You can always go to Anycubic which seems to be gearing up give Bambu a run for their money. Oh wait, they are also going proprietary with their software.
How do you go about that? I’m currently checking out the beta of Bambu Connect and nothing seems to be able to send directly to it. It can’t even open existing 3mf files created in Bambu Studio. I have to open my existing files in Orca (or Bambu Studio) and then choose file | export | export plate sliced file… to create a file that can then be opened by Bambu Connect. I did see in the documentation a reference to 3rd party software being able to launch Bambu Connect, so maybe if Orca decides to implement that auto-launch it would also auto-load the file at that point.
Additionally, Bambu Connect has the same problem when using a MacBook that Bambu Studio has with constantly losing the connection when the computer goes to sleep. And when connected by LAN it won’t reconnect without typing in the access code every…single…time. At least Bambu Studio remembers my access code and can reconnect without me having to retype it over and over again.
As far as the whole issue of the changes I’m still undecided how much it bothers me, and once it’s all done and in place it may not bother me at all. But so far Bambu Connect is thoroughly unimpressive to me.
I switched from Creality to Bambu just last month and would not recommend Creality to anyone anymore. To keep it short, not only do replacement parts go bad within weeks, the last few replacement parts I bought were bad on arrival.
I haven’t been very happy with Bambu Lab either as the loss of functionality using LAN mode, which I was forced to use because I won’t use the phone app, is ridiculous, and I believe illegal in the U.S. I paid the exact same price as everyone else for my printer and I expect to have the exact same features.
I’m just starting to learn how to work around it, but now that I’m seeing post on the new firmware I’ll likely end up switching to another brand.
The absolute best thing Bambu Lab could do to fix their faulty cloud is to get rid of it. I don’t know why anyone would want to store models on a cloud instead of on their computer, mostly because there is always a security risk. And I would be furious if I was unable to have access to one of my models if there was an internet outage.
As far as resource obtained from the cloud, they can simply be downloaded from the website. Security issue solved.
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From the Bambu Connect wiki
Launching Bambu Connect from Third-Party Software
Third-party programs can prompt Bambu Connect to import a specified G-code or 3MF file by utilizing the following URL scheme:
bambu-connect://import-fileRequired Parameters
To ensure proper functionality, the following parameters must be included in the URL scheme:
path: The absolute file system path pointing to the 3MF file (e.g.,
/tmp/cube.gcode.3mf). This value must be encoded usingencodeURIComponent.name: The name of the file (e.g.,
Cube). This value must also be encoded usingencodeURIComponent.version: A fixed value of
1.0.0, which is used to indicate compatibility for future updates.Example URL Scheme
Here’s a valid example of the URL scheme with properly encoded parameters:
bambu-connect://import-file?path=%2Ftmp%2Fcube.gcode.3mf&name=Cube&version=1.0.0By using this scheme, third-party software can efficiently open Bambu Connect and import the desired file for printing.
I find this to be kind of a cheap shot. I’ve encountered a number of android devices that are pure garbage. The bloatware, the poor quality of the hardware, the aging versions of android that have unpatched security holes.
I remember a few back looking into Android TV devices, and what a mess that space was. Made me realize how nice the Apple TV is. Especially thinking about smart tvs, and how low quality the OS (android based) typically is. I’ve ended up disabling smart tv functionality on several tvs because of the low quality experience, how clunky it is.
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I mean it says it right in the software that it needs to be a sliced 3mf …
Their URL scheme for importing a sliced 3mf also works, so it works exactly as they’ve documented. Really hope they expand upon this more than just importing sliced 3mf’s though.
OK, so it would be up to Orca to integrate that functionality. Then why can’t BS do it now? Has Bambu not even integrated it into their own software?
Additionally, on a different question, I noticed a reply earlier where you told several people that Bambu Connect does not connect to the cloud and also that LAN mode wouldn’t be be affected if the cloud went down. Can you elaborate on that? If Bambu Connect is what initiates printing, how does it bypass the requirement that every time printing is initiated it has to be “approved” by, presumably, a connection to the cloud? Where would the authorization come from if I export a gcode.3mf file from orca and then import it into Bambu Connect and start the print? You also say that nothing in these changes will prevent the printer from working if the cloud is down, so in the same context how does it get an authorization to begin printing a file sent by LAN without a working connection to the cloud?
Yeah no way my next printer will be a Bambu. You’re approaching the problem the wrong way. I get that you want better security for your cloud (I know cause I do this for a living) but disabling access for third party softwares that are running in our LAN to access our printers also on our LAN is NOT the way to go . Fix your cloud security (and if you can’t then hire consultants or external help) and let me thinker with my own printer at home however I like. Stopping updating the firmware is not a valid solution. This goes against the security principle itself. No firmware updates = no security fix.
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I like the cloud, and the whole of the system. People run around acting like these things are broken, but there are tons of people that engage these systems every day without issue too.
I’m sorry you don’t like the cloud, but I do. So who’s opinion matters more now? Who is more right? Are you automatically right because you don’t like it? Does that mean I’m wrong because I wouldn’t agree with you?
Beyond that. The cloud features of Bambu are a big part of what their system is at this point, so wouldn’t you be better served by going to a different manufacture?
Maybe the real issue here is that people are so upset and hurt because nothing has really come out that can compare to what Bambu is doing. There’s a lot of trying hard, but falling short, it seems. For every printer someone touts as the Bambu killer, they sure seem to disappear into faded memories upon release. For those that are disappointed with Bambu, where do they go?
Why isn’t everyone flocking to Prusa? All the things people are complaining about here, it’s like Prusa is gonna have you covered. They are making the printers you want. They are one of the best manufactures in this space too. So why when Prusa is over there trying their best to give you exactly what you want, that you’re still over here trying to force Bambu to be what you want?
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It was not my intention at all and i am sorry if i made it look that way. But i hate this Android VS iOS thing and trust me, i had both OS’s at premium costs and devices. Most of the time the problem is that people buy cheap phones and then complain. But i can’t stand when someone comes and praises Apple as if they are the best of the best just because some users don’t know what they do with their phones.
If someone owns an Apple phone and paid premium for that, they should try and pay the same premium for the same experience with Android.
For example, my daughter took my old iphone 15 pro max and she is very happy with it. She had an S22 ultra that was ok but with the Exynos chip (worst one). For her the iphone is the best because of what she does with it. Pictures, social networks and not much more. I got myself another Android (yes, i am always going back and forward) in the same category and also have no problems but i sure love that customization. Just some quirks as i had with my pro max. There is no perfect device, period! 
Again, was not trying to begin a fan war at all. That was a one time answer directed at that user only. I am not a fanboy of either OS 
Now on with the discussion and i won’t go offtopic again 
Bambu Connect itself is the authorized piece of software that is allowed to make control connections. If a 3rd party wants to make authorized connections for control, they would have to be approved by Bambu. If I understand what they are doing, they are trying to limit unauthorized connections to Bambu printers for control operations that haven’t been approved by Bambu.
Now that I said all that, now I’m wondering if they would even open up API calls to their application since by design, they wouldn’t be coming from an approved piece of software. Time will tell.
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Because Bambu Studio and Orca are different projects?
Bambu has integrated it in the latest beta release.
It’s been stated that Bambu Connect will function in LAN mode, ie completely disconnected from internet. Thus we can safely assume that it doesn’t need any cloud connectivity to authenticate the connection.
So the software and the wiki disagree. The wiki repeatedly says it can be gcode OR a 3mf. That would imply to me that if I open BS and create a print and then save it, Connect should be able to open it.
I hope so too. I want to think we’re just seeing just the foundation of the whole setup, and that they’ll expand to include more functionality or ways for third party applications to interact with it.
I use Home Assistant, so it’s not like I have no vested interest in what’s going on. I’ve dumped products I’ve invested in before because they broke functionality with Home Assistant. Probably wouldn’t go that far with my printers, but I can appreciate the frustration from the loss of functionality in those realms.
Still, overall, it’s an experience that has given me more than any other printer I’ve used, despite any frustrations or limitations I’ve personally felt. And it’s not as if I don’t have my own issues or complaints with Bambu or the printers. I do.
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Ahh you’re right, it does confuse things in the Wiki. Guess now’s the time they need to fix those inconsistencies!
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I’ve had the A1 for just over a month and am still learning the system. So far, learning more hasn’t made things any better. Had I known that I would be forced into using a phone app and connecting to a cloud I NEVER would have bought it.
This printer is my printer to use for my purposes. Bambu can’t sell me a printer and then say “You can ONLY do what WE want you to do with it.” If you like the cloud and phone app, great. Keep using them. But don’t tell me that I have to use them. And, as I said earlier, I’m fairly sure that blocking some users from access to features because they don’t use apps is illegal in this country. The only reason I can’t access all those features is because they are needlessly tied to the cloud when they could easily be added to the printer’s sever instead. And if I were you I would be worried about why Bambu Lab is so insistent about having their own access to every user’s printer and phone.
If Prusa printers are as good as you say I’ll check them out.
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I’m in the same boat as you, I utilize Home Assistant with my printers. Fortunately we don’t lose visibility into printer information which much of my automation rely upon for controlling devices outside of the printer.
Yet at the same time the documentation clearly says under the section “Critical Operations That Require Authorization”, at the 4th bullet point "Initiating a print job (via LAN or cloud mode).
So Bambu simultaneously says that no cloud connection is needed for a LAN print and that you can’t start a LAN print without an authorization. So where does that authorization come from if not the cloud?
If the printer itself authorizes connections when in LAN mode, there is no security gain whatsoever as it will authorize the connection regardless of whether it’s valid or malicious as long as it comes through Bambu Connect.
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I do too.
Yeah. This is kind of my issue with these comparisons, is there is such a wide range of experiences on Android, that you can make arguments either way, if you cherry pick. Overall though, a high-end android device can give you the same quality experience, or even better, depending on what you want out of your device.
I’ve gotten a bit of flack over my iphone use from people over the years, so maybe I’m a little knee jerk myself, haha. Frankly though, I use my phone for such limited things, that the iphone is ideal.
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I would expect it to be the basework to include features like “Prusa Connect” such as farm management, print queue, maybe even multi user support. All the things that people have been begging for in Bambu Studio but really aren’t slicer related.
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