2 Newbie Questions ...using a CTC Bizer

[pmoloney]

Question 1
I have just started using a CTC Bizer and realised that it uses x3g format files rather than G-code, but there seems to be no option in Simplify3D to output an x3g file to a memory card and yet I can print via USB. Am I missing something?

Question 2
I'm having to try using a memory card becuase while printing with USB, although it works, it will regularly pause and then continue in much the same way as a normal printer might do when spooling to a print queue. I can use the Force Next command to make it start again or I can leave it and after a few seconds it will start printing again. An estimated 45 minute print took 1h 25mins last night to give you an idea of how much it pauses! Is there a setting I can change for the size of the queue or is it going to be something else?

[CompoundCarl]

If the printer is working when you click "Begin Printing over USB", then you must have your software settings correct. So when you click "Save Toolpaths to Disk" instead, it should ask you where you want to save your gcode file. However, keep in mind that it will also automatically create an x3g file in that same location. This can be very useful since the x3g file is in binary and not typically readable. The gcode file is plain-text, so you can go back and look through it later if you want to see how the print was configured. So just know that BOTH a gcode and x3g file will be exported to whatever location you choose.

For #2, there's a known microsoft bug with Windows 10 that has caused lots of problems for USB communication. There's plenty of threads about it on this forum (including some with possible workarounds). So if you're on Win10, that's probably what's happening. It's a microsoft bug, so I don't know any S3D settings that will fix it. Some of the threads on the forum have Windows10 settings you can change though which may have an affect.

[pmoloney]

Geez.... I didn't spot it was creating both file formats on the SD card! Perfect thanks

As for the other issue I'll do some more digging to see if I can try some of the Windows 10 configs (I'm on Windows 10!).

Thanks