Simplify3D Printer Software

3/15/2015

Thanks to a subscriber at my YouTube Channel, I now have a version of Simplify3D to evaluate. This is an expensive software package ($150) to control a 3D printer. It doesn't design the print, just slices it and send the generated G-Code to the printer. Its the only 3rd party software that works with the Da Vinci 1.0 3D printer stock software.

I want to see if it gives me better quality prints and if it allows me to do things I cannot do with the stock Da Vinci software. Simplify3D gives you far more control of the print. You can set the heat of the print at different layers. You can slow down or speed up the print at different times. You can change the fill at different points in the print. The biggest advantage is you can control where supports for added or removed for sections of the print that may hang over and fall if not supported.

I'm just getting started with the software so it will take me time to learn it. There is a lot to learn. I hope to do some videos on the software in the future so if you are interested in that, stay tuned to my YouTube Channel. I also like the fact that it will work with many different printers. This allows me to jump to a different printer in the future if I need to and not have to learn new software. That is a nice feature.

2 Comments

Jeff

7/5/2016 03:40:25 pm

Hi Chuck,

I've been watching your you tube channel for a while, and have been subscribed for some time.

I'm using a stock da Vinci 1.0, with all of your suggested fixes, and a couple of my own, and have recently made my own filament resetter, primarily to re-use all that leftover filament in over a dozen cartridges.

I have two extruders, which are used exclusively for ABS and PLA, respectively (but I am yet to purchase any PLA).

I'm getting decent results, but, as you are well aware XYZware is not the best software out there.

I was hoping to get your opinion on using simplify3D with this printer. It will be fairly expensive for me, as I will be purchasing in $AUD, but I think it may be worth it, in terms of print quality.

You reference, in one of your videos, printing a rocket with the Pro, and how the tip does not come out due to the limitations of XYZware, but you mentioned that such prints should be possible, with better software.

Is Simplify3D a software package that can accomplish this on the da Vinci 1.0?

I have tried to research this myself, but cannot find the answer on the various websites and forums that I have a checked.

I would be eternally grateful if you would respond to this question.

Kind Regards,

Jeff Brewer

Chuck Hellebuyck link

7/5/2016 04:27:08 pm

It will definitely give you more options and potentially better prints but the cartridge still controls the temperatures and flow rate and such so to really get the most out of a DaVinci if you reflash it. Then controlling it with Simplify3D or any slicer is a lot better. Simplify3D has a great slicer and is fast compared to XYZware. It also will adjust speed for tips like the rocket. You can control the temperatures and speed at different points in the print. I also love the fact that I can use the same software with my multiple different printers. So I think its worth it. PLA will be a bit tough on the 1.0 because the hotend has terrible heat break control (aka clogging). A better fan setup or a better hotend is also recommended. So everybody has a different situation. I ended up getting a second printer and then realized how limiting the DaVinci Hotend was. And they didn't do much to improve it on the pro.

Simplify3D Printer Software

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