● New integration plugins for 3D CAD software like Autodesk Inventor 2018, Blender, FreeCAD, and OpenSCAD
● A new settings backup plugin to save your settings to the cloud. Use your preferred settings across multiple platforms in different locations, or share them with multiple users.
● Smoother searching for settings in custom mode
Read on to learn more about the feature highlights:
Plugin updates
Toolbox. The plugin browser has been redesigned into the Toolbox, with graphical elements to provide more information about available plugins.
Cura Backup. Upon installation, settings, materials, and plugins in Ultimaker Cura can be backed up to the cloud. Create an account on our encrypted secure servers, use your Ultimaker Community login, and store your configurations anywhere in the world, anytime.
Back up your settings to the cloud and access them anytime. Share your preferred settings with multiple users in the office, workshop, studio, or classroom.
Autodesk Inventor integration. Open Autodesk Inventor files (parts, assemblies, sketches) directly in Ultimaker Cura.
Blender integration. Open Blender files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
OpenSCAD integration. Open OpenSCAD files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
FreeCAD integration. Open FreeCAD files directly in Ultimaker Cura.
OctoPrint plugin. New version of the OctoPrint plugin for Ultimaker Cura.
Slicing engine upgrades
Infill support. When enabled, infill is generated only when needed, and a dedicated support generation algorithm is used to create internal support structures for the part. Optimizes infill material usage and shortens print time.
Generate infill only in areas requiring support, shortening print time.
Print outer perimeters before holes. Reduces the risk of holes being removed from the print bed when the print nozzle moves by prioritizing the outer perimeter. This setting should only take effect if outer layers are printed before inner walls.
Control retraction. New options for better retraction control:
Maximum combing distance without retraction. When set to a non-zero value, combing moves longer than this distance will use retraction to maintain optimal nozzle pressure for better print quality.
Maximum combing resolution. The combing process remains at least 1.5mm long to prevent buffer underrun for better print quality.
Avoid supports during travel. Adds a setting to avoid supports during travel moves. This minimizes the risk of the print nozzle hitting the support material, improving print reliability.
Support wall line count. Adds the ability to configure the number of walls to print for supports.
UFP modifier mesh. Modifier meshes were showing up in the UFP image preview displayed on the Ultimaker S5 screen and in the Cura Connect queue. This has been fixed, so it can be ignored.
Cross infill image. Import an image to control cross infill and cross infill density. Note that the infill density percentage may need to be adjusted to be visible.
UX interface enhancements
Anonymous data sharing. The "Send anonymous data" pop-up disabled button has been changed to a "More information" button, with options to enable or disable anonymous data and view specific shared data.
Setting filter timeout. For better performance, the setting filter is now triggered on input, or after a 500ms timeout.
Auto-select model after import. New preference setting to configure the behavior of selecting newly imported models.
Event measurement. Increased logging during specific events, including startup time, file load duration, number of items on the build plate during slicing, slicing duration, and performance when moving items on the build plate. This data can be used to test the performance of different machines.
Setting error helper. Possible profile errors, such as incorrect and duplicate files in material or quality profiles, are automatically detected and reported in a pop-up window. The message is stored to prevent the same error from occurring in the future.
Upgradable bundled resources. Multiple versions of bundled resources can now be installed: bundled version and downloaded upgrade. If the software is upgraded, the bundled version will not be loaded. If it does not exist, Ultimaker Cura will revert to the bundled version.
Third-party printer and stability fixes
New printer definitions have been added for Felix Tec4 printers, Deltacomb, and Rigid3D Mucit.
Ultimaker Cura 3.4 includes numerous bug fixes for a high-quality user experience:
Blank filename. If a blank filename was sent to Cura Connect, Ultimaker Cura would report it as sent, but it would not appear in the Cura Connect queue. Blank filenames are now detected and set to "unnamed" to prevent this from happening.
Print job name re-slicing. Fixed the behavior where print job names reverted to their original names upon re-slicing.
Naming Curaproject. Fixed an error related to two "curaprojects" in the file when saving a project.
Ultimaker S5 pauses at height. Fixed an error where the Ultimaker S5 Z motor would lose power, causing the build plate to drop due to gravity when using pause in the height script.
Message box styling. Fixed errors related to message box styling, such as buttons in the "Send data" pop-up overlapping with the progress bar.
Filament diameter line width. Adjust filament diameter to calculate line width in the GCODE analyzer.
Korean translation. Fixed errors in the Korean translation.
ARM / Mali systems. Fixed the graphics pipeline for ARM / Mali systems.
Discard/Keep. Fixed an issue where custom settings did not provide a "discard or keep" dialog when changing materials.
No GCODE USB. Fixed an issue where printers did not support GCODE when the USB jack was open.
For a complete list of fixes in this release, check the release notes or open Ultimaker Cura 3.4 and navigate to Extensions > Changelog > Show Changelog.
Free Download
Special thanks to our community contributors, fieldOfView, jwalt, ohrn, ngraziano, smartavionics, BagelOrb, and thopiekar.
Download Ultimaker Cura 3.4 and get the best performance from your 3D printing workflow.
Provide us with feedback on this release by joining the discussion in our community of 3D printing experts.
Original article link: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52657-high-performance-3d-printing-with-ultimaker-cura-34