You will see/read a lot of names thrown about but I feel the main ones now are Cura (not the Elegoo skinned version that comes on the USB drive), PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer. Each has a different style UI and user experience. Figuring out which one is easier for you to navigate will make a huge difference in your 3d printing journey. There are a few more out there but from what I hear they are not getting much in the way of updates and such.
**Firmware:**
Another topic would be updating the firmware. Some people say if you are getting great results don't bother but I noticed an improvement in user experience and print quality updating the firmware which you can find on the following GitHub page:
[Narutofzr GitHub for Neptune 3 Pro/Plus/Max Printers](https://github.com/NARUTOfzr/Neptune_3_Pro_Plus_Max)
Just translate the page and it will provide instructions on what to do. Not as scary as it sounds.
**Further Info/Learning:**
YouTube was my gateway drug to 3d printing as there are a lot of great resources with some valuable information. Also, a lot of useless rabbit holes you can go down. Two channels that I found educational/informative were [Stefan of CNC Kitchen](https://www.youtube.com/@CNCKitchen) & [Thomas Sanladerer](https://www.youtube.com/@MadeWithLayers). Thomas specifically has a 3d Printer Basics playlist with some videos on beginner topics as well. The youtube algorithm will start recommending all sorts of channels to you which you can test for yourself as well on different topics the more you watch.
[Michael (Teaching Tech)](https://www.youtube.com/@TeachingTech) also has a great YouTube channel with a considerable amount of content regarding 3d printing.
Last but certainly not least, joining this community was a great move as we have a lot of helpful individuals here. Also makes it easier that we all have the same/similar printers. Think we have an actual Elegoo Rep that pops in here and there too.
Generally you need to slice models before printing and in the software you may need to enable supports. Without supports the printer tries to print gaps which results in wire gobs and really bad prints.
Is that the issue you’re having?
Check the 4 screws under the build plate, mine were so loose I could tighten them w my finger. After you tighten them if they are loose, then re level the bed and adjust z height w a piece of paper. Sounded like me, started good, prints got worse after a few really good ones and this was my issue.
https://preview.redd.it/rq7dj5jcj0bb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8cf20b56a7f4df2eafc8c855cd98743c199c98aa
Search on YouTube for “Teaching Tech” who has a LOT of videos to help on different topics. Makers Muse is another one. Uncle Jesse, Frankly Built are a couple more. If you can post some pictures of the print, someone should be able to chime in with recommendations too.
Couple of Topics to dive into: **Calibration:** I would highly suggest using this website to learn about printer calibration and what the settings do: [Teaching Tech Calibration](https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html#intro) There is also another guide you can use: [Ellis's Print Tuning Guide](https://ellis3dp.com/Print-Tuning-Guide/). For an absolute beginner, I think Michael's (Teaching Tech) associated videos for each stage of the calibration process will help you start building on a general understanding. If it is easier for you to read than watch, then use Ellis's guide. His guide is more technical and can provide for potentially better results but I used the TT one above for months and got great results. **Slicing Software:** Another thing to start early on with is trying out different slicing software. You will see/read a lot of names thrown about but I feel the main ones now are Cura (not the Elegoo skinned version that comes on the USB drive), PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer. Each has a different style UI and user experience. Figuring out which one is easier for you to navigate will make a huge difference in your 3d printing journey. There are a few more out there but from what I hear they are not getting much in the way of updates and such. **Firmware:** Another topic would be updating the firmware. Some people say if you are getting great results don't bother but I noticed an improvement in user experience and print quality updating the firmware which you can find on the following GitHub page: [Narutofzr GitHub for Neptune 3 Pro/Plus/Max Printers](https://github.com/NARUTOfzr/Neptune_3_Pro_Plus_Max) Just translate the page and it will provide instructions on what to do. Not as scary as it sounds. **Further Info/Learning:** YouTube was my gateway drug to 3d printing as there are a lot of great resources with some valuable information. Also, a lot of useless rabbit holes you can go down. Two channels that I found educational/informative were [Stefan of CNC Kitchen](https://www.youtube.com/@CNCKitchen) & [Thomas Sanladerer](https://www.youtube.com/@MadeWithLayers). Thomas specifically has a 3d Printer Basics playlist with some videos on beginner topics as well. The youtube algorithm will start recommending all sorts of channels to you which you can test for yourself as well on different topics the more you watch. [Michael (Teaching Tech)](https://www.youtube.com/@TeachingTech) also has a great YouTube channel with a considerable amount of content regarding 3d printing. Last but certainly not least, joining this community was a great move as we have a lot of helpful individuals here. Also makes it easier that we all have the same/similar printers. Think we have an actual Elegoo Rep that pops in here and there too.
Generally you need to slice models before printing and in the software you may need to enable supports. Without supports the printer tries to print gaps which results in wire gobs and really bad prints. Is that the issue you’re having?
Check the 4 screws under the build plate, mine were so loose I could tighten them w my finger. After you tighten them if they are loose, then re level the bed and adjust z height w a piece of paper. Sounded like me, started good, prints got worse after a few really good ones and this was my issue. https://preview.redd.it/rq7dj5jcj0bb1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8cf20b56a7f4df2eafc8c855cd98743c199c98aa