Version 2.1.0 of MakerWare is now available for download. This latest version of our 3D printing preparation software includes support for the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic, our second generation 3D printer released in 2010. We’re glad to offer this integration for some of our long-time customers, who have contributed significantly to the MakerBot community.

What’s New in MakerWare 2.1.0

Besides support for the Thing-O-Matic, there are some changes and a bunch of bug fixes for MakerBot Replicator, Replicator 2, and Replicator 2X users. In our testing and in your feedback, we’ve seen that some prints need extra help to stick to the build plate, so we’ve included an update to the rafts feature.  Now when you choose to use a raft, the MakerBot Slicing Engine will code the first layer of the raft to print much slower than the rest of the layers. This really helps adhesion.

Another feature requested by our customers is the ability to heat the build plate on the MakerBot Replicator and Replicator 2X when using PLA. This is now possible in MakerWare 2.1.0. We’ve tested this in-house and had some success. If you’ve been experimenting with using a heated build plate with PLA, tell us about your experience in the comments.

In other news, the MakerWare interface got a nice design refresh that we think you’ll enjoy. Click below to see the full release notes and to learn more about using MakerWare for your Thing-O-Matic.

Read the rest of this entry »

MakerWare 2.0.1 is now available with some important fixes to the recent release of MakerWare 2.0. Our goal is for everyone to understand these updates we make and how we make them, and what we’re working on next.

Here’s what’s new:

●  Several people had some problems with installation, particularly on Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Those problems have been fixed.

●  Some Windows XP users were also having issues getting MakerWare to detect their MakerBot. The Windows drivers have been adjusted in this release to fix that.

●  MakerWare 2.0 had some limitations in creating custom profiles, especially for MakerBot Replicator 2X users and Replicator users generating dual extrusion models. The 2.0.1 release addresses that, and custom profiles are now fully functional for everyone. Mac OS X users are now able to open the Skeinforge custom profile editor.

See the full release notes after the jump.

We recognize there are lots of unique situations out there, as people work with different computers and operating systems. We’re constantly trying to expand a great MakerWare experience to everyone, so keep your great feedback coming.

As we keep improving, a lot of MakerWare users have asked how we test for print quality. Look for a follow-up post soon with some good detail on this process. It’s pretty involved!

Remember that our Support Team is happy to help you with any technical support issues. Email [email protected] to open a ticket. If you have general feedback, feature requests, or just want to say hi, shoot an email to [email protected]. We’ve really been enjoying what you guys have shared with us so far, and all your smart ideas get shared around with our various teams.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a known issue with MakerWare 2.0.1 that will cause a crash for Windows users with AMD graphics cards. We are aware of the issue and will be releasing a fix as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you have an AMD system or have seen this issue, you can download MakerWare 2.0.0 here.

UPDATE: We have released an update to MakerWare to address the specific issue noted above. MakerWare 2.0.2 is now available, and it is identical to version 2.0.1, except for a small change to the MakerWare user interface. We believe this change will fix the problem for all users; however, anyone experiencing issues with MakerWare should not hesitate to contact MakerBot Support by emailing [email protected].

Read the rest of this entry »

Announcing MakerBot MakerWare 2.0, , our latest release of the software we create that drives your MakerBot. It’s an important release, go Download it now. This is the update you’ve been waiting for if you have ordered a MakerBot Replicator 2X or have an original MakerBot Replicator with dual extruders.

Click below to read about all the updates and the full release notes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Stop what you’re doing! MakerBot MakerWare 1.1.2 is now available for download, and it involves a couple good fixes you may find interesting.

As always, head over to the MakerWare page for the latest downloads. Here’s what’s included in this release:

●  It is now possible to save directly to an SD card on Macs.
●  There is a gcode verifier that checks for errors in gcode when printing over USB or when printing to file.
●  There are now bot-specific messages during firmware uploading, so MakerBot Replicator 2 users will no longer be told about a reset button.
●  When connecting to a MakerBot with version 5.X firmware, there’s now a message recommending that users upgrade to a newer firmware version.
●  The newest firmware is now the default when uploading firmware.
●  Some Windows users running anti-spyware applications received an error message due to an incorrect localhost address. This has been fixed.

You can view troubleshooting information for MakerWare over on our Support pages. If you still need some technical support with your MakerBot or with using MakerWare, contact [email protected].

If you would like to share your ideas or feature requests with us, drop us a line at [email protected].