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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 best LCD DLP resin 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 2020s top SLA/DLP/LCD slicer software for 3D printers. We hope you’ll find the perfect fit to continue or start your recent print journey in 2020 with your personal SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers.
In this article we will talk about all the 3D printing slicers we have tried, I do not rate them from best to worst, we will try out more slicer software and add them to this article as we try them out.
This article is just to give you a basic understanding, I leave it up to you to choose what slicers you would like to try.
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
If you would like to learn more about Chitubox have a look at this article
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 best LCD DLP resin slicer and 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 personalized jewelry online in 2013 with its 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
NanoDLP Slicer
The NanoDLP slicer is another best LCD DLP resin slicer that will give you great features for SLA/SLS/DLP 3D printing. This Slicer is compatible with all the operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac, and Raspberry Pi. Thus, the Slicer is one of the most compatible and rugged ones in the market. Here are a few of the amazing features of the NanoDLP that you must know about.
The functioning is smooth, including working on Raspberry Pi. Furthermore, the Slicer contains many features like dimming, hollowing, infill, and AA support. The slicer acepts STL, SLC, SVG, OBJ and PNG type files, its not just a slicer you can use also use it to control your 3D printer.
Pros
- Compatible with a large number of hardware and platforms.
- Provides smooth transitioning features on the Raspberry Pie
- Improved print quality
- Free
Cons
- The model cannot be rotated in discreet steps
- Rendering is based on the browser which often slows the process
Need help installing NanoDLP on the wanhao duplicator 7 or any other printer have a look at this article.
Mango Slicer
Mango Slicer is one of the most popular white-label 3D model preparation solutions available in the market. The software is flexible and allows compatibility with a number of hardware platforms.
A few of the outstanding features of the Mango slicer include; compatibility for beginners and advanced level experts alike. Plus you can manage your own printer and resin library on the browser for free. Moreover, you can export your templates in .obj and .stl modes. Thus, you can directly send these files to your printer via the internet.
Pros
- Provides real-time preview of the completed design
- Resin economical mode algorithms make your printing efficient and economical
- Auto-support features make the design more substantial by adding supports
Cons
- Only available for manufacturers
Lychee Slicer
The Lychee Slicer is another best LCD DLP resin slicer offered by Mango Slicer. Unlike a lot of other Slicers, this Slicer has a price tag to it. However, you can use it as a trial version for 1 month before deciding to purchase it.
The main advantage of using Lychee Slicer is that you can use it with a lot of printers. Furthermore, the interface is very easy to use and makes it possible for you to use it easily. Furthermore, there are fully automatic modes that enable you to sit back and relax while the Softwares makes necessary amendments to the design.
Pros
- Auto-mode has a powerful algorithm to suggest changes that improve your design
- Compatibility with a lot of printers and hardware devices
- Gives a higher level of control to its users
Cons
- Not available for free
Monkeyprint
The Monkeyprint is a pre-processing and print control software for 3D DLP printers. You can manage multiple designs within the same profile and use it over the internet library through a browser.
Other main features of the Slicer include; model positioning and orientation, auto support generation by your defined parameters, slicing and hollowing of structures. You can install the software for Monkeyprint on Ubuntu 12.04 and 16.04. The installation process is simple but the working and editing of the Slicer features is not as easy as for a few other Slicers. Thus, it is recommended for experts and mid-level enthusiasts who have prior knowledge of using open-source Slicers.
Pros
- Open source and can be edited according to the requirements of the user
- Supported on Linux
- Comprehensive user manual available with the Slicer
Cons
- Ideally suited for experts and enthusiasts who have some prior experience of using open source Slicers
- The interface is very simple and might not interest a few users
We hope that you have enjoyed this article on the Best LCD DLP resin slicer and SLA/DLP/LCD Slicer software for 2020. Why not check out the Space 3D Resin 3D Printer – The Tiny Frontier?
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