The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE Software Experience
Welcome back to the third and final part of our review of the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE. In this installment, we will be discussing the software, print results, and our final thoughts on this 3D printer.
When it comes to budget-friendly 3D printers, many of them lack dedicated software tools for printing. Instead, users are often directed to use popular software like UltiMaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Simplify3D. However, with the V3 SE, Creality provides their own software tool called Creality Print. As this machine is aimed at beginners, it is undoubtedly the software they will start with.
Upon opening Creality Print, we immediately encountered an issue. The software defaulted to Chinese language, which may be acceptable for Chinese users but can be confusing for non-Chinese speakers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an English button or any visible English characters. To understand what was happening, we had to rely on an image-based translator. The translated message prompted us to select the language and server. From there, it was easy to choose English and proceed. It’s worth noting that the “server” option determines whether you’re inside or outside of China.
Using Creality Print to prepare printing jobs was relatively straightforward. The software appeared to be quite similar to open-source UltiMaker Cura, although there were no acknowledgments of this. It seems Creality has tailored UltiMaker Cura to their own environment. If you’re already familiar with UltiMaker Cura, using Creality Print will feel familiar.
A notable feature within Creality Print is a tooltip that displays key parameters of a selected print profile. This is a handy feature, and if any adjustments are needed, you can double-click on the profile to edit specific parameters.
One interesting modification Creality has made is integrating Creality Print with their Creality Cloud, which houses a large library of printable 3D models. The idea behind this integration is to allow users to import models directly into Creality Print. However, the process is not as seamless as it sounds. It requires logging in to Creality Cloud, and if you don’t have an account, you’ll need to go through several steps to create one. This login process takes place outside of Creality Print, as you are redirected to a web page. During this process, we encountered an unusual Captcha prompt. Instead of selecting typical images like buses or traffic lights, we were asked to choose “something that can be eaten.” This presented images of jellyfish and another unidentified food item, which made it a bit challenging to complete the Captcha. It’s another example of cultural non-equivalence that Creality should consider addressing.
Despite these minor inconveniences, we managed to select a 3D model within Creality Print. However, we experienced confusion when the software set up a screen for downloading the model, but no download link was available. After trying various methods, we had to select a different version of the model to finally access the download. This confusion could easily overwhelm novice users facing the same issue.
One frustration we encountered was discovering that the Ender-3 V3 SE is only designed for PETG, PLA, and TPU materials. Initially, we tried to create profiles for other materials within Creality Print, but this proved to be a futile effort. In order to create a new profile, we had to duplicate an existing one and modify all the settings. Furthermore, there was no apparent way to create additional material profiles beyond the three standard materials. We attempted to create an “ASA” profile, but it simply wouldn’t work. At this point, we considered using UltiMaker Cura instead. However, we discovered that exporting the Creality profiles from Creality Print for use in UltiMaker Cura was not straightforward. It became apparent that the V3 SE is intended solely for those three materials when using Creality Print.
In conclusion, the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE offers a unique software experience through Creality Print. While it has its quirks and limitations, it remains relatively intuitive if you’re already familiar with UltiMaker Cura. The integration with Creality Cloud provides a wealth of 3D models to explore, albeit with a somewhat cumbersome login process. The lack of flexibility in creating material profiles beyond the three standard materials may disappoint some users, but it ultimately reinforces the V3 SE’s focus on simplicity and ease of use.
We hope you enjoyed our multi-part series on the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE. If you’re considering purchasing this 3D printer, we encourage you to read our previous installments for a comprehensive review. Happy printing!
If you’re in the market for a 3D printer, the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is definitely worth considering. While it may not have the most user-friendly software environment, the print quality is outstanding. In all my tests, I experienced no print failures and the quality of the prints was excellent.
One of the standout features of the V3 SE is its automatic calibration, particularly the automatic Z-gap setting. This feature worked exceptionally well, resulting in smooth and crisp first layers every time. I used Creality’s “Hyper PLA” material for my tests and it performed flawlessly on the V3 SE. The prints came out clean and precise, with minimal issues such as stringing or misaligned layers.
I was also impressed with the V3 SE’s ability to handle different materials. I printed mechanical parts in PLA, and they came out very clean with no issues. PETG prints were also a success, with smooth surface quality and good adhesion to the print surface. Even printing with TPU, which can be challenging on many machines, was a pleasant surprise. Despite initially questioning the 180mm/s print speed in the Creality TPU profile, the V3 SE handled it with ease, producing perfect prints.
However, it’s worth noting that the actual maximum print speed achieved by the V3 SE is closer to 70-80mm/s, rather than the advertised 180mm/s. Nevertheless, this is still a respectable speed, especially considering the excellent print quality achieved.
Overall, the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is an intriguing 3D printer. Its low cost makes it an attractive option for many, although it may require some adjustments in the software environment. However, the exceptional print quality and the machine’s ability to handle various materials make it a worthwhile investment for both beginners and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts. So, if you’re in search of a reliable and affordable 3D printer, the V3 SE is definitely one to consider.
The Creality V3 SE is a machine specifically designed to ensure the operator’s safety while printing PLA, PETG, and TPU materials. It is not suitable for those looking for experimental printing options. However, if it meets your requirements, it offers excellent value for money.
One of the standout features of the Creality V3 SE is its exceptional print quality. The prints it produces are consistently great and reliable. Additionally, its hardware design is well-thought-out, contributing to the overall performance of the machine.
The Creality V3 SE is one of the lowest-cost machines available on the market, making it an attractive choice for beginners. It offers an accessible entry point into 3D printing, without compromising on the quality of the prints.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The software environment of the Creality V3 SE may not be as feature-rich as other models. Additionally, it is primarily optimized for printing PLA, PETG, and TPU, limiting its compatibility with other materials. Lastly, while the machine is not slow, it may not be the fastest option available.
In conclusion, the Creality V3 SE is a reliable and cost-effective 3D printer that is suitable for beginners and enthusiasts. Its print quality and hardware design are commendable. However, if your printing needs extend beyond PLA, PETG, and TPU materials, or if you require a more advanced software environment, you may need to explore other options.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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