1. Got a question or need help troubleshooting? Post to the troubleshooting forum or Search the forums!

Opinions on best slicer/user interface for robo3d

Discussion in 'Software' started by Mbisjr23, May 6, 2015.

  1. Mbisjr23

    Mbisjr23 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    7
    i was wondering what you guys think is the best slicer/ user interface for the robo3d. I have been using matter control since I bought the machine 4 months ago but was wondering if there is something better out there.
    Thanks!
     
    Mooky likes this.
  2. Mooky

    Mooky New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2015
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    1
    That's an excellent question.
     
  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Forgetting/ignoring the UI side of things, the best slicer I have seen so far is Simplify3D. Unfortunately, not free.

    Of the free ones the one I use/like the most is Repetier host, but Cura has come a long way as well (Cura is faster than Slic3r, but it has more hiccups). Some of the stand-alone slicers (like kisslicer) I have tried just for giggles, but most of them are not really ready for prime-time.

    MatterControl was and still is at the moment bottom of the barrel (most bugs, least features, least useable UI--all my opinion). I think they were going for an 'easy' to consume UI for the beginner, but I am not sure they hit that mark. Not yet anyway.
     
    Printed Solid likes this.
  4. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,605
    Likes Received:
    1,003
    I second Simplify 3D for best.

    The best UIs come into play when you are using the slicers that are specifically developed for the printers. Makerware is really clean, but obviously isn't going to do anything for you on a Robo. Likewise, Cura when you can just run it in easy mode on an Ultimaker is sweet as well. Like Mark mentioned, MatterControl was robo's attempt at this, but I'm also not a fan (yet).

    I don't like running the printer from the slicer interface program ever. I have an LCD controller installed. Load code to SD card, put SD card into LCD, and hit print.
     
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  5. jbigler1986

    jbigler1986 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2015
    Messages:
    534
    Likes Received:
    128
    I agree with this. Any little USB glitch you can get from USB can completely ruin a print. There is a reason Robo started adding an sd card slot and most big name printers come with a slot as well.
     
  6. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2013
    Messages:
    6,967
    Likes Received:
    2,276
    I like cura a lot. I have access to most of the slicers out there (S3D, KISSlicer, etc)

    Cura's really simple to use and tweaking settings is easy and quick. Automatically reslices when you make a change so there's no need for profiles or saving.
     
  7. daniel871

    daniel871 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2015
    Messages:
    1,322
    Likes Received:
    510
    Is it possible to save a particular settings... setup... for a particular material so that you can quickly load it again? Or do you just have to write everything down (assuming you don't try to setup a process file in S3D that mimics it once you figure it out in Cura or whatever)?
     
  8. jbigler1986

    jbigler1986 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2015
    Messages:
    534
    Likes Received:
    128
    You can save profiles
     
    Mike Kelly likes this.
  9. Ben Lindstrom

    Ben Lindstrom Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2013
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    41
    Can't speak for Simplify3d.. But as far as free slicers go I've been really happy with Slic3r. And with each release I'm finding it handles less desirable geometry from software like Blender3d better. I tend to jump between the beta releases and the stable release depending on the model and the complexity.

    Only thing I dislike about Slic3r is the support feature. It seriously screws up the surface of more organic models making it much more time and effort to clean them up.

    If I printed more I'd look into Simplify3d as it seems to have more intelligent supports. As it is I tend to print parts at best every other month at this point.
     
  10. Mbisjr23

    Mbisjr23 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    7
    Thanks guys. I've actually been thinking about buying simplify3d so I'm glad it was brought up. Looks like I'll be taking the dive tonight
     
  11. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    If you can afford it I consider it one of the best investments after getting the printer. I only wish it were cheaper.
    At least you get active/alive support...
     
  12. Mbisjr23

    Mbisjr23 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    7
    So I purchased s3d last night and been playin with it today. I was happy when I bought my robo3d but this program has made me fall in love with it. What a great product. Such better quality, way faster and way more user friendly. Thanks for all the advise. Money well spent
     
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  13. daniel871

    daniel871 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2015
    Messages:
    1,322
    Likes Received:
    510
    Any idea on how to rotate a part on the y/z axis in S3D? have a wine glass I want to print but S3D brings it in on its side.

    Cura will let me rotate that way, so I'm hoping there is a function I'm missing somewhere.
     
  14. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
  15. BrianFraz

    BrianFraz Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2014
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    10
    I have yet to hear of anyone say any different. From the moment I got S3D everything else felt inferior. Which means I haven't really used anything else in a long time though.

    We got a Makerbot Replicator 2x at work, the software for that is just horrible IMO. It felt like there was so little control that I had to slice models with my copy of S3D to get good surface finishes. I feel like S3D has just given me the freedom to fix the problems I find when printing :)
     
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  16. JennBarth

    JennBarth New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2017
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Slic3r and Cure are the best.
     
  17. daniel871

    daniel871 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2015
    Messages:
    1,322
    Likes Received:
    510
    Slic3r has come a long way since the last post in this thread before yours (2015), but Cura isn't quite there yet and Simplify3D still slightly edges out over Slic3r for any printer not a Prusa MK2 (where you use the specific fork of Slic3r Prusa Printers keeps updated for that printer).
     
  18. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    @daniel871 and others, Prusa has two slicers that are both based on technology provided by Slic3r. The PE (Prusa Edition) version is the multi-printer variant. The newer PrusaControl is currently specific to Prusa printers but the slicing engine is still the same as used in Slic3r PE.
     
    Geof likes this.
  19. barisahmet

    barisahmet New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2017
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    1
    As a newbie, I am using Simplify3D. My prints have improved dramatically. Default settings of S3D is far better than matter control in my experience.
     
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  20. Sheila Griffith

    Sheila Griffith New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2017
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    3
    As a newbie who's getting extremely frustrated with prints that won't stick or prints that finally stick so well you have to break them to get them off the plate, i'm toying with doing some type of spending. My question to you all is do you think buying something like simplify 3d would help with this at all or do you think i'm better off investing in a better or modifying the print bed by installing a heated boriscillate type bed for my Robo3d C2?

    Thanks.
     

Share This Page