Simplify3D | All-In-One 3D Printing Software (Page 2 of 2)

I really hope this software offers up some major improvements over Sli3r.  As a comparison I printed this out using my go to profile that I use for most of my structural parts.  The only difference is I did it at .3 instead of .1 layer height.  Speed is 80 mm/s for everything.  I have a .60 Nozzle and it took 12 minutes to print. 
Well, you be the judge.

At this point I am struggling with dropping $140 so I hope you guys come up with some real positive results.  I would love to see more logical tool paths.

Thank you,
I was half hoping it wouldn't come out that good and I am sure if I wanted to spend some time I could get it perfect.  I just don't need an insert for my band saw at the moment .  I would love an excuse to by this software but I am going to need to see some real proof that it is better.  I am sure that it has it's advantages and looks promising but I will wait to hear what lawsy has to say about it.

+1 for everything you said.

I'd be more than happy to post them.  It won't be until later tomorrow that I'll have a chance.

Ok, first tests: my Solidoodle 2.

Object: Shy-light by virtox @ 60%

General settings:

Layer Height: 0.2
Infill: 10%
Perimeters:2

Both prints were run by Octoprint. This means the slicers did their job and I exported the g-code wireless to the onboard raspberry pi. Octoprint only starts the print timer once the bed and extruder are warmed up.

Slic3r

Slicing time: 5 minutes 34 seconds
g-code file size: 9,962 kb
Printing time: 02:13:21

My normal profile with 0.2 layer height and sparse infill. This print shows a problem I quite often have where one side of the print is better quality than the other. Note in the first photo the concave band in the first 10mm from the glass. This is constant across many of my prints. Later in the print the right hand side lifted which has contributed to some misshapen parts. This can be seen in the centre vertical part in the first image, where the edge is wonky.

Simplify3D

Slicing time: about 10 seconds
g-code file size: 7,328 kb
Printing time: 02:17:20 

I used their default profile except changing nozzle to 0.4 (E3D extruder) and setting the general parameters above. I also tweaked the start and end g-code a bit to try and make it like my Slic3r one. Simplify3D supports [variables] here but there are not as many as Slic3r and ultimately it seems like there is less control for this section. Most of the other settings you can tweak seem similar in complexity to slic3r.

I did spray a touch of hairspray before this one which helped sticking. As a result the right hand side is smoother as it curves up. The overall quality is very similar. Both have some moire pattern in the same place where each layer started. THe inside of the Simplify3D one is much rougher, however.

So from your gut... Is it worth it?  It's impressive to generate a file close to twice the size in 1/5th the time.  I am most interested in tool paths that make sense.  Things like solid infill when the inner and outer perimeters are close enough that one more line will fill it in.  In that situation Slic3r starts the high frequency squiggle with varying results.  I stare at it and think just draw one more line damn it!

I will Thank You.

Wardjr;

Appreciate that, I will PM you!

Andrew