Anycubic has built a strong reputation in the consumer resin 3D‑printing market with its affordable LCD and DLP systems, and the release of the Anycubic Photon D2 marks its second step into true DLP technology. Not even a year after entering the DLP segment with the Photon Ultra, the company introduced the Photon D2 as its successor, aiming to improve optical precision, build volume, and overall print consistency. These upgrades directly influence how users should approach Anycubic Photon D2 resin compatibility, especially when working with high‑performance materials that can respond differently to DLP projection compared to MSLA exposure.
The Photon D2 is marketed as a higher‑precision evolution of the Photon Ultra, featuring a 2K DLP projection system with a native resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels and an XY pixel size of 51 micrometers. However, the exact nature of the projection hardware remains a point of discussion in the community. True 2K DLP projectors are not standard in any commercial sector, leading to speculation that Anycubic may be using the same 720p DLP chip found in the Photon Ultra, enhanced with an XRP actuator to achieve a higher effective resolution. This pixel‑shifting technology is widely used in consumer projectors to simulate higher resolutions, and its presence would explain how Anycubic achieves 2K output without relying on a native 2K DLP chip. Regardless of the underlying hardware, the resulting projection quality is significantly sharper than typical LCD printers, and this has a measurable impact on exposure behavior when tuning resins for the Photon D2.
Anycubic claims that the Photon D2 can compete with 8K LCD printers in terms of detail reproduction, despite the slicer reporting a maximum XY accuracy of 51 microns. For comparison, 8K MSLA machines such as the Sonic Mini 8K reach around 22 microns. The difference lies in the optical characteristics of DLP projection: the Photon D2 produces extremely clean voxel edges, minimal light bleed, and high uniformity across the build area. These factors allow the printer to deliver crisp details that often outperform LCD printers with theoretically higher pixel density. For Anycubic Photon D2 resin users, this means that exposure settings must be tuned with precision, as the curing window is narrower and the projection is more sensitive to over‑exposure than MSLA systems.
The build volume of 131 × 73 × 165 mm places the Photon D2 closer to mainstream resin printers than its predecessor, making it more suitable for dental models, miniatures, and functional prototypes printed with Liqcreate materials. The dual‑lens optical system improves uniformity and reduces distortion, ensuring that Liqcreate engineering resins, model resins, and elastomeric materials cure consistently across the platform. The 405 nm LED module powering the DLP engine has an expected lifespan exceeding 20,000 hours, providing long‑term stability for production environments where exposure consistency is essential.
Thermal behavior is another advantage of the Photon D2. With a typical power consumption of around 15 watts and a fanless optical engine, the printer maintains a stable internal temperature during long prints. This reduces viscosity fluctuations in resins, especially those with higher density or temperature‑sensitive flow characteristics. The mechanical design supports this stability: a precision Z‑axis rail minimizes vibration, and the textured build plate improves adhesion for both standard and engineering‑grade Liqcreate resins. Contact us if you have any questions on printing with Liqcreate resins on the Anycubic Photon D2 or other resin based 3D-printer or download the Chitubox settings for the Anycubic Photon D2 in the link.
Anycubic Photon D2 (DLP) resin 3D-printing parameters
| Resin | Layer thickness | Exposure time (seconds) | Base layer count | Base layer exposure | Lift Height | Rest time per step | Lift speed / retract speed (mm/min) |
| Deep Blue | 100 µm | 11,0 | 2 | 70 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 9,0 | 2 | 60 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 | |
| Stone Coal Black | 100 µm | 13,0 | 2 | 70 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 10,0 | 2 | 60 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 | |
| Premium White | 100 µm | 5,0 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 4,0 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 1,0 | 90 / 150 | |
| Premium Black | 100 µm | 8,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 1,0 | 120 / 180 |
| 50 µm | 6,0 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 1,0 | 120 / 180 | |
| Premium Model | 100 µm | 4,5 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 180 |
| 50 µm | 3,5 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 180 | |
| Premium Tough | 100 µm | 8,5 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 6,2 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Premium Flex* | 100 µm | 3,5 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 2,0 | 60 / 90 |
| 50 µm | n/a | ||||||
| Wax Castable | 100 µm | 7,0 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 5,0 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| 25 µm | 4,0 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Clear Impact | 100 µm | 16,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 14,0 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Strong-X | 100 µm | 16,0 | 2 | 50 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 14,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| ESD | 100 µm | 12,0 | 2 | 50 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 10,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Tough-X* | 100 µm | 16,0 | 2 | 40 | 8 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 14,0 | 2 | 35 | 8 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Flexible-X* | 100 µm | 14,0 | 2 | 40 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 12,0 | 2 | 35 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Elastomer-X* | 100 µm regular | 20,0 | 2 | 50 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 100 µm thin | 23,0 | 2 | 50 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| 50 µm regular | 18,0 | 2 | 40 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| 50 µm thin | 21,0 | 2 | 40 | 10 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Hazard Glow | 100 µm | 14,0 | 2 | 60 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| Composite-X | 100 µm | 8,0 | 2 | 50 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 6,5 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Flame Retardant | 100 µm | 7,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| HDT | 50 µm | 6,0 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| Bio-Med Clear | 100 µm | 8,0 | 2 | 50 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 7,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 120 | |
| Dental Model Pro Beige | 100 µm | 8,0 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 6,0 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 150 | |
| Dental Model Pro Grey | 100 µm | 8,0 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 6,0 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 2,0 | 120 / 150 | |
| Gingiva Mask | 100 µm | 12,0 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 2,0 | 60 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 10,0 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 2,0 | 60 / 120 | |
| Separation Model | 100 µm | 6,0 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 2,0 | 60 / 120 |
| 50 µm | 4,0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2,0 | 60 / 120 | |
| Rigid Pro | 100 µm | 7,0 | 2 | 40 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 150 |
| 50 µm | 6,0 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 2,0 | 90 / 150 |
* Tough-X, Flexible-X and Premium flex require heavy supports, Elastomer-X requires extra heavy supports.
**Use heavy supports
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About Anycubic Photon D2 (DLP) resin 3D-printer
Image by Anycubic: The new Anycubic Photon D2, successor of the fist affordable DLP resin 3D-printer
Anycubic Photon D2 vs Photon Ultra
| | Photon D2 | Photon Ultra |
| Print size | 5.9″ | 4.6″ |
| Screen resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Pixel size | 0,051 mm (51 µm) | 0,080 mm (80 µm) |
| Screen resolution | 498ppi | 319ppi |
| Build Volume (XYZ) | 130,56 x 73,44 x 165 mm | 102,4 x 57,6 x 165 mm |
Anycubic Photon D2 (DLP) resin 3D-printer specifications
The Anycubic Photon D2 is an open 405nm DLP 3D printer developed in collaboration with Texas Instruments to bring digital light processing (DLP) technology to the desktop 3D printer industry. With a build voume of 131 x 73 x 165 mm. A DLP printer has an optical projector that emits concentrated beams of light only where the resin needs to cure, delivering incredibly sharp results with almost no light leakage or blurred edges. The DLP projector can project a beam with higher uniformity, and the light uniformity on the surface is more than 90%. In an LCD printer, a single large UV light exposes through a screen that has open or closed pixels. However, the light source is always on, resulting in light leakage even with dark pixels.
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- – Build Volume: 131 x 73 x 165 mm
- – Layer Height: 10 microns
- – XY Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440 pixels
- – XY Pixel size 50 microns
- – Z positioning accuracy: 0.1 mm
- – Printing Speed: < 50 mm/h
- – Bed Leveling: Manual
- – Display: 2.8-inch touchscreen
- – Third-Party Materials: Yes
- – Materials: 405 nm UV resin
Contact us if you have any questions or when you need help with settings for the Anycubic Photon D2 (DLP) or other resin based 3D-printers.
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