#EXPORT STL FROM FORMLABS PREFORM SOFTWARE#
#EXPORT STL FROM FORMLABS PREFORM FREE#

The MSLA machines that I’ve used like the Prusa SL1S, or any of the Elegoo, Anycubic or Creality machines use a UV LED array and a masking LCD above that to only expose the parts of each layer where your part is going to end up, and turn the LCD black everywhere else. The way the Form 3+ exposes the prints is actually the main difference between it and most of the resin 3D printers that you’ll have seen so far – definitely any that you’ve seen on this channel so far. By default, it still comes with a classic rigid build plate. That hot new flexible build platform is also something that is still an optional upgrade, even on the Form 3+. I couldn’t test this because I don’t have a non-plus unit to compare to, but later on, we’re still going to take a look at print speed overall. But the + apparently has a new laser unit for exposing the resin, which they claim can speed up some prints by as much as 40%.

#EXPORT STL FROM FORMLABS PREFORM SOFTWARE#

Build volume stays the same at 145 x 145 x 185mm, the machine size and look stays the same, it is a rather chunky boi for how comparatively small the build area is, and the mechanical construction, software features etc, all seem to be identical. So what are the differences anyway? Unlike the printer itself, the changes don’t seem to be huge. The Form 3+ even showed up as a Form 3 in their software. I mean, I’m happy I can review the most recent hardware, but still, I would appreciate being filled in on these things – especially because the Form 3 and Form 3+ are rather hard to tell apart. They did pull a sneaky one on me, though, and quietly sent a Form 3+ before it was released instead of the Form 3 they claimed they had sent.

#EXPORT STL FROM FORMLABS PREFORM FREE#

Because the Form 3+ does a lot of things differently than what you’ll be used to, I wanted to take an in-depth look at each of the areas that I found interesting about the machine, starting today with what’s special about how the Formlabs machines create 3D parts and specifically what’s new with this “Plus” version of this Form 3.Īs usual: Let’s start with the disclosure:įormlabs sent me this printer free of charge to test out, I will need to send it back once I’m done, no money changed hands and Formlabs does not get any influence on this review.

And if anything, it’s doing a lot of things right that other manufacturers could learn from.

I’m going to keep making comparisons throughout the review to some of those, but the thing is – the Form 3+ is also the most sophisticated 3D printer I’ve ever used and it absolutely has applications where it’s the right tool to get. It’s also using the most expensive consumables of any printer I’ve tested so far, and all this can make the Form 3+ seem like it’s a really bad deal compared to simpler printers that literally cost 1/10th as much to buy and run. But is it actually good? I’ve got a lot of thoughts, but let’s start with the basics about the Form 3+ in this video.īefore we start, I feel like I should point out that the Formlabs Form 3+ is 4400€ just by itself, making it the most expensive printer I’ve reviewed on the channel.

The Formlabs Form 3+ is a marvelous piece of gear with more engineering effort put into it than almost any 3D printer that I’ve used before.

Export stl from formlabs preform