Formlabs Announces PreForm 0.9.0

To ring in our MakeFaire presence, we’re excited to announce our latest software update. We take enormous pride in our PreForm software, which is re-inventing what 3d-printing software can do. PreForm 0.9.0 (download) is one of our most significant updates yet. Read all about it on our blog.

Brand New Support Structures

For PreForm 0.9.0, we’ve rewritten our support generator from the ground up. The support generator performs a high-speed analysis of your models and automatically generates support structures that will help ensure that your prints come out the way you want them to — regardless of part complexity.

Our new support generator allows PreForm to automatically generate internal supports. There’’s no need to worry about overhangs, lips, or multi-body models. PreForm will build a support system into under-supported areas in your model, no matter where they are. This makes complex designs and features a snap. Coupled with PreForm’s auto-orient feature, preparing your model for printing is fast and easy.

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With internal supports, this part is fully supported and ready to print!

We’’ve also overhauled the geometric structures behind our automatically-generated supports. Our new system uses more, smaller touch points. These touch points effectively support your model and peel away easily, leaving a smoother surface finish. The support generator also makes for some wild geometries and structures all on its own.

UI & Workflow

In addition to those big changes, we’ve made a range of interface improvements. From overhauling all of our dialogues to tweaking our slice viewer, we’re paying attention to all of the little details. We’ve also improved the material-selection workflow, making it easier for you to pick your resin and layer thickness.

Speed

We’’ve changed the way PreForm loads models, which means that your large, elaborate designs will load more quickly. That’s super-handy if you’re working with a couple million vertices. We’’ve also taken a pass through our automatic repair system, ensuring that it’ll do the right thing, every time.

MakerFaire

Come check out the latest software–as well as some of our latest models that show what can be done with PreForm 0.9.0– at World MakerFaire New York City! We’ll have a lot of fantastic parts on hand, as well some amazing prints by some of our first Form 1 users!

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A trio of Form 1-printed busts by Robert Vignone (@polysculpture).

We want to take the opportunity to the highlight the amazing work of Robert Vignone and others on our forums, who have been doing fantastic work with the Form 1! We’re thrilled by what they’ve been up to, and we can’t wait to see more, as more and more of you receive your printers. Subscribe to our blog to get more updates on the great work of our community and peeks inside the Formlabs HQ.

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