DON'T buy Chitubox Pro

[@greg777]

Tom respected for declining that offer. Not many people would do that on KZbin. BTW another comprehensive review, keep up good work!

[@zodd67]

Yep he's sticking to his guns and not being a typical KZbinr sell out only thinking about money.

[@joeldriver381]

"I declined that offer" LOL

[@alexwinters8371]

Tom for president!

[@RC-Flight]

Yes my hat is off too Tom for standing his ground and being one of the most honesty you tubers out there!!! I’m really getting tired of sellouts how only want free stuff! I’m at the point that I’m unsubscribing for so many you tube propaganda producers.

[@juststeve5542]

Being locked down discouraged me from buying this printer.

[@TechnologistAtWork]

That's why Anycubic hates their guts. If you want a resin printer in the future get an Anycubic because they hate Chitu.

[@muskokaliving2072]

@@TechnologistAtWork I didn't know that about Anycubic. Thanks for your comment. Now I know which resin printer I'm buying next.

[@maximumdt5084]

Same here, because any company that has a free and a paid version will eventually make the free version trash, maybe not today but eventually.

[@DarrylAdams]

I thought the Anycubic slicer was based on Chitubox?

[@turbotwo1]

Elegoo has already said if chitu decides to lock down their boards then they will look into going with someone else. Seems like Elegoo isnt to happy about this move either and their hands are tied right now.

[@bogatyr2473]

$170 A year is ridiculous, genuinely bonkers. If it was significantly more feature rich than free I could maybe see $5 a month but holy crap, Disney+ is cheaper

[@maximumdt5084]

Such a GREEDY price.

[@davethepak]

They are greedy, shortsighted and insane. This is not some professional grade business software used in advanced analytics or big strategic corporate decisions. This is a simple tool used as a single part of long process hobbyists do to make little plastic toys and props. I mean - does it print and wash and cure for you all on its own? I mean- even business users (industrial prototyping) use FDM for the most part - and sure, if you want to make a commercial license for corporate users - then that price is not bad. It would be different if the tool were advanced - I mean, can it auto rotate the part, build perfect supports and guarantee a successful print or your money back?

[@andyspoo2]

A one off fee of $170 seems expensive to me. To have to pay that every year is a bad joke.

[@ramasakura6642]

The funny thing is that in my case with the creality halot mage printer this subscription costs almost half the printer

[@shadow7037932]

Sounds like it's time for some company to start making non locked boards. What an idiotic move by Chitu. But I think this move was always on the cards. Everyone wants to get in to services instead of simple hardware alone due to how profitable it is.

[@SchwachsinnProduzent]

Yeah, something like those SKR or MKS boards but for SLA could be a game changer. Buy cheap locked down printer, replace the locked down part and enjoy a printer that won't randomly start to charge you money.

[@sagichnicht6748]

@@SchwachsinnProduzent ... and charging way less for that replacement board than for a single year of that Chitubox Pro. ;)

[@MakerHacks]

Aren't Prusa SLA open source?

[@squishybrain]

Atlas , the discord group, the folks responsible for VROOM printing and Vulcan resin are (through their OPA project) making an open source resin controller board. Looks promising and should be done soon.

[@shadow7037932]

@@squishybrain Good to know. Will keep an eye on it.

[@insaneferret]

Manufacturers take note: a MASSIVE proportion of the maker community will not buy your products if you tie them to a subscription, its a hard red line. Makers are very very hostile to hardware as a service schemes, upvote if you agree.

[@maximumdt5084]

Yep, went with a Voxel Labs unit recently instead because it's not completely locked down.

[@harmless6813]

@@maximumdt5084 Hm. Looks to me like they use Chitu boards. Did you check?

[@antoniomromo]

@@harmless6813 not sure about their board, but I can use lychee just fine.

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

When a software maker reinvents one wheel, there's usually something fairly special about the wheel. When they reinvent the entire vehicle, usually they want to print money at the expense of users.

[@3DomSculpts]

I won't buy any new printers that have "Chitu locked" boards. Ever.

[@Rostol]

yeah same here, I am even considering getting a resin printer. so, strike Elegoo off that list.

[@nathan1sixteen]

I wonder if there is a firmware that you could flash them with. A 3rd party, free one

[@3DomSculpts]

@@nathan1sixteen that would require someone to reverse engineer the boards, which isn't very likely.

[@nathan1sixteen]

@@3DomSculpts I disagree. With the amount of Chitubox based boards there are out there in even just elegoo printers, I would not be surprised if someone did it.

[@3DomSculpts]

@@nathan1sixteen for how basic the boards and the code are, I wouldn't imagine its viable target for those with the knowledge to do so. It would make more sense for someone to just develop an open source board.

[@danne77sthlm]

A list of non chitubox printers is something I think should be made (if there is not one already made?) , that would help buyers to avoid this type of locking a user to a corner they do not want

[@shrimperlincs3395]

The Creality Resin Printers and the Prusa ones.

[@DavesRocketShop]

I've been meaning to get a resin printer for a while now, but honestly I can't see myself ever buying a Chitu based printer. I can see a day not too far off where you need to pay them a subscription fee to use hardware you've supposedly paid for. Cricut anyone? No thanks.

[@nateschmitz9827]

Hmm I'm not sure what you mean by that with circut? I use my cricut joy all the time and have never paid for anything after the initial purchase.

[@DavesRocketShop]

@@nateschmitz9827 They tried to implement a licensing change that would limit the amount of uploads available in their "free" version limiting its usefulness to most makers. They only relented after significant push back with no promise not to try again in the future. You may see yourself effectively locked out of using your cricut some day very soon. I bought a competitive product because of it.

[@evilsdexter5261]

@@DavesRocketShop what did you buy Dave? I've been looking for a cricut alternative too and I don't know what to get

[@DavesRocketShop]

@@evilsdexter5261 Silhouette Cameo 4

[@evilsdexter5261]

@@DavesRocketShop Thank you

[@neilis2405]

$169 per year is way too much for this type of product. If they wanted say $25, maybe even $40 one-time for a pro-license (or at least good until the next major update) then I could see paying that, but $169 per year is a hard pass for me.

[@SergiuszRoszczyk]

It is hard to justify a price of a 3D printer a year just for slicer...

[@GeekDetour]

I totally second that! There are so many examples of extraordinary software that does A LOT and prices under $100, single payment. They got insanely greedy.

[@GiovanniFedele]

@@GeekDetour Adobe Cloud suite is something like 15/18 EUR per month. That's a full production suite.

[@groundzero_-lm4md]

The concern isn't that Chitubox Pro is better. It's weather or not Chitubox basic keeps it's existing feature set. If they give a real promise that basic will stay the way it is forever, I would be OK with it.

[@francistaylor1822]

Yeah, and the point being they pulled a dodgy stunt with this in the first place so theres no confidence they will do so.

[@nikushim6665]

@@francistaylor1822 Chitu made the boards. However Elegoo has been threatening to move to open source boards if they continue.

[@SergiuszRoszczyk]

You just convinced me to skip any Chitubox framework printer. I don't see any point of locking machine that basically has to display a series of B/W bitmaps with certain time and speed. The same applies to SLA printers with vendor lock in.

[@MakerFarmNL]

Very subtle! That Fusion 360 logo almost popping up. Fantastic!

[@marcus_w0]

That's a bold move, given that ChituBox is based on a (former) open source slicer , which desolved and got picked up by a couple of developers.

[@darkonikolic8377]

Only some from Chitubox team can dislike such well argumented review, but even they probably know that Thomas is right.

[@wetwildwendy]

bots

[@Triptweeze]

I commend you for declining! Very obvious what they're doing here. It's pretty sad. It's it worth it? This question won't matter when they take away the free option.

[@UncleJessy]

Fantastic video! Been wanting to make this but still no Mac Chitubox Pro version available. One thing that I don’t think I heard you say… when slicing in Pro / basic. Does it take the same processing time? Chitubox basic can be painfully slow for me even with some settings turned off to speed up the slicing.

[@MakerHacks]

100% have been waiting to hear about Mac version but this review resolves it for me - The lack of Mac version and the fact the slicing is no different between the two versions means I think I will be doing as Tom says, prep in a different tool and just send to Chitu for the slice :)

[@Voidmonster]

I'm finding the Windows Pro version 1.0.1 to be noticeably slower than the pre-split V1.8.2, plus the pro version asks me to activate the license every time I launch it (and input the code for my individual machine, which it does not remember), and then again about every 45 minutes if I leave it running. Unless they make some very major improvements to it, I really don't see myself *ever* subscribing at $170/year.

[@UncleJessy]

@@MakerHacks yeah not a horrible idea. I still use 1.9 free on my Mac.

[@UncleJessy]

@@Voidmonster “I believe” that validation prompt is a bug and chitu has recommended rolling back to 1.0.0. I believe that was on their Facebook users group if I remember right. A really really bad bug that means no one did more than a quick smoke test on that release

[@MadeWithLayers]

@Uncle Jessy I haven't noticed any differences in processing speed between the two - I'd think Pro and Basic share the majority of their code behind the scenes.

[@Krytern]

They obviously make money from companies like Elegoo who use their ecosystem so then charging for the slicer feels like double dipping.

[@hellcoreproductions]

This awful ecosystem is sure getting a lot of coverage.

[@martinturner5484]

Because its cheap. When it was somewhat open (ie, before the latest firmware updates) you could get a cheap reasonable quality printer, drop in a better slicer and get really good results.

[@extectic]

Because the concept of a cheap resin printer that turns out very good prints is extremely compelling. And right now, it seems your choices there seem to be this unacceptable stuff.

[@harmless6813]

It's used by most of the cheaper resin printers. And it works just fine. At the moment.

[@PochiPandalope]

I was excited to get an Elegoo, but this 100% discouraged me from their product. I know chitu is the culprit here, but i cannot stand them stamping "Okay this printer is effectively owned by chitu now" on their printer and saying that's okay.

[@kuknick]

I like your persistence in slightly softening the 'ch' when you pronounce the name of this slicer

[@Frustratedfool]

Thanks. I’ll be avoiding Chitubox and associated printers as this just seems like a slippery slope, with plenty of other, more attractive choices available.

[@felsinferguson1125]

Well, now I know I'll NEVER be buying a printer that uses Chitubox.

[@jamescrawford8538]

But majority of printers use chitubox mother boards

[@Krmpfpks]

@@jamescrawford8538 is there any sla printer for a hobbyist that doesn’t use chitubox ?

[@jamescrawford8538]

@@Krmpfpks currently i don't know of any but i have only been in this hobby a year and a half. You could research but I'm putting my money on no.

[@_--_--_]

@@Krmpfpks Anycubic printers arent chitubox and are very comparable both in quality and price to Elegoo, so good for hobbyists.

[@Krmpfpks]

@@_--_--_ I had then photon and photon s and both where chitubox. If they ditched chitubox that would be nice.

[@jdigi78]

It's crazy resin printers would have a locked down slicer when it's so much simpler software-wise. Resin printers just project a bunch of images into the vat. FDM slicers are so much more complex and have had many free options for years

[@RocketMagnetUK]

Yeah totally agree .. FDM is orders of magnitude more complex... scummy move by both Chitu and Elegoo who failed & agreed to this crap. It's even worse that Chitu is based on open source code as it base apparently... presumably Chitu made it worse and added DRM.

[@kfeltenberger]

According to Elegoo, they are working with Chitu to reverse the boards being locked down and have made a public statement that if Chitu's polices continue, they will seek an alternative product so that their clients aren't held hostage by Chitu.

[@RocketMagnetUK]

They said this initially in a statement but it was first dialled back and now has been removed. The latest Saturn Software now requires you to update the Firmware and it states: ③ Compatible with Chitubox Pro and Chitubox 1.9.0 Suggesting printers released before this fiasco are also being locked in .. disgusting.

[@kfeltenberger]

@@RocketMagnetUK Elegoo has to go with what they currently have; scrapping a long time partner/supplier isn't something you do overnight. Elegoo went on the record with the statement and until I see otherwise, I'm going to take them at their word.

[@MacBaerFFM]

With that discovered...buying any Chitu based Printer puts the investment at risk...people not willing to create continuous revenue might be left with an expensive brick if the chitu folks feel like it.

[@SianaGearz]

I like the bool option. This way you can test a part of the print without marring your actual model file. I think FDM slicers would be well advised to introduce a simple box intersection boolean feature, I would make a good mileage out of it.

[@willbyrne8493]

This whole Chitubox fiasco, has caused me to hold off on spending anything on a new printer, I do not trust Citu and their future plans. So I'm kinds stuck.

[@Twin_Flyer]

Great video. I did not know it was possible to slice with one program and export to another (never thought to look). That's a great workaround the basic/pro issue!

[@olafb.2929]

Good comparison. And I too do have a bad feeling about the free versions future.

[@maximumdt5084]

Only a matter of time until it's free version will be crippled.

[@globalrevolution]

Did you consider comparing chitu pro to lychee pro? I actually got Lychee pro since their price is reasonably in the range of a bottle of resin anually, which sounds like a fair deal.

[@Helli__]

So basically the manufacturer does not allow me to take full advantage of a product I paid, unless I pay additional fees for a software subscription. No thanks! I don't think you, or any 3D printing content creator should give such business policies any attention on KZbin.

[@ZappyOh]

Calling them out is fine ...

[@AndrewSink]

I've been waiting for this one! Can't wait to hear your take on the Pro software!

[@extectic]

Honestly, hearing about this total-control monopoly basically by Chitu when it comes to slicers for cheap resin printers makes me not want to buy a cheap resin printer. Ahem: they can keep their cheat-you-box! (I'll show myself out.)

[@SengirIndustries]

I was unaware of the lockout on these printers, oh well that narrows down my next purchase

[@maximumdt5084]

Made me go with a Voxel Labs one instead of a new Elegoo Resin printer.

[@SengirIndustries]

@@maximumdt5084 That's exactly what I've been looking at the Proxima is on sale where I am

[@kimmotoivanen]

@@maximumdt5084 Voxelab (at least Proxima 6) is Chitu printer. If they continue with it, new models will be locked Chitu printers. There is no real alternative for cheap printers.

[@ИгнатАртурович]

If printer doesn't allow other software(like chitubox in this example) to be used, then noone should use that printer and boycott the printer and the software. DO NOT LET THIS MALPRACTICE SPREAD!

[@martinturner5484]

I agree, but I bought my printer before it was locked down. What am I supposed to do now? I wont be buying another one but I was unlikely to do so anyway for a while.

[@NiHaoMike64]

@@martinturner5484 Hack it to reverse the downgrade?

[@mekko1413]

lol - You say that the only reason to have these capabilities in the software if you are not the ones creating the files. That right there describes the vast majority of 3d printer folk. So it makes 100% sense that they would include it. I am always amazed at how file creators, youtubers, and people that treat 3d printing as a hobby think they are in the majority when they are a very very small niche in the market. The vast majority just want to print they don't want their tool to be a hobby itself.

[@JamesElise160]

Quick idea for a test - mixing high temperature resins with flexible resins (ie siraya tech sculpt and tenacious), and finding out what effect the flexible resin has on the heat deflection temperature of the resin mix. The high temp resins tend to be quite brittle, and it would be nice if there was a roughly linear relationship between the resin mix and heat deflection temperature, but I’ve no idea if that actually happens.

[@GharacDurac]

I would never buy a system which use a proprietary and not open software. Never.

[@KeriRautenkranz]

Thanks for your candid appraisal of Chitu stuff. Any chance of a review on the SL1S+ upgrade from Prusa?

[@MadeWithLayers]

I've got the upgrade kit here, ready to go!

[@markjones2349]

So basically its a big piece of Chit.

[@radovanobal3842]

the only thing holding me back from buying a "cheap" reasin printer is exactly the dilemma with Chitubox...

[@kongchho]

Don't let that hold you back. There are other machines on the market that don't use chitu.

[@mattio79]

Maybe SHITubox needs to suffer the wrath of abandonment due to their close-minded approach.

[@pileofstuff]

Software as a service in order to fully use hardware that I buy? No thanks. Especially not with those sort of wildernesses and glitchiness.

[@ErikScott128]

Very glad you turned down that offer. It's not acceptable to let companies essentially buy positive reviews. What they've been doing to lock people into their ecosystem is also unacceptable. I will never be getting any resin printer with their firmware. Looks like I'll be getting a Prusa SL1S eventually. I'm okay with paying more to a company that seems to actually respect its customers.

[@RalleFC]

Do you mean that I can't use another software for 3Dprinting with an Elegoo Mars 3? I'm considering to buy that printer Regards

[@1234fishnet]

My personal conclusion (as you already mentioned in your podcast): a Prusa Resin Printer is not that much more expensive over the whole lifecycle + you get a better machine, professional support and you support a company which gives something back to the community.

[@carpdog42]

What really kills me....I love the idea of signed firmware. If I could install my own signing keys and decide who I trust.... man I would jump on those features. Vendor lock in? Nope.

[@MadeWithLayers]

I don't actually know if you're prevented from replacing the firmware on the STM32, _however_ : Driving the screen and the (apparently custom FPGA-based) hardware they're using to do that is not supposed to be easy.

[@Nicoya]

@@MadeWithLayers The hard part is finding someone bright enough to replace the firmware, but also dumb enough to get stuck with one of these locked-down printers in the first place. Not a big area on the venn diagram.

[@BLBlackDragon]

There is obviously a paid collaboration between Elegoo and CBD-Tech. It's the only way that Elegoo's controller boards could be locked to a specific slicer. So, am I surprised by any of this? Not really. Elegoo wanted a slicer without having to develop their own, so they bought into Chitubox. This happens all the time in other industries. You don't buy a Porsche, and install Lamborghini code on it. You're locked into Porsche's code. Here, we're locked into Elegoo's chosen code. But, the honest evaluation of whether or not the Pro version is worth the subscription price is really good. Once again, Thomas shows why he's one of the most respected voices in our community. Keep up the good work.

[@christophmuller3511]

This is more like Porsche rejecting anything but Porschefuel from the Porsche service station.

[@wezyap]

what architecture does chitu based boards have? maybe it is possible to hack them and write an open-source firmware (like prusas SLA firmware) to the boards?

[@oleurgast730]

Actually all the controller has to do on a resin printer is to show pictures for a certain time, moving one axis and (in case of the SL1) a second axis (for bed tilting). First open source projects simply used a small screen connected to a PC, doing a slideshow and make moves for z-axis. The only problem is connecting a screen with a flat cable to dvi/hdmi, as theese flat cables are not the same on all displays (while there are some standards). But as the displays used are mostly smartphone and tablet displays anyway (leaving out the colour foil), I am quite sure some experienced tinkerers will find adapters to connect the displays to a Pi... The main reason Chitu is leading the market was the missing need for an alternative. The functions of the controller are so basic (unlike on FDM-printers), there was no real need for tinkering, as all hard stuff is done by the slicer anyway. But with Chitu closing down its boards for third party slicers this change. I am pretty sure we will see some tinkerers develloping Pi based open source controllers soon... With a pricetag of 170 bucks a year for a closed source slicers and an one-time investment for a Pi and a modified hdmi2lvdi adapter there will be surly motivation for highly experienced tinkerers. In my opinion this can turn out to a great development. If you look at a SL1: Resin Runout Sensor? Tilting bed? Great features, but not obvious advantages like resolution and build size. So no motivation for mass producing companys to integrate it. So theese closed source products realy slow down invention. With Chitu practicly forcing action on open source developers, the development will go into turboboost. Resin Runout Sensor? Will be standard on open source soon. Tilting Tank? Hard to modify the hardware - but how about tilting the z-axis instead? Same effect, drasticly reducing the stress to the FET by not lifting the whole printed layer at once, but starting from one side to another. Which also alows the fresh resin to flow more laminar than turbollent, allowing less time on layerchange, less support and less failed prints. And reduces sucking forces on hollow prints. Chitu firmware is minimalistic in functions, a working provisorium. I am quite happy they cut their thoads themself by locking it against third party slicers. With open controllers there is another side effect: As the screen is a consumable, with open source controllers it would be easy to upgrade it, f. e. from HD to 4k (If you find one with same size),... Of course, as for the moment chiubox pro does not have any advantages to the basic version+external tools, I do not have any problem to buy a cheap chitu-based printer. I am quite sure on the next regular screen replacement there will be a solution to use a pi as new controller... By the way: I was shocked by the Phrozen with its big printplate. This is a failed development, caused by closed source controllers. The holes in the buildplatte, making it impossible to use magnetic sheets are purely needed because z-lift is used instead of Tank-tilt or z-tilt. Wich is mostly because of the invention-stopping close source.

[@billkaroly]

Who do they think they are? Corel? A ridiculous amount to charge per year.

[@Higlac89]

I *had* been using Chitubox because the support bases had a nice bevel that made them super easy to remove from the build plate. Guess I'll need to switch to another slicer.

[@g0balot]

That's the whole point. You can't switch slicer. The new printers that use the chitu board only work with Chitu or even older ones if you upgrade the firmware. This is all the budget resin printers.

[@3dPrintingMillennial]

I just used Sculpt for a hotend. I'm impressed so far. No warping at all (however I've only used it for one print so far).

[@bluedeath996]

I really hope someone makes an unlocked firmware so it stops being a closed ecosystem.

[@tinror]

Superb insight and very easy to understand - I'm edging into 3D printing and need all the help I can get. Thanks for the clarity.

[@shrimperlincs3395]

So it's either Creality Halot or the Prusa then?

[@crussty3d]

Really great break down Tom! I'm one that isn't opposed to manufacturers locking a system down to a particular slicer/software that is meant to specifically run with their machines (on a case by case basis). BUT I highly oppose locking someone into paying an annual fee to be able to use the hardware they purchased. To me, this is would be like Apple locking out your phone in a year if you didn't pay an annual fee after you have already spent $1200 on the hardware.

[@andreybushev3020]

Boolean feature is very useful for adding holes or other features post-hollowing

[@MostlyInteresting]

How many people are just going to wait until resin printers are open source and you have choices? What's the next thing they're going to do? Lock it down so you can only use their own resins? Don't know exactly how they would do that but if there were a way.

[@maximumdt5084]

I bought a small Voxel Labs printer until an open source one shows up.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

Formlabs already does this, but at least you go into the deal knowing that this is the way it's going to be.

[@MostlyInteresting]

Maybe these can be updated modified whatever to open source down the road.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

@@MostlyInteresting Probably - there are a lot of smart people out there. I just hate being put into a position of potentially needing to hack something I already paid for. But I guess we're getting ahead of ourselves.

[@TheKdcool]

3:50 you can bring it back on if you use the keyboard shortcut windows+up to maximize the window

[@bentlykkekristensen376]

I don't know where else to write to you, but I have to say this. I pay 12€ every month to youtube to get rid of commercials, I 2,5€ to support you (amoung others). An now I shall waste my time to look at commercials in your youtube. Unfortunately, since it is really very interesting to follow you and all the information you bring to us. But there is a limit. Br Bent Lykke / Denmark

[@alanderson78]

I was looking at a Mars 3 for my first resin printer. This is going to make me look elsewhere. Thank you for your always honest reviews. 👍

[@keytejano4548]

any recommendations? thanks

[@HotCarTrack]

I'm on a Mac and having massive problems with the sliced file not saving, just hangs for hours each time. Just download version 1.9.2 and the same thing is happening.

[@russellmm]

my hope is that someone comes along and displaces Chitubox's hardware so open source becomes an option again.

[@seriousCADninja]

by the way the idea of makin the supports in the CAD is in the correct direction! Do you know any plugins for Rhino3D to do the supports?

[@SuperJ03y]

Model supports in Prusa and then export the STL model with supports from Prusa slicer. Import the STL into Chitubox Basic and generate slice for Elegoo without modification from there.

[@marioizzo4985]

Thanks Thomas, I was a step away to buy a saturn and some mars 3 and I stopped the purchase. Any advice on which printer I can use that is not in this crazy lobby. Thank you

[@bobfre1]

Complete noob here so this may be a dumb question. I realize and agree that this should be an unnecessary step, but if you ended up with a 'Chitu-locked' printer, is it feasible to use something like lychee to do the pre-processing and just export a fully supported .stl model that could be imported into Chitbox basic and sliced to produce a 'signed' model to print?

[@RisottoNero-z1w]

Kudos for the integrity of not supporting the brewing monopoly.

[@cozmoz365]

Personally I don't think they will strip the basic version if they are at risk of loosing the manufacturer. Especially closing the platform costs Elegoo money.

[@craigrobinson6812]

I like siraya tech as per your advert but depite many many emails they just wont ship to the UK...

[@kenabi]

these shenanigans are why i haven't looked too deep into newer resin printers. hard pass on locked down software.

[@MauDib]

Nice. Been hoping for a video on this topic!

[@lordnovas]

Its a nice printer but not having Lychee support is a big deal. I have not used Chitubox in about a year, so maybe things change. I remember the Auto Supports in Chitubox did not work that well. Lychee Auto supports are awesome! The last time I used Chitu it was so slow that I had to roll back just get a print to export. Its crazy that buying a Mars 3 means my only only options is a piece of software that I had to chase behind with a validator to ensure my supports made it to the printer after export. I was not even using the validator for island detection lol. Btw Lychee also has an island detection feature, that works well most of the time.

[@mrnlce7939]

I have a question not related to this video but I think it might interest you. Have you seen the PET bottle filament videos on mr3dprints channel?

[@ClockMonsterLA]

Is there any way to prepare the sliced model so that you can specify printer PAUSEs at given layers?

[@luvz2drv222]

I had issues with the free version and failed prints with auto supports - did the paid version and auto supports - never a fail again.

[@santiagoblandon3022]

Are you planning on testing Siraya Tech resins' properties?I wasn't interested in resin printers before... but the new materials are making me change my mind...🤔

[@seriousCADninja]

That was an awesome well balanced review! Thanks!

[@MrJDMmills]

hi Tom. im having issues with chitubox basic 2.0 ive been using it for a month with my mars 2 mono (the green case) with out any issue, was using it this morning everything all good and now when i go to open chitubox it only flashes up the opening graphic then nothing happens. do you have any ideas or advice> ps im not great with computers i just use them. thanks keep up the wicked content

[@MadeWithLayers]

It's probably best to contact Elegoo or Chitu, unfortunately I can't do troubleshooting for them here.

[@MrJDMmills]

@@MadeWithLayers thankyou. Thought I'd just ask.

[@bobavontanelorn5713]

Thanks for the video! My not so humble opinion: Proprietary 3d printer is a no go for me. There are enough alternatives on the market, so Elegoo is not an option for me. Chitu Box neither. I don't mind paying money for a software, but for the scope of services definitely not as a subscription.

[@g0balot]

I have three Phrozen printers and was looking at another one until Chitu pulled this stunt. I won't buy another Chitu based printer which basically means any future printers are going to have to be expensive ones. I can not understand why printer manufacturers are letting this happen to themselves and the SDK from Chitu is no solution.

[@falloutmule]

Love my Mars 3 but Chitubox kinda sucks as even free software.

[@JKC40]

is the bed really supposed to jump that much when the resin pulls off the FEP? my Saturn and Photon don't do that.

[@g0balot]

That's why you sometimes get lines on your prints.

[@Jononor]

What is the status of open source alternatives for Chitubox for affordable resin printers, such as maybe the Creality LD family etc? Are there any good slicer softwares that can be used with the stock firmware/controllerboard? Are there any firmware or controller board replacements that can be used to enable open source software?

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

Thomas is my favorite DIY analysis influencer with the most manly DIY haircut. Have a nice week-end

[@GeekDetour]

I have no hair. Now I use a hat. Is it good? 🤔

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

@@GeekDetour you can run for the favorite most manly beard DIY cut ???

[@DD-zh3jj]

Generate support in Prusa then output STL is brilliant.

[@scramsby]

I'm an FDM guy, and have considered whether I should get a resin printer at some point. But this whole Chitu situation makes me think I should just wait until the ecosystem gets in a better place (more open/interoperable).

[@WhereNerdyisCool]

I'm intrigued why the manufacturers would lock themselves, and their customers, into only one option for slicing? That's not quite the spirit of Open Source? But there I go again with my 2013 3D printing ideas 😀

[@wezyap]

it is down to cost, it is a race to the bottom, and the cheapest way to make an SLA printer today is to use pre-made modules produced by Chitu. By doing so the 3d printer companies don't need to use the money on R&D, just use Chitu internals and design a pretty case for it. just look at the Elegoo mars, which uses Chitu internals, the price of one is 1/10 of the cheapest non-Chitu printer, the Prusa SL1 (I believe). Chitu can sell the modules at near cost, or even at a loss, to the manufacturer of the printers, since they want to make the money on recuring software fees. so it is a win-win, Chitu earns money on recuring software fees (which also makes them look appealing for investors) and manufacturer can offer cheaper printers, attracting customers.

[@billkaroly]

Sculpt Ultra? I can't find it.

[@WTF_BBQ]

Oh, I did not know Resin printers are very particular about their Slicers. Good thing I didn't buy one. I almost did, but not anymore ........

[@kevinm3751]

The pro version does not reflect the quality for that price!

[@jerryho9328]

Wat resin to use for jewelry casting?

[@nelsondisalvatore9812]

Pro tip. Dont buy any tech garbage with locked propietary software.

[@justinchampion5468]

Mmmm. Nope! Thanks for the video Thomas, but Elegoo and every other printer manufacturer that locks down their ecosystem, let alone has the gal to demand a subscription fee for their software will NEVER have me as a buyer. Period. It's a shame too, I'm in the market for a resin printer.

[@harmless6813]

This is not limited to Elegoo. Chitu makes the boards and the slicer and printer manufacturers - like Elegoo - buy those to use them in their printers.

[@Superwip]

I wonder how long it will take until an other company starts to manufacture cheap mSLA chipsets. It's not very complicated technology and especially the printer manufacturers themselve should have a strong interest in not being totally dependant on Chitu Systems.

[@droussel7359]

Is there an equivalent to the Marlin firmware in the resin 3d printer world?

[@Ferferite]

To be honest, not into resin printers at all. But if my printer is locked down to a specific firmware/slicer or anything, that is a big no-no, even if I do not plan on modifying the firmware. I have a prusa mini, the firmware on it works great I do not intend on breaking that pin to upload unsigned firmware on it, but I can if I want to. Thing is, it's not just for the "freedom", you don't know what the future holds. If it was just the firmware, sure, but the slicer? And preparing your model to slice in prusa slicer then exporting that into Chitubox is just a workaround

[@draco_2727]

Excellent review Tom 👌