For anyone starting in 3D printing, selecting the right slicing software is a crucial step. In this article, we share our experience using Chitubox and discuss its strengths and challenges.
Working with Chitubox 1.9
In 2023, at DakkaDakka, we worked with Chitubox 1.9 and had to deal with several challenges. There are two main ways to place supports: manually or by adjusting automatic supports.
Automatic supports in slicers can be useful but are not foolproof. They may miss islands, collide with the model, or overpopulate areas with unnecessary supports. If automatic supports worked flawlessly, our support department wouldn’t be needed.
Missing islands required slicing the model repeatedly to identify errors. This process consumed a lot of time, especially for large projects with over 500 parts.
To optimize this workflow, our lead support artist Ivan developed a method of reusing supports. When multiple parts had identical structural elements, supports were placed on one part and then duplicated in Blender for the rest. This technique sped up the process but was still not ideal.
The Release of Chitubox 2.0
March 2024 saw the release of Chitubox 2.0, introducing many features that were missing in the older version:
Model replacement within Chitubox – A highly requested feature.
Island detection and analysis – Reducing manual troubleshooting time.
More intuitive settings – Simplifying the support placement workflow.
Additional improvements – Enhancing overall usability and print preparation.
Recognizing that many users hesitate to update due to familiarity with older versions, Ivan created a detailed Chitubox 2.0 guide. This included extensive testing, screenshots, and demonstration videos. After presenting these findings to our team, some users switched to 2.0, while others preferred to remain on 1.9 due to the time required to adjust. Fortunately, both versions were fully compatible, allowing for a hybrid workflow.
Chitubox Pro: Exploring the Possibilities
While testing Chitubox, we also looked into Chitubox Pro, the paid version of the software. It offers a variety of advanced features designed to enhance slicing, support generation, and overall workflow efficiency. We recently started using it. Its features help improve and speed up the process of preparing models for printing.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for our next article, where we will compare Chitubox vs. Lychee Slicer to determine which software performs better in various aspects of resin 3D printing!
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