After a long period of improvements, the latest improved version of Cura has finally been released.
Key Improvements
The latest version of Cura has been updated and performs better than ever before. Here are the key highlights you need to know:
Save/Open Projects. Cura 2.4 now allows you to save heatbed settings, including the machine grid and various settings upon startup. Furthermore, when reopening older files, the exact same heatbed configuration and settings as when they were saved will be reproduced.
Setting Search. Even if you need to adjust settings quickly, you can easily search for them from the side panel.
Start/End G-code Editing. The new Cura 2.4 now allows you to modify the start and end G-code for single-nozzle 3D printers.
Object Duplication Function. We've reduced the hassle of copying objects multiple times. You can easily duplicate a specified number of times with a right-click.
Single Nozzle Printing. Ultimaker 3 dual-nozzle printers can now perform single-nozzle printing with a larger print area.
Live Printer Monitoring Mode. While traditional camera snapshots didn't provide a full understanding of progress, the new live monitoring mode allows you to check print progress in real-time. It's also effective in reducing errors.
Display Slicing Error Causes. Even if you don't know why a slice failed, a new message has been added that clearly displays the cause and solution.
Ultimaker 3 Print Profiles. Optimized initial and final temperatures for PLA, PVA, and Nylon/PVA printing to reduce overflow. Prime towers (excluding CPE and ABS) are also now selectable, improving reliability and print speed.
Initial Layer Print Temperature. Temperatures for initial and final layers have been adjusted, enabling higher quality output.
Material Print Temperature. The print temperature within the material profile has been unified with the Normal Quality setting.
Improved PLA/PVA Adhesion. Acceleration and jerk settings have been optimized to improve adhesion between PVA and PLA.
Nylon – Changed default build plate adhesion type (from Raft to Brim).
Support Interface Layer Thickness. To reduce print time, the top support layer was adjusted to 0.8mm, and the infill density of PVA support was also reduced.
Ultimaker 2+ PC Printing. Adjusted Raft settings for 0.25mm and 0.4mm nozzles to reduce warping and improve print quality.
Slicing Features
Additionally, the new Cura 2.4 includes exciting new slicing features. Details are as follows:
Hollow Prime Tower. Minimizes material usage and improves stability with a hollow structure. Reduces waste by processing excess material internally.
Pre-cool/Pre-heat. A mechanism that starts printing at a low temperature and rapidly rises to the normal temperature. Ensures final extrusion before cooling, reducing material degradation and nozzle clogging.
Mesh Overlap Removal. Allows model overlap, enabling multi-color printing by stacking multiple meshes.
Alternating Mesh Processing. Processes overlapping areas alternately layer by layer to improve bonding.
Hollow Objects. Removes infill and hollows out the interior to save material and improve internal support effectiveness.
Infill Between Walls. Fills gaps in thin sections, improving structural strength.
Cubic Infill. Generates a larger cubic structure than before, reducing material and print time.
Concentric 3D Infill. A new infill pattern with layers connected to the outer walls.
Additional Features
The following features enhance your printing experience:
Initial Layer Temperature Setting - Allows setting the nozzle temperature for the first layer.
Heatbed Initial Temperature - Allows setting the bed temperature for the first layer.
Initial Fan Speed - Sets the cooling fan speed for the first layer.
Retract on Layer Change - Enables retraction during each layer change.
Outer Wall Wipe Distance - Wipes the nozzle after printing the outer wall.
Z Seam X-Y Setting - Allows specifying the Z seam position.
Start Layer at Same Part - Starts layers from parts closer to the specified position.
Turn off Nozzle After Final Use - Stops the nozzle after use.
Adhesion Without Heatbed - Allows printing without build plate assistance.
Support Blocker/Enforcer Areas - Allows controlling support generation areas.
Delta Printer Support - Supports printers with elliptical beds (under testing).
Linux AppImage - Easy installation on Linux.
Bug Fixes
New Cura Notifications - Added new version notification feature.
Category Display - Always displays categories when searching settings.
3MF Files - Improved to save and load correctly.
Drag & Drop - Supports automatic file loading.
Print Core Display - Can be checked in the Machine Manager.
Add Build Plate - Can be added from the Machine Manager.
Material Display - Moved to the Extruder tab.
Profile Save - Added auto-save function.
Profile Duplicate - Standard profiles can be duplicated.
Layer View Improvement - Reduced memory usage.
Support Setting Improvement - Improved speed of setting changes.
Related Settings Update - Faster reflection of setting changes.
Slicing Block - Stops slicing on setting errors.
Suppress Reslice - No reslice needed for tool operations.
Z-axis Setting Move - Moved to Travel category.
Support Retract Removal - Reduced unnecessary retractions.
Extruder Switch Reduction - Reduced number of switches.
Infill Improvement - Adjusted initial perimeter infill.
First Layer Priming - Always primes on the first layer.
Ultimaker 2 Improvement - Improved bed speed and material changes.
Learn More
For more details, please refer to the quick start guide or troubleshooting page.
The latest Cura comes with many new features, making your 3D printing experience even easier. Download Cura 2.4 now!
Article source: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/38784-whats-new-in-cura-24