3-way slicer shootout! I'm new to 3D printing,

[Carlton_Dodd]

3-way slicer shootout!

I’m new to 3D printing, so I wanted to try out different slicers. I took the same STL file (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:172083), which I scaled and fixed in Netfabb Basic, and put it through all three slicers. I kept the settings as close as I could figure out through the different user interfaces (0.2mm layers, 3 perimeters, 0% infill), and exported the gcode. I loaded each into Repetier-Host, and printed them on my PrintrBot Simple.

Here are my newbie observations:

Slic3r:
This is the one I am used to, since PrintrBot recommends it. I really like the easy method of creating, saving, and switching between different configurations for filaments, print settings, and printers.
The problems are that it is very slow, and it’s a memory hog. I could not slice this STL on the netbook I usually use with my printer, so I had to move to my main computer (with 8GB of RAM). I ran the others on this same machine to keep things as close as possible.
Also, Slic3r’s “Plater” is 2-D; only showing a cross sectional outline of the model to be sliced.
This print probably came out the best of the lot.

Cura:
I really like Cura’s interface, with the near-real-time model visualization. It seems there are fewer options in Cura (running in expert mode) than the others, and they were sometimes difficult to figure out due to my familiarity with the Slic3r layout. I do prefer to be able to just specify the number of perimeter layers, rather than the “wall thickness” Cura uses, and I couldn’t figure out how to make the first layer print with different speed/temperature settings. I also figured out that I had to “Run as Administrator” on my Win7 machine in order to edit the “Machine Settings”.
Cura is FAST! I mean, REALLY fast! Even with the huge number of triangles in this model, Cura sliced it up in well less than a minute, with no complaints about memory. The tool paths also seem superior to the other slicers. There are fewer pauses, for less time during printing, except during small layers, where Cura has a nice setting that will move the nozzle away from the print to allow it to cool (enabled in expert settings).
The Cura print quality was on a par with the Slic3r print, but more opaque; probably due to the “infill” on each layer after the perimeters.

KISSlicer:
I don’t care much for the KISSlicer interface. It seems to have plenty of features, but they are not intuitive, and difficult to understand. I can see that saving and switching between configurations is possible, but it’s not simple. KISSlicer also has the model visualization, which is done well.
KISSlicer is fast also, with a cool layer animation that shows the layer being sliced or saved. For some reason, there were many more pauses during printing, and the top of the print was thinner and had more holes than the others.
Contrary to what I had expected by reading about slicers, the KISSlicer print was the worst of the bunch.

Based on this experiment, I think I’m going to be trying out Cura a lot more for a while.

I hope this helps someone. Please chime in and help me learn anything I may have missed about these slicers.

[Eric_Moy]

Nice write up. Which picture is which

[Eric_Moy]

Derp, nevermind

[Tim_Rastall]

So, without wanting to debunk your findings too much, the thing I see you’ve missed here is an initial calibration exercise for each slicer. KISS and Slic3r have very different ideas on what flow rates should be set to and that is why you are getting holes in the kiss model (most likely) . My experience of this type of shoot out is that Kiss will out-perform slic3r if it’s been configured properly, granted the UI in Kiss makes this harder than it should be. Cura is really progressing and as soon as it has support for 3+ nozzles I’ll likely start using it.
It’s really good to see you’ve taken the time to do this but my feeling is you’ve not been quite scientific enough for it to be a useful guide: try running it again after doing a calibration cube for each slicer and I think you’ll find quite different results. I’d also recommend providing the slicing duration for each slicer as that is something that really differentiates the 3 slicers.

[Marvin_Stuart]

@Tim_Rastall for the average user this works perfectly , you could squeeze a lot more of all 3, but for an average user who just wants to create and print this is a perfect comparison.

A great example of this are like tires on car if you use Goodyear or Michelin or bridgestone to the general user there are not much difference however to experts with the right tire pressure road conditions their is a difference . so again to me this is a good comparison.

The general users of a 3d printers are no longer technical and savvy

[Dillon_Nichols]

I’ve always used Slic3r with my Printrbot and it works good enough for what I need. I’d be interested in what each of the 3 slicers do on a calibration cube with their current settings. And then possibly optimized settings as Tim recommended.

[Carlton_Dodd]

@Tim_Rastall
I’m not sure how to do the initial calibration in each. I tried to make it clear that this was a newbie’s perspective.
Any input (links?) on how to fine tune each slicer would be great.

[Eric_Moy]

I have to say that in my experience, Kiss has performed far superior in slicing time, consistency of quality, and most significantly, filled in tops, which is what you didn’t see on your pumpkin. I will admit Kiss is a royal pain to setup, and my current setup of Kiss has gone haywire due to Avast antivirus, so I need to to do a full reinstall to to any further testing.

[Michael_Hohensee]

Since the printer is presumably the same regardless of which slicer you’re using, it’d be nice if there were a way to translate the optimized settings for say, slic3r, to the optimized settings for cura and kisslicer.

[Carlton_Dodd]

I’m reasonably sure that KISSlicer is superior (judging by reviews I’ve read). The interface really intimidates me at this point, though. I think I’m at the point in my experience level that Cura is best for me. I won’t forget KISSlicer, but it’s too steep a learning curve for me at this point.

[Tim_Rastall]

@Carlton_Dodd I hope I didn’t come across as critical there. And as @Marvin_Stuart points out its a good guide for an average user. Personally I think all slicers should have a calibration set up process built into their work flow to ensure you get the most from the software. In the mean time, I’ll post a quick run through on flow rate calibration when I’m home later today.

[Carlton_Dodd]

@Tim_Rastall Not critical at all; more informative than anything else. I was just clarifying to everyone that this is a newbie’s POV. Maybe we can get the KISSlicer folks to work on a better interface.

[Eric_Moy]

Try using this link http://reprap.org/wiki/Triffid_Hunter’s_Calibration_Guide

Also be sure to measure your filament diameter. Even proto paradigm has quite a variation between spools.

Honestly, once I thought I understood kiss, it’s starting to piss me off. So don’t feel too bad, I don’t get it either

[Carlton_Dodd]

IMPORTANT!
One thing I left out of my write-up is that the Cura g-code had the default post-print commands, which tried to zero the z-axis straight through the freshly printed pumpkin!
A shortfall in the PrintrBot Simple’s design saved it: the vinyl tubing pulled off the stepper motor shaft, saving any further structural damage.
I forgot this until I tried another pumpkin print. I’ve edited the g-code to remove the offending commands for future prints.

[Carlton_Dodd]

@Eric_Moy I ran that with Slic3r, but neglected to with the other two. Maybe that’ll be the next Experiment Sunday!

[Normand_Chamberland]

So KISSlicer is difficult to configure and use. Anyone else thinks this is quite a contradiction?

[Jim_Peterson]

If/when you do calibrate the other slicers, please record which settings changed away from their defaults. I, too, have a printrbot simple and those other slicers just seem to fall short for me. I can’t seem to make them work better than slic3r even though many people claim they are superior.

[Tim_Rastall]

Oh @Normand_Chamberland you just hate the Kisslicer because you’ve decided to :p. Good point that they have not kept it very simple compared to slic3r or Cura though. It’s simpler than skeinforge though, which is the original intent I think.

[Steve_Sharp]

I wanted to commend your documentary habits and sharing. Ive gone through many of my own tests and probably cant compare to an open post as youve been doing. Keep up the great work, itll take you far and many appreciate the info!

[Carlton_Dodd]

@Dillon_Nichols Maybe I’ll do a follow-up with tweaking the calibration for Cura and KISSlicer. I have to at least fine-tune Cura, since I think I’ll be using it more.