Ultimaker Cura 3.3 beta has been released. Download it now to discover a new set of features, plugins, bug fixes, and increased support for third-party printers.
What's new in Ultimaker Cura 3.3 beta?
● New font for better screen readability and consistency with Cura Connect
● A new look for the Plugin Browser
● Round prime tower for a more reliable dual extrusion experience
● Support blocker for better control over where support material is generated
● New option to disable Ultimaker 3 extruders, unlocking 'print one at a time' mode
Please note: We have thoroughly tested this version, and it offers great features and improvements. However, it is still in beta, and we cannot guarantee the same print reliability as the stable version.
If you are working on an important project, we strongly recommend using the stable version of Ultimaker Cura.
UX Improvements
Updated Font. The default font has been changed to NotoSans, improving readability and consistency with Cura Connect. The font update also fixes some rendering issues on Mac OSX.
Font updated to NotoSans
Configure/Sync Button. Configure and sync buttons are now available for network-connected printers to synchronize all available settings within a Cura Connect group.
Group hostnames will automatically be pulled from the API, and network printers and local printers will be separated in the list.
Shows compatible settings for connected printers
Setting Readability Presets. Presets guide you to the most important settings. A small menu next to the search bar allows for easy setting of readability presets.
Model Helper. Models larger than 15 x 15 x 15 cm printed with ABS, PC, PP, or CPE+ will trigger a prompt informing users how they can achieve the best results.
Faster Model Addition. A significant speed increase when adding models.
Tooltips for Non-Configurable Files. If a settings file is grayed out in recommended mode, a tooltip will inform the user why.
Ultimaker 3 Unloaded Material. When material is not loaded into the extruder on an Ultimaker 3, it will show as 'empty' instead of 'unknown'.
Optimized Slicing Engine
Single Extrusion Mode. Disable an extruder on the Ultimaker 3 for single extrusion prints. In the right-hand panel, right-click on the desired extruder and select 'Disable extruder' to disable it.
Restart it by right-clicking and selecting 'Enable extruder'. Print settings profiles will be optimized for the enabled extruder and all settings, such as print bed temperature, for better print quality.
Using single extrusion mode also enables 'print one at a time' functionality for the Ultimaker 3 or other dual extrusion printers.
Round Prime Tower. The prime tower is now round. Round prime tower paths make printing motions smoother, the structure stronger, layer adhesion better, and adhesion to the print bed improved, reducing the likelihood of failure.
Round prime tower makes print head movement smoother and stronger
Connected Infill Lines. Grid and triangle infill patterns now have connected lines for more stable flow, better model rigidity, and reduced impact on outer wall quality.
Support Blocker. Generate a cubic mesh to prevent support material from being generated in specific areas of the model. Use standard adjustment tools to scale, rotate, and move the cube to meet user requirements.
Use support blocker to prevent support generation in specific areas
True Bridging. New experimental feature detects bridges, adjusts print speed and fan speed to improve print quality of bridged parts.
Updated CuraEngine Executable. The CuraEngine executable now includes dedicated icons, author information, and certification.
RapidJSON and ClipperLib with System Libraries. The application has been updated to use verified copies of libraries, reducing maintenance time (as it is now handled by the operating system) and reducing code size (as redistribution is not required if already on the user's system).
Compressed G-code. G-code saved from Ultimaker Cura is now compressed to save space (using gzip).
Improved Printing Behavior
Initial Layer Flow. A new setting in the 'Material' category allows users to adjust initial layer flow for better control.
Retraction During Initial Move. Retraction has been added to the initial travel move, reducing the chance of blobs appearing on the part before printing the edge/skirt.
Unnecessary Retraction. Eliminates retraction during layer changes in spiralize mode, improving model quality.
Faster Travel Paths. Until now, the travel path optimizer worked by taking the shortest route from one point to another. When combing, any route might take longer due to obstacles that need to be circumvented.
Now, combing distance can be used to achieve more consistent results.
Updated Plugins
Plugin Browser Look and Feel. The Plugin Browser has been updated with a better look and feel, aligning it with other UI elements. Author names are clickable, opening an email client to directly contact the author for support. Plugins can now also be uninstalled using the uninstall button.
New Plugins. Ultimaker Cura has added three new plugins: Scalable Extra Material, Print Temperature Adjustment, and Fan Off.
Preheat Extruder. New functionality to preheat in the printer monitor.
Rename TweakAtZ to 'ChangeAtZ'. The script has been renamed to be more consistent with other scripts.
Import XML Material Settings File Check. XML material configuration files are now checked before importing into Ultimaker Cura to avoid potential issues.
Bug Fixes
We have been working hard on various bug fixes for a better user experience:
● Infill density can now be applied to both extruders, not just one
● The slicing engine would fail when slicing with material at 0°C
● Fixed users being unable to connect to printers after losing network connection
● Replaced comtypes module with win32com in SolidWorks plugin to fix a bug
Third-Party Printers
We have updated profiles for third-party machines, including FABtotum, Dagoma, uBuild, Cartesio, Printrbot, SeeMeCNC, Velleman Vertex, and gMax 1.5.
Discover more Ultimaker Cura 3.3 Beta
Thanks to our contributors, including fieldOfView, Pheneeny, smartavionics, and thopiekar.
The beta version of Ultimaker Cura 3.3 is completely free. Don't forget to tell us what you think in our 3D printing expert community, where all user feedback may be included in the stable version.
Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52522-announcing-ultimaker-cura-33-beta