The most popular 3D printing software app for your Mac!

Ultimaker Cura for Mac

Ultimaker Cura for Mac

  -  184 MB  -  Freeware
  • Latest Version

    Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 LATEST

  • Review by

    Juan Garcia

  • Operating System

    macOS 10.12 Sierra or later

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Ultimaker BV / External Link

  • Filename

    UltiMaker-Cura-5.12.0-macos-X64.dmg

Ultimaker Cura for Mac (also known just as Cura) is a popular open-source slicing application for 3D printers, enabling users of all technical knowledge levels to fine-tune their 3D models with over 400 settings for the best slicing and printing results.



The app is designed to be easy to use, even for those with limited experience in 3D printing, and offers a range of features that make it simple to prepare and print 3D models.

This software is well known as one of the best tools for businesses that use 3D printing as part of their daily workflow, offering them extensive stability and security features.

Additionally, the app integrates with a range of other tools and software, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows. This includes full support for CAD project imports/exports and compatibility with various 3D model and photo file formats such as STL, OBJ, X3D, 3MF, BMP, GIF, JPG, and PNG.

Developers of this app are also makers of a wide array of hardware solutions for 3D printing, providing comprehensive offerings for 3D printing, model preparation, material management, and finalization of projects of all types and sizes.

Key Features
  • Expert Slicing Engine – Manage 3D printing projects of all types and sizes with automated preparation tools.
  • Customization Options – Test over 400 settings for fine-tuning 3D models.
  • Integration with 3D Printers – Send projects seamlessly to a wide range of 3D printers.
  • Material Profiles – Access a large offering of material profiles and find the perfect filament for a specific build.
  • CAD Plugin Integration – Integrates with a range of CAD software, including SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, and others.
  • Cross-Platform Support – Optimized for Intel and M-series Macs, Windows, and Linux computers.
Installation and Setup

This open-source application is available as a completely free product, enabling users on all modern computer platforms to easily deploy it at home, school, or business.

To get it up and running, users only need to download the official installer from its main website or secure FileHorse servers, and drag the app’s icon to the Application folder. This will initiate an automated installation procedure, after which users will be able to jump into the app.

It is important to note that owners of the Ultimaker 3D printers can also download the app of the same name from the App Store (for Macs, iPads, iPhones, and Apple Vision), which will manage all detected printers from this company.
 
How to Use

Using this app is straightforward. New and seasoned users can import their 3D models into the app and then use the various customization options to fine-tune their printing experience.

The app offers a range of tutorials and guides that can help users get started, and the user interface is designed to be easy to navigate.

User Interface

The Ultimaker Cura interface is clean and intuitive, with a layout that makes it easy to navigate the app's various features. The main window displays a summary of the user's 3D model, and users can access the app's customization options through a series of tabs and menus.

In addition to Mac UI options, this app also features native mobile apps that are fully streamlined for touch-friendly operations and 3D model management.

FAQ

What is Ultimaker Cura?
It is a fully featured 3D printing software that allows users to fine-tune their 3D models and print them with ease.

Is it safe?
Yes, this open-source app is regarded as one of the safest and most reliable software solutions for 3D printing.

Alternatives

CuraEngine – A reliable tool for converting 3D models into g-code instructions for 3D printers.

Slic3r – A free and open-source 3D printing software that can connect to a wide range of popular 3D printers.

Simplify3D – A professional-grade 3D printing software for enthusiasts and businesses.

Pricing

This is a free app.

System Requirements
  • OS: macOS 10.12 or later
  • CPU: Intel or M-series processor
  • GPU: OpenGL 4.1 compatible graphics card
  • RAM: 4GB of memory (8GB is recommended)
  • Storage: 550 MB of free space
PROS
  • Easy to use.
  • Advanced slicing engine.
  • Compatible with all modern 3D printers.
  • Extensive customization options.
  • Stylish user interface.
  • Cross-platform availability.
  • Integration with modern 3D model editors.
  • Free for use.
CONS
  • Limited options compared to competition.
  • No support for 3D modeling.
Conclusion

Ultimaker Cura for Mac is a powerful and user-friendly 3D printing software designed to help anyone prepare and print 3D models.

While it may have some limitations, this app is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses that use 3D printing as a hobby or commercially.

Also Available: Download Cura for Windows

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshot 1
  • Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshot 2
  • Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshot 3
  • Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshot 4
  • Ultimaker Cura 5.12.0 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

New features and improvements:
- Bridging behavior over rectangular empty spaces and infill are now placed in a smarter way. The bridge lines are now anchored to layers below where possible. Bridge lines can now also be interlaced for improved quality.
- Fewer mistakes, less wasted time. Settings for disabled extruders are now greyed out to prevent "ghost editing," where you might spend time fine-tuning the Printing Temperature or Retraction Distance for Extruder 2, only to realize later that the entire model was set to print with Extruder 1. Additionally, a warning appears in the Preview stage if your model is hidden because an extruder is unchecked.
- Updated combing behavior for thin parts so it doesn't ooze over the walls by updating the behavior for Inside Travel Avoid Distance
- Added a warning in the preview if the reason you are not seeing your model is that the extruder is unchecked
- Self-intersecting infills like Grid, Triangular, and Cubic are hidden for some printers in recommended mode because they introduce artifacts at high speeds. They are still available in Custom mode
- Added height of the layer in preview mode in mm in addition to the layer number
- Added a pop-up to help with using the Select Face mode when rotating a model
- Improved the reliability and maintainability of the Cura UI and Post Processing plugin
- Added a new button under the Help dropdown to quickly open the log files
- Updated the Filament Change script of the Post Processing plugin to support multiline Gcode Before and Gcode After
- Updated the Z-Hop on Travel Post Processing script to include an option for Support Interface Only
- Updated the Post Processing plugin with a bigger text area in the UI to allow for easier editing of multiple lines of Gcode
- Updated the Advanced Cooling Fan Control Post Processing plugin to add an Enable and Fan Jump Start setting
- Updated the Display Info on LCD Post Processing plugin to reflect Filament Cost and allow for the adjustment of the Cura estimated time
- Updated the Purge Lines and Unload Post Processing plugin so the CUSTOM addition in the Gcode doesn't trigger an error

New Settings:
- New Honeycomb and Octagon infill types ensure the toolpath never crosses its own path on the same layer, reducing the chance of the nozzle hitting the infill during printing. Infill Start/End Move settings move the infill starts away from the wall to prevent surface blobs from a nozzle traveling to start a new infill line.
- Introduced Infill Start/End Move Inwards Length settings that add an extra line at the beginning and the end of your infill to prime the infill and prevent blobs on the outside wall
- Introduced Infill Skin Support to consolidate and replace Extra Infill Lines to Support Skin, Skin Edge Support Layer, and Bridging Over Infill Settings.
- Introduced a Middle option to the Z Seam Positions
- Introduced a Print Estimation Factor to the Printer Settings that allows you to adjust the predicted printing time when you notice it deviates consistently from reality

Fixed:
- Improved responsiveness when working with printers that are connected over Digital Factory
- Improved Scarf Seam behavior when used on overhangs and the visualization of these seams in the preview for improved troubleshooting
- Added an option to abort sending a cloud print job if the loading bar gets stuck
- Updated the behavior for One At a Time print jobs to reduce the chance of collisions at the end of the printing process
- Extruder End Gcode is now added to the end of the print process before Machine End Gcode
- Fixed an issue where a model was still displayed as unprintable after switching the assigned extruder
- Fixed an issue where unretracted travel moves could be generated over top surfaces when the Inside Travel Avoid Distance could not be applied. Such moves are now retracted instead
- Fixed an issue where paint strokes on rotated models would not be picked up correctly when slicing
- Fixed an issue where combing would add a lot of unnecessary travel due to a very small slit in layer outline
- Updated the behavior of the preview tab when dragging and dropping in a Gcode file
- Fixed an issue where enabling Z hop when retracted would apply the Z hop twice and move the nozzle to X0 Y0 at start of the print
- Polished the appearance and behavior of combobox controls in the Preferences dialog, making them more consistent and easier to use.
- Fixed an issue that would cause a crash if the model was reloaded inside the paint mode
- Fixed an issue where Top Surface Expansion was being applied inside the model without any Top Surface area
- Fixed an issue where the flow of a fractional layer was not adjusted as expected
- Fixed an issue where UV unwrapping sometimes failed on complex shapes, leading to incorrect color or material painting
- Fixed a crash that could occur when exporting and sending very large print jobs over the network or Digital Factory Cloud
- Improved the robustness of network printing to reduce crashes and error states when communication with printers fails
- Fixed an issue where the configured build volume temperature limits could be bypassed in certain cases
- Updated the Annealing or Drying Post Processing plugin so it now also works on UltiMaker 3D printers
- Bugs resolved since the Beta release
- Fixed crashes when loading certain project files (3MF) on Linux
- Prevented slice crashes when trying to paint on support blockers or modifier meshes by not allowing that unsupported operation
- Fixed a bug where Overhanging Wall Speeds would be applied to tree support in multi extrusion printjobs
- Updated bridging behavior so the lines prefer to align with the axis if the geometry allows
- Fixed an issue where bridging logic caused large, inconsistent flow changes on some surfaces, leading to visible blobs and rough areas; flow is now more stable in those regions.
- Corrected how flow is applied when using gradual flow adjustments so that extrusion transitions are smoother, align better with the expected behavior, and more consistent, improving overall quality.
- Fixed a case where infill extrusion moves could skip the intended inward move, improving infill start placement and reducing small artefacts at infill boundaries.
- Addressed a CuraEngine issue that caused slicing to crash when generating the inward infill move, making slicing more robust for tricky geometries.
- Removed the nozzle move to X0 Y0 when Z Hop When Retracted was enabled
- Fixed a bug where the Infill Skin Support would move through the Extra Infill Walls
- Fixed an issue where bridging regions could contain many small dotted line segments, improving both appearance and strength of bridges.
- Fixed a bug where 3MFs with custom materials would not be loaded properly
- Updated file saving behavior so it can handle bigger files to be saved more reliably
- Displayed clearer messages when using painting and face‑alignment which are unavailable in compatibility mode
- Gcode now always sends the XY positions when either axis value is changed to make sure non-compliant machines still accept Cura-generated Gcode
- Updated the material weight to correctly display for UltiMaker PPS CF and Nylon CF Slide materials
- Printer definitions, profiles and materials:
- We’ve overhauled our print settings for the UltiMaker High Speed S-series to ensure your parts aren't just high-quality, but also high-performance. These updates deliver higher-quality prints at faster speeds, whether for prototyping or production.
- Updated wall settings for the UltiMaker S6 and S8 to improve wall strength
- Updated infill, skin, and shell settings for the UltiMaker S6 and S8 to reduce printing time and improve printed part quality
- Introduced Visual Intent for ABS and PETG for the S8
- Updated Retraction settings to reduce oozing and stringing in the UltiMaker S6 and S8
- Introduced a generic ASA profile for the Factor 4
- Updated the Brim Gap settings for UltiMaker 2+ Connect
- Introduced Elegoo Centauri Carbon
- Introduced Toybox Alpha name to include Toybox Alpha Three
- Updated settings for Elegoo Neptune 2 and Flsun V400, to have better default top layers with the infill set to 100%

Community Translations:
- Updated Japanese translations
- Brazilian Portuguese

Bonus Cura Cloud Demo:
- Cura Cloud is an online version of Cura designed for fast, confident slicing within the UltiMaker ecosystem. It lives in UltiMaker Digital Factory - ideal for connected printers, beginners, and anyone who values simplicity. We’ve made it available for everyone to try out, even without an account.