3D Lightyear ™ File Preparation Software
3D Lightyear™ file preparation software is used on Windows-based CAD/CAM or other workstations to prepare STL and SLC files for part building on the SLA™ system.
3D Lightyear™ software inputs STL or SLC files, which it then prepares for part building on any of 3D Systems' SLA™ systems. An industry standard, STL files are routinely produced by virtually all significant CAD/CAM software programs, and a large variety of scanning or tooling-related software, as well as a variety of commercially-available third-party conversion/utility programs.
3D Lightyear™ software version 1.5 software is compatible for use with all SLA™ systems running Buildstation™ version 5.5 software (SLA™ 500/3500/5000/7000/Viper systems) or Buildstation™ 4.0 software (for SLA™ 250 systems only).
Buildstation™ control software is used on all SLA™ systems to control the SLA™ system and build parts. Buildstation™ software accepts build files created on 3D Lightyear™ software and quickly and easily builds parts.
Key 3D Lightyear™ software enhancements 3D Lightyear™ 1.5 software includes many features that deliver more flexibility, power and control of your build preparation, including these key new enhancements:
- Combine support regions so supports can be drawn across multiple regions at the same time.
- New select behavior and select by window feature
- High Fidelity Slice – for smoother sidewalls and more accurate parts
Buildstation™ 5.5 software — More flexibility!
- Windows XP support (officially supported only on XP)
- 3D graphics view of build for viewing and part selection
- Support for new 2.8Ghz Pentium IV PC controller and Electronics suite
- Delete parts during a build
- Load and edit BFF files from previous builds
- Copy, delete and move individual parts within a BFF – even from previous version BFFs!
- Change recoat and part build parameters or delete a part during a build
- Viper HA SLA™ system dual-vat support
User Quote:
"The new Lightyear™ 1.5 and Buildstation™ 5.5 is the biggest leap in SLA™ system preparation software since the introduction of Lightyear™ 1.0. The parts look great and rebuilds are quick and easy. With the new software we built 8 successful platforms of parts with a mix of bff's from 3D Lightyear™ 1.4 and 1.5 software. I can't wait to get all of our equipment upgraded so that we can take advantage of the new features."
-- David Yarnell, Director of RP (Dynacept Corporation)
| 3D Lightyear v1.5.2 Styles Update and Release Notes | |
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Download Release Notes Styles Update 1(.pdf 128K) |
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Download the Software Styles Update 1 (.exe 825K) |
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Download Release Notes Styles Update 2(.pdf 126K) |
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Download the Software Styles Update 2 (.zip 587K) |
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Download Release Notes Styles Update 3(.pdf 130K) |
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Download the Software Styles Update 3 (.zip 592K) |
| 3D Lightyear v1.5 software: New Feature Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | |
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Download US FAQ (.pdf 160K) |
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Download French FAQ (.pdf 343K) |
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Download Chinese Traditional FAQ (.pdf 276K) |
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Download German FAQ (.pdf 385K) |
| 3D Lightyear v1.5 and Buildstation 5.5 software: New Feature Presentation | |
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Download US Presentation (.pps 4.6MB) |
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Download French Presentation (.pps 5.1MB) |
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Download Chinese Traditional Presentation (.pps 4.5MB) |
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Download German Presentation (.pps 9.9MB) |
Legacy 3D Lightyear software datasheets
| 3D Lightyear 1.4 Datasheets | |
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Download US Datasheet (.pdf 126K) |
| 3D Lightyear 1.3 Datasheets | |
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Download US Datasheet (.pdf 139K)
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Download French Datasheet (.pdf 198K)
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Download German Datasheet (.pdf 217K)
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Download Italian Datasheet (.pdf 198K)
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Download UK English Datasheet (.pdf 216K) |
New 2.8 Ghz Pentium IV Controller and Electronics Suite Upgrade
This new Lightyear 1.5 and Buildstation 5.5 software release has many new features that run more efficiently on a more powerful PC controller. As a result a new 2.8Ghz Pentium IV controller and electronics suite has been developed. It is highly recommended that 3D Systems’ new XP-based PC controller and electronics suite upgrade is implemented due to the 3D graphics on Buildstation 5.5 and new slice format which is larger. In addition customers who experience “jump to rest” issues will see a throughput improvement from 5% to 30%. Buildstation 5.5 software is only officially supported under this new controller or on a 4XXMhz Pentium II Controller running XP Pro with 384Mb of RAM. This upgrade is intended for select SLA systems produced since 1999. Earlier systems may require other upgrade packages also available for those systems.
Click here to download additional PC Controller and Electronics Suite Upgrade information