When we first heard about Simplify3D, the internet was already hearting it mucho. Nine months later, they show no sign of slowing down.
Their most recent update added compatibility for more than 30 new printers, bringing the total number of supported printers close to 200. With new 3D printers coming out every week, that may not seem like much, but it represents 90% of the desktop 3D printers on the market, including everything from Makerbot and Printrbot to Rostock and Ultimaker.
This comes two months after the release of Simplify3D 3.0, which added support for 25 new printers — so that’s new compatibility for 55 printers over the course of a couple months. So, if you were hoping and wishing Simplify3D would whip out support for your 3D printer, you may want to have another look.
Simplify3D 3.0 adds faster slicing, six new infill options and support for many more desktop 3d printers.
“We work directly with 3D printer manufacturers from all over the world to develop what we call ‘profiles,'” says Natalie Adler, Marketing Manager with Simplify3D. “[These] contain a group of pre-configured settings fine-tuned to each individual printer.” In other words, new support for a new printer, means they’ve added a profile. If you have a printer that isn’t supported via one of these profiles, it’s likely you can still use Simplify3D by creating your own profile or ask their support team to assist.
Currently, they are strictly focused on 3D printer integration. Although Simplify3D is not 3D design software, users can easily import .stl or .obj files into the software, make repairs to the mesh, and configure the settings for printing. You can select auto-configure options for material, print quality and extruder, adjust infill via a slider and select to include raft or support. Prior to printing, you can see an animated preview of print path and layers or move through the preview manually.
Simplify3D has partnered with 3D printer manufacturers around the world to add the new support, and with their goal of a universal 3D printing software, there are sure to be more partnerships in the future. Through this, they are showing that the 3D printing software is just as important as the hardware, if not more.
The software remains priced at a flat $149 USD per license with free updates available after purchase. Upgrades for versions prior to 3.0 can upgrade to the new system with additional 3D printer support here.
After seeing their supported printers, are there any others they are missing? I can name one I’d like to see.
