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daid edited this page May 13, 2012 · 53 revisions

Cura main window

About - What is Cura?

Cura is a project which aims to be an single software solution for 3D printing. While it is developed to be used with the Ultimaker 3D printer, it can be used with other RapRap based designs.

Download

Cura-RC3

Win32
OSX64 (MacOS installation issues)
Linux

Older versions

https://github.com/daid/Cura/downloads

Is Cura good?

You do not have to take my word for it. Other people are liking it:

Status - How is Cura progressing.

Current release (RC2)

  • Faster slicing with PyPy - (Done in Alpha1)
  • Easy to use UI based on wxWidgets - (Done in Beta2)
  • 3D model preview with OpenGL - (Done in Beta2)
  • Parallel slicing - (Done in Beta2)
  • Transparent 3D view - (Done in Beta2)
  • GCode path preview - (Done in Beta2)
  • Joris addon - (Done in Beta2)
  • Improved GCode path preview with topdown view - (Done in Beta3)
  • X-Ray-vision - (Done in Beta3)
  • Pure Python firmware update - (Done in Beta3)
  • Rotate/Flip 3D model for printing - (Done in Beta3)
  • First run configuration wizard - (Done in Beta3)
  • Improving the 3D preview so you can switch between model/GCode and even see model and GCode at the same time
  • Raft settings and raft enable/disable (For SF users, no, this won't effect support like in SF)
  • Cool minimal feedrate (so cool never makes your print crawl)
  • Show errors from slicing in 3D model (identify faulty edges)
  • Printing from within Cura
  • Simple mode, just select a profile, a material type, a model, and hit "print". So "Everyone Can Print (TM)"
  • Skin option
  • Thicker bottom layer option
  • Improved retraction (only retract when comb couldn't avoid holes)
  • More rotate options (swap XZ, YZ)
  • Various MacOS fixes (Thanks to PyroMani)
  • Option to save the used profile when slicing, so you know which settings where used with the slice
  • More statistics about print when using the Cura print interface (filament used, filament weight, filament costs)

Known bugs

  • RC2: First run wizard does not work correctly. Controlling the Ultimaker fails.
  • RC2: First layer does not contain enough support material if support is enabled.

Ready in development version

  • Toolbar button icons
  • Scale to fit machine button
  • Open in exporer button
  • Multi-extruder slicing
  • GCode syntax highlight in start/end gcode editor
  • Project planner
  • Improved performance of 3D preview of GCode (faster layer switching)

Future

  • Add support for PrintrBot
  • Slic3r backend support

Running the development version

See: Installing development version

History

The name SkeinPyPy came from the software package Skeinforge in combination with PyPy. Skeinforge is a "slicer" which turns a 3D model into machine instructions. However, Skeinforge is quite slow and can take well over a hour to slice complex models.

Skeinforge is made in Python, and there is a project called PyPy which is a faster Python implementation. Combining the two made "SkeinforgePyPy" which I later renamed to "SkeinPyPy".

Originally SkeinPyPy was just a package combining Skeinforge with PyPy and a few patches to make it easier to use. The package was made so it was ready to run and didn't require you to install anything else. It was also packaged with PrintRun which handles the machine communication. These where the Alpha versions.

But it still was Skeinforge. The Skeinforge user-interface, with 260 configuration options, is a bit difficult to use. Many of the options don't apply to 3D printing. And configuration changes where not easy. Also, sharing configuration was not made easy.

So, the NewUI project was started. With input from many people, a new, easy to use, user-interface was created. Still using Skeinforge as backend, but without showing any of the Skeinforge horrible user-interface screens. And SkeinPyPy started to evolve from a "make Skeinforge faster" to "make a all in one, easy to use, 3D printing software package". These packages are the Beta versions.

Finally, it was decided to rename the package from SkeinPyPy to Cura. Because it surpassed the "Skeinforge with PyPy" goal.

Show your support

The best way to support Cura is to report issues this way Cura can become even better. Report problems, as well as ideas for new features or improvements.

People have also asked me if they can show support by donating money. You can make donations trough PayPal to the email address daid303@gmail.com (transfer money as gift), however, this is just to show your appreciation. It will not entitle you for any direct support, or will buy you features you want. Cura is maintained as a hobby project right now.

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