Thanks to the strong community support and development team from Ultimaker, the public beta of Cura 2.5 has finally concluded!! The latest official version of Cura is available for download here.
Cura 2.5 definitely lives up to expectations, packed with new features and bug fixes to provide a more comfortable 3D printing experience.
This version allows you to increase print speed, multi-thread, calculate print costs more accurately, and many more practical improvements.
Don't forget: if you are upgrading from an older version (Cura 2.4 or earlier), your configuration might be overwritten.
Please back up your configuration folder before installing Cura 2.5. To learn how to find the configuration folder, please see here.
New Feature Highlights
Our development team is committed to making Cura 2.5 the best performing 3D printing software on the market. Here's a quick overview of the new features and improvements.
Increased print speed: We've adjusted the entire system. Now, operations involving changing printer models, settings, materials, and Printcores are much faster than before.
The processing of 3MF files will also be faster; you can now open your 3MF files in one-tenth of the time it used to take. This means significantly reduced waiting times before printing!
Multithreading: This is an important improvement for Windows and Linux users. If you have a multi-core computer, Cura can now perform multiple operations and slicing simultaneously.
Depending on your computer's specifications and the file to be printed, slicing can be up to 70% faster than before, making your operations more efficient!
Preheat print bed: It's now easier for all Ultimaker 3 users to preheat the print bed. This will reduce your downtime and speed up your workflow.
Simply use the "Preheat" function on the print monitor page and set the correct temperature for the material you are using.
Improved 3D preview function: Want to know more clearly how your object will print? We will provide an improved Layers preview mode for computers that support OpenGL 4.1.
If your computer supports OpenGL 2.0 to 4.0, we will automatically switch back to the old display state.
Disable auto-slice: Some users reported that the auto-slice function slows down their workflow, and we heard you, so we've added an option to disable auto-slice!
Auto-scale defaults to off: Previously, when an object's size couldn't fit in Cura, it would automatically scale your proportions. To prevent users from unknowingly having their dimensions scaled, this feature is now set to off by default!
Print cost calculation: Cura 2.5 can now help you calculate your print costs. Simply enter the price and weight of each roll of material.
You can also set the cost for each different material, giving you better control over your spending.
Gcode reading function: The Gcode reading function is back! Loading Gcode into Cura will allow you to view it in Layers mode.
You can already print, share, and save Gcode files through Cura, and preview the print appearance using Gcode!
Updated infill settings: The infill settings now allow users to configure expansion surface settings, so that the walls of your object can extend into the infill area.
This is to prevent some narrower areas of the object from being unsuitable for infill; you can set the minimum range for infill to be replaced by wall thickness.
Top/bottom line direction and infill line direction settings allow users to choose the most suitable mode and direction (e.g., Line, zig-zag, etc.).
Discard or keep changes pop-up window: Now, when you modify print settings yourself and then select a different configuration profile,
a window will pop up asking if you want to keep the settings. This dialog box will have more information and be more intuitive.
Bug Fixes
Cura 2.5 also includes various bug fixes.
Message exceeding window: We've added a slider function to correct instances where messages on certain windows, such as "About Cura," extend beyond the box.Center screen on selection: This feature is currently set to "Off" by default.
File extension removal: Now, when you save a file or project without changing the file type, the extension will not be automatically added. It will only be added if you change the file type.
Improved Ultimaker 3 Extended connectivity: When Ultimaker 3 Extended is selected, Cura will no longer allow you to connect to an Ultimaker 3 printer without warning. This has been fixed.
Corrected Y/Z colors: The Y and Z colors in the tool menu now match the colors on the build plate.
Prevent model overlap: Fixed an issue where some models would overlap, ensuring each object is separate.
Perimeter gaps: Perimeter gaps have now been filled.
Remember file location after restart: Cura 2.5 will remember the last opened file location after restarting.
Project name: The project name will no longer be modified after the file has been opened.
Incorrect support values (Printcore 2): When your support material is made using extruder 2 (PVA), providing incorrect values would still trigger slicing. This has been fixed.
Support towers: Support towers can now be disabled.
Support bottom: When your object requires support to be built, enabling the Support Interface function will also build bottom supports.
Summary window size: The summary window size has been increased.
Cubic infill: Cubic infill mode now operates more reliably.
Outer contour mode fills gaps: Combines the function of filling gaps between walls to create more infill.
Post-processing plugins: Since the TweakAtZ post-processing plugin is not yet officially supported, we have added an 'experimental' tag to it.
Updated Third-Party 3D Printer Configurations
Folgertech printer configurations have been added.Hello BEE Prusa printer configurations have been added.
Velleman K8400 printer configurations for single and dual nozzle versions have been added.
Material configurations have been added for Cartesio printers.
Get Started Now!
Download Cura 2.5 now and share your feedback and comments with us!
Article source: Ultimaker Announcing Cura 2.5