Hey, I’ve had a Replicator I(the wood one) for about 8 months now and have been using Makerware for all of my prints. I recently tried to use Repetier but realized I would have to change firmware on the printer. So before I do something like that I wanted to know what everyone’s thoughts were in regards to slicing and running a MakerBot on something other than Makerware. Repetier looks pretty fancy with a lot of options, and overall looks like you have a lot more control of your prints versus just having a basic unfriendly interface like Makerware. Let me know, thanks!
Don’t bother changing makers are to repetier it won’t work correctly with MakerBots, you should invest in Simplify3D if you really want an awesome slicer program. Prints come out beautiful and the support material comes off so easy with out distorting the print, Simplify3D gives you many more options to take control of your printer.
We totally agree with Pedro_1 regarding Simplify3D 146. The price is quite reasonable for most users and in the long run you will spend less wasted material and money from failed prints, since Simplify3D gives you som much more preview options and better GCode. In most cases the preview immediately reveals if you happened to have bad settings. You find out and can rectify the problem before you even start the 3D-printer!
Nearly all the things that you can do with repetier (not all though), you can do with Makerware by editing your profile in a text editor. They just don’t make it very convenient. I’ve gotten great results doing so, however. As stated below, Simplify 3D might be a better option.
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?
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
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 ;))
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 33 you might try cura … it must’ve been updated since then.
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.
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.
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 9
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.
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?
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.
I just tried to upload the new. Makerware to my 2X and it will not work. Seems like the good time to explore new options. My second 2X machine has Sailfish on it and it seems to be ok. So what are the good options to choose from? I see simplify3D mentioned…and matter ware. Any real solid suggestions?
Stop your criticism. 3D printing has a long and proud history of being, and maintaining, a vibrant open source community. Since the user has a 3d printer and money for filaments, he could probably fork over $150 for S3D. But if he can find an open source slicer to fit his needs then he should go for it. What’s your beef? I love open source everything. But at this point the convenience and reasonable learning curve of S3D might be worth forking over my $150.00. When I do so, will you send me a plate of cookies? The old saying “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” is for losers. And if you won’t ask, your a sucker. So there, hmph!
