Page 1 of 1

Multiple Machine Profiles

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:25 pm
by mkelly
I hope this hasn't been requested yet, but this is a feature I desperately need.

Multiple Machine Profiles, meaning each machine gets a unique profile and only loads up the processes for that machine.

Currently I am slicing for 3 different printers. A rep2 with HBP, a Robo3d w/ autolevel Stock, and a Robo3d w/ autolevel and dual extrusion.

Each of these printer profiles require slight variation in them, especially when you include the multiple processes needed for dual extrusion.

I would like to be able to select each individual printer from a drop down list, then have the processes for only that machine show up from the list.

I would also like to be able to define the Comm port for each printer. Right now you can only set the baud rate so I have to open the machine control panel and select the correct comm port essentially every time.

Right now having so many profiles makes it annoying to use and has lead to improper slicing more than a few times. Especially as machines may have different 0,0 and center points.

Re: Multiple Machine Profiles

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:44 am
by JoeJ
You shouldn't need multiple profiles just for dual extrusion. You can embed all of this into a single profile for easier switching. For example, look at the default S3D profiles for dual extruder machines. They all do this.

You can also easily change firmware and machine settings using the profile. They have a new video on this topic too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYPUAqT4UyI

Re: Multiple Machine Profiles

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:41 am
by mkelly
Hi Joey,

For Dual extrusion prints where the second extruder is used as Raft/Support then yes I only use one process.

For Dual extrusion prints of different colors or materials then I need to use two processes and select the component. I do not believe this configuration can be done with a single process as the g-code does not specify which body uses which nozzle.

Right now I have around 18 processes I actively use. I really want more process but because it's so tedious to go through the list and find the one I want, often accidentally selecting the wrong one, I tend to just modify similar process to do what I need, which is not ideal.

Preferentially I would like something similar to how Repetier-Host handles multiple machine profiles, using a drop down menu that allows you to select the specific printer you want to operate
Image


WRT firmware and machine settings it lacks a critical feature, com port. Right now whenever I load up S3D I have to go into the machine control panel and manually select the printer com port I want to use from the drop down. It would be beneficial to be able to specify the com port in the machine settings and not need to manually select it each and every time.

I hope you consider adding one or both of these improvements as they would save me significant amount of time.


On an other topic, why was the "the process you have selected in the list will be selected when hit prepare to print" feature removed in 3.0? Too many wrong slices?

Re: Multiple Machine Profiles

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:58 am
by JoeJ
Who's joey? We are all just users on here, so you're welcome to make your requests, but it's up to the S3D guys to look at them.

Anyways, you don't need multiple profiles for dual extrusion. You have a SINGLE profile that has options for the "Auto Configure Extruders" option. For example, look at any of the stock S3D profiles. Then you create 2 processes that both use the SAME profile. Only one profile is needed. That's how all the stock profiles in the software work, so clearly it can be done.

If you're creating multiple profiles just to do things like dual extrusion, then you are just making your life more difficult.

Re: Multiple Machine Profiles

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 1:46 pm
by mkelly
Sorry, I was using the term profile when I meant processes. Edited for clarity.

You need 2 processes for a dual extrusion print, and so if you want to dual extrude in say .1, .2, and .3mm layer heights you either need 6 processes or modify each process every time

I don't think you really understand what I'm trying to convey and are getting caught up in a typo