Create it REAL seems to have switched strategies with their slicing software tool.
The Danish company has developed a powerful slicing tool called “REALvision Core”. This tool is not another “wrapped” open source tool as is often seen in the industry, but uses an entirely new slicing engine.
REALvision Core offers a “novel material property-based slicing engine” that is able to generate toolpaths for high quality 3D prints. There are a number of advanced features, such as automatic lattice generation, modifiers and even manual support generation. In all there are more than 150 different settings that can be accessed by professional operators.
The software also includes a streamlined user interface with what Create it REAL describes as a “superior material profile management” system. This is something that is definitely lacking in most of the other slicers, where profiles quickly get out of control.
Under development and deployment for ten years, REALvision Core has up to now been offered as a white label product. In other words, a 3D printer manufacturer wanting their own slicing software but unable to produce it themselves could license REALvision Core from Create it REAL and rebrand it for their own use. Several 3D printer manufacturers have done so.
It’s quite a powerful system, as attested by one of Create it REAL’s clients, Jimmi Rohdin, who said:
“After trying your slicer, I have to admit that I have never gotten a better printout of my printer after very small adjustments. It’s amazing how my 200 EUR 5-year-old printer prints at a high level with a brand new Ultimaker 🙂 The program is easy to see which settings I want to adjust.”
But now there seems to be a change. Create it REAL said:
“We at Create it REAL are proud to release REALvision Pro as a standalone desktop version of our 3D printing software in Basic, Professional and Enterprise packages.”
REALvision Pro is built on top of REALvision Core, which is a thoroughly mature product after having been in use for over ten years, and has been extensively used by professional 3D printer operators for years.
REALvision Pro includes tips and explanations to assist those who are new to the features and settings, and it sounds like Create it REAL will offer significant assistance as well.
One very interesting feature is the inclusion of “fine-tuned profiles” for materials. This is quite interesting, and I’m interested to see how Create it REAL tackles the profile problem: how do you prepare print settings for pairs of and endless number of changing 3D printer models with an endless amount of different materials.
Moving to this business model is a big step for Create it REAL, as their software could become widespread and with that comes the requirement for significant support resources. They are also competing against two other popular slicers, PrusaSlicer and Ultimaker Cura, both of which are available at no charge.
Could the advanced features of REALvision Pro be sufficient to persuade 3D printer operators to pay for slicing software?
This was achieved previously by Simplify3D, but that company is seemingly dormant and hasn’t issued an upgrade in many years.
REALvision Pro is available by subscription. For the Basic version, you pay €15 (US$15) per month for a single seat and obtain most of the features (including lattice generation) with limited support.
The Professional version is €59 (US$60) per month for all features, including access to “unlimited profiles/printers”. This version includes five seats and “end-to-end process support”.
For individuals, this pricing may be too high, but for professionals seeking to maximize the utility of their 3D printers, this could be a good deal.
Via REALvision Pro
