# PreForm 2.18.0 - October 3, 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** Formlabs News\ **Created:** [October 5, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694 "2018-10-05T13:13:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DKirch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/dkirch/32/20300_2.png) [@DKirch](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/DKirch)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/1 "2018-10-05T13:13:57Z")
PreForm 2.18.0 is a recommended update, which includes several new features and several changes that focus on improving the efficiency and versatility of support structures. **New:** - Print directly on the build platform. Enable “On Build Platform” in the Supports menu to print parts directly on the build platform and to generate supports only where necessary. These supports adhere to the build platform with small pads, instead of the typical raft (or base). - Replace model. When a source STL or OBJ file is updated, right-click the model in PreForm, then select “Replace” to load the revised file. PreForm preserves the model size, orientation, and support configurations for minor changes to the source file. - Onboarding tour. Learn about PreForm from a guided explanation during start-up or from the Help menu. **Modified:** - Smaller print rafts for ring-shaped parts. The raft has been modified to reduce resin consumption, reduce print times, and ease part removal. - Simultaneously select and edit multiple support touchpoints. In the Supports menu, select “Edit All…,” then select multiple touchpoints. Change the touchpoint size or delete the selected touchpoints. While editing supports, choose to enable or disable internal supports, and see real-time updates. - Global supports. PreForm calculates each part’s stiffness and stability and adjusts support structures to reduce a part’s risk of flexing during printing. - Early layer unioning improves adherence when printing without a raft. Increased heater target temperature for Tough Resin to improve adherence. > **[PreForm Software: Prepare Your Models for Printing](https://formlabs.com/tools/preform/)** > > PreForm Software prepares 3D models for printing in just a few minutes, allowing for more time to focus on product development. ---
**Author:** ![JohnHue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@JohnHue](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/JohnHue)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/2 "2018-10-05T14:12:10Z")
Lots of amazing additions ! I just tried the “on build platform” feature and it’s a godsend ! Very happy about the Replace model feature too, this will save so much time when iterating with small designe changes. > [@DKirch](#): > > Global supports. PreForm calculates each part’s stiffness and stability and adjusts support structures to reduce a part’s risk of flexing during printing. Is that is a “new” functionality added to the “existing” support algorithm, or did the feature exist already and you enhanced it ? > [@DKirch](#): > > Increased heater target temperature for Tough Resin to improve adherence. Aren’t you afraid that this will increase part deformation ? During long Tough prints my printer often gets as hot as 37°C (room temp is 22-24°C), and we know that the fully reticulated resin already gets kinda soft at 45°C. Tough is already hard to deal with when printing parts with “low” (2-3mm) wall thickness relative to the size of the part. ---
**Author:** ![mgarrity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@mgarrity](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/mgarrity)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/3 "2018-10-05T14:23:38Z")
The global support change is an additional factor that gets computed when automatic support generation is determining where to place supports. It generally does a better job of reducing layer shifting on long, narrow objects, but doesn’t really change anything on more compact objects. ---
**Author:** ![cubo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/cubo/32/10954_2.png) [@cubo](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/cubo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/4 "2018-10-05T18:55:12Z")
> [@DKirch](#): > > Replace model. When a source STL or OBJ file is updated, right-click the model in PreForm, then select “Replace” to load the revised file. PreForm preserves the model size, orientation, and support configurations for minor changes to the source file. NOOOOO WAAAAYYY !!! For me the best new feature! : ] Many Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Sculptingman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@Sculptingman](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Sculptingman)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/5 "2018-10-05T19:43:22Z")
man, I really could have used that last night. ---
**Author:** ![Guzumaki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/guzumaki/32/13163_2.png) [@Guzumaki](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Guzumaki)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/6 "2018-10-07T06:12:27Z")
Hey guys, the new smaller rafts for rings aren’t working for me yet. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Zachary\_Brackin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4da419/32.png) [@Zachary\_Brackin](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Zachary_Brackin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/7 "2018-10-08T15:49:13Z")
Still waiting for a mirror object option ---
**Author:** ![rclaborne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/rclaborne/32/8369_2.png) [@rclaborne](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/rclaborne)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/8 "2018-10-08T22:25:08Z")
Apparently, the only to use these new features on a F1+ is to launch PF with F2 printer, use the features, save, close PF and reopen using F1+ and open saved file, send to printer. ---
**Author:** ![smitebrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@smitebrite](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/smitebrite)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/9 "2018-10-10T23:58:03Z")
Yes, I would love this feature as well! ---
**Author:** ![Eduardcuptor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/aeb1de/32.png) [@Eduardcuptor](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Eduardcuptor)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2018, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/10 "2018-10-11T05:45:34Z")
Same here… Anyone could help? ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Moheban](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Alex\_Moheban](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Alex_Moheban)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/11 "2018-10-11T19:25:56Z")
I just updated the software and the firmware on the Form2 and now my printer hangs when it tries to print. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![CMSDesign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c4cdca/32.png) [@CMSDesign](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/CMSDesign)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/12 "2018-11-07T18:40:29Z")
How do you get the new ring rafts to appear? ---
**Author:** ![billiejean](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/billiejean/32/9236_2.png) [@billiejean](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/billiejean)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/13 "2018-11-09T20:51:11Z")
I know I do Bitch a Fair amount but I also have to give Kudos when they are due… This changes in 2.18 are very nice… I LOVE the replace function… This is already saving me bunches of time as add support Raft/sprues to my parts so this lets me update the part without having to apply all new supports… THANK YOU… Now just get us a Mirror part function and you will be real HEROS 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rodrigo\_antonio](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/rodrigo_antonio/32/6458_2.png) [@rodrigo\_antonio](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/rodrigo_antonio)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/14 "2018-11-17T03:58:05Z")
> [@billiejean](#): > > Now just get us a Mirror part function and you will be real HEROS Now just get us a Mirror part function and you will be real HEROS (This would be a great option !!) ---
**Author:** ![dave55rc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@dave55rc](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/dave55rc)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/preform-2-18-0-october-3-2018/20694/15 "2019-07-01T15:34:59Z")
Hey how about that Adaptive layer thickness that has been MIA !!! ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/7/799c412bf75e769ed3b8919c8d2284cb305f5d55.jpg) That’s the one I’m waiting for.