Makerware vs. Other software (on MakerBot)

[Wepla]

Looks really good, but what about us folk who can’t afford to shell out $150.00 ? Is there nothing cheaper, or even free?

[AtomJaay]

It is an investment that only gets better with updates and comes with 2 seats. You could enlist a 3D printing friend and go dutch.

I have been using Cura on my PrintrBot and have had really good results compared to old MW and new S3D respectively.

[3D2Go_PH]

You can try simplify 3d, its not free but improves the quality of prints a lot.

[paul_15]

sailfish is ok, and adds some more control.

i rarely have to do much with profiles, mostly to do with non-standard materials.

[magdesign]

If you can’t afford $150 for a great piece of software from nice guys how did a hell lot of work to write it, how could you afford a 3D printer and filaments?

[c_bednar]

Not without changing the firmware. That’s what you get for the $150. Convenience and support.

[Pedro_1]

If you already invested on the 3D printer you should also invest on a slicer that’s worth it and I can back up Simplify 3D 100 percent

i own 3 simplify3D lincences for all my printers, and I don’t waste anymore time with faulty prints which releases me to keep designing without worries.

put that printer of yours to work correctly so you don’t have to waste time and you can concentrate on making money with it, the software will pay itself in no time

[GloomySparker]

I agree with a lot of people here. I own a Replicator 2 and did some prints using Makerware for about 2-3 months last year. After a few misprints that I wasn’t able to understand, I had the same question as you: “Is there a better slicer?”

I’m an Open Source and free software pro… but, in fact, after buying Simplify 3D (no demo available… a pain in the ass!), I was very happy of the results. The slice process is very fast and the result is much better than with Makerware, even using the default parameters.

In S3D, you can also choose your printer in a very long list and manage EVERY parameter of your print. You want to change the infill, the temperature or the fan speed per layer? It is possible with Simplify 3D… (do not have any share ;))

[michael_arief_9]

Simplify 3d is my favorite but to be honest you can probably get 90 -99% of the functionality with free software depending on your technical ability and realistic usage patterns. Used to use rep g and it will give you more control but you should take into account how much makerbot has invested in their software. Fun with Slicing Software Testing - 3D Universe you might try cura … it must’ve been updated since then.

[Joseph_1]

Hers my experience Joe's 3D Workbench: Finally committing to Simplify3D

[scottjanousek]

Simplify 3-D Creator = http://www.simplify3d.com/. I believe it’s made by former 3-D Systems employees.

[scottjanousek]

I also like Mattercontrol for some of my smaller, open source based FDM bots, but I’m not sure if it supports the latest MakerBots.

[M4Printing]

Hi Nate,

Makerware does a real good job and from my experience it gives better results than free slicing software. I used different programs like Slic3r, Kisslicer and also Simplify3D on my repetier host printer. My other printer is a replicator 2 which uses Makerware and in many cases it gives me more neat results.

[Hitsman]

I also have an original replicator and for a long time I used ReplicatorG. I started using Makerware and found that I didn’t really miss the options that RepG gave me (but it does give you so many).

Recently, I purchased Simplify3D and haven’t really given it enough of a shot to comment adequately on it. I feel like it has the polish of makerware with even more options than RepG if you want to use them. The slicing speed is simply outstanding though.

[AK_Eric]

Just to +1 much of what has already been said: I have the same machine as you, just had it for 3 years now Started off on ReplicatorG, moved to Makerware when it was released, and since Dec have been using Simplify3D : While S3D is lacking in a few areas, it far makes up for it in soooo many other places. Worth five spools of cheap filament? Yes. I did a detailed review of it here when I first got it (still applicable): Simplify3D | AK Eric

Upgrade your firmware to Sailfish, and you’ll have one really solid machine.

When it comes to Makerware, the only things about it I don’t like is its slice time (so, so slow). I’ve got some really good results out of it in the past, and like mentioned, you can still twist a lot of knobs using it’s custom profiles. But with S3D, the slicing is so fast (and the gcode visualizer is so nice) the slicing process becomes an iteration step, not a “finally, that finished after 2 hours” step.

[MidWestMade]

Yea that’s what I’m thinking, to swap firmware did you just press the reset button a on the printer and reload the selected Sailfish firmware? How did you go about doing it?

[MidWestMade]

Thanks! Yea I will definitely make the switch … eventually … just watching the S3D youtube demo has gotten me invested. It looks like you have a TON of control over your prints, thanks for all the help & suggestions! I’ll probably be back for more questions.

[Maciej_3]

How are you changing GCode from Simplify3D to Makerbot file format? I’m still using Makerbot slicer and i’m not fully satisfied with that.

[GloomySparker]

S3D will nicely and gently export a x3g file just for your needs!

[Maciej_3]

Oww How nice thx for info.