Introducing Ultimaker Cura 4.4
Ultimaker Cura 3D printing software is a popular choice across our Solid Print3D customer base as it enables users to prepare 3D prints with just a few clicks, and integrate with CAD software for an easier workflow. Advanced 3D Printer …
Charlie Jessey
December 11, 2019Ultimaker Cura 3D printing software is a popular choice across our Solid Print3D customer base as it enables users to prepare 3D prints with just a few clicks, and integrate with CAD software for an easier workflow.
Advanced 3D Printer Software
Slicer features
The powerful Ultimaker Cura open-source slicing engine has been created through years of expert in-house development and user contributions.
- Intent profiles print specific applications at the click of a button
- Recommended profiles tested for thousands of hours ensure reliable results
- ‘Custom mode’ gives over 400 settings for granular control
- Regular updates constantly improve features and printing experience
Integrated Workflow
If you own a 3D printer, software matters. Get the most from your printer with software designed to suit your workflow.
- Seamless integration with all Ultimaker products
- CAD plugin integration with SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, and more
- Compatible file types: STL, OBJ, X3D, 3MF, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG
Easy to use
Manufacturing doesn’t need to be complicated. Ultimaker software is designed so anyone can use it – both experienced or beginner 3D printer users.
- Prepare your 3D model for print in minutes with recommended settings
- Simply choose speed and quality settings, and you can start printing
- Ultimaker Cura is free and open source software
So What’s New?
Cura 4.4 – Intent Profiles
3D printed mechanical parts need good dimensional accuracy and improved tolerances. Visual prototypes need crisp details and smooth surfaces. By using different combinations of slicing values, you can achieve different print results to suit practical applications.
However time is money and tweaking slicing settings, doing a test print, and then analysing if the result is what you intended isn’t practical at all. With the release of Cura 4.4, Ultimaker have now developed a new way to quickly and easily get the results you need with Intent profiles.
Intent profiles keep things simple. Just load your CAD data, choose a profile that matches your print’s intent, and hit print. The software automatically configures the right settings to achieve your intent, so you can maximise your chances of success and reduce iterations.
The release of Cura 4.4 introduces three Intent profiles that apply a wide variety of professional 3D printing applications:
Engineering
Print your CAD files with enhanced dimensional accuracy and improved tolerances. Make functional parts, like customised tooling – locally and on demand.
Visual
Print your CAD files with crisp details and smooth surfaces – ideal for concept models and visual prototyping.
Draft
Print your CAD files in the shortest time possible. Accelerate product development, deliver within your production deadlines and skip the hassle of complex configuration.
Ultimaker 3D Printers
Each Intent profile works with the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, Ultimaker S5, and Ultimaker S3 when used with the Ultimaker range of PLA and ABS materials – as well as compatible support materials like PVA and Breakaway.
3D printing is the most versatile of all manufacturing processes, and can make more different shapes than any other technology. With Intent profiles at your disposal, it’s easier than ever to convince others within your business how easy 3D printing can be.
Learn more about Intent profiles on the Ultimaker resource pages, or download Ultimaker Cura 4.4 and discover them for yourself.
Besides Intent profiles, Ultimaker Cura has been upgraded to give you a better experience with more ease-of-use, UX improvements, and bug fixes. Here are some highlights:
Per-model settings
Per-model settings are a set of very powerful features if you want to apply slicing settings to specific sections of your model. They are more discoverable in this release, with dedicated icons in the toolbar.
Performance improvements
Various tweaks have been made under the hood for a snappier, more responsive interface.
Pause at height message
The ‘Pause at height’ post processing script has a new option to display a custom message on screen. This can be used to give instructions to operators to perform an action during the pause, e.g. ‘Place bearings in slots and resume’.
Restore window preference
fieldOfView has contributed a new preference around restoring the previous window position and size to the last used position and size on start up.
Why Solid Print3D?
We are engineers and we look to obtain an in depth understanding of your application so we can find you the best possible solution. We also provide technical support from design to 3D manufacture.