Which Slicer?
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Hi I am considering upgrading to Duet WiFi, but I don't see a lot of discussion on best slicers. I don't really want to shell out for simplify unless I really have too. What other slicers are going to be compatible and what are peoples experiences?
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Hi, here's my 2p worth… I have used slic3r, S3D and Cura.
I am currently using Cura more than anything else. I like the fact that it has zillions of settings and even more, as a programmer, I like the fact that it is possible to wade into the source and fix bugs, add features, etc. With my single extruder Kossel XL, I am getting some really nice prints using Cura. Although the Cura devs are focused on the Ultimaker machines, they do encourage contributions from the community that enhance the software for other printers. I think for the price (free), it's really very good.
Before I moved to Cura, I used S3D and it does produce some really nice looking prints but I find the way it is configured just doesn't suite me. It also has some annoying problems which the S3D devs seem unwilling to fix.
I haven't used slic3r for a while but I started with that and it worked well at the time. I do remember it being rather slow to process complex models.
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I also use S3D, Cura, and Slic3r. It's easy to set up a slicer, so why not? S3D isn't required.
I tend to slice anything basic in S3D because it's fast & gives good reliable prints.
Anything complex I slice in all 3 and compare toolpaths, etc before I print.
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I mainly use Cura and tend to go to S3D only when I need to individual place support.
I believe Slic3r has moved on.loads recently so it's on my to-do list to check out all the improvements.
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I use Slic3r because it's easy to setup for my Rostock Max 2/Duet .8.5 with Diamond print head for multi extrusion, and does a great job of slicing my prints. And it's free! I tried Cura, but it was a little too complicated for me to set up, and there didn't seem to be much support for my type of machine.
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I use Slic3r and have it tweaked pretty well. Supports are it's weak spot, so I shy away from prints that need them honestly.
I'm starting to try Cura more now though. From what I've been reading from others lately, it seems like S3D has lost it's big advantage in the past 6-12 months.
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Thanks for all your comments so far, really appreciated, I currently use MatterControl which I find really good and fast to slice, but I don't think I can use it for relative coordinates for the extruder without recompiling the source. Unless someone knows better?
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But you don't have to use relative coordinates for the extruder. Cura only works with absolute extruder coordinates and the duet copes just fine. You just need to put M82 into the start gcode and M83 into the end gcode to switch to/from absolute/relative extruded coordinates.
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I've also just seen that MatterControl will convert relatives to absolutes, so guess it wont do relatives on XYS either is thata real issue when using the Duet?
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I really recommend trying both Cura (2.4 came out today, and has easier delta configuration) and slic3r. Each has their strong points, and learning different slicers will also help you understand what your printer is doing better.
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I've also just seen that MatterControl will convert relatives to absolutes, so guess it wont do relatives on XYS either is thata real issue when using the Duet?
RepRapFirmware runs perfectly with either relative, or absolute coordinates for movement. just make sure you use G90/G91 in the startup g-code for the script so it knows what to expect. Saying that it is unusual yo use relative gcode for XYZ unless you are homing or carrying out a macro function that you want to do the same no matter where in the printspace it is.
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I use a mix of Cura and Craftware.
Cura is a great slicer and is pretty straight forward. I usually use it for when something doesn't turn out right from Craftware (For example craftware cannot do small portions like a 0.4mm area). It just works well.
Craftware is still in my testing if I like phase. It works really well, and the interface is very user friendly. I do see more prints freeze fro m Craftware, but I think that may have been due t my old tft32 sd card reader since they released a firmware update that says it fixed this. So I will do more testing.
Craftware is unique too as it gives a good description and brief animation of what each setting you change does. Which even for me still learning all the settings is very useful. The big thing for me with craftware is it has place able supports and is free
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I'm still continuing my love hate relationship with S3D. I've tried the latest Cura beta and like it, need to try some others.
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I've spent a lot of time switching between cura 2.3 and slic3r, then again with cura 2.4 beta and prusa slic3r.
I'm not really glad there's now a 2nd maintained fork of slic3r, too many choices !
At the moment I'm staying with cura beta, I miss slic3r layer view, and I don't like that I have to play with "outer wall inset" to print objects/vases with one perimeter when width of perimeter == width of nozzle -
when using Cura what printer type do you set to get it to talk over the network?
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I've spent a lot of time switching between cura 2.3 and slic3r, then again with cura 2.4 beta and prusa slic3r.
I'm not really glad there's now a 2nd maintained fork of slic3r, too many choices !
At the moment I'm staying with cura beta, I miss slic3r layer view, and I don't like that I have to play with "outer wall inset" to print objects/vases with one perimeter when width of perimeter == width of nozzleI tried the cura 2.4 beta but for some reason, it tried to extrude 10x the material needed. It just spewed out the nozzle, and a lot of skipping steps. As usual, I'm sure it's a setting I cannot find, but 2.3 worked fine, and it imported my machine settings from that just fine, so I'll come back to it later, got bigger fish to fry right now.
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I have tried S3D trials twice, and given up on it
Also Cura and mainly slic3r but have settled on Matter Control (MC) with Matter Slicer. (MS)
MC does support slic3r but MS has native support for Wipe Tower and/or Wipe Shield so i stick with that.
There is a nice recovery option if printing via usb, which i do not use.
Graphical Interface is great once you get used to it's idiosyncrasies.
Nice library feature.
Holds multiple models on screen at once and can switch between them.
Graphical Printing emulator screens - 2D and 3D - can be synchronised with actual printer if via usb.
Also native micro stepping via usb.
Multiple printer support
Multiple Material support.
Only drawbacks i have found are:
No 'Cut' option , so i revert to Slic3r for the few times I need that.
Could not slice some of the two colour vases - stopped with a "too complex" type error.
No 'use firmware retraction' option but has layer change; tool change gcode sections.Good enhancement/developement cycle for new alpah/beta and stable releases.
Try it - it's free! -
@3dprinting:
I've spent a lot of time switching between cura 2.3 and slic3r, then again with cura 2.4 beta and prusa slic3r.
I'm not really glad there's now a 2nd maintained fork of slic3r, too many choices !
At the moment I'm staying with cura beta, I miss slic3r layer view, and I don't like that I have to play with "outer wall inset" to print objects/vases with one perimeter when width of perimeter == width of nozzleI tried the cura 2.4 beta but for some reason, it tried to extrude 10x the material needed. It just spewed out the nozzle, and a lot of skipping steps. As usual, I'm sure it's a setting I cannot find, but 2.3 worked fine, and it imported my machine settings from that just fine, so I'll come back to it later, got bigger fish to fry right now.
I guess it's because Cura UI is BUGGY AS HELL.
I've encountered this issue from the start. By default all their filament are 2.85mm.
If you select a 1.75mm filament, then go to the in Material tab of the print setup the diameter stays at 2.85mm…Another funny one, I'm trying a 0.8mm nozzle atm, (was using a 0.4mm before) I then changed my nozzle to 0.8 in the printer setting, now all my profiles are stuck with a 0.4mm line width (it's grayed out, can't edit it) I had to export setting, unzip, vi setting, zip again, and import again to change it.
I'll probably fill bug reports later on, imho that was released too early, still alpha quality UI
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@3dprinting:
I've spent a lot of time switching between cura 2.3 and slic3r, then again with cura 2.4 beta and prusa slic3r.
I'm not really glad there's now a 2nd maintained fork of slic3r, too many choices !
At the moment I'm staying with cura beta, I miss slic3r layer view, and I don't like that I have to play with "outer wall inset" to print objects/vases with one perimeter when width of perimeter == width of nozzleI tried the cura 2.4 beta but for some reason, it tried to extrude 10x the material needed. It just spewed out the nozzle, and a lot of skipping steps. As usual, I'm sure it's a setting I cannot find, but 2.3 worked fine, and it imported my machine settings from that just fine, so I'll come back to it later, got bigger fish to fry right now.
I guess it's because Cura UI is BUGGY AS HELL.
I've encountered this issue from the start. By default all their filament are 2.85mm.
If you select a 1.75mm filament, then go to the in Material tab of the print setup the diameter stays at 2.85mm…Another funny one, I'm trying a 0.8mm nozzle atm, (was using a 0.4mm before) I then changed my nozzle to 0.8 in the printer setting, now all my profiles are stuck with a 0.4mm line width (it's grayed out, can't edit it) I had to export setting, unzip, vi setting, zip again, and import again to change it.
I'll probably fill bug reports later on, imho that was released too early, still alpha quality UI
I did figure out 2 of the 3 problems listed here.
- M82 comand in the start g code, because cura exports exact extrusion, not relative.
2)you cannot alter any of the filament on the list, or delete it. But you can duplicate it, then make any changes you need to.
As far as the 3rd one goes, if you go into settings, set setting visibility, you can add the line width feature to your sidebar menu. I havn't tried it yet, but I'm pretty sure it'll work just fine.
I guess we just gotta remember ultimaker made cura for their machines first, and even though 95% of the people using it don't have an ultimaker, they have to cater to their ease of use first. Considering the fact that it's free, I can respect that.
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@3dprinting:
I did figure out 2 of the 3 problems listed here.
- M82 comand in the start g code, because cura exports exact extrusion, not relative.
2)you cannot alter any of the filament on the list, or delete it. But you can duplicate it, then make any changes you need to.
As far as the 3rd one goes, if you go into settings, set setting visibility, you can add the line width feature to your sidebar menu. I havn't tried it yet, but I'm pretty sure it'll work just fine.
I guess we just gotta remember ultimaker made cura for their machines first, and even though 95% of the people using it don't have an ultimaker, they have to cater to their ease of use first. Considering the fact that it's free, I can respect that.
Thank you for #1
Been struggling trying to figure it out.I love Cura. They have really improved a lot. I've been thinking about going to Slic3r for a long time, but Cura have passed them by in my book.