We’ve been making good on our promise to continuously improve and update our software, releasing updates to MakerBot PrintShop, MakerBot Desktop, MakerBot Mobile, and our firmware.
Today, we’re continuing that iterative progress with the release of MakerBot Desktop 3.4, which is loaded with important updates and cool new features that will improve your experience with our latest generation of MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers.
Download MakerBot Desktop 3.4 now, and be sure to upgrade the firmware on your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer to the latest version (1.5).
Note: Currently, MakerBot Desktop 3.4 can be installed on computers running Mac OS, Windows 7, and Windows 8.0. We are in final testing stages for Windows 8.1 print drivers. An update will be available soon. When available, it will include the ability to natively print to your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer (except the MakerBot Replicator 2X) from any 3D modeling application compatible with the Windows 8.1 3D print pipeline.
Print Function Improvements
As promised, we’ve made improvements to our firmware and print slicing software in order to help improve print quality. First off, we’ve updated how the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder and the gantry motors that move it around in three dimensions work together.
We’ve also improved the speed and acceleration of the gantry motors, which means better handling of curves and edges in your 3D designs. Overall, we hope these enhancements offer you a big increase in print quality and a noticeable decrease in print times.
Advanced Calibration
Another great feature we packed into MakerBot Desktop 3.4 is a calibration tool called “z-axis offset” in the Device Preferences panel. This tool lets you adjust where your build plate is, relative to your Smart Extruder.
If you’ve been experiencing print quality issues with your rafts and the initial layers of your print, or hear clicking noises when you’re printing, your build plate may be too close or too far from your Smart Extruder. Adjusting your z-axis offset could be the solution, so give it a try.
Convenient Features for Networked Printers
Building off feedback from some of our customers at larger companies, we’ve also added the ability to assign a static IP address to your 3D printer. This will make it a whole lot easier to set up your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer over a network.
And speaking of printing over a network, if you’re printing from another room, we’ve just sped things up for you. We’ve eliminated the need to confirm your print manually using the dial on your MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer or MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer, or the action button on your MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer. Now, you have the option to print directly from MakerBot Desktop or MakerBot Mobile as long as you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
New Ways to Use Your Onboard Camera
Yet another feature designed to speed up your printing time is a camera view of your build plate we’ve added to the pre-print pop-up window. That means you can quickly verify that your build plate is clear before you begin a print.
Made a print you’re especially proud of? Now, if you want, you can easily share a photo of your completed print on your build plate directly to Thingiverse using the onboard camera.
Coming Soon: Auto Update
We were also hoping to include an auto-update feature in MakerBot Desktop 3.4, but it isn’t quite ready. We won’t keep you waiting long though; keep your eye out for these updates in upcoming releases.MakerBot Software | Desktop 3.4
We’ve been making good on our promise to continuously improve and update our software, releasing updates to MakerBot PrintShop, MakerBot Desktop, MakerBot Mobile, and our firmware.
Today, we’re continuing that iterative progress with the release of MakerBot Desktop 3.4, which is loaded with important updates and cool new features that will improve your experience with our latest generation of MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers.
Download MakerBot Desktop 3.4 now, and be sure to upgrade the firmware on your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer to the latest version (1.5).
Note: Currently, MakerBot Desktop 3.4 can be installed on computers running Mac OS, Windows 7, and Windows 8.0. We are in final testing stages for Windows 8.1 print drivers. An update will be available soon. When available, it will include the ability to natively print to your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer (except the MakerBot Replicator 2X) from any 3D modeling application compatible with the Windows 8.1 3D print pipeline.
Print Function Improvements
As promised, we’ve made improvements to our firmware and print slicing software in order to help improve print quality. First off, we’ve updated how the MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder and the gantry motors that move it around in three dimensions work together.
We’ve also improved the speed and acceleration of the gantry motors, which means better handling of curves and edges in your 3D designs. Overall, we hope these enhancements offer you a big increase in print quality and a noticeable decrease in print times.
Advanced Calibration
Another great feature we packed into MakerBot Desktop 3.4 is a calibration tool called “z-axis offset” in the Device Preferences panel. This tool lets you adjust where your build plate is, relative to your Smart Extruder.
If you’ve been experiencing print quality issues with your rafts and the initial layers of your print, or hear clicking noises when you’re printing, your build plate may be too close or too far from your Smart Extruder. Adjusting your z-axis offset could be the solution, so give it a try.
Convenient Features for Networked Printers
Building off feedback from some of our customers at larger companies, we’ve also added the ability to assign a static IP address to your 3D printer. This will make it a whole lot easier to set up your MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer over a network.
And speaking of printing over a network, if you’re printing from another room, we’ve just sped things up for you. We’ve eliminated the need to confirm your print manually using the dial on your MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer or MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer, or the action button on your MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer. Now, you have the option to print directly from MakerBot Desktop or MakerBot Mobile as long as you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
New Ways to Use Your Onboard Camera
Yet another feature designed to speed up your printing time is a camera view of your build plate we’ve added to the pre-print pop-up window. That means you can quickly verify that your build plate is clear before you begin a print.
Made a print you’re especially proud of? Now, if you want, you can easily share a photo of your completed print on your build plate directly to Thingiverse using the onboard camera.
Coming Soon: Auto Update
We were also hoping to include an auto-update feature in MakerBot Desktop 3.4, but it isn’t quite ready. We won’t keep you waiting long though; keep your eye out for these updates in upcoming releases.