Re-organize FFF-Settings by Machine, Material, Quality

[TheGoofy]

While each individual parameter from the fff-settings is very useful, I always get lost in switching tabs and extruders. I'm changing individual advanced parameters instead of adjusting the (simple) auto-configure buttons. The reason, why I'm not using these buttons is the badly visible mix of parameters assigned to these configurations. The worst case happens, when using multiple extruders with different materials ...

I'm suggesting to re-arrange the parameters in the GUI, and build configurations/groups, which better match to reality. I.e. I have multiple 3d-printers, various spools of filaments from different manufactorers, and depending on the level-of-detail of the piece to print there are quality requirements.

PRINTER:
- max speeds, max accelerations (the mass of the print-head and the power of motors dictates the max speed)
- max build volume
- extruders (nozzle diameter, max speed, max temperature, temperature controller)
- build plate (max temperature, temperature controller)
- g-code settings, ...

MATERIAL:
- temperature control (nozzle, build-plate, cooling fan)
- exact filament diameter (depending on manufacturer 1.75mm
- various print-speeds (material viscosity dictates print speed)
- retraction settings (oozing depends on material)

QUALITY:
- layer height
- overall speed multiplyer
- top/bottom layer thickness
- outline thickness
- outline direction
- infill, etc.

MULTIPLE EXTRUDERS:
- A dialog should show the available extruders (depending on the active printer)
- For each extruder I can select a material (or "no material").

PROCESSES:
- by default there should be as many processes as configured extruders
- a process is a combination of material and quality, there can be more processes than extruders
- Assignment of process to a model needs to be done in the models list (and not in the fff-settings)
- the models list should display the name of the selected process (material or extruder names maybe as tool-tip)
- grouping of processes is not really needed (it's only confusing)

[CompoundCarl]

It's an okay idea, but I know a lot of people have different opinions about how a setting should be modified. For example, some people want to set all of their speed values based on the machine they are using. Others prefer to have speed controlled based on the material, and there's also those that want speed to be dependent on the quality level. So I think if they forced things into specific groups, it would cause a lot of frustration among those who have different preferences.

Any ideas about how your idea could be more versatile?

[freiser77]

Maybe by creating an configurator for the storage of material and quality options?
So you can choose for every property where to store it?

[TheGoofy]

It's an okay idea, but I know a lot of people have different opinions about how a setting should be modified. For example, some people want to set all of their speed values based on the machine they are using. Others prefer to have speed controlled based on the material, and there's also those that want speed to be dependent on the quality level. So I think if they forced things into specific groups, it would cause a lot of frustration among those who have different preferences.

Any ideas about how your idea could be more versatile?

I know that Speed-settings are not trivial. I suggest that speed is in all categories: machine, material, and quality.
Machine speed is typically a range from 0 mm/s to some mechanical maximum, where the motors no longer can't handle acceleration, vibrations, skip steps etc. Material speed depends on the recommendations of viscosity (manufacturer recommendation). Quality speed is a single global scaling value of the speed defined by the user for quick tuning - e.g. accelerate the print, because he wants to have a piece printed quicker.

Anyway, most important for me is a simpler setup, when I switch between 2 printers, or if I load different kinds of filaments, without needing to touch parameters like speed, diameter, or temperature (which is actually well implemented).

Step 1: select my printer (replicator 2x, ultimaker 2, prusa)
Step 2: select the material (PLA red Taulman 1.7, PLA blue 3dInk 2.8, PETG transparent 2.8, Nylon black 1.7, ...)
Step 3: select quality (high, mid, low)
Step 4: GO Print!

In other words: I always need to open "advanced settings", if I'm switching printer, material, or quality. I'd be happier, if I could keep advanced settings closed, but mainly the settings depending on the material prevent this.