All articles
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Software
Orca Slicer Deep Dive: Calibration, Multi-Plate Printing, and How It Compares to Bambu Studio
Orca Slicer is the open-source slicer of choice for serious FDM users in 2026 — with built-in pressure advance calibration, flow rate testing, multi-plate workflows, and broader printer support than Bambu Studio.
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Business
How Patent Expiration Unlocked 3D Printing: FDM, SLS, SLA, and What Comes Next
Key patent expirations in 2009, 2014, and the 2020s triggered waves of desktop 3D printer innovation. This article traces how each technology became accessible and which patents are expiring now.
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Printers
Prusa XL 5-Tool Review: Multi-Material Done the Hard Way
The Prusa XL brings a true toolchanger to the desktop — five independent hotends, a 360×360mm bed, and the reliability Prusa is known for. Here's whether the premium is worth it in 2026.
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Software
PrusaSlicer 3.x Beginner's Guide: From First Import to Perfect Supports
PrusaSlicer 3.x is one of the most capable free slicers available, but its depth can overwhelm newcomers. This beginner's guide walks through the interface, profiles, support generation, and paint-on supports.
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Materials
PVA and BVOH Water-Soluble Supports: The Complete FDM Guide
PVA and BVOH dissolve in water, enabling complex geometries impossible with breakaway supports. This guide covers how each material works, compatible hardware, storage requirements, and print settings.
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Guides
Sanding, Priming, and Painting 3D Prints: A Complete Post-Processing Guide
Layer lines, surface texture, and rough support scars are normal on FDM prints — but they do not have to be permanent. This guide covers sanding grits, filler primer, XTC-3D, and spray versus brush painting.
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Materials
Silk, Rainbow, and Dual-Color PLA: How to Get the Best Results
Silk, rainbow, and dual-color PLA each produce striking visual effects that standard PLA cannot match. This guide explains what makes them different and how to print them for the best results.
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Printers
Sovol SV08 Review: Open-Source CoreXY with Klipper in 2026
The Sovol SV08 is a CoreXY printer running Klipper out of the box with an open-source design philosophy, strong community support, and a price that undercuts Bambu Lab's lineup. Here is how it performs.
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Printers
Voron 2.4 vs Voron Trident: Which Should You Build in 2026?
Both the Voron 2.4 and Trident are CoreXY community printers with excellent track records, but they differ in motion system, bed design, cost, and build complexity. Here is how to choose.
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Printers
The Voron Ecosystem: Community, Vendors, Kits, and Choosing Your First Build
Voron printers are community-designed, open-source CoreXY machines that rival commercial performance at bill-of-materials cost. This guide covers the ecosystem, sourcing options, Discord support, and model selection.
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Materials
Wood Filament: How to Print, Sand, Stain, and Burn Your Way to Real Wood Feel
Wood-filled PLA combines easy printing with genuine wood aesthetics. This guide covers what wood filament actually is, how to get the best print results, and how to finish it so it looks and feels like real wood.
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Guides
Support Structures Guide: Tree, Normal, and Organic Supports Explained
Support structures make complex prints possible but add time, material waste, and removal effort. This guide covers normal vs tree vs organic supports, interface layers, and the slicer settings that minimize pain.
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