Key Improvements
The latest version of Cura has been updated and performs even better than before. Here are some key points everyone needs to know:
Project Saving/Opening. Cura 2.4 can now save your print bed configuration, including all starting machine meshes and settings. Even more conveniently, when you reopen an old file, you will find all print bed configurations and settings preserved exactly as they were when you last saved the file.
Search Settings. Need to adjust settings quickly? You can now easily search for settings via the side panel.
Edit Start/End G-code. The new Cura 2.4 allows you to change the start and end G-code settings for single extrusion 3D printers.
Multiply Object Function. We know that duplicating an object multiple times can be tedious, so we've made it easier for you. Simply right-click an object, and you can multiply it by a variable.
Single Extrusion Printing. Your Ultimaker 3 dual extrusion printer can now perform single extrusion printing within a larger printable area.
Live Printer Monitoring Mode. Selecting camera snapshots doesn't truly tell you the printing progress. Now, with live printer monitoring mode, you can track your 3D printing progress without missing a second. This is an effective way to minimize errors during printing.
Slicing Error? Now you'll know why. When your slice is blocked by incorrect settings, but you don't know how to change them. Now, a message will appear, clearly explaining what needs to be done to get your print back on track.
Ultimaker 3 Print Profiles. When printing PLA/PLA, PLA/PVA, and Nylon/PVA, initial and final print temperatures reduce oozing. This means it is now optional to print a prime tower (except for CPE and ABS). The new Ultimaker 3 print profiles improve reliability and reduce print time.
Initial Layer Print Temperature. We have adjusted the initial and final print temperatures to achieve higher quality end results.
Material Print Temperature. The material print temperature (in the material profile) is now the same as the print temperature for Normal Quality profiles.
Improved PLA/PVA Adhesion. Achieving good adhesion between PVA and PLA is important. That's why we have now optimized PVA retraction and acceleration.
Nylon – Default Heated Bed Adhesion Type. We changed the default type for nylon printing from Raft to Brim.
Support Interface Layer Thickness. To reduce print time, we changed the support top interface layer thickness to 0.8mm and slightly reduced the infill density for PVA support.
Ultimaker 2+ PC Printing. The Raft settings for 0.25mm and 0.4mm nozzles have been adjusted in the PC (polycarbonate) format – meaning less warping and better print results.
Slicing Features
Additionally, the new Cura 2.4 has exciting new slicing features. Here are some more details:
Hollow Prime Tower. If printing a hollow prime tower in infill, this will minimize material usage and improve its stability. Material oozing from the prime tower is now wiped internally, meaning excess material is contained within.
Pre-cooling/Pre-heating. Printing now begins at a lower temperature and then quickly increases to the normal printing temperature. We have also adjusted the system to ensure cooling occurs after the last extrusion (for the Print Core) before it starts. This minimizes heat absorption by the material and also reduces PVA degradation. This will reduce the risk of nozzle clogging, making operation even more convenient!
Remove Mesh Overlaps. If necessary, you can now turn off the resolution of overlapping meshes. Models can now overlap, meaning you can mix colors on the heated bed by stacking meshes on top of each other and reducing their flow.
Alternate Mesh Removal. For areas where two models overlap, you can now alternate each layer of the overlapping area (depending on which object the overlapping area of that layer belongs to). This improves bonding between two-color objects and provides better control over heated bed color mixing.
Hollow Objects. If you wish, you can remove infill from the mesh and use the internal void as a suspension, which creates better support within the model. This also reduces the amount of material required to print the interior.
Infill Walls. Fill small gaps between walls, making thin areas denser rather than hollow – making the model stronger.
Cubic Infill. This groundbreaking new infill pattern has a similar basis to cubic infill - but creates larger cubes within the mesh. This reduces material usage and shortens print time, while also being an excellent way to maintain structural integrity.
Concentric 3D Infill. We have added a new infill pattern, similar to concentric infill, but touching X layers of the outer walls to create better support for the top layer.
Additional Features
The following additional features improve your printing experience:
Initial Layer Print Temperature - You can now determine the nozzle temperature in the first layer.
Initial Layer Heated Bed Temperature - You can also determine the heated bed temperature in the first layer.
Initial Fan Speed - Choose the fan speed for the first layer to get better printing results.
Retract at Layer Change - You can choose to retract every time the printer moves to the next layer.
Outer Wall Wipe Distance - Wipe the nozzle after printing the outer wall.
Set X-Y Coordinates for Z Seam - You can choose where to place the Z seam.
Start Layering with Same Part - Start each layer with the part closest to the selected location.
Shut Down Nozzle After Last Use - Shut down the nozzle after its last use (when other nozzles are still working).
No Heated Bed Adhesion - If desired, you can choose not to print any heated bed adhesion auxiliary parts.
Anti-Protrusion and Support Mesh - Use meshes to specify an area where nothing can be classified as support, or to specify an area where supports should be printed.
Delta Printer Support – Supports printers with oval heated beds. Please note that we have not fully tested this, and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
AppImage for Linux - Linux distributions are now in AppImage format, making Cura easier to install.
Bug Fixes
New Cura Notification - You will receive a notification when a new version of Cura is available.
Category Visibility - Always show setting categories when searching in visibility preferences.
3MF Files - 3MF files can now be saved and uploaded correctly.
Drag and Load - Dragging a file onto Cura will now automatically load it.
View Print Core/Material - Easily view the current Print Core and material in Ultimaker 3 via the machine manager.
Add Heated Bed Upgrade - You can add heated bed upgrades (and other things) from the machine manager.
Material Under Print Core/Extruder - These are now set under the extruder tab.
Save Printer/Profile - Cura will automatically save all opened printers and profiles (immediately after closing).
Duplicate Profile - You can now duplicate all standard profiles.
Change Layer Display - Layer display uses less RAM.
Faster Support Enable Setting Changes - Able to change Support Enable settings faster.
Related Setting Changes - Changing one setting can now update all related settings faster.
Slicing Blocked - If there are any errors in your settings, slicing will be automatically blocked.
Active Tool, No More Reslicing - Selecting a model with any active tool no longer causes reslicing.
Primary Stern Changes - The initial stern has a separate area (cannot be printed).
Adjust Support Extruder Settings - We have moved the support extruder settings closer to the support settings.
Adjust Build Plate Adhesion Extruder Settings - Build plate adhesion extruder settings are now close to build plate adhesion settings.
Z-Hop Setting Location – Z-hop settings have been moved to the "Travel" category.
Stop Nozzle Wiping Material - "Stop nozzle wiping material on prime tower" has now been re-enabled.
Remove Support Retraction - There is now no unnecessary retraction on supports.
Reduce Extruder Switches - Each layer now has fewer extruder switches than the machine has extruders.
First Infill Periphery Without Concentric Infill - Concentric infill does not generate the first infill periphery next to the walls.
Extruder Prime First Layer - Extruder priming now always occurs on the first layer.
Ultimaker 2 Heated Bed Speed - The Ultimaker 2 heated bed rise is now at the appropriate speed.
Ultimaker 2 Material Change - The Ultimaker 2 can now change material again during a print pause.
Learn More!
To learn more, you can read the Quick Start Guide or browse our troubleshooting page.
The latest version of Cura has many incredible new features that make your 3D printing life even simpler than before. Download Cura 2.4 now!
Article source: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/38784-whats-new-in-cura-24