Ender 3D Printer Software to Download in 2024 [Creality Pro, V2]
Check out the ultimate Creality Ender 3 software & firmware to download on your PC
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Key notes
- If you want to use your brand new Ender 3 Pro or V2 printer, you need special software.
- We've included some open-source options that are constantly updated by users.
- Model and print any type of materials with our selection of the best 3D printer software for Ender 3.
- Not sure how the final product will look? Some of these Creality ender 3 software options also have previewing features.
Creality’s Ender 3 is probably the most popular 3D printer currently on the market. It is incredibly precise, and equally affordable, allowing almost anyone to have it in their household.
Of course, having the machine is just half the story. This is because you need to pair the 3D printer with some good 3D printer software to get the job done.
Even if you don’t know much about 3D printer software, you can imagine that you at least need a program that will let you do the 3D modeling. The big question is what software to use with Ender 3.
Does Ender 3 using Cura? Do you need a particular program or anything will do? These are all legitimate questions and we shall try to address them accordingly.
To simplify things, here’s a quick preview of our top picks for the best software for Ender 3:
- Fusion 360 – Top-notch 3D modeling software for Ender 3
- Ultimaker Cura – Free 3D printing software for Ender 3
- Meshmixer – Ender 3 design software focusing on triangle meshes
- KISSlicer – Nifty Creality slicer to download & generate high-quality G-Code
- MatterControl – Best 3D printer software for Ender 3 with integrated controls
Read on and find out which Ender 3D printer software best suits your needs.
What software should I use for my Ender 3D printer?
Fusion 360 – Top-notch 3D modeling software for Ender 3
The core of a 3D printer is a program that you can use to actually make the 3D model.
That is why you can’t just use any tool, and why you should go for a premium program like Autodesk‘s very own Fusion 360.
This CAD powerhouse has all the features that you may ever need to make detailed models, parts, and more.
Fusion 360 lets you design awesome creations effortlessly thanks to the flexible 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, PCP software, and lots of useful tools.
You have complete freedom to create complex sub-divisional surfaces with T-splines and edit them with easy-to-use and intuitive push and pull gestures.
Besides modeling, you can create realistic photos and image renditions of your work to get a better idea of the final product.
Additionally, you can create and edit 2D sketches as well, having a wide variety of sketching tools, constraints, and dimensions at your disposal.
Let’s check its main features:
- Sketching & Rendering
- Direct modeling/surface modeling
- Mesh modeling/freedom modeling
- PCB design integration
Autodesk 360 Fusion
This software lets you design and render 3D models for your business and personal use.Ultimaker Cura – Free 3D printing software for Ender 3
One of the most important programs that you could use when owning a 3D printer is a slicer program. Of course, why should you pay money when there are free alternatives out there, like Ultimaker Cura?
This tool is extremely easy to use, and despite the non-existent price tag, it is regularly updated and has quite a lot of features.
At its core, Ultimaker Cura has a powerful open-source slicing engine that was built throughout the years by professionals and users.
Some of those features include backing up and syncing your own materials and plugins, allowing you to save your progress to the digital cloud and transfer meshes between devices.
Ultimaker Cura has a dedicated community of over 40 thousand active users that constantly contribute to the program’s code by improving it.
More so, the software lets you access 3D printing lessons through online courses in order to learn the ropes of the process.
Meshmixer – Ender 3 design software focusing on triangle meshes
Meshmixer is the de facto universal program for any 3D printer. Yet another one of Autodesk’s creations, Meshmixer allows you to edit and sculpt individual models to make them exactly how you want them.
It comes with a variety of tools, including optimized supports for slicing objects into multiple sections, which makes it helpful for Ender 3 owners since the machine doesn’t have too generous a build volume.
Meshmixer has some light system requirements, only needing 4GB of RAM and Windows 7 or later, without needing a powerful GPU.
The software is specialized in working with triangle meshes, allowing you to design 3D objects for printing, or cleaning up 3D scans.
The company took the time to also create a user manual which they present on their site, for those with no background knowledge that need to learn how to use it.
Meshmixer gets constantly updated and improved. Additionally, all of the changes are recorded and shown to the public so everyone knows about the changes.
KISSlicer – Nifty Creality slicer to download & generate high-quality G-Code
KISSlicer (Keep It Simple Slicer) is yet another tool that can be extremely useful for anyone with a 3D printer, let alone an Ender 3.
It is constantly updated, and the free version has all of the basic features that you would need in order to get good models.
The software includes lots of advanced and intuitive slicing tools which generate high-quality G-Code that results in exceptional prints.
The Profile Wizards will quickly let you set your printer and materials up, or even download profiles shared by other users.
The free version of the program can be used with a multi-extruder printer, however, you are limited to only a single extruder for each print.
Additionally, the software has next-gen features such as adaptive layer heights, dynamic plastic deposition, extruder priorities, and many others.
MatterControl – Best 3D printer software for Ender 3 (integrated controls)
MatterControl is a great Ender 3F printer software since it comes with some slicing features, design tools that enable users to design parts, and more.
Additionally, this is also open-source software that can be freely edited by users. This will make it easier to fix problems and improve them based on experience.
Once you’ve created parts you can then proceed to attach them to the much larger construct or go right to printing it and attaching it in real life afterward.
MatterControl lets you design anything from scratch using Design Tools, or browse existing ones by going into the Design Apps sections.
Slice your designs using lots of different tools and advanced settings for bed leveling, integrated controls for dual extrusion, and customized support.
Thanks to this software, you no longer need to use multiple programs to create and modify your 3D models. You can do everything with MatterControl.
Do all 3D printers use the same software?
There are standard options of software that work with most 3D printers pretty much. Since it’s such a popular model, the Ender 3 printer will have its own Cura profile by default, regardless of the version (Pro, V2, and so on).
So, what software does Ender 3 use? Most Ender 3 printers are shipped with the Marlin firmware. Now, it’s important to mention that each control board uses different commands.
Bed dimensions can also vary, which is why not any 3D printer software will make the cut. Compatibility is a key factor.
3D printers come in different sizes and have varied material selections, surface finish, manufacturing speed, cost, and durability of the final product.
Moreover, different types of 3D printers are used for different purposes. Some 3D printers are great for making action figures, while others are used in medicine, and so on.
However, the machine is nothing but the body, while the software is actually the brain. That is why having a good software program will let you do wonders with your Creality Ender 3 3D printer.
3D printers are the latest rage in terms of home electronics since they can be used to make pretty much anything from toys to spare parts or even prosthetics.
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