Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

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=== Reduced Home Automation Capabilities ===

While basic status monitoring remains available (e.g., print progress updates in Home Assistant), the new firmware removes the ability for home automation systems to control printer functions. Users can no longer:

* Start or stop prints remotely via Home Assistant or BTT Panda Touch or other third party accessories and/or software interfaces

* Start or stop prints remotely via Home Assistant or BTT Panda Touch <ref name=":0">https://www.facebook.com/BIGTREETECH/posts/pfbid0SNZGxvf7NRdmyVgHf6y9yNedNbU2RrCfdT8gugTSD4AYfr5BHneNF9H1EbwyYiJEl</ref> or other third party accessories and/or software interfaces

* Control printer temperatures or cooling

* Automate printer behaviors based on sensor data or events

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This is a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, demonstrates how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.

For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with ~~Softfever~~, the developer of ~~Orcaslicer~~, as of writing, ~~Softfever~~ still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.

For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>

== Impact on Functionality ==

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Previously, third-party software such as OrcaSlicer<ref>https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/issues/8063</ref> could interact with Bambu Lab printers via the open-source Bambu Studio and proprietary network plug-ins. While Bambu Connect provides a limited URL-based API to initiate prints, most functionality previously openly available is now restricted to Bambu's ecosystem<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/this-new-auth-system-will-make-me-sell-my-printers/135400/9</ref>.

Previously, third-party accessories such as Panda Touch would be able to give users the ability to control their printers with a standalone device. Panda Touch was especially popular amongst P series printer owners since P series printers contain a monochromatic screen with a D pad by default for printer control whereas Panda Touch is a full-color touch screen that had a small battery so that way users could reposition and detach their Panda Touch off their printers if needed. Users would be able to queue up jobs, jog printer motors, and connect to multiple printers at once in order to monitor print jobs. According to Big Tree Tech (BTT), the manufacturer of the Panda Touch, they urge users of Panda Touch to not update firmware any further since doing so would foreseeably permanently break compatibility with users' printers and their Panda Touch. <ref name=":0" />

== Communication with Panda Touch Developers ==

As of writing, no formal communication has happened between Big Tree Tech (BTT), the manufacturer and developer of Panda Touch, and Bambu Labs. Based on their Facebook announcement, BTT stated that they have reached out to Bambu and will update if Bambu responds to their correspondence. <ref name=":0" />

== Communication with OrcaSlicer Developers ==

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* An invitation for OrcaSlicer developers to adapt their software to integrate with the Bambu Connect URL scheme.

The communication lacked the detailed technical documentation that would be necessary for developers to be able to work with the new requirements.

=== How Community Viewed These Actions ===

This approach has been interpreted by many as a calculated move by Bambu Lab to enforce tighter control over its ecosystem. Primary criticisms of Bambu were:

* '''Lack of Transparency''': The limited warning to OrcaSlicer devs suggests that Bambu Lab prioritized internal rollout schedules over community engagement with existing customers.

* '''Lack of Follow-Through:''' As of writing, SoftFever, OrcaSlicer's lead developer, still does not have API keys for Bambu Connect, a necessary layer of Bambu software that would need to be integrated into OrcaSlicer. Bambu's original announcement prominently mentioned OrcaSlicer and gave the impression that Bambu is actively providing the necessary assets so that SoftFever would be able to implement the new software architecture so that OrcaSlicer users are able to still use OrcaSlicer to send gcode to their printers without needing Bambu Connect to be installed as a separate program. The lack of active cooperation does not reflect favorably upon Bambu as it seems like that their announcement used OrcaSlicer's name to try to make it seem like that Bambu is trying its best to make sure that developers have what they need, but in reality, their inaction seems to show that Bambu is not making a sincere attempt to ensure that OrcaSlicer remains supported. <ref name=":1" />

* '''Disregard for Open-Source Collaboration''': OrcaSlicer is widely used in the community; it is an open-source effort to improve the 3D printing experience for all customers. By abruptly altering the compatibility landscape, Bambu Lab is seen as undermining good-faith initiatives to improve the ecosystem for everyone. The decision to restrict network APIs in favor of proprietary systems such as Bambu Connect represents a broader industry trend of closing off ecosystems that were once open, removing customer choice, privacy, & freedom.

* '''Token Support for Third-Party Tools''': While Bambu Connect provides a workaround for third-party slicer use, it significantly restricts functionality & complicates workflows, leading many to question the sincerity of Bambu's stated support for open-source tools.<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref>

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== References ==

[[Category:Bambu Lab]]

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 === Reduced Home Automation Capabilities ===
 While basic status monitoring remains available (e.g., print progress updates in Home Assistant), the new firmware removes the ability for home automation systems to control printer functions. Users can no longer:
-* Start or stop prints remotely via Home Assistant or BTT Panda Touch or other third party accessories and/or software interfaces
+* Start or stop prints remotely via Home Assistant or BTT Panda Touch <ref name=":0">https://www.facebook.com/BIGTREETECH/posts/pfbid0SNZGxvf7NRdmyVgHf6y9yNedNbU2RrCfdT8gugTSD4AYfr5BHneNF9H1EbwyYiJEl</ref> or other third party accessories and/or software interfaces
 * Control printer temperatures or cooling
 * Automate printer behaviors based on sensor data or events
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 This is a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, demonstrates how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.
-For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with Softfever, the developer of Orcaslicer, as of writing, Softfever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.
+For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>
 == Impact on Functionality ==
@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 Previously, third-party software such as OrcaSlicer<ref>https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/issues/8063</ref> could interact with Bambu Lab printers via the open-source Bambu Studio and proprietary network plug-ins. While Bambu Connect provides a limited URL-based API to initiate prints, most functionality previously openly available is now restricted to Bambu's ecosystem<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/this-new-auth-system-will-make-me-sell-my-printers/135400/9</ref>.
+Previously, third-party accessories such as Panda Touch would be able to give users the ability to control their printers with a standalone device. Panda Touch was especially popular amongst P series printer owners since P series printers contain a monochromatic screen with a D pad by default for printer control whereas Panda Touch is a full-color touch screen that had a small battery so that way users could reposition and detach their Panda Touch off their printers if needed. Users would be able to queue up jobs, jog printer motors, and connect to multiple printers at once in order to monitor print jobs. According to Big Tree Tech (BTT), the manufacturer of the Panda Touch, they urge users of Panda Touch to not update firmware any further since doing so would foreseeably permanently break compatibility with users' printers and their Panda Touch. <ref name=":0" />
+== Communication with Panda Touch Developers ==
+As of writing, no formal communication has happened between Big Tree Tech (BTT), the manufacturer and developer of Panda Touch, and Bambu Labs. Based on their Facebook announcement, BTT stated that they have reached out to Bambu and will update if Bambu responds to their correspondence. <ref name=":0" />
 == Communication with OrcaSlicer Developers ==
@@ Line 104: / Line 110: @@
 * An invitation for OrcaSlicer developers to adapt their software to integrate with the Bambu Connect URL scheme.
 The communication lacked the detailed technical documentation that would be necessary for developers to be able to work with the new requirements.
 === How Community Viewed These Actions ===
 This approach has been interpreted by many as a calculated move by Bambu Lab to enforce tighter control over its ecosystem. Primary criticisms of Bambu were:
 * '''Lack of Transparency''': The limited warning to OrcaSlicer devs suggests that Bambu Lab prioritized internal rollout schedules over community engagement with existing customers.
+* '''Lack of Follow-Through:''' As of writing, SoftFever, OrcaSlicer's lead developer, still does not have API keys for Bambu Connect, a necessary layer of Bambu software that would need to be integrated into OrcaSlicer. Bambu's original announcement prominently mentioned OrcaSlicer and gave the impression that Bambu is actively providing the necessary assets so that SoftFever would be able to implement the new software architecture so that OrcaSlicer users are able to still use OrcaSlicer to send gcode to their printers without needing Bambu Connect to be installed as a separate program. The lack of active cooperation does not reflect favorably upon Bambu as it seems like that their announcement used OrcaSlicer's name to try to make it seem like that Bambu is trying its best to make sure that developers have what they need, but in reality, their inaction seems to show that Bambu is not making a sincere attempt to ensure that OrcaSlicer remains supported. <ref name=":1" />
 * '''Disregard for Open-Source Collaboration''': OrcaSlicer is widely used in the community; it is an open-source effort to improve the 3D printing experience for all customers. By abruptly altering the compatibility landscape, Bambu Lab is seen as undermining good-faith initiatives to improve the ecosystem for everyone. The decision to restrict network APIs in favor of proprietary systems such as Bambu Connect represents a broader industry trend of closing off ecosystems that were once open, removing customer choice, privacy, & freedom.
 * '''Token Support for Third-Party Tools''': While Bambu Connect provides a workaround for third-party slicer use, it significantly restricts functionality & complicates workflows, leading many to question the sincerity of Bambu's stated support for open-source tools.<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref>
@@ Line 244: / Line 251: @@
 == References ==
-<references/>
+<references/><ref name=":1" />
 [[Category:Bambu Lab]]