Creality has gained widespread popularity among hobbyists and consumers for producing affordable and capable 3D printers. Their CR-10 and Ender 3 models achieved significant success, leading the company to expand its range with numerous other 3D printers and accessories, such as cameras and a Wi-Fi Box.
Despite their capability, Creality printers require manual control and the use of additional platforms, such as CAD software for 3D model design and slicer programs to convert designs into machine-readable G-code. However, the new Creality Cloud mobile app, previously called “Creality Cloud-3D Printing,” integrates these functions into a single program. This free, cloud-based app offers features like remote control of printers and supports the Creality Wi-Fi Box for network-based control.
In this article, we will explore the Creality Cloud app, its features, and capabilities, while also providing a quick guide on how to install the app on your phone.
Download & Installation
Downloading the Creality Cloud app is quick and easy. It’s available for mobile devices on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. After downloading, setup is simple: open the app and sign up or log in using a Facebook or Apple account.
Once your account is ready, you can customize your profile by adjusting your nickname in the “Me” section, where you can also add a bio, birthday, and other details. After saving, you’re all set to start printing.
While a Creality Wi-Fi Box isn’t required to use the app (you can still access design repositories), it can be installed by scanning the QR code on the box. For extra help, Teaching Tech offers a video guide on Wi-Fi Box setup. Now, let’s explore the user interface and layout.
UI & Layout
Creality’s app features a smooth user interface (UI) with well-organized tabs that make navigating the slicer, model repository, and Wi-Fi control simple. It’s impressively stable, especially compared to other 3D printing apps that often suffer from glitches.
One challenge is adjusting your view in the slicer. Moving the perspective can be tricky, possibly due to screen size differences or the app’s sensitivity, but it’s something Creality could likely fix easily. Aside from this, the integrated slicer is user-friendly, with settings neatly divided into sections.
The app also includes a social design-sharing platform for 3D printable models. Additionally, small UI touches like animated buttons and helpful mini-instructions enhance the user experience. Overall, the layout is intuitive and easy to use.
Features & Functions
The Creality Cloud app offers valuable features like an integrated slicer, model repository, and remote printer control, enhancing usability.
Integrated Slicer
Slicers convert 3D model files like STL, 3MF, and OBJ into G-code scripts that 3D printers can understand. Typically, slicers are available on computers, but Creality’s mobile app offers an integrated slicer, a notable feature in the 3D printing space. While mobile or web-based slicers aren’t new (AstroPrint and Kiri
offer similar options), free slicers are rare.
Creality’s slicer is quite capable for a mobile app, allowing users to adjust settings like infill density, layer height, walls, orientation, and scale. Powered by Cura, one of the most popular desktop slicers, the app’s slicer mirrors many of Cura’s features from older versions. It’s also fast, slicing models quickly even on standard mobile devices, possibly aided by cloud slicing technology, though this claim hasn’t been verified.
However, there are some limitations. The slicer only accepts STL files, has a file size limit of 50 MB, and doesn’t support STEP, OBJ, or 3MF formats (though conversion tools are available). Additionally, you can’t upload personal, unpublished designs directly—only models from the app’s repository can be sliced.
Once a model is sliced, users with a Creality Wi-Fi Box can send the G-code directly to their printer. Creality is also planning to add support for resin printers in the future.
Social Design Repository
The Creality Cloud app’s model library is another key feature, though it currently offers fewer designs than top repositories. As the app gains popularity, its collection is expected to grow.
The cloud-based repository has a social media vibe, allowing users to post, like, share, and follow designers, similar to Thingiverse. Users can also message others, join community groups, and participate in design competitions. Models are searchable or can be found through a personalized “For You” collection.
A unique feature is the ability to share pre-sliced G-code scripts, allowing users to skip slicing and directly use community-generated G-codes tailored for specific machines.
Printer Control
Creality Cloud can also act as a control hub for your 3D printer when paired with the Creality Wi-Fi Box, similar to OctoPrint. The Wi-Fi Box allows you to remotely control your printer over a local network, enabling operations like setting temperatures, sending print jobs, and more.
The Wi-Fi Box works exclusively with the Creality Cloud app, and when connected, you can send G-code models from the app’s slicer to start prints. However, some users have reported compatibility issues with certain printers, limiting available features.
Additionally, the Creality 3D Viewer camera can be connected to the Wi-Fi Box, letting you remotely monitor your printer from your phone. While the app supports camera monitoring, further details about this feature are currently limited.
Applications & Uses
The Creality Cloud app offers several useful features, making it convenient for certain situations. If you want to manage 3D printing tasks—finding, slicing, and sending models—without using a computer, this app is ideal. It lets you handle everything from your phone, provided you have the necessary hardware.
However, you can’t control your printer with just the app alone; the Creality Wi-Fi Box is required for remote control. Without it, you’re limited to using the app’s social design sharing feature, as sliced files can’t be transferred out of the app.
Even with the Wi-Fi Box, printer control is only available on the same local network. For true remote monitoring outside your home, you might need alternatives like The Spaghetti Detective with OctoPrint.
Overall, Creality Cloud streamlines the 3D printing process but requires extra hardware for full functionality.
Alternatives
While Creality’s app is impressive, if you’re seeking more 3D models or don’t own a Creality printer, consider other options:
- Thingiverse: With over 1.9 million STL files, this free app is a top choice for 3D printable models and inspired many features in the Creality Cloud app. It offers customization options through apps like Customizer, though it can be glitchy.
- 3D Geeks: This app integrates TSD and AstroPrint but frequently crashes. It provides some control and monitoring features, with a basic free version and a premium option available.
- The Spaghetti Detective: Launched in January, this app works with OctoPrint to control printing and monitor your printer using AI. Access to all features requires a subscription, starting at about $4/month for the Pro plan.