After laying out a plan for an exciting several months going forward, Makerbot has today begun rolling out that plan by announcing their latest software releases.
MakerBot Desktop and MakerBot Replicator 3D printers are the beneficiaries of the latest updates from the company, and in addition to improving upon previously available technology, they lay a solid groundwork for the already-anticipated next upgrade. Why wait?
MakerBot Desktop 3.3 sets the stage for improvements in print quality that will be released in Desktop 3.4 for sure, but it also hosts a bevy of its own new capabilities. Desktop 3.3 is meant for use with Fifth Generation firmware 1.4, connected to the MakerBot’s Fifth Generation 3D printers.
Among Desktop 3.3’s new and/or improved features are the following:
- A communications overhaul between the printer, Desktop, and MakerBot Mobile app
- Automatic filament loading after receiving an Out of Filament error
- Ability to change Smart Extruders during a paused print and resume printing
- Improved assisted leveling process
- Faster camera streaming over wi-fi or Ethernet, and added USB capabilities
- Expanded Device Preferences dialog for advanced users
- Print History added to the Library tab
- Print from file with .MakerBot files
MakerBot also notes that “after a Fifth Generation printer is reset to factory settings, users should power cycle the printer before setting up wi-fi,” as a known issue.
MakerBot offers the following simple steps to upgrade to MakerBot Desktop 3.3:
- Upgrade to MakerBot Desktop 3.3
- Connect MakerBot Replicator 3D printer
- Upgrade to Firmware 1.4 to keep your MakerBot Replicator running in top condition
Firmware 1.4, for its part, offers an update to MakerBot 3D printers. Updating to this latest version will ensure that the printer continues working at its best, in line with updates to other MakerBot platforms.
MakerBot continues to look forward:
“MakerBot Desktop 3.3 is an important release because it sets the stage for the 3.4 release where we will make some significant changes to the way we manage synchronizing the extruder advance to the movements of the gantry. The heavier computational requirements of our new extruder-advance modeling required us to refactor the communications protocol to make room.”
Expect many more updates in the months ahead as MakerBot ramps up their software. Have you downloaded the latest updates? What do you think about MakerBot Desktop 3.3? Let us know in the MakerBot forums!
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
You May Also Like
Printing Money Episode 17: Recent 3D Printing Deals, with Alex Kingsbury
Printing Money is back with Episode 17! Our host, NewCap Partners‘ Danny Piper, is joined by Alex Kingsbury for this episode, so you can prepare yourself for smart coverage laced...
Insights from Cantor Fitzgerald on AM’s Q1 2024 Landscape
A recent survey by Cantor Fitzgerald sheds light on the persistent challenges within the additive manufacturing (AM) industry in the first quarter of 2024. Based on responses from 38 industry...
3D Printing Financials: Xometry’s Scaling up and Strong Start to 2024
Xometry (Nasdaq: XMTR) kicked off 2024 with strong results, boosting its marketplace and technology to new heights. Both revenue and gross margin soared, fueled by an expanding global network of...
3D Printing Financials: Desktop Metal Targets Recovery Amid Net Losses and Revenue Downturn
Despite facing a decline in revenue and the persistent challenges of a tight economic climate, Desktop Metal (NYSE: DM) is making strides toward operational efficiency. The first quarter of 2024...