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2020 Best SLA/DLP/LCD Slicer Software for 3D Printers

3D Print job preparation can be a time consuming task. Editing, adding supports and slicing your build jobs in a way that they actually print can be challenging. Though there are lots of slicer softwares on the market to help us simplify the jobs, those specialized for SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers are scantylet alone tools with stability and powerful functions.

Here we listed 2020 top SLA/DLP/LCD slicer software for 3D printers for your information. Hope you’ll find the perfect fit to continue or start your totally new print journey in 2020 with your favorite SLA/DLP/LCD 3D printers.


Slicer Software
Price
OS
Slicing formats
CHITUBOX Free
Free
Windows(32/64), Mac, Linux
.cbddlp, .photon, .photons, .zip, .slc, .wow, .fhd, .cws (by plugin), .ctb, .phz, .svgx, .lgs (by plugin)
PreForm
Free
Windows(64), Mac
Wi-Fi Transfer
Z-SUITE
Free
Windows(32/64), Mac
.zcodex
PrusaSlicer
Free
Windows, Mac, Linux
.sl1
Formware
$ 149.95 for 1 PC and $344.95 for 2 PC’s
Windows(32/64), Mac, Linux
.stl, .slc, .obj, .ply, .amf
B9Creations
Free
Windows(32/64), Mac
.cpj

CHITUBOX Free

CHITUBOX Free is a powerful but easy-to-use 3D pre-process software produced by CBD-Tech. The clean user interface make it easy to get started even if you are a green hand. You must be astonished for the multi-file processing of CHITUBOX Free during inputting 3D models, generating supports, slicing your models and ect. Also, CHITUBOX Free can automatically arrange print jobs in the 3D printer’s build space for maximum efficiently to ensure parts are printed correctly.

V 1.6.1

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. In addition, the function to elaborate support settings provides the best ways to manually calibrate your supports.

The Customized settings allow you to specify options related to slicing your 3D model. And all the slicer processing will be finished with one click in a flash. Due to the preview function, you can check your print layer by layer and know how the 3D printer will construct your object.




Pros:

l  Faster slicing speed
l  Solid support generation capabilities
l  Nice UX/UI
l  Rich functions
l  Support for exporting .STL
l  Compatible with most 3D printers

Cons:

l  Require an account to download

PreForm

PreForm is Formlabs’ free software that uses advanced, proprietary calculations to generate supports and optimize print settings for each printed part. PreForm main functions are scale, orient, support, and layout. 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.


V 3.2.1


Pros:

l  Simple operation process
l  Meet most of the basic requirements
l  Excellent automatic support
l  Prompt guidances in place
l  A nice fit for Formlabs printers

Cons:

l  The degree of freedom and openness is not that high
l  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 optimized for Zortrax Inkspire and compatible with third-party LCD 3D printers. Z-SUITE provides powerful model analysis capability including automatic triangle mesh repair, thin walls detection, overhangs highlighting, overgrowth correction and etc.

V 2.11.2.0

With Z-SUITE, lots of editing functions can also be reached like rotation optimization, hollowing, infilling, splitting, replication and etc. Supports are automatically generated in Z-SUITE to match the model's geometry and can be edited manually to prevent failed prints.

Also, Z-SUITE is a wireless command center of smart, reliable Zortrax 3D printers with Wi-Fi capability. Simply connect all devices into a 3D printing farm and start working more efficiently.


Pros:

l  A one-way operation process UX from importing print to slicing it
l  Rich functions
l  Comprehensive display information
l  Embedded with self-built model library

Cons:

l  The support algorithm is average
l  The menu layout is not intuitive
l  Detail treatments are just so-so
l  Only support unauthorized CBDDLP format
l  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. With the release of their Original Prusa SL1 resin 3D printer in 2018, they’ve added masked SLA (MSLA) mode into PrusaSlicer.

V 2.1.1

PrusaSlicer provides editing functions to scale, rotate and especially cut prints. Supports can be generated automatically and then edited manually under “points” mode. Various settings including print, material, printer are available for you.


Pros:

l  Years of iteration from FDM experience
l  A relatively large user group of 3D printers
l  Clear UI
l  Mid-level supporting algorithms
l  Support for exporting .STL

Cons:

l  Old-style UI
l  The current functional details for SLA

Formware

Formware was founded in 2014 after initially starting to sell personalised jewelry online in 2013 with their consumer brand. Formware 3D software is not free, $ 149.95 perpetual license for 1 PC and $344.95 for 2 PC’s.


As a tools to create print jobs, Formware 3D integrated with most editting functions including hollowing, infilling, adding holes, mirroring and scaling. Premium support generation and editting features make it easy and fast to deal with support structures.

What’s more, Formware 3D can make automatic error detection and advanced diagnosis. And the function to add floor structures is especially useful to maximize your print output.


Pros:

l  Advanced support generation and editing
l  Floor structures
l  Customized parameters
l  Specialized for jewelry

Cons:

l  Slow slicing speed
l  Old-style UI/UX
l  Hard for new users
l  Expensive
l  Require a reasonable graphics card with OpenGL 3.3 or higher
l  Support unauthorized CBDDLP and cws forma

B9Creations

B9Creations belongs to the first batch of enterprises in the field of desktop DLP printer. Then many slicing softwares released by 3D printer companies are similar to B9Creations software in terms of operating experience and UI.

V 1.8.6

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:

l  Customized supports for flexible editing

Cons:

l  Fewer updates
l  Unsatisfactory UI/UX
l  Fewer functions

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