3D Print job preparation can be a time-consuming task. Therefore, editing, adding supports and slicing your build jobs in a way that they print can be challenging. Though there are lots of slicer software on the market to help us simplify the jobs, those specialised for SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers are scanty—let alone those with stability and powerful functions.
Here we list 2020’s top SLA/DLP/LCD slicer software for 3D printers. We hope you’ll find the perfect fit to continue or start your new print journey in 2020 with your personal SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers.
CHITUBOX Free
CHITUBOX Free is a powerful, but easy-to-use 3D pre-process software produced by CBD-Tech. The clean user interface makes it easy to get started, even if you are new to it. You will be surprised at the multi-file processing capabilities of CHITUBOX Free during the uploading of 3D models, generating supports and slicing your models. Besides, CHITUBOX Free can automatically arrange print jobs in the 3D printer’s build space for maximum efficiency to ensure parts are printed correctly.
Besides, CHITUBOX Free provides powerful editing functions including hollowing, infilling, cloning, mirroring, scaling to improve efficiency. Support generation can be usually done with a single click in CHITUBOX Free. Also, the function to elaborate support settings provides the best ways to calibrate your supports manually. As a result, the Customized settings allow you to specify options related to slicing your 3D model. Besides, all the slicer processing will be finished in a flash with just one click!. With the preview function, you can check your print layer by layer and know how the 3D printer will construct your object.
Pros:
- Faster slicing speed
- Solid support generation capabilities
- Nice UX/UI
- Rich functions
- Support for exporting.STL
- Compatible with most 3D printers
Cons:
- Requires an account to download
PreForm
The PreForm is Formlabs’ free software that uses advanced, proprietary calculations to generate supports and optimise print settings for each printed part. Above all, it’s primary functions are scale, orientation, support, and layout. Also, these features combine into one workflow with the one-click print feature. You can select multiple printers and easily upload your print using Wi-Fi.
Pros:
- Simple operation process
- Meets most of the basic requirements
- Excellent automatic support
- Prompt guidances in place
- A nice fit for Formlabs printers
Cons:
- The degree of freedom and openness is not that high
- Unable to export.STL so that non-device users can’t use it
Z-SUITE
Z-SUITE is Zortrax’s comprehensive slicing and 3D printing farm management software which is optimised for Zortrax Inkspire. Also, it is compatible with third-party LCD 3D printers. As a result, it provides powerful model analysis capability including automatic triangle mesh repair, thin walls detection, overhangs highlighting and overgrowth correction.
With Z-SUITE, lots of editing functions can also be reached like rotation optimisation, hollowing, infilling, splitting, replication, etc. Besides, supports are automatically generated to match the model’s geometry and can be edited manually to prevent failed prints.
Above all, Z-SUITE is a wireless command centre of smart, reliable Zortrax 3D printers with Wi-Fi capability. In other words, connect all devices into a 3D printing farm and start working more efficiently.
Pros:
- A one-way operation process
- UX from importing print to slicing it
- Rich functions
- Comprehensive display information
- Embedded with self-built model library
Cons:
- The supported algorithm is average
- The menu layout is not intuitive
- Detail treatments are just so-so
- Only support unauthorised CBDDLP format
- Can’t export.STL
PrusaSlicer
PrusaSlicer (formerly known as Slic3r Prusa Edition or Slic3r PE) is Prusa’s own in-house developed slicer software based on the open-source project Slic3r. After that, with the release of their Original Prusa SL1 Resin 3D printer in 2018, they’ve added masked SLA (MSLA) mode into PrusaSlicer.
PrusaSlicer provides various editing functions such as scale, rotate and especially cut prints. Supports can be generated automatically and then edited manually under “points” mode. Besides, various settings include print, material, printer are available too.
Pros:
- Years of iteration from FDM experience
- A relatively large user group of 3D printers
- Clear UI
- Mid-level supporting algorithms
- Support for exporting.STL
Cons:
- Old-style UI
- The current functional details for SLA
Formware
Formware was founded in 2014 after initially starting to sell personalised jewellery online in 2013 with their consumer brand. But, the software is not free. It costs $149.95 for a license for 1 PC and $344.95 for 2 PC. As a tool to create print jobs, Formware 3D is integrated with editing functions such as hollowing, infilling, adding holes, mirroring and scaling. Also, premium support generation and editing features make it easy and fast to deal with support structures.
What’s more, it has automatic error detection and advanced diagnosis. And the function to add floor structures is especially useful to maximise your print output.
Pros:
- Advanced support generation and editing
- Floor structures
- Customised parameters
- Specialised for jewellery
Cons:
- Slow slicing speed
- Old-style UI/UX
- Hard for new users
- Expensive
- Require a reasonable graphics card with OpenGL 3.3 or higher
- Support unauthorised CBDDLP and cws format
B9Creations
B9Creations belongs to the first batch of enterprises in the field of desktop DLP printers. As a result, there are many slicing software released by 3D printer companies which are similar to B9Creations software in terms of operating experience and UI.
Also, B9Creations intelligently lays out, orients, and auto-supports your parts in three clicks or drop into Design Mode to adjust a breadth of parameters to fine-tune results.
Pros:
- Customized supports for flexible editing
Cons:
- Fewer updates
- Unsatisfactory UI/UX
- Fewer functions
I hope you have enjoyed this article on the Best SLA/DLP/LCD Slicer software for 2020. Why not check out the Space 3D Resin 3D Printer – The Tiny Frontier?
Featured Image Attribution
