An Introduction to Simplify3D!

[@EpicJonC]

Help my model and xyz disapear when i move the model. Im left with a blank screen

[@3DMusketeers]

Make sure you're on the slicer window and not the preview window. It'll be at the bottom.

[@primozkaluza3621]

Why extrusion width shuld be 0.45mm? Can you explain me?

[@3DMusketeers]

Sure. A bit wider than your nozzle is good for adhesion between layers. It enables the line to be squished a bit rather than more circular as it comes out of the nozzle. CNC Kitchen did a great video explaining how it can help with extra strength :)

[@primozkaluza3621]

@@3DMusketeers dosent this afect smoothness on surface?

[@3DMusketeers]

nope, the slicer accounts for it. You just get stronger prints. Eventually, yes it can, but that is at like 200% nozzle diameter, not 110%

[@Deedeedee137]

I use simplify3d and have since 2015. Up until recently simplify still had certain features like dynamic line width adjustment that no one else had, and as of like 4.0 (which was the last time I tested this) simplify had pathing algorithms that produced higher quality and faster prints than anyone else in the industry. As for the printer profiles, I realize stock profiles aren't great but I've been using it so long I have really nicely tuned settings and have for years

[@3DMusketeers]

I hear ya, and for years this was me too, but at some point I tried PrusaSlicer and never looked back. Especially with things like Snug supports and full paint on, it just makes things easier

[@Deedeedee137]

@@3DMusketeers honestly at this point I am probably going to switch to prusa slicer or super slicer pretty soon unless S3D v5 somehow actually comes out lol

[@3DMusketeers]

That's what I told myself. Tried it and never looked back.

[@Deedeedee137]

@@3DMusketeers the main thing honestly is the pathing. I remember very strongly that simplify used to have better pathing algorithms and I'd like to run some comparison prints to see if they still do, although I suspect the other slicers have caught up in that area as well

[@3DMusketeers]

I believe they have!

[@glenngillan739]

would simplify be worth a newbie to learn from?

[@3DMusketeers]

Personally, no. Prusaslicer or Cura are much better and 100% free. S3D has not had a meaningful update in years whereas PS just got a massive one, that for me, means S3D is not worth it at all. Mind you, it's in alpha so it's not perfect, but boy howdy it's better. We covered it relatively recently. Take a look :)

[@randydeserranno5575]

Extrusion Multiplier.... thank you, learned something today.

[@3DMusketeers]

You're welcome!

[@randydeserranno5575]

@@3DMusketeers I use Simplify3D with my two MakerGear M3s...thanks again.

[@3DMusketeers]

@Randy DeSerrano that's awesome! Any troubles with it in terms of user friendliness?

[@randydeserranno5575]

@@3DMusketeers It reminds me of MS-DOS... very functional at what it does. Wish they'd update once and awhile... or ever. $200.00 CDN

[@jcjensenllc]

I have used over a pound a PETG trying to get 100% solid first layer WITH NO GAPS. It is impossible with 3SD. On forums and support sites they tell you to use different techniques from Z-offset to speed or temperature setting. They talk about flow rare, squishing, bed to nozzle settings, etc. I tried everything. The solution should be offered with a parameter named " First layer infill OVERLAP (a percent). S3D has a similar parameter for perimeter and it works well. I am giving up after 97 attempts. Switching to another slicer.

[@3DMusketeers]

S3d is antiquated. Prusaslicer has always worked well for us, but I never had that issue with S3D, I would agree on some of the things the internet said, but if you get good results with other slicers, who cares, right?

[@jcjensenllc]

@@3DMusketeers thanks for the suggestion/feedback

[@3DMusketeers]

good luck! We have videos on some of the other slicers too!

[@CornishCarper]

I only use S3D for all my 40 machines, I recent had a questionnaire asking what I would like to see in version 5, They also wanted to know why I had 10 brands, great slicer, great company their email response is 100%

[@3DMusketeers]

They have been promising version 5 for something like 2+ years now though

[@CornishCarper]

@@3DMusketeers oh they sure have, I seen an article a few months back by Fab365 saying version 5 is on the way. I think they were waiting for arachnid to be developed.

[@3DMusketeers]

They are fully closed source. Using open source stuff would be a problem for them I think

[@alexjaspers6863]

S3D is still by faaar the best slicer ever, it outperforms on multi process and sequential printing all other slicers on Gcode efficiency and simple straight usage

[@3DMusketeers]

Of they updated more than once every 5 years I'd be inclined to agree. I used it exclusively for years and when prusaslicer officially forked it really took off. Now with paint on supports, better sequential printing, and more. It's got everything S3D has and more, and it's open source and 100% free. Is S3D bad? No. But it is dated these days. I do prefer it's multi process but I think I just got used to it over the years.

[@alexjaspers6863]

@@3DMusketeers Well i checked out the 2.4 update of PS. and I still do not see how to make a real multi process multi sequential part setup where you can alter ALL parameters. What i mean is: just make a 5 process setup in S3D by layer (and change the temperature at a certain height). How to do in PS ??: not possible, there is no option to change it! I discussed this with Prusa last year, but I think they don't understand how valuable this actually is... the primitive adding option in a part is a real cool option but also here again limitation on parameters to alter. Or I am really stupid that I don't find the option..😅..

[@3DMusketeers]

You can do adjustments based on layer height in Prusa, but it would be part per part. Things like changing layer height is easy via their variable layer height tool that lets you gradually change it rather than abrupt. Prusa sets temp change for first layer then other layers, normally this is fine for our needs. You can right click the part and then choose Hight Range Modifier and make it happen that way! Not AS straightforward, but I do not find myself using it that often anyways and have come to like it despite that one gripe. If you turn on Expert settings (it defaults to beginner, top right when looking at settings) it will open up more settings. The one thing I am missing, coast. PS does not have it and I am bummed, but it does have wipe, it is just the distance of your retraction from what I can tell. Hope this helps!

[@alexjaspers6863]

@@3DMusketeers thanks for your feedback, yes i saw the split layer setup.... but .... no temp settings: just for 1st layer and then for all others the same. Temperature is an extreme important parameter when processing polymers. yeah the coasting is also a key tool, again as important as temperature and speed as it allows you to directly control extrusion process at every position of the part. with 3D parts through FDM process, well I think you understand the importance of it. As far as I know for other slicers, this temp altering option is only available in Idea maker. PS is really cool and its plater management is superb and fast, but .... can you imagine, even aside of the missing temp, coasting end some other: setting a multi process for 100 pcs over and over again by hand ....

[@3DMusketeers]

I have personally had a time where their implementation of temp did not work perfectly. On our fast printer we have the first layer for petg at 255, normal temps, but layer 2 is at 272 because on layer 2 it goes up to 200mm/s where it needs that kind of heat. I do miss coast, but the tradeoff of cubic and adaptive infills as well as these easy paint on supports is amazing. I have taken the time to dial in our machines so the specific tuning is not as required as it used to be, it just works. I wonder if Super Slicer gives you the temp adjustments, I think it does.. But they have not yet done a pull from PS so they do not have the fancy supports and such yet. Always a game of what is most comfortable. I do hope S3D updates soon. If they can do what they did those years ago today they would instantly gain back much of the market share they have lost to Prusa and others. I would love to see more competition in the industry! Of course, if they do release something, expect a video from us, I love slicers and want to educate not just newbies but people looking to expand horizons on these other possibilities! Hopefully by then we have a better work flow for slicer videos as it is more talking head than I would like. Need to get some cameras for B roll and learn to do it well lol. After all, we are mainly a service bureau and product development company, the youtube was something that we started up in early 2021 for fun!

[@bobhepple5752]

Loved the video YEs I use S3d it is my go to slicer yes I use prusa Slicer I prefer S3d I get great prints from it on mu MK3 Um2 Taz6 the thing I hate with P slicer it does not like empty layers so in cad when I design custom supports in adrawing, S3d no Problem, Prusa Slicer don't like it, also with a MMU2 you cant update the model you start from scratch,,, I would love the V5 from S3D to come out but i doubt it will... on a Last note I find getting Prusa Slicer to work with say Taz 6 dam hard work with S3d not a problem....

[@3DMusketeers]

I much prefer my PS profile for my Taz 6 over S3D but that is due to having more control over accelerations, speeds, etc. The supports from S3D are second to none right now, but we have seen some teasers from the Prusa team that show they are coming after S3D with a passion. Only time will tell, but yes, I 100% agree, WTH is version 5???

[@johnnyhellfire6]

I'm too invested in cura, lol can't imagine paying for software for my printing. Also just ordered a sonic pad so am gonna start working with klipper and well ... This just has adobe vibes

[@3DMusketeers]

Oh yeah, but at least adobe updates more than once every 4 years!

[@kongchho]

I agree with everything you're saying. But I still prefer s3d. It just runs better. I've used every slicer under the sun and still come back. At the same time I wouldn't recommend to anyone starting out. I'd also recommend prusa slicer.

[@3DMusketeers]

We used to do the same, I just got so used to Prusaslicer that we did the main switch about a year ago and now with it's improved support I haven't been back to s3d in more than 8 months.

[@caramelzappa]

Thanks for the detailed video. I think I'm going to continue to skip it. While it does have some good features, there are just way too many compromises for the price. Superslicer is free and does everything I need. Occasionally I'll use Cura for tree supports. I'm totally on-board to pay a premium price for a premium slicer, but compared to the (free) competition, I'm not seeing the value here.

[@3DMusketeers]

I agree. With the new cura beta released (we interviewed a cura dev too today) I don't see any reason to spend money on S3D right now. Maybe when they eventually get an update but not now.

[@TheLordinio]

is the company even still alive? It seems the last update was in 2018

[@3DMusketeers]

They post on twitter often and the comments are CHOICE.. but otherwise it does not feel that they are...

[@skaboodlydoodle]

there's absolutely NO reason to buy simplify 3d if you don't already have a license in 2022. There's already several options that are as good or even more robust that are completely free. The only reason I use S3D is because I bought it years ago and I'm used to it but even I am switching because at this point it's features are limited compared to Cura or Prusa slicer and the dev team has been absolutely silent for the past 3 years

[@3DMusketeers]

completely agree!

[@technodrone313]

In April it will be 3 years since the last update. Don't throw your money at whatever vulture is keeping this company on life support. Cura is light years beyond that build and free.

[@3DMusketeers]

Honestly everyone seems to be! Prusa, super slicer, cura, hell even idea maker, matter control, kirimoto even! All are light-years ahead. And now with Prusa 2.4 it is so much easier to get supports like you can in s3d

[@robertasjuscius1092]

To be honest I've used Simplify3d for past 4 years... then jumped to super slicer train... and after one year later I've moved back to simplify 3D. Reason why is that simplify 3D outperforms prusa slicer (super slicer) any day. Yes with latest super slicer you have more infills , ironing and etc. , but this is just geeky part... If I make 10 same parts on s3d and on super slicer , S3d wins every time... And yes support is trash... but again s3d simply does better job with less setting every know that. S3D is good to certain level. But for a simply daily prints it smokes.

[@3DMusketeers]

Interesting, I found the switch to PS to be much better than S3D, especially now with snug supports. I have not looked back. The coast feature is nice in S3D, but one of it's main advantages to me was its support generation. In the PS 2.4 beta (not official yet but public) the snug supports are so dang good! I wonder if just the seat time in S3D and having good, dialed settings vs something in SS or PS accounts for a bunch here? It is a difficult test to do!

[@robertasjuscius1092]

@@3DMusketeers well you're right there the snug support is awesome. I feel that These new slicers are just overwhelming simple 3d printer with bunch of settings where you really can't see real difference between prints. I'm forcing my self in to the new stuff but it does not deliver easy solution... Like simple boat benchy... after 30+ tries with SP stil S3D outperforms...

[@3DMusketeers]

I 100% agree, that is why I am glad that the major ones offer the beginner, intermediate and full control freak.. I mean expert settings. If you want, send us some photos, via email, tagging us on twitter, IG, etc. so we can take a look, may be something easy or we may ruminate in pain together?