B9Create Release Notes

New Features

• The Legacy Slicer has been removed.
  • For a 5 Series printer must be running Firmware 95.0.0 or greater in order to print a CPJx file sliced with B9Create 3.4.0 or greater.
  • If your 5 Series printer is running a Firmware less that Firmware 95.0.0, you will need to keep using B9Create 3.2 or Pioneer Edition B9Create 2.0 to slice your CPJx files.
  • For more information about the Legacy Slicer and how to upgrade your printer to be compatible with 5 Series Firmware 95.0.0, please visit https://www.b9c.com/knowledge/b9create-legacy-slicer-faq
• The Contour Line in Support mode is faster for complex models.
• The Build Volume metric is now only displayed after the project has been sliced, and will always match the volume displayed on the printer when printing the file.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: For models with a particular rotation and scale, model-to-model supports could project down through the model and attach to the build table.

New Features

• With Simplify​​​​​​​ checkbox, you can choose whether models undergo simplification on import.
  • Prior to version 3.3.0, B9Create performed a simplification on models to reduce complexity and CPJx file size. Now you can disable simplification when importing models.
  • Simplification is enabled for all models in existing CPJx files that were created in a prior version of B9Create.
  • To enable or disable simplification on a model after import, right-click the name of the model in the Parts list of the sidebar and choose Change simplification.
• Box Select allows you to click and drag a box around multiple models or supports to select all objects inside the box.
• Recover Autosaves allows you to recover your work when B9Create opens after a crash.
  • B9Create periodically saves a temporary version of your open project as you work.
  • If B9Create crashes, the Recover Autosaves window will open the next time you launch B9Create.
• Straight Support Angle controls what surfaces receive straight supports.
  • If X is the angle of a supportable surface on the model in relation to the build table, placing a support on that surface will create a straight downward tip if 0 <= X <= Straight Support Angle.
  • If instead Straight Support Angle < X, the tip will be angled following the surface normal.
  • Straight Support Angle is set via Part Template and controlled per part on the Config tab.
• The B9 6 Series MPro slices CPJx files at 50 microns for a faster slice type and reduced CPJx file size.
• Auto Arrange padding can now be a decimal number like "1.5". Previously, only whole numbers were allowed.
• Auto Arrange is faster for very complex models.
• If multiple supports are selected, holding the Control key while dragging the support base will move all selected support bases to the dragged position. This functionality is also available for support tips.
• Clicking and dragging the bottom half of a support shaft now moves the support as if you were clicking and dragging the base. This makes it easier to move the base of a single support out of a group of tightly packed supports.
• The minimum and maximum values on the X, Y, and Z position fields have been removed.
• If a project takes longer than one second to save, a Saving Project overlay appears to signal that the save is in progress.
• Axis arrows in the corner of the build plane become transparent when the camera is significantly zoomed in.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: In certain cases, the Opening Project overlay wouldn't be shown until several seconds after attempting to open the project.
• ​​​​​​​Fixed: Holding the Control key and clicking a support that was already selected wouldn't deselect the support.
• Fixed: When support bases were hidden clicking and dragging the base ball joint of a support wouldn't move it.
• Fixed: B9Create could stop responding during auto support.
• Fixed: Slicing wouldn't stop at the build height of the selected printer, which could bloat the CPJx with slices that would never print.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: When B9Create was opened in Workflow mode, clicking in the 3D viewport before advancing to the Step 2 could occasionally cause B9Create to crash.
• Fixed: In the time between opening B9Create and changing the preset in the Support Preset dropdown, occasionally the "Default" support preset could create supports that were too thin.
• Fixed: If a part had existing rotation, applying a part template would not properly apply the part template's rotation.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: 3D objects could not be clicked if B9Create was launched on display that had a scaling percentage of 150% or greater.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: Rotating a part could crash the application in certain edge cases.
• Fixed: X rotation could not be set to exactly -90 or 90 degrees.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: Imported STLs would be invisible for computers running a graphics driver that only supported OpenGL ES.
• Fixed: 3D objects could not be clicked if B9Create was launched on display that had a different scaling percentage than the primary display.

New Features

• Auto Arrange has been reworked to allow tighter, more accurate arrangements.
  • Auto Arrange now respects each part's existing rotation.
  • Smaller parts can be nested inside the "empty space" of larger parts. For example, if a larger donut-shaped part is placed flat on the build table, Auto Arrange can place a smaller part inside the donut's hole.
  • Auto Arrange ignores parts that have been hidden using the Hide icon.
• Part Layout Maps are top-down diagrams of your project that show where STLs have been positioned on the build table.
  • File > Export Part Layout Map saves either a PNG image or an interactive HTML file containing:
    • A top-down image of the current build table
    • Labels over each STL
    • A legend mapping each label to the appropriate STL filename
    • Project name, date, and build table size information
  • A Part Layout Map can be saved as either a PNG image or an interactive HTML file.
• Render Resolution allows you fine-tune graphics performance by setting the resolution of the 3D preview.
  • Under Settings > Options > General, lowering the Render Resolution can improve your rendering speed at the cost of objects appearing more "pixelated".
  • Render Resolution only affects the preview you see inside B9Create. It has no effect on slicing or printing.
• Open Recent Project under the File menu keeps a list of your 10 most recent projects for easy opening.
• By choosing the Legacy Slicer, CPJx files from B9Create 3.2.0 can be printed on Firmware 76 or greater.
  • By default, B9Create 3.2.0 uses the Current Slicer, which produces CPJx files that can only be printed on printers that have Firmware 95.0.0 or greater.
  • If your printers cannot be updated to Firmware 95.0.0 or greater, click the Settings icon next to the Start Slicing button to select the Legacy Slicer. The sliced CPJx file can then be printed on printers that have Firmware 76 or greater.
  • IMPORTANT: Starting in 2024, the Legacy Slicer will no longer be included in the future releases of B9Create. Visit this support page for more details: https://www.b9c.com/knowledge/b9create-legacy-slicer-faq
• Part orientation accuracy has been improved.
  • When dragging a selected part to a new position, the part perfectly follows your mouse.
  • The rotation rings can be more accurately rotated when they are being viewed "straight on" and look like a straight line instead of a ring.
• CPJx files saved with B9Create 3.2.0 have improved preview images on the printer. The preview is zoomed in as close as possible, making it easier to identify very small prints by their preview image.
• Zoom rate is more gradual near the maximum zoom level, allowing finer control when zooming in to support very small parts.
• The front and back build table text fades out when approaching the maximum zoom level to avoid obscuring your view.
• Selecting the B9 Elite Micro build table allows you to create smaller supports. For example, the minimum allowed Tip Radius is normally 0.1 mm. For the B9 Elite Micro, the minimum Tip Radius is 0.02 mm.
  • The CPJx file is not sliced.
  • The CPJx file is sliced for a different printer model.
  • The CPJx file's slices are incompatible with the printer's current firmware.Failure messages are more specific when uploading a CPJx file to a printer.

Big Fixes

• Fixed: Dragging and dropping a CPJx file on the application would not open the file.
• Fixed: Opening a CPJx from File Explorer would launch B9Create but would not open the selected CPJx file.
• Fixed: For certain graphics drivers, the background behind the build table would be white and loaded STL files would not appear.
• Fixed: B9Create could sporadically crash when rotating a part.
• Fixed: B9Create could sporadically crash when opening a new project after slicing.
• Fixed: Certain slices could cause the printer to stall mid-print.
• Fixed: Changing the Z position using the sidebar controls would not rebuild supports to match the part's new position.
• Fixed: Transparent objects, like support bases or mirror planes, could incorrectly obscure objects behind them.
• Fixed: The project could be sliced when all models were hidden, resulting in a blank CPJx file that could not be printed.
• Fixed: The B9Create installer would fail if a newer version of B9Create was already installed. For example, B9Create 3.0.0 will not install if B9Create 3.1.0 is already installed. Only the installers for B9Create 3.0.0 and 3.1.0 are affected by this bug.
• Fixed: B9Create could not be licensed if the Windows user account name contained an '&' character.

New Features

• With Private Network Licensing, a local licensing server runs on your private network. B9Create connects to the local server and never needs an Internet connection. 
  • Contact support@b9c.com to enable Private Network Licensing.

New Features

• You can use B9Create for up to a week without being connected to the Internet. 
  • In Settings > Options > Licensing, the Use Offline Until date shows how long you can use B9Create without an Internet connection. 
  • When B9Create is open and you have an Internet connection, B9Create periodically checks that your license is valid and updates the Use Offline Until date to be a week from now.
  • If you are not connected to the Internet and the current date is after the Use Offline Until date, B9Create will be unusable until you connect to the Internet and refresh your license. 
• Settings > Options > Licensing shows how many computers are using your license key. 
  • Seats shows the number of computers registered on your license key and how many more computers can register. 
  • Unregister this computer allows you to remove your computer from your license key. This frees up a seat on your license so another computer can register with your license key. 
• With Limited Network Licensing, your computer never needs an Internet connection. Instead, annually transfer a license file to the offline computer running B9Create. 
  • Contact support@b9c.com to enable Limited Network Licensing. 
• Export STL in the File menu exports all 3D objects as a single STL file. 
• Support packages have been added.
  • A support package is a file containing diagnostic information that can help B9Creations Support troubleshoot your issues.
  • Support packages allow you to write a message describing your problem, attach CPJx and STL files, copy application log files, and generate an optional report about your computer's hardware and drivers. 
• B9Create can run on Windows 11. 
• CPJx files over 500 MB can be transferred to a printer using B9Create.

Bug Fixes

• Fixes multiple slicing errors that could intermittently occur. These fixes require Firmware 95.0.0 or greater. (See Compatibility section)
  • “Splinter” artifacts on flat surfaces parallel to the build table
  • Certain areas that should have been holes printing as filled, and vice versa
  • Thin vertical lines that did not exist in the source STL file 
• Model foundations have beveled edges instead of edges perpendicular to the build table. 
• Model foundations match the scale of their parent model when printed. 
• Support penetration depths are correctly loaded when opening CPJx file. 
• Non-visible models do not contribute to the Build Height or Build Volume measurements. 
• Model bounding boxes are built using the model's initial orientation on import, improving some related inconsistencies with Lay Flat and Auto Arrange. 
• The Locate Missing STLs dialog preserves file paths when they are scrolled out of view. 
• Importing an invalid STL file does not cause B9Create to crash.
• Negative values can be entered by typing into the Z Position input when the Allow Negative Z is enabled.
• STL and CPJx files with "#" or "." characters in their file paths are handled correctly.
• The Printer Details View appears after slicing even if one of the connected printers has a password.
• Display issues with button sizes, image resolution, and text inputs have been fixed for high-resolution monitors.

B9Create 3.0.0 and B9Create 2.0 Are Separate Applications

Your Windows operating system sees B9Create 3.0.0 and B9Create 2.0 as two completely separate applications.

This means that when you install B9Create 3.0.0, it does not replace whatever version of the “B9Create 2.0” you have installed. For example, you have the old “B9Create 2.0” application pinned to your task bar, clicking that pinned icon in your task bar will launch the old “B9Create 2.0” application, not the new version of B9Create (3.0.0). 

The first time you open B9Create, it will look to see if you have the “B9Create 2.0” application installed. If so, B9Create will pull in all your “B9Create 2.0” application settings: your registered license key, your Options menu preferences, your custom support presets, et cetera. 

After you open B9Create for the first time and confirm it successfully pulled in all your B9Create 2.0 settings, we recommend that you uninstall your B9Create 2.0 application unless you still need B9Create 2.0 for reasons discussed in the Printer Firmware Compatibility section

Can CPJx files from B9Create 2.0 be opened in B9Create 3.0.0?

CPJx files can be shared between B9Create 2.0 and B9Create 3.0.0. Your existing CPJx files created with B9Create 2.0 can be opened and edited in B9Create 3.0.0, but they will need to be sliced in B9Create 3.0.0 to take advantage of the improved slicer. 

Likewise, CPJx files created with B9Create 3.0.0 can be opened and edited in B9Create 2.0.

What is “Pioneer Edition B9Create 2.0”?

When you install B9Create 3.0.0, it changes the display name of your “B9Create 2.0” application to “Pioneer Edition B9Create 2.0”.

Printer Firmware Compatibility

B9Create 3.0.0 fixes multiple slicing errors, but these fixes required significant changes to the slicing routine. CPJx files sliced in B9Create 3.0.0 must be printed on Firmware 95.0.0 or greater, since the firmware has also been significantly updated to fix slicing errors.

If I see slicing errors in my existing CPJx files, do I need to reslice those files in B9Create 3.0.0 in order to fix the slicing errors?

Yes. For the slicing and foundation bevel fixes to take effect, you need to use B9Create 3.0.0 to slice the CPJx files. If you are satisfied with the slices of any existing CPJx files you have, reslicing is not required.

Can I use a firmware less than Firmware 95.0.0 to print a CPJx from B9Create 3.0.0?

No. If the printer’s firmware is less than 95.0.0, B9Create 3.0.0 does not allow uploading CPJx files over the network, and CPJx files from B9Create 3.0.0 will not appear on the printer’s USB Transfer menu. To fix this, update your printer to Firmware 95.0.0.

Why can’t I see CPJx files from B9Create 3.0.0 on my printer’s USB Transfer menu?

Your printer does not have Firmware 95.0.0 or greater, so you cannot see CPJx files from B9Create 3.0.0. Firmwares less than 95.0.0 can only see CPJx files from B9Create 2.0 or B9 Create 1.0. To see CPJx files from B9Create 3.0.0, update your printer to Firmware 95.0.0.

What happens if I use Firmware 95.0.0 to print a CPJx from B9Create 2.0?

Firmware 95.0.0  is still able to print CPJx files sliced in B9Create 2.0. If you are experiencing slicing errors in any of your CPJx files from B9Create 2.0, you should reslice them in B9Create 3.0.0.

Slicing compatibility table

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: B9Create ran slowly on certain computers.

Compatibility

• CPJx files created with version 2021.8.6 cannot be opened in older versions of B9Create 2.0. Please update to version 2021.8.6, which can open CPJx files from any version of B9Create.
  
• If you are currently using B9Create version 1.9.24, it is strongly recommended that you update to 2021.8.6 as soon as possible. In a few weeks, you will not be able to change the build table size in version 1.9.24. Updating to version 2021.8.6 will fix this issue.

Bug Fixes

• Supports attached to reinforcements behave more consistently.
  
• The manual rotation inputs in the sidebar correctly update the Z height offset.
  
• Part foundations are correctly generated using the part's current transformation.
  
• Duplicated models populate with the correct name, part template, visibility, and support angle.
  
• CPJx files shown on the printer correctly render the supports underneath the parts.
  
• The calculated build volume is more accurate.
  
• Support and foundation presets correctly populate the dropdowns when opening a saved auto support configuration.
  
• Users on a trial license can choose from a default list of printers in the Printer Type dropdown.
  
• Support bases slice at the correct position even if their support base visibility was toggled off.
  
• STL paths can contain non-English characters.

New Features

• Print progress can be monitored, paused, or aborted from B9Create 2.0.
• CPJx files on a printer can be downloaded to your computer.
• Selected parts can be repositioned by clicking and dragging them in the XY plane.
• The "Tiny", "Thin", "Medium", and "Thick" support preset values have been updated.
• The "Default" support preset uses the currently selected printer type to create a support optimized for that printer's resolution and build table size.
• A new "Custom Material" option has been added to the Material dropdown for projects using custom or third-party materials.
• All of a part's supports can be selected by right-clicking the part and choosing "Select Part Supports".
• The foundation is taken into consideration when determining if a part contacts the build table.
• Slice Type (FAST™, Surface Finish, Traditional) has been added to the Printer Dashboard.
• After slicing a project, the Printer List can be accessed using the Back button in the Printer Manager.
• Rendering performance has been improved, most notably for projects with a large amount of supports.
• An option for displaying partial supports on camera move has been added, which can improve rendering performance.
• An option for disabling user interface animations has been added.

Bug Fixes

• Part scale is applied when generating a foundation.
• Part scale is applied when displaying the Contour Line in Support mode.
• Straighten Tips, Angle Tips, and Reset Base Positions no longer cause all supports to migrate to a single part.
• Reinforcements are now properly hidden by the Sectioning Tool.
• The loading overlay for auto supporting correctly displays while the operation is running.
• The undo history is cleared when opening a project or creating a new project.

New Features

• Part duplication has been improved.
  • Multiple duplicates can be created at once.
  • Duplicates are grouped together in the Parts List sidebar and can be controlled in bulk (selection, orientation, visibility, deletion).
  • Duplicated parts share one instance of the underlying model mesh, improving rendering performance.
• Slicing can be cancelled before completion.
• Moving the 3D scene has been optimized for better performance when multiple parts or supports are loaded.

Bug Fixes

• Bugs with overwriting existing CPJx files have been fixed.
• The units used when importing each part are correctly saved and loaded.
• A bug where support tips would all be reset to the part's origin upon reopening a CPJx has been fixed.
• Short supports now correctly rebuild their shafts when the part is moved in the Z direction.
• A bug where selecting multiple parts could incorrectly set the part rotation has been fixed.

Known Bugs with Supporting

• Dragging a supported part in the Z direction and then using Undo to revert the changes does not properly undo the changes to support height. To fix this, slightly drag the part in the Z direction again.
• Using the Z position input field to change the Z height of a supported part does not properly rebuild supports for the new Z height. To fix this, slightly drag the part in the Z direction using the 3D arrows.
• If both a model-to-model support and a model-to-floor support are selected, editing the support anatomy can occasionally cause the model-to-model support to project down to the floor. To fix this, undo the change and edit the model-to-model support separately.

New Features

• Improves .cpjx preview images used by the the printer.
• Improvements to overall stability.
• Improves .cpjx load times.
• Improves 3D transformation control.
• Improves camera rotation usability.
• Mouse zoom levels are increased and smoother at high zoom in level.
• Adds option to invert mouse zoom.
• Mouse panning is now tied to zoom level. Pan Speed has been removed as it is no longer relevant.
• Support area shading is removed with 5 microns of the build table to provide a visualization of attachment.
• Relaxes the ability to add supports in tiny areas. These supports will typically require adjustments.
• Adds an option to toggle the contour line when supporting. May help performance when supporting on lower end computers.
• Adds new build table model for XL printers.
• Auto arrange now allows a padding in mm between models.
• Adds arrow keys for small increases to model positions.
• Allows modifying the lower tip of a model to model support.
• Increases available floating point precision of model scaling.
• Adds a Home Button with the existing zoom and view buttons at the bottom of the scene.
• Various improvements to overall usability.

Bug Fixes

• Fixes an issue where .cpjx files that contain reinforcement may not have reloaded.
• Fixes issues where slices may be lost when overwriting .cpjx files.
• Models that are not visible are no longer sliced.
• Contour line respects model scaling.
• Contour line respects sectioning planes.
• Context menu actions will now apply to all selected supports.
• Fixes issue where moving a model with supports and a foundation in the z would not modify the supports correctly.
• Scaling is now correctly disabled when a model is supported.
• Correctly generates foundation on .cpjx load.
• Hiding support bases also toggles the ability to pick the support base.