A software engineer and creative tinkerer has shown off a futuristic Meta Quest plus 3D printer workflow in a video shared on social media. Hank on X demonstrates modeling a 3D object on his computer, which he then picks up and throws to his 3D printing system across the room. “I've never felt more like Tony Stark,” joked the tech enthusiast.
I've never felt more like Tony Stark than I do now. Using my Meta Quest, I can just throw 3D models at my 3D printers to have them start printing it😂 pic.twitter.com/xNTe4KAVM2September 13, 2026
Let’s look more closely at the hardware in use before talking about the integration in play. The demonstration video clearly shows that Hank has a Bambu Lab P2S 3D printer with an AMS 2 multi-material system on top. We reviewed the Bambu Lab P2S with AMS2 last October, and gave it a pretty glowing 4.5/5 review score thanks to lots of features and factors in its favor. Hank has integrated this 3D printer with his Meta Quest 3 headset. We last reviewed one of these HMDs back in December 2024 when we tested the Quest 3S, and it was also a 4.5/5 star winner.
So, these two great pieces of hardware don’t usually work together, but that didn’t deter Hank. Not much anyway. Later in the tweet thread, Hank reveals that “The Bambu Lab printers have an API that you can use to control them locally! [So I] Spun up a quick web server on my PC that glued everything together! (Android app -> PC -> 3D printer).”
Of course, other Bambu Lab 3D printer users with Meta Quest headsets were interested in following in Hank’s footsteps. The software engineer said that the integration was finessed with the help of OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra model (so, yes, it’s vibe coded), but wasn’t available on GitHub as yet. However, our 3D printing-in-VR hero indicated that they would be happy to share the code online if there was enough interest (and after a bit of code polishing).
We've entered the golden era of gaming. I had GPT-6 Astra reverse engineer Super Smash Bros Melee to work on my Meta Quest 3 with VR controls. I'll post my first real battle in the replies https://t.co/vDHsPTPOmM pic.twitter.com/abJvxHU5KfSeptember 9, 2026
Hank’s tweets are full of interesting projects mixing VR and vibe coding. In another noteworthy post (embedded above), he shows he used Astra to get the recently released Super Smash Bros Melee decompilation to work on the Meta Quest 3 with VR controls.
Elegoo is running a special sale on new 3D printers throughout September, in celebration of its community of makers. The Elegoo Day sale means that, right now, you can pick up an Elegoo Centuari Carbon 2 Combo, along with 1KG of filament, for just $400. You can actually secure it for $399, but the extra dollar nets you 1KG of PLA filament on top, which seems like a fair trade.
Introduced earlier in the year, this stripped-down version of the Centauri Carbon 2 scored 3.5 stars in our review. It's the cheaper model, with some missing features compared to its bigger sibling, but it's a worthy option for beginner makers, especially given its price.
In terms of specs, you're getting a Core XY 3D printer that uses the Canvas four-color system, with instant color switching and smart filament detection, and with a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256mm. You can expect to hit temperatures between 110C and 350C with this bed, which means you're able to print with some of the more problematic filament types like PET-GF and PCTG, although the printer offers support for a variety of materials, including PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS.
Centauri Carbon 2 Combo with 1KG filament for $1: was $449 now $400 The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 combo offers a build volume of 256 x 256 x 256 mm and supports multi-material and multi-color 3D printing on a budget. Pay an extra $1 for 1KG of filament on top of your order.
You get a large touchscreen for controlling the printer, with features like calibration and auto bed leveling, and 31 intelligent sensors to help probe and level the print area, all designed to make the printer simple to use. The Carbon 2 Combo is easy to use, with great print quality that rivals Elegoo's pricier models.
The 3D printer market is filled with choice, but the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo is a good, budget-friendly option for makers to try for just $400 right now. The fairly large build volume, fast print speeds, four-color filament system, and wide support mean you're able to get started with complex prints with ease. The $370 sale price includes 1KG of PLA filament, one of the best filaments for 3D printers to start out with due to its forgiving nature. You can choose between white, black, and grey filaments, with further sale discounts available on additional spools.
Anycubic’s newest Photon P1 was released a few months ago, and now it’s time for its bigger brother to step into the resin printing spotlight. Replacing the current Mono M7 Max, the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX packs in some new tech, along with a larger build volume.
Anycubic is showing off its new refined look for resin printing here – sleek, simple, and user- friendly. The Photon P1 Max has the same look and feel as the P1. However, the firmware on the machine we are testing was still in its early stages. With a few bugs, it still works as it should.
The Anycubic P1 MAX is currently on a presale on Anycubic's website for $1,103.00. After the presale, the P1 MAX will go up to $1,149, which isn’t a significant price increase. With all the tech packed into this printer and its simple, sleek design, it’s a great addition to any 3D printer’s workshop and lands a spot on our best resin printers list.
The Anycubic P1 Max ships with the standard resin printer starter accessories. This includes a Metal scraper, a set of Allen keys, a user manual, a USB drive, a power cord, plus a wipe for the inside of the hood and a plastic scraper.
The USB drive comes pre-loaded with Anycubic’s Photon Workshop Slicer, test files, and a digital manual.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
On the back of the printer is a rubber grommet for those who want to add a vent to the back of the printer for fume extraction. No hose is provided with this printer, so you will need to source one that fits to make it usable.
Printing Safety with Anycubic Photon P1 MAX
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The Anycubic Photon P1 MAX requires the same safety precautions as any other resin printer. Uncured resin is dangerous, and the solvents used to clean your prints can be irritating to skin or cause sensitivity issues over time. Use gloves and safety glasses when pouring resin and handling uncured prints.
Make sure the room you use your resin printer in is well-ventilated to avoid inhaling fumes. Spilled resin should be immediately cleaned up with 99% isopropyl alcohol. After printing, make sure to wipe down your printer and bottles to remove smudges of uncured resin. Always keep your resin tightly sealed and safely stored out of reach of pets and children.
Assembling the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX
The Anycubic P1 MAX comes fully assembled out of the box. You’ll just need to remove the packing material from the build plate area and peel the screen protectors and labels off the printer and FEP Film.
If you choose any add-ons, such as the perforated build plate, they will be supplied in separate boxes.
Calibrating the Build Plate on the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX
On the screen here, you can see two of our favorite features of the P1 MAX, the Intelligent Assistant 3.0 and the Smart Dynamic Balance system. (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The P1 MAX, just like the smaller P1, has the same assist features for leveling. You can choose to have the auto-leveling feature on at all times, which I do recommend, but there are times when it’s a good idea to check and make sure all is good after printing for a while. Personally, with these new printers, I tend to check the level right after the first test print to make sure everything is leveled properly.
I am still humbled by the fact that this printer has a pressure system to level the printer. It’s such a nice feature to have. That said, our review unit seems to have a firmware glitch. It levels the build plate, then raises the build plate off the screen about 100 mm. Then you adjust the screws and do it again to get the proper level. It’s not that bad, honestly. You just need to make sure you give it a little turn and go and adjust from there. Hopefully, Anycubic will patch this to make it work just like the smaller P1, where you adjust while the plate is against the screen, as it should be.
Design of the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The Anycubic P1 MAX shares the same exterior and interior design as the smaller P1, which is polished and professional-looking. Anycubic has stepped up its game significantly on the design front, and I’m here for it. Normally, we see cutbacks on newer printers to make them more affordable for the end user, and that's all fine and dandy, but there is something about a nice, weighted printer that gives you that feel of quality over quantity.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The Locking System for the build plate is one of the better ones out there – no longer are you worrying about unscrewing the normal screw like in the past with resin printers. This has a flip-up / down locking system that is nice and chunky, a big plus. The same follows with the vat, which features a slide-in / out locking system that gets rid of the old screws. This is a nice upgrade, because you no longer have to worry about losing screws or getting resin spilled inside the screw holes when swapping vats.
The touch screen is just your standard 4.5-inch panel, but it was also nice and responsive in our testing. Handles on the sides of the printer make it easy to move around if needed, as well.
The P1 MAX has a heated vat that is constantly being maintained at a precise 35 degrees Celsius (95 F). Previous Anycubic resin owners have struggled with printers only initially heating up and then cutting off after that. That is no longer the case here.
The vat also features a drop tray for your build plate, which makes resin cleanup much easier. One thing you won't have to worry about much is the vat capacity: This Vat holds up to 1900ML(1.9L) of resin, which is plenty for any print task.
(Image credit: Anycubic)
The most unique feature on the P1 MAX is the Wave Release technology. Anycubic decided to put a special screen cover over the LCD to help ease the release of all prints, and it works wonderfully. This tech keeps air bubbles from being trapped between the FEP Film and the screen, making the peel force smooth like butter.
Slicer compatibility with the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The Anycubic Photon P1 MAX comes with Anycubic’s Photon Workshop Slicer pre-loaded onto the USB drive. It’s generally very user-friendly and works very well with prints. You select your resin, add your supports, and slice. Send the file to your printer, and you're done. For those who are not fans of having multiple slicers on their system, the good news is that both Chitubox and Lychee support the Anycubic Photon P1 MAX.
Using Anycubic Standard Resin in Gray, I wanted to print out some models for a co-worker who is a big Diablo fan. Searching around Makerworld, I came across this figure of Tyrael, and this model by FotisMint was already split into pieces for easier printing. I brought it into the slicer, angled the print, added some automatic medium supports, hit slice, and sent it off to the printer via WIFI. This model printed in 7 hours and 24 minutes at 0.050mm layer height. Taking 254ml of resin, it cost a little over $5 to print. A normal figure like this would be roughly between $25-$80. That’s quite the savings, even adding in the cost of paint.
Adding another print from the Diablo series, I decided to print the Lord of Terror from Makerworld as well. This print I scaled up a bit to make it more boss-like.
This was printed with a mix of Anycubic’s standard gray and white. It printed in 14 hours and 15 minutes, using 1106ML(1.1kg) of resin.
For the last test print, I wanted to do something different. A few years ago, I saw a print for a Pokémon Cubone mask for a dog. So to MakerWorld I went, searching for one that I could print easily, and I found one. It was a two-part mask with little pegs to clip them together. This is nice in part, because if one side of the mask breaks, you can just reprint it. This was sized for a smaller dog right off the bat, so I supported the print and sent it to the printer.
It printed in six hours and five minutes and used 519 ml of resin. I printed this in standard Anycubic gray resin.
Completely dry the print with a hair dryer on cool – IPA left on the print will turn white. You can also let the print air dry in a place away from sunlight.
Supports are easier to remove before curing because they are softer. Clip the supports off with side cutters and use tweezers to remove stubborn supports. Remember to always wear gloves while handling uncured prints.
Then place the print in a UV curing station for 15 minutes, or outside in bright sunlight for a few hours.
Your IPA should never be flushed down the drain, especially after being contaminated with uncured resin. Instead, keep using the resin until it’s too dirty, then leave the container open to evaporate. The remaining sludge can be cured with UV light or the sun before being thrown away.
Supports should also be cured before being thrown away.
Bottom Line
The Anycubic Photon P1 MAX is packed with tech and features that are handy for novices and experienced printers alike. It’s easy to use and straightforward to set up. The touchscreen walks you through every aspect to get it started. Anycubic really took user suggestions on this printer and implemented them with precision. If you're new to resin printing and looking for a simple, easy-to-use, and helpful resin printer with a larger volume, this one should be on your short list.
At its current price of $1,103, it’s also a great value. And if you miss the presale window, the $1,149 standard price isn’t a big jump. You can also buy it at Amazon for only $899, if you avail of the $230 coupon. It has features to make sure your print comes out as expected, a heated vat for those who print in cold climates, and the build plate size is a home run in this price range. If you're not looking to print large-size models, the P1 is a great alternative and is currently on sale for only $499.
The Labor Day tech deals are nearly finished, but there are still a few discounts on 3D printers that a budding hobbyist won't want to miss. The price of two popular Elegoo Neptune printers has dropped, with a discount of up to 35% available for buyers who are quick. You've got less than a day to grab these discounts before these beginner-friendly 3D printers shoot back up in price, however.
Both of these 3D printers are significantly cheaper than the prices you'll find at big retailers, including at Amazon. Elegoo's price drop means you can pick up the Neptune 3 Pro for just $169, while the Neptune 4 Plus is priced at only $309. We've tested and scored both printers highly in past reviews, with a near-perfect 4.5 stars for both, with each delivering a strong set of features that pros and beginners will love.
This budget-friendly 3D printer comes with a direct drive suitable for use with TPU, PETG, and PLA, auto bed leveling, and a heated flex PEI textured platform, making it easy to use. Assembly takes less than an hour (seven screws) and produces clean, detailed prints.
The Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is the older and cheaper model, but it's still a workhorse worth considering. Our Neptune 3 Pro review back in 2022 saw us shower it with praise over its auto-leveling abilities, direct drive, and quiet operation overall. It's an easy printer to assemble and start using, which makes it a good option for beginners. The direct drive extruder, meanwhile, means it's fine with difficult-to-use filaments like TPU, with a (fairly standard) 225 x 225 x 2280 build volume to work with.
Auto-leveling, along with its heated PEI build platform, round out the Neptune 3 as a good start option for someone looking to start printing models at home.
The Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus is a large 3D printer sporting a 320 x 320 x 385 build volume, perfect for cosplayers and those who want to print big.
Faster printing requires better cooling and the Neptune 4 Plus shares the same ludicrously large part cooling fan as the Pro, meaning this 3D printer will speed through your projects while keeping the quality finish that you expect.View Deal
Meanwhile, our Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus review proves what a strong option this more advanced model is for anyone looking to print on a larger scale. It has a dual-gear direct drive extruder, but the MVP is its huge 230 x 230 x 285mm build size. That makes this Elegoo printer a sheer powerhouse for printing, and a standout choice for any creators who are looking for speed and scale without a huge budget.
This is a premium option over the Neptune 3 Pro, and it comes with extra features like acceleration sensors, integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, and uses the popular open-source firmware for control, making it better to use.
Choosing either of these Elegoo Neptune printers won't leave you disappointed. Beginners can start off with the Neptune 3 Pro, a great 3D printer for someone looking for a well-spec'd 3D printer that's easy to assemble and use. If your funds stretch a little higher, you can go for the Neptune 4 Plus instead, a feature-filled upgrade for larger models.
The sale prices of $169 for the Neptune 3 Pro and $309 for the Neptune 4 Plus make these Elegoo 3D printers affordable and accessible, especially for somebody who hasn't owned one before. These discounts are ending soon, with the Neptune 3 Pro set to go back up in price in less than a day. If you're interested, you're going to need to be quick to secure these sale prices for yourself.
It's the Labor Day weekend, and now's a great time for you to get started with a brand new hobby: 3D printing. Creality's flash sale for Labor Day has slashed the prices of its flagship range of 3D printers, with up to 50% off right now. If you've been waiting for the chance to jump into the 3D printing world, this is the perfect opportunity.
You've got some of Creality's best printers on sale right now, along with resin and filament discounts for those who need to top up their materials. One of the biggest discounts you'll want to take advantage of is the Creality K1, which is down to just $299 right now, saving you half compared to its usual list price.
That said, these Labor Day 3D printer sales won't last forever. These discounts are running until September 15, 2026, at 23:59 ET, although Creality might pull the sale early if it proves too popular, so you'll want to get your order in quickly. You can check out our roundup of Creality's best discounts on 3D printers below.
Sparkx i7 Series 3d Printer: was $309 now $229 The Sparkx i7 is simple to build, easy to use, and maintain. This combo comes with the CFS (Creality Filament System) Lite for easy four-color 3D printing that just works like a charm. We had no issues testing it, even with soft TPU, as our Creality Sparkx i7 review explains.
With a 260 x 260 x 255m build volume, this is an efficient, compact multicolor 3D printer for beginners.View Deal
Creality's K2 Combo is a formidable 3D printer. The smallest of the K2 family of printers, the K2 Combo still has a 260 x 260 x 260 mm print size, allowing users to print large objects inside its enclosed frame without worrying about having to glue together multiple prints. The ultra-sturdy frame holds an auto-leveling print bed and three step-servo motors for fast, consistent prints.View Deal
The Creality K2 Pro Combo is another core XY 3D printer with multicolor capability built in, included in this bundle. The 300 x 300 mm build plate and heated/cooled chamber allow for fanciful, colorful designs that can take the heat, and also include a pair of internal cameras for AI build monitoring.
K1C 2025 3D Printer: was $559.00 now $369.00 An upgrade over the K1, the Creality K1C is a fully enclosed, Core XY 3D printer with a steel-tipped 4mm nozzle, running the easy-to-use Klipper firmware with a touchscreen. It has a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm and features an AI-supported camera to help with build issues and to record time-lapse videos.View Deal
The upgraded model of the ol' reliable Ender 3, the Creality Ender 3 V3 Plus is a great 3D printer for budget creators. It delivers great auto bed leveling, a fast Klipper-based 3D printer, and it uses fully open source software, allowing the community to add and improve its toolset. It offers a 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume and allows for printing PLA / PETG and TPU via a strong direct drive extruder.View Deal
Halot-X1 Resin 3D Printer: was $629 now $499 If a resin 3D printer is more up your street, this Halot-X1/X1 Combo Resin printer is a must-buy. Technically produced under the PioCreat brand as a Creality off-shoot, and scoring 4 stars in our review, this enthusiast-level printer provides consistent prints, comes equipped with a quick-release build plate, and has a user-friendly interface.View Deal
The Creality K2 Plus is a core XY 3D printer with a large print volume, fast speed, and a heated chamber. It offers a generous 350 x 350 x 350 mm build volume and compatibility with PLA/PETG/TPU/ABS (up to 350 degrees) filaments, making it a printer for makers who want to get projects out the door.
K2 SE 3D Printer: was $299 now $249 One of the smaller Creality printers, the K2 SE comes without sides and a door, but still offers 500mm/s high-speed printing, and support for multi-color printing with an optional CFS unit. The K2 SE sports a 220×215×245mm build volume. View Deal
K1 Max 3D Printer: was $899 now $549 This large Core XY-style 3D printer delivers smooth prints with a fast 600 mm/s max speed and a hefty 300 x 300 x 300 mm build volume. The K1 Max uses AI Lidar and a camera to control and keep an eye on your prints. Hands-free, fully automatic bed leveling and calibration make printing easier and less time-consuming, with instant reporting of any machine/printing errors.
Hyper Series ABS 3d Printing Filament - 1kg: was $29.99 now $18.99 This Hyper ABS 3D printer filament, available in 1kg spools, is reportedly five times faster than typical ABS alternatives. It has high temperature resistance, and has nearly double the durable strength of its PLA counterparts. A good option for enthusiasts looking to branch out.View Deal
Fast Resin UV Curable Resin 1kg: was $35.99 now $29 This 1KG of Creality Fast Resin is a good option for quick curing resin printing, especially if you need good flexibility and rigidity. Secure bigger discounts by buying in bulk, with up to 25% off when you buy 20 or more.View Deal
Hyper PLA RFID 3d Printing Filament - 1kg: was $31.90 now $21 Described as 'filament that can talk', this Hyper PLA RFID filament supports print speeds up to 600 mm/s. But, more importantly, it has a built-in RFID chip which, when using it with supported 3D printers like the K2 series and Creality Hi, allows it to automatically identify the type, color, and other relevant info for optimized printing.View Deal
Raptor Pro 3D Scanner: was $1999 now $1499 Grab high fidelity 3D models for printing using the Creality Raptor Pro. It has two scanning modes (blue light and infrared) and features accuracy of up to 0.02mm for blue light scanning, or up to 0.075mm for infrared.View Deal
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