Anycubic Photon Workshop – Best Slicer for Anycubic Resin Printers
Introduction to Anycubic Photon Workshop
If you’ve just unboxed your first Anycubic resin printer or you’re looking to get more out of the one you already own, there’s one piece of software you absolutely need to know about — Anycubic Photon Workshop. It’s the official slicing software developed by Anycubic specifically for their lineup of MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) resin printers, and it sits right at the heart of every successful print you’ll ever make.
So what exactly does it do? In the world of resin 3D printing, a slicer takes your 3D model — usually a file in STL or OBJ format — and converts it into a series of ultra-thin horizontal layers. Each layer is then projected onto a photosensitive resin using a UV light source (in MSLA printers, this is a masked LCD screen), curing the resin layer by layer until your object is complete. Without a slicer, your printer has no idea what to print. Photon Workshop is the bridge between your digital design and the physical object.
What makes Photon Workshop particularly appealing is that it’s purpose-built for Anycubic resin printers. Whether you own a Photon Mono, a Photon Mono X, a Photon M3, a Photon M5, or any other model in the Anycubic lineup, Photon Workshop is designed to understand the exact technical specifications of your machine — the build plate dimensions, the screen resolution, the UV wavelength — and optimize your sliced files accordingly. This tight integration between hardware and software is one of the key reasons why Anycubic recommends using Photon Workshop as your primary MSLA slicer software.
The software is completely free to download and use, which is a nice bonus for anyone getting started in resin printing without wanting to invest in expensive third-party tools right away. Throughout this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from downloading and installing the software, to mastering its most important features — supports, hollowing, and exposure settings — so you can start printing with confidence.
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2. What is Anycubic Photon Workshop Slicer
At its core, Anycubic Photon Workshop slicer is a dedicated preparation tool for resin-based 3D printing. Unlike FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) slicers such as Cura or PrusaSlicer — which calculate toolpaths for a moving print head — a resin slicer like Photon Workshop focuses on a completely different set of tasks: generating layer images, calculating exposure times, placing supports, and hollowing models to conserve resin.
As Anycubic resin slicer software, Photon Workshop handles the following core functions:
- Slicing your 3D model into thousands of grayscale layer images, each representing one cured layer of resin
- Support generation, both automatic and manual, to keep overhanging parts of your model from failing mid-print
- Hollowing, which reduces the amount of resin used by making solid models into shells with a defined wall thickness
- Exposure parameter management, letting you set exactly how long each layer is illuminated by the UV light source
- Anti-aliasing and grayscale rendering, which smooth out the edges of your printed layers for a more polished finish
- Print time and resin volume estimation, so you know roughly how much your print will cost in time and materials
The software outputs files in Anycubic’s proprietary formats — such as .pwmo, .pm3, .pm3r, or .pwmx, depending on your printer model — which are then transferred to the printer via USB drive or (on supported models) via WiFi.
One of the standout characteristics of Photon Workshop compared to some third-party alternatives is its direct support for the full range of Anycubic printers. When you select your specific printer profile inside the software, it automatically configures the build volume, XY resolution, and default exposure values to match your hardware. This removes a lot of guesswork, especially for beginners.
Photon Workshop has gone through several major versions, with each release bringing interface improvements, new features, and expanded printer support. As of the most recent stable releases, the software supports dozens of Anycubic printer models and continues to be updated alongside new hardware launches.
3. Anycubic Photon Workshop Download and Installation
Getting started with Anycubic Photon Workshop download is straightforward. Anycubic provides the software directly through their official website, ensuring you always get the latest, verified version.
Where to Download: The official source for Photon Workshop is the Anycubic official website (anycubic.com), under the Support or Download section. You can also find model-specific download links on the dedicated product pages for each printer. Always use the official Anycubic channels to avoid outdated or unofficial versions of the software.
Supported Operating Systems:
| Operating System | Version Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 7 / 10 / 11 | 64-bit recommended |
| macOS | macOS 10.14 and later | Intel and Apple Silicon (via Rosetta) |
Installation Steps (Windows):
- Visit the official Anycubic website and navigate to the Support / Download page
- Locate Photon Workshop and click the download button for Windows
- Once the
.exeinstaller file has downloaded, double-click it to launch the installer - Follow the on-screen installation prompts — accept the license agreement, choose your installation directory, and click Install
- After installation completes, launch Photon Workshop from your desktop shortcut or Start menu
Installation Steps (macOS):
- Download the macOS
.dmgfile from the Anycubic website - Open the
.dmgfile by double-clicking it - Drag the Photon Workshop application into your Applications folder
- On first launch, you may need to allow the app in System Preferences → Security & Privacy if macOS shows a warning about an unidentified developer
The installation itself is lightweight and doesn’t require any additional drivers or dependencies for basic operation. After installing, the first thing you should do is select your printer model — this is the single most important configuration step before you start working with any models.
4. Interface Overview and First Setup
Once you’ve installed the software and launched it for the first time, you’ll be greeted by the main workspace. Let’s break down the Anycubic Photon Workshop settings and interface elements so you can navigate confidently from day one.
Main Interface Areas:
- 3D Viewport (Center): This is the large central area where you see your build plate and any models you’ve loaded. You can rotate the view by holding the right mouse button and dragging, zoom with the scroll wheel, and pan with the middle mouse button.
- Left Toolbar: Contains the main tools — move, rotate, scale, mirror, copy, and the support/hollow tools. These are the tools you’ll use most often when preparing models.
- Right Panel: Displays printer settings, layer parameters, and slicing configuration. This is where most of the technical setup lives.
- Top Menu Bar: Provides access to file operations (open, save, export), view options, and the About/Help section.
- Bottom Bar: Shows print statistics such as estimated print time, total layers, and estimated resin consumption once a model has been sliced.
First Setup — Selecting Your Printer:
When you open Photon Workshop for the first time (or start a new project), the first step is to select your printer model from the printer profile dropdown, usually located in the top-right area of the interface or in the settings panel. When you select your printer:
- The build plate shown in the 3D viewport will resize to match your printer’s exact build volume
- The XY resolution will be automatically configured
- Default exposure presets for that printer will be loaded
This is critical. Working with the wrong printer profile will produce files that either won’t open on your printer or will print with incorrect dimensions.
Basic Global Settings to Check:
| Setting | What It Does | Recommended Starting Value |
|---|---|---|
| Layer Height | Thickness of each cured layer | 0.05 mm (standard quality) |
| Normal Exposure Time | UV cure time per regular layer | Varies by resin and printer |
| Bottom Exposure Time | Longer exposure for first layers to bond to FEP | Typically 30–60 seconds |
| Bottom Layer Count | Number of layers using bottom exposure | 4–6 layers |
| Anti-Aliasing | Smooths layer edges | Enabled (level 4 or 8) |
5. Importing and Preparing 3D Models
Now that your workspace is set up, it’s time to bring in a model. As a resin slicer for Anycubic printers, Photon Workshop supports the most common 3D model file formats:
- .STL — the most widely used format for 3D printing, supported by virtually all 3D design software
- .OBJ — commonly used in 3D animation and modeling applications
To import a model, either use File → Open from the top menu or simply drag and drop your STL/OBJ file directly into the 3D viewport. Your model will appear on the build plate, ready for preparation.
Key Preparation Steps:
1. Positioning the Model Use the Move tool from the left toolbar to reposition your model on the build plate. For most prints, you’ll want to raise the model slightly off the build plate at an angle (typically 45°) rather than printing it flat. Printing at an angle significantly reduces the suction forces between the curing FEP film and each layer, which decreases the risk of print failures, especially for larger flat-bottomed models. It also means your supports have a smaller contact area on the model itself.
2. Scaling Use the Scale tool to resize your model if needed. You can scale uniformly (all axes at once) or independently on each axis. Make sure to check the “Lock Ratio” option if you want to maintain the model’s original proportions.
3. Rotating The Rotate tool lets you tilt or spin the model to find the best orientation for printing. Orientation affects support placement, surface quality, and layer lines. Generally, the side of the model you want to look best should face upward and away from the supports.
4. Mirroring and Duplicating Photon Workshop allows you to mirror models along any axis, which is useful for printing symmetrical pairs (e.g., left and right shoe components). The copy/duplicate function lets you fill your build plate with multiple copies of the same model, maximizing print efficiency.
5. Model Repair Photon Workshop includes a basic mesh repair function that can fix common issues like non-manifold edges or inverted normals. While it’s not a substitute for a dedicated mesh repair tool, it handles many common issues automatically when you import a model.
6. Supports Creation in Photon Workshop
Support structures are one of the most important aspects of resin printing, and Photon Workshop supports settings give you precise control over how your model is reinforced during the print process. Unlike FDM printing where supports are often optional, resin printing almost always requires supports for any overhanging geometry — because the model is being pulled upward from the FEP film with each layer, gravity alone would cause unsupported sections to sag or detach.
Auto-Support Generation:
Photon Workshop can automatically analyze your model and place support structures where it detects overhangs below a certain threshold angle. To use auto-supports:
- Select your model in the viewport
- Click the Support button in the left toolbar
- In the support settings panel, choose your desired support density and style
- Click Auto Support — the software will analyze the model and place supports accordingly
- Review the generated supports in the viewport before proceeding
Support Parameters Explained:
| Parameter | Description | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Top Diameter | Contact point diameter on the model | 0.3 – 0.6 mm |
| Middle Diameter | Shaft thickness of the support pillar | 0.8 – 1.5 mm |
| Bottom Diameter | Base contact on the build plate | 1.5 – 3.0 mm |
| Support Depth | How deep the tip embeds into the model | 0.3 – 0.5 mm |
| Density | How many supports are generated | Light / Medium / Heavy |
Manual Support Editing:
After running auto-supports, it’s almost always a good idea to switch to manual mode to review and refine the placement. You can:
- Add supports manually by clicking directly on the model surface where you want a support to be placed
- Delete unwanted supports by selecting them and pressing Delete
- Move supports to better positions if the auto-placement isn’t ideal
A common best practice is to use Medium density auto-supports as a starting point, then manually add any extra supports on particularly fragile or overhanging sections that the algorithm might have missed, such as thin horizontal bridges or small floating details.
7. Hollowing Models and Resin Saving
One of the most powerful and cost-saving features in Photon Workshop is the Photon Workshop hollow model function. By default, when you slice a 3D model, it is printed as a completely solid object — every layer is fully cured from edge to edge. While this produces very strong prints, it also consumes a significant amount of resin. For large decorative models where maximum strength isn’t a priority, hollowing can cut your resin usage by 50% or more.
How Hollowing Works:
The hollow function creates a shell of a defined thickness around the outside of your model, leaving the interior empty. Photon Workshop then slices this shell instead of the solid volume, dramatically reducing the amount of resin needed.
To hollow a model in Photon Workshop:
- Select your model in the viewport
- Click the Hollow button in the left toolbar
- Set your desired Wall Thickness — typically between 1.5 mm and 3 mm for most decorative models
- Click Apply — the software will process the model and show you the hollowed version
Important: Drain Holes
Here’s a crucial detail that many beginners overlook: when you hollow a model, the empty interior fills with uncured liquid resin during the print. If there’s no way for this resin to escape, it can cause several problems:
- The trapped resin continues to receive UV exposure from surrounding layers, potentially warping the model from the inside
- Removing the model from the build plate can create internal pressure that cracks the thin walls
- Wasted resin that you can never recover
To solve this, Photon Workshop includes a Dig Hole (drain hole) tool. After hollowing your model, use this tool to add one or two small holes (typically 2–4 mm in diameter) at the lowest points of the model when it’s in its printing orientation. This allows the liquid resin to drain out both during printing and when you remove the model for washing.
Hollowing Best Practices:
- Use wall thicknesses of at least 2 mm for structural integrity
- Always add at least 2 drain holes — one for resin to flow out, one for air to flow in
- Place drain holes in positions that will be hidden or easy to fill/sand after printing
- For models with complex internal geometry or multiple enclosed chambers, add extra holes to ensure all cavities drain completely
8. Exposure Settings Optimization
Getting your Photon Workshop exposure settings right is one of the most impactful things you can do for print quality. Exposure settings control how long each layer is illuminated by the UV light source, which directly determines how fully the resin cures and ultimately how well your model turns out.
The Two Key Exposure Values:
1. Normal (Layer) Exposure Time This is the cure time applied to every regular layer throughout your print. The ideal value depends on:
- Your specific resin brand and color (darker resins typically need more exposure)
- Your printer model (4K and 8K screens distribute UV light differently than older mono screens)
- The layer height you’ve selected
2. Bottom (Base) Exposure Time The first few layers of your print (typically 4–8 layers) use a much longer exposure time to ensure they bond solidly to the build plate. If the bottom layers don’t cure fully, the entire print will detach and fail.
Typical Exposure Starting Values:
| Printer Series | Normal Exposure | Bottom Exposure | Bottom Layers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photon Mono / Mono SE | 2.0 – 2.5 s | 35 – 45 s | 5 |
| Photon Mono X / X 6K | 2.0 – 3.0 s | 35 – 50 s | 5 – 6 |
| Photon M3 / M3 Plus | 2.0 – 2.5 s | 30 – 40 s | 4 – 5 |
| Photon M5 / M5s Pro | 1.5 – 2.5 s | 25 – 40 s | 4 – 5 |
Note: These are starting reference values. Always consult the resin manufacturer’s recommendations and perform test prints when working with a new resin.
Additional Exposure-Related Settings:
- Light-off Delay / Rest Time: This is a short pause between the UV exposure ending and the build plate starting to lift. Adding a rest time (typically 0.5–2 seconds) allows the cured layer to fully solidify before it’s pulled away from the FEP film, reducing delamination issues.
- Lift Speed and Distance: After each layer cures, the build plate lifts to peel the print from the FEP. Slower lift speeds reduce stress on the print but increase total print time. For delicate or large flat-bottomed models, reducing lift speed is often worth the extra time.
- Anti-aliasing Level: Higher anti-aliasing levels (4 or 8) smooth the layer edges and reduce the stair-step effect on curved surfaces. This is especially noticeable on figurines and organic shapes.
9. Anycubic Photon Workshop Tutorial for Beginners
Let’s bring everything together into a clear, step-by-step Anycubic Photon Workshop tutorial that covers the complete workflow from opening a file to generating a print-ready output.
Step 1: Launch Photon Workshop and Select Your Printer Open the software. In the printer selection dropdown (top right or settings panel), choose your Anycubic printer model. Verify the build volume shown in the viewport matches your physical printer.
Step 2: Import Your Model Go to File → Open, or drag and drop your STL file into the viewport. Your model will appear on the virtual build plate.
Step 3: Orient the Model Using the Rotate tool, tilt the model to an optimal angle — typically 45° — to minimize large flat surfaces facing the build plate. This reduces peel forces and improves print success rates for most models.
Step 4: Scale if Necessary Use the Scale tool to resize the model to your desired dimensions. Confirm with the “Lock Ratio” checkbox enabled to prevent distortion.
Step 5: Hollow the Model (if applicable) For large decorative pieces, open the Hollow tool, set a wall thickness of 2–2.5 mm, and apply. Then use the Dig Hole tool to add two drain holes in strategic positions.
Step 6: Add Supports Open the Support tool, choose Medium density, and run Auto Support. Review the generated supports, then manually add or remove as needed. Pay special attention to isolated overhangs and thin horizontal bridges.
Step 7: Configure Exposure and Layer Settings In the settings panel, input your Normal Exposure Time, Bottom Exposure Time, Bottom Layer Count, and Layer Height based on your resin and printer. Enable Anti-Aliasing.
Step 8: Slice the Model Click the Slice button. Photon Workshop will process the model and generate all layer images. This typically takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on model complexity and your computer’s performance.
Step 9: Preview the Layers Use the layer preview slider at the bottom of the screen to scroll through your sliced layers. Check for any obvious issues — missing sections, disconnected supports, or unexpected gaps.
Step 10: Export and Transfer to Printer Click Save or Export to save the sliced file in your printer’s native format (e.g., .pm3, .pwmo). Copy the file to a USB drive and insert it into your printer, or use WiFi transfer on supported models. You’re ready to print!
10. Conclusion and Best Practices
Anycubic Photon Workshop is a genuinely capable and approachable piece of software that does exactly what it’s designed to do — prepare your 3D models for flawless resin prints on Anycubic hardware. As you’ve seen throughout this guide, it covers every stage of the preparation process: importing and orienting models, generating and refining supports, hollowing large prints to save resin, and dialing in the exposure settings that determine your print quality.
As a dedicated MSLA slicer software solution, Photon Workshop benefits enormously from its tight integration with Anycubic’s printer lineup. The built-in printer profiles take the guesswork out of initial setup, and the regular software updates ensure that newly released Anycubic printers are supported promptly.
Best Practices Summary:
- Always select the correct printer profile before importing any model. Mismatched profiles are the number one source of avoidable errors.
- Print at an angle (typically 30°–45°) whenever possible to reduce peel forces and improve surface quality.
- Don’t skip the layer preview. Scrolling through your sliced layers before transferring to the printer takes two minutes and can save you hours of failed prints.
- Keep your resin settings organized. Consider maintaining a simple log of the exposure times that work well for each resin you use. Small variations in resin batches, room temperature, and printer age all affect ideal exposure values.
- Hollow large models and always add drain holes. Trapped resin is a common and easily avoided problem.
- Use Medium density supports as a starting point, then always do a manual review pass. Auto-supports are a great first draft, not a final answer.
- Update Photon Workshop regularly. Anycubic releases updates that fix bugs, improve slicing algorithms, and add support for new printers. Running the latest version ensures the best possible experience.
- Test new resins with a calibration print before committing to a full model. A quick exposure calibration print will tell you exactly what exposure time your new resin needs, saving material and time in the long run.
Resin printing has a learning curve, but with Photon Workshop as your guide and a bit of practice, you’ll be producing crisp, detailed prints that show off everything your Anycubic printer is capable of. The software is free, regularly updated, and purpose-built for your hardware — it’s the best starting point for any Anycubic resin printing journey.
Happy printing!
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