[ADDED] Auto Reload Of Last Factory File

[joesoap583]

When Simplify3D starts up it has a virgin workspace, requiring the user to manually load a previous factory definition.

I think it would be useful if Simplify3D 'remembered' the factory which was loaded when it shuts down, and automatically recalls that when next started.

Perhaps this could be a global option so that the user can select whether to auto-load the previous project.

[CatDog]

And worse than that, it always goes to the Documents (or equivalent platform folder) for loading, and especially annoying, saving each and every file. Come on, this is 2014 (well, OK, S3D was released in 2013 - but come on, that was 2013)!

~CatDog>

[jimc]

yes this has been discussed before and i had mentioned it to clayton as soon as v2.0 was released. its kind of annoying but not highest on my priority list. ill deal with that if it means the dev have more time to spend on the actual slicing features. im kinda used to it now.....but you are right, it should remember where it last saved and loaded from

[dalew8abz]

I rather like the "Open Recent" that some apps have. I used to keep my hands on the keyboard all the time using MS-Word, and so it was Alt-F 1 to open the most recently saved file. That seems to have been abandoned in favor of a separate tab/page. It's nice in that it has a long list of recent files. But I miss my ALT key menus that almost everything supported. ALT-F S to save, ALT-F A to save as, ALT-E P to paste, etc.

Of course, Microsoft apps varied in whether to use ALT-F X to exit the app (Word) or ALT-F C to close the app (Explorer and some others). I think before MS bought Visio, it was the only app that was more compliant with Microsoft's UI guidelines than every MS-Office app. Good to see they fixed that.

Sorry to editorialize. Want a list of recent Factory files in the File menu.
Dale

[laird]

When Simplify3D starts up it has a virgin workspace, requiring the user to manually load a previous factory definition.

I think it would be useful if Simplify3D 'remembered' the factory which was loaded when it shuts down, and automatically recalls that when next started.

Perhaps this could be a global option so that the user can select whether to auto-load the previous project.

What is in the Factory file? It doesn't appear to include either objects or processes. Does it save some other settings?

[jimc]

ir contains the model and all your processes

[plasticHead]

I think there should be two ways to save a factory file. Firstly, save factory file with model which then saves the factory file where you save your models (name of model.fff)and secondly save factory file without model but with process only which then saves it with your other factory files (particular process.fff). Saving a factory file with the model is fine if you print the same model over and over again. I only usually print a model once., but use the same process over and over. If I want to open a certain factory file I want a blank platform not something popping up that I printed weeks ago and have no interest in seeing again. As it is at the moment if I open a factory file and then load a new model and then tweak the process I can't save that process only, I have to save it with the model. The only way to save the process only is to remove the the model from the table first. But if you have manually added support you lose that. If you don't save and simplify 3D crashes while preparing the g code you lose your changes and the manual support. If on the odd occasion I do want to print the same model twice all I need to do is open the g code file for that print and there is a summary of all my settings for that print at the start of the g code, so really why do I need to be able to save the model with the factory file? But for those people who do print the same model often then a factory file in their models folder or where ever is a good idea. I am sure having these two ways of saving, would make saving factory files a lot less confusing.

[Garyhlucas]

I'm a new user that hasn't yet got my printer running. Does the factory file actually contain the 3D model and the processes, or does it contain a link to the model, wherever it was was loaded from? I don't like programs that load previous work automatically. You are trying to guess what I want to do, and even I am not always sure about that! However I do like to see the previously use list when opening a file, because then I can quickly grab anything recent without trying to remember the path it is on. Also I like it when a program does remember the last path not the last file, I was working from instead of always defaulting to some place I'd never save files. The idea of being able to save a factory file as a template with processes but no models seems like a good one. However for parts or groups of parts that you want to print again, and not have to go through figuring out what works every time seems good too.

[jimc]

gary the factory file contains the actual model and the process. you wouldnt want it to contain just the links because if you move the stl somewhere then the factory file is no good. you would have loads of factory files with broken links. if you want to share a model with someone and post it online or email it you can just post the factory file. everything is contained in there.

[Garyhlucas]

Jim,
I use Solid Works and Solid Edge for 9 years before that and they both use thousands of linked files that you must never move, or spend lots of time locating and linking them again. That's what prompted the question.