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Slice & Dice

Creality Slicer: The Best Slicers for Creality 3D Printers

by Brian Obudho
May 12, 2020

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PRO
CONTENTS
A Bit of Background Simplify3D
Creality's Slicer Special Options
Standard Options OctoPrint
Cura MatterControl
IdeaMaker Repetier
Slic3r

Have a Creality but don't know which slicer software to use? Check
out our top picks of the best slicers for Creality 3D printers.

CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

A Bit of Background
 How slicing works (Source: MDPI)

A slicer is software that allows you to import your model (likely from a CAD program)
and prepare it for 3D printing. Another way to think about a slicer is that it’s the
intermediary tool that translates a 3D model into something that can be “read” by your
3D printer.

The work of the slicer is to convert the model into a series of 2D layers with
instructions tailored for a given 3D printer. Once that’s done, the slicer will generate the
necessary G-code, which is computer numerical control (CNC) programming language
that your printer needs for the printing process.

The fact that slicers connect the 3D model and the 3D printer makes them crucial in
the printing process. To that end, speci c printers can have proprietary or speci c
slicers that are better suited for them. The PrusaSlicer, for example, is Prusa
Research’s in-house slicer software that’s especially compatible with their printers,
while Ultimaker and Lulzbot printers come with a tailored version of the Cura software.
In this same vein, Creality 3D printers also come with a proprietary slicer software, but
because these printers are versatile, they can use other third-party slicers to achieve
great prints.

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 CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR
CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Creality's Slicer

Cura users will notice similarities... (Source: Technivorous 3dprinting via YouTube)

There’s no doubt that Creality 3D printers produce stunning prints at a low cost. These
printers offer one of the best out-of-box experiences and only require about an hour of
set up and calibration before being able to re off a rst test print.
As we brie y mentioned above, the company does offer its own Creality Slicer, but it’s
not very popular because it’s essentially an old and updated version of Cura. Most
Creality printer owners aren’t even aware that this software exists, with only a handful
of people using it. Instead, most Creality owners are inclined towards third-party
software that gives them more functionality and better results.

In the rest of this article, we’ll explore the best of these third-party slicers. We’ve
chosen them based on functionality and reviews and divided them into two categories:
standard and special. The former includes slicers whose central operation is slicing,
while for the latter, slicing is a secondary function.

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Standard Options

The following four options are standard slicers. That is, they are primarily designed for
the purpose of preparing 3D models for 3D printing.
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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Cura
1
 Cura settings for Creality's Ender 3 (Source: Knowledge Infinity via YouTube)

Cura is one of the most popular options out there, probably because it’s free, open-
source, and can easily work alongside a variety of CAD programs. It’s also easy to use
if you’re a beginner. It was developed by Ultimaker but was early on adapted to work
with more than just Ultimaker printers.

Apart from providing frequent updates, including adding pro les for “competitor” 3D
printers, Ultimaker also allows users to develop third-party plug-ins for Cura. It can be
fed 3MF, OBJ, and the popular STL le formats, and it’ll repair models if required.
Additional functions include showing the the toolpath, material estimates, and printing
time.

Most Ender 3 owners agree that Cura has an easy learning curve and is a good place
to start before moving on to more advanced slicers. Others prefer the program for
prints that require supports, thanks to Cura’s support settings and the unique tree
support feature. Plus, Cura has an excellent tool where you can simulate a print to
mitigate possibilities of a print failure, saving you time, material, and energy.

• Where to get it: Ultimaker’s website

• Price: Free
• Pros: Cura is free and open-source software that’s suitable for both experts and
novices. It can easily handle huge STL les and has great support generation.
• Cons: Some have noted that the time settings can be off, meaning that print
estimates may be inaccurate.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

Don't Miss
Ender 3 Cura Settings: The Best Ender 3 Cura Pro le

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR
CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

IdeaMaker
2
This model is ready to print (Source: Raise3D Technologies via YouTube)
IdeaMaker was developed by Raise3D and focuses on providing a user-friendly and
versatile slicer experience. The software works well with most FDM 3D printers despite
being created for Raise3D printers. It’s fast slicing speeds and customizable supports
are two of its most popular features.

Since IdeaMaker can automatically separate parts in assemblies, it has a higher

capability for slicing complex models. Users can switch between print pro les and
take advantage of near-limitless customization. As another great feature, Ideamaker
can also double as a 3D printer management platform, allowing you to track multiple
printing pro les and control print jobs remotely.

IdeaMaker accepts the most common input les (OBJ, STL, 3MF) and also comes in
several languages. Although its many features are billed as user-friendly, most Creality
printer owners admit that it takes some effort to get used to this slicer.

• Where to get it: Raise3D’s website

• Price: Free
• Pros: IdeaMaker is relatively easy to use once you get used to it, and it’s suitable
for both beginners and experts. It has comprehensive repair features and a multi-
language interface.
• Cons: It’s not open-source, and the UI can take some getting used to.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

Get Started
IdeaMaker – A Beginner's Guide to Raise3D's Slicer

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 CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR
CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Slic3r
3
Slic3r's UI shows multiple views of your model (Source: All3DP)

This open-source software is known for its cutting-edge features, including its ability to
show you multiple views to have a better preview of your model. Other great features
include micro layering and command-line slicing.

Slic3r has direct integration with OctoPrint (featured later in the special options
section) and boasts a feature that allows you to have different in lls in different
layers. Slic3r can also handle printing with multi-extruder machines and various
materials. It works perfectly with the standard les (OBJ, AMF, STL) and can be used
for both FDM and SLA prints.

Creality printer owners love this slicer because it has a strong support network and is
always under active development. Slic3r’s robust community is constantly
experimenting with materials, settings, and new printers, and most of its features have
already been discussed and tested. That said, most Creality users now recommend
Prusa Research’s variation of Slic3r – now named PrusaSlicer – as it has more
bene ts, including a simpler UI, better supports, and immediate 3D viewing of models.

• Where to get it: Slic3r’s website

• Price: Free
• Pros: Slic3r is open-source, powerful, and has tons of helpful features. It provides
real-time 3D incremental slicing and can be coupled with OctoPrint.
• Cons: Beginners may face “feature overload”. With no library for printers or
laments, you can spend a while on con guration, and there are no print time or
material estimates.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

For More
What Is Slic3r? – Simply Explained

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 CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR
CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Simplify3D
4
Simplify3D's Ender 3 profile (Source: ScienceOnThingiverse via Thingiverse)

Simplify3D is compatible with almost all 3D printers and easily allows you to import
several 3D printer pro les. This fast software gives you the freedom to repair your 3D
model and works well with the standard le formats (3MF, OBJ, or STL).

The program has several settings that you can adjust for customization, including
layers and extruders, and even scripts and G-code. It’s developed for professional
users, allowing them to simulate their prints to identify any potential issues. It’ll even
tell you where you need to add supports.

For most Creality printer owners, Simplify3D is a perfect pick because it has
customizable supports like IdeaMaker but with much better pathing. The only
downside is that it comes with a price tag, which not everyone may be willing to
accommodate.
• Where to get it: Simplify3D’s website
• Price: $149 for a two-computer license, with a two-week trial period and a full
refund if you cancel
• Pros: Simplify3D’s user-friendly interface comes with multiple options to
customize your printer settings. The software has high processing speeds and
powerful features for editing complex models.
• Cons: The price might not be ideal for hobbyists on a budget.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

Jump In
Simplify3D: Beginner's Guide to This Premium Slicer

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Special Options
These special options include slicing as a secondary or additional function. As such,
they offer a range of other great capabilities including designing, organizing, and
managing prints.

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

OctoPrint
5
 OctoPrint is a powerful tool to monitor your 3D prints (Source: Python Software Foundation)

OctoPrint gives its users the freedom to control their printing process using a browser
or an app, making it one of the best options available for remote monitoring of the
printing process. You can also load model les onto your Creality printer without
requiring an SD card interface.

Besides including a slicer software based on Cura, OctoPrint’s open-source community

has developed many powerful plug-ins that increase its already high functionality.
OctoPrint Anywhere, for example, is a plug-in that gives you the freedom to monitor
your printer from any location with an internet connection.

Other popular plug-ins include a bed level visualizer, a region excluder (you can exclude
printing a certain region if you have a multi-part print), and OctoPrint-Telegram (lets
you get status updates and partial printer control via Telegram).

• Where to get it: OctoPrint’s website

• Price: Free
• Special features: You can use a Raspberry Pi to control your printer so you
don’t need a dedicated desktop machine. The software allows you to have
amazing timelapse recordings and you can use built-in access controls to dictate
who can control your printer.
• Pros: OctoPrint is free, open-source, and has several handy plug-ins in addition to
its signature remote control and monitoring features. Those who read or write G-
code will have greater exibility in controlling their prints.
• Cons: OctroPrint isn’t the most beginner-friendly software.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac, Raspberry Pi
 Become a Convert
10 Reasons to Use OctoPrint

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

MatterControl
6
 Infill settings for a vase in MatterControl (Source: Shawn Grimes via YouTube)

With MatterControl, you can go from zero to a printed part, which is a big plus for
Creality printer owners. Thanks to the modeling software that’s integrated into this
slicer, MatterControl is an all-in-one software that lets you design, slice, organize, and
manage your prints. MatterControl also allows you to detect any hiccups in your print
by previewing the layers.

While its interface has changed over time, it’s still well structured and allows you to
save your G-code le on an SD card. Using the basic features, you can adjust your
model’s height, in ll density, raft, and support material, while with the advanced
features, you can work with multiple extruders and perform auto mesh repair.
MatterControl 2.0 now makes it easier to pick and choose the extruder that will print a
given part.

The software comes with a helpful wizard, which you can easily access online if you’re
just getting started. Additionally, the MatterHackers website is integrated into the
software, so it’s linked directly to tutorials, how-to guides, helpful techniques, and
products. Finally, MatterControl comes with a cloud library, where you can save your
projects and designs, allowing you to access your work from any location.

• Where to get it: MatterControl’s website

• Price: Free
• Special features: MatterControl is an all-in-one software solution that’s in 64-bit,
which gives designers the freedom to create larger and more complicated models
that they can slice faster.
• Pros: MatterControl is an all-in-one software that lets you go through the entire
design and slicing process. It also comes with excellent support.
• Cons: With the sheer amount of features, new users may be overwhelmed,
especially when using MatterControl 2.0.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

Upgrade Your Tools

Matterhackers Releases MatterControl 2.0 3D Printing Software

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CREALITY SLICER: THE BEST SLICERS FOR

CREALITY 3D PRINTERS

Repetier
7
 Repetier lets you see the print time of each layer (Source: RepRap)

Repetier is the darling of the RepRap community and is an excellent option if you want
to stay within the open-source framework. The software is somewhere between
intermediate and advanced in terms of users and, like MatterControl, is an all-in-one
solution that offers both multi-slicer support (via plug-ins) and multi-extruder support
(up to 16 extruders with different lament types).

Repetier allows you to visualize models in its 3D view and is compatible with almost
any FDM 3D printer. It has options to slice using Slic3r or Cura, though you may need to
perform a bit of tinkering here and there.

The software offers remote access via the Repetier server, and similar to OctoPrint,
you can install it on a Raspberry Pi for printer access from any location. It also has
webcam support to help you monitor the printing process and the capability to control
multiple printers at the same time.

• Where to get it: Repetier’s website

• Price: Free
• Special features: The software supports multiple printers, remote access and
monitoring, as well as includes a fast Slic3r slicer.
• Pros: Repetier is open-source and feature-rich, with an easy-to-use GUI.
• Cons: It’s not the best choice for beginners or users who aren’t into tinkering.
• OS: Windows, Linux, Mac

(Lead image source: Just Vlad via YouTube)

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