![]() Slic3r: which should you use?īoth Cura and Slic3r are powerful programs that are well worth a look if you’re after a good slicing software, but there are clear differences between the two that shouldn’t be overlooked. This means that it is constantly evolving, though at the price of becoming less beginner-friendly with each optional update as many of the modifying community are experts. Slic3r’s community-made additions are generally wider in scope, making larger improvements to the software as a whole. This makes it ideal for attaching screws, internal mechanisms, or electronics relevant to the project at hand without having to manually pause your printer. Depending on what you’re printing, you may need your slicer to do a little more than just print from start to finish.īecause both Cura and Slic3r are free, open-source programs, they’re both open to consumer-led modification to add new features all the time.ģD prints that need extra attention or additions midway through printing, like prints with moving parts or electronics in mind, will need a slicer that can pause the printer mid-project to attach such additions.Ĭura offers such a feature via one of its many community-rated add-ons. Slicing software involves more than just an ‘upload and go’ model. ![]() Slic3r will give you basic information such as axis length and filament consumption, whereas Cura will go into far more detail by giving you more relevant information like estimated print time. Cura you choose in this respect will depend on how much information you want. Slicing software will give you all the information you need on a model before printing, but which side of Slic3r vs. While this isn’t a problem if you only plan on using one 3D printer, it can become tedious if you’re using multiple machines. Slic3r does have the capacity for such a library, and each machine’s information needs to be entered manually and stored for later use. ![]() Similar to how translation software can automatically figure out which language you’re typing in, Cura can recognize the 3D printer you’re using and change its settings accordingly. Because of this, compatibility is key for smooth functionality and problem-free use.Ĭura excels at this due to its auto-detection that’s linked to a library of hundreds of common 3D printers with precise optimized settings. Slicing software acts as an intermediary between your CAD software and your 3D printer. Cura vs Slic3r: 3D Printer Compatibility & Ease of Use Of course, particularly large files will take some time in either program, and the difference in time will be negligible for smaller files. On average, Cura is around 3-5 times faster than Slic3r, depending on the size of the file and its innate compatibility. Transferring and encoding files is never an instant process, and it takes a powerful software to do it in a reasonable timeframe. However, it does let you make minor alterations should you come across any issues. While Cura’s manipulation feature is easier to use, it can only be done in 15-degree increments, so it may prove to be an irritating feature if you need to focus on a specific part of the model. Despite this, Slic3r does incorporate micro layering, which can help you ensure your more intricate models are as accurate as possible before even sending them to print. ![]() Slic3r has options for moving your model around in-program to a specific degree, but there are no options to actively change the model’s shape if you happen to find any errors or unwanted shapes. This comes in very handy as a sort of ‘final check’ before you send the model off to print, and is good for last-minute surveying for unwanted patterns or additions. While most 3D CAD software will let you manipulate and view your model from different angles, many slicers will let you do this too. This simple user interface makes navigation easy even for those of you going in totally blind.īoth Cura and Slic3r are very approachable and a plethora of guides and tutorials can be found online even if you do get lost, so there should be no worries with either one if you’re nervous about diving in for the first time. Slic3r makes itself beginner-friendly by having a very well-organized and easy-to-navigate layout that uses carefully segmented menus and options.
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