Ender 3 pro file format ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 03:03:45 pm
content: Hi, is it simple to generate a file for the ender 3 pro ?What can i expect ?I would like to make a generator for my casings, they all have the same design with a few variables.Is it not to complicated ?thanks

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 04:02:54 pm
content: The ender 3 runs from g-code generated by a slicer such as Cura. There are lots of profiles you can download to configure Cura for the ender3Cura take an STL file generated by your CAD software

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 04:06:25 pm
content: I am trying to make a software or hardware that generates these objects, i am avoiding software that does not run on windows XP

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 04:46:21 pm
content: Windows XP. Really, that might be tough.Maybe OpenScad might be the tool for you. No idea if it runs on XP though.You will still need a slicer. You can try Cura, Slic3r or Kisslicer. Again, no guarantees on any of these working under XP.I do think that in 2019 you should be trying to upgrade to a newer supported OS. You could install Ubuntu fairly easily, or even run it from a bootable USB stick if you want to keep XP intact.

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 05:32:54 pm
content: I think most of programs accept Parameters/VariablesI work with Inventor that support parameters, but won't work with Windows XP, maybe very old versions?You also have some internet based CAD programs but again, don't know about them, if they have variables or not.Openscad will do: "System requirements: Windows XP or newer on x86 32/64 bit"About slicer if you want go with PrusaSlicer i made public profiles that you can use, here:https://github.com/sn4k3/Ender3

author: Hemi345
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 10:24:52 pm
content: If you want to programmatically generate gcode yourself, I'd suggest opening one of your .gcode files in Notepad and have a look at what's involved. You can probably write the code by hand if your case design is super simple but what will be difficult is figuring out the extrusion distance based on the x and y travel distance, where you'll need to retract the filament, etc. That's where a good slicer makes it easy. I'd suggest reading up on the various gcode commands for the Marlin-based Ender3 to see what they all mean:MARLIN GCODE LINK.Using a free distribution of linux might be an option to use a command line slicer you can interact with on your old PC.Here's the beginning and end of a .gcode file I used for my Ender3 with some comments (semicolon) thrown in:Code:M140 S60 ; set bed temp to 60CM105 ; report tempsM190 S60 ; wait for bed to reach 60c before continuingM104 S200 ; set hotend to 200CM105 ; report tempsM109 S200 ; wait for hotend to reach 200CM82 ;absolute extrusion mode; Ender 3 Custom Start G-codeG28 ; Home all axesG92 E0 ; Reset ExtruderG1 Z2.0 F3000 ; Move Z Axis up little to prevent scratching of Heat BedG1 X0.1 Y20 Z0.3 F5000.0 ; Move to start positionG1 X0.1 Y200.0 Z0.3 F1500.0 E15 ; Draw the first lineG1 X0.4 Y200.0 Z0.3 F5000.0 ; Move to side a littleG1 X0.4 Y20 Z0.3 F1500.0 E30 ; Draw the second lineG92 E0 ; Reset ExtruderG1 Z2.0 F3000 ; Move Z Axis up little (2mm) to prevent scratching of Heat Bed at a rate of 3000mm/sec; End of custom start GCodeG92 E0G1 F3000 E-6 ;;LAYER_COUNT:46;LAYER:0M107M204 S5000M205 X30 Y30G0 F2000 X102.893 Y95.189 Z0.2M204 S500M205 X20 Y20;TYPE:SKIRTG1 F3000 E0G1 F1200 X103.365 Y94.683 E0.02301 ; move hotend to X and Y position and extrude .02301mm of filamentG1 X103.893 Y94.234 E0.04607G1 X104.468 Y93.849 E0.06908G1 X105.085 Y93.534 E0.09212G1 X105.733 Y93.291 E0.11514G1 X106.406 Y93.124 E0.13821[lots of printing commands snipped] ...G1 X126.51 Y100.003 E968.69219G1 X126.51 Y134.997 E969.85609;TIME_ELAPSED:931.509103G1 F3000 E963.85609M140 S0M204 S4000M107; Ender 3 Custom End G-codeG4 ; WaitM220 S100 ; Reset Speed factor override percentage to default (100%)M221 S100 ; Reset Extrude factor override percentage to default (100%)G91 ; Set coordinates to relativeG1 F1800 E-60 ; Retract filament 60 mm to allow removalG1 F3000 Z20 ; Move Z Axis up 20 mm to allow filament ooze freelyG90 ; Set coordinates to absoluteG1 X0 Y235 F1000 ; Move Heat Bed to the front for easy print removalM84 ; Disable stepper motors; End of custom end GCodeM82 ;absolute extrusion modeM104 S0;End of Gcode

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 01:18:21 am
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 18, 2019, 04:06:25 pmPlease give very very good reasons why you want to go through the pain of XP which more or less pre dates the entire industry platforms?As above yes you can write GCode but without significant numbers of files that "work and print reliably" as a starting point you are climbing a ladder with a leaky bucket of poo over your head.There is some nerds out there who have written software to generate Laser cutting files so it could be done for 3DP but there are a lot more variable with it than simple 2D on off commands.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:07:39 am
content: Thank you Hemi, looks complicated, i mean its not only position numbers, you have to do all thinking for the machine,i dont own a printer yet, my friend has one, i dont know enough yet, i,m still in doubt if i buy one next week.@beanflying : i give you a good reason, why would i buy a new computer to support windows10 ?,my computer is good, i have to vacuum clean it and remove dust in cooling block soon.MPLABX works, the latest v2, you can download old version, and XC compilers work.3D max works, and my visual professional package works.Not gonna buy software that only works online.I CAN NOT INSTALL WINDOWS 7or up.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:32:03 am
content: So you only build Valve Amps thenWith both your hands tied behind your back by XP in a modern world and refusing to look at online which may have been your only path forward your future with 3D Cad and 3D printing will remain largely a WOFTAM because no one will keep or create reverse compatibility for your hair width narrow requirements.Good luck with staying planted in the past.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:40:49 am
content: Good luck with buying a new computer the latest antivirus firewall and with the updating.My computer is mine, on yours artificial intelligence is being developped ( not by you ).

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:43:40 am
content: Lose XP now. Total liability. As bad as the fucking anti vaxxers.I am using FreeCAD and Cura for mine.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:46:59 am
content: And good luck with formatting your hard-disk, you are not allowed

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:49:11 am
content: Like windows 10 was ever good ?Lose win7 also in 3 months.It wont be good ever.Whos computer ?, you say its my computer and i dont mind they taking control over it for building artificial intelligence, have you installed anything from adobe ?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:52:37 am
content: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CR6AM4/

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:53:54 am
content: I reluctantly moved on from XP years ago to W7 and it was great. For a while I had W7 and 8.1 dual booting then moved to W10 a year or so back. Zero regrets !Been running just I3's and 8GB of RAM and it does everything I need.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 11:10:59 am
content: Well i have a celeron,i have computer on all day, looking at source code, add a line, text only.The computer suppose to do nothing all day.With windows 10 its different, its alive, i bet your HD will die from win10 without doing anything.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 12:18:25 pm
content: Nope, OS is on SSD, that’s the way we do things these days.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 12:49:55 pm
content: Back to the 3D format.Then i need to generate something and use cura no problem.The cura does all the heating and moving then ?, ok.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 12:58:19 pm
content: Cura generates a gcode file from the stl. Then you shove that on an SD card and stick that in the front of the machine and it reads it.stl file is a 3d mesh. Cura slices a solid representation of that mesh and turns that into movements for the machine to make (gcode). The printer just runs the gcode program.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 01:44:10 pm
content: If you have a PC that old, a Raspberry Pi 4 would be a decent upgrade.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 01:59:28 pm
content: So i need to generate STL files, thank you

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 02:12:45 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on October 19, 2019, 01:44:10 pmIt is about time, i want to program pic chips from a pic chip, monitor keyboard + mouse & compiler without windows.

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 02:31:43 pm
content: I can understand wanting to stick with XP. That's fine, your choice.But I can also understand why software developers don't want to develop tools or provide patches for it. It's also totally vulnerable to viruses and malware. Fine for a standalone that never connects to the internet, but otherwise you will just end up with a bit running malware, sending spam and mining bitcoin.I would suggest that Linux is a great alternative to XP if you don't want to move to Windows10.It's also worth considering online CAD software such as Onshape.

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 04:48:16 am
content: I use Windows XP, a dedicated host for my CNC machine, amazing startup times with old HDD and low resource hog, but is only for offline use without any other program than Mach3.Windows 7 was good but 10 is even better. Of course each version will suck more resources but that's the way things goes, the more we have more they will use. Try install chrome on XP, it will draw same ram if you have it, problem on old PCs are the new software, made for the new modern pcs with more resources. The only way to survive on very old machines are the outdated sofware made for that years. Or try a linux with lightweigth interface and software.If you fear the spy there are scripts to put Windows10 under a cage eg:https://github.com/W4RH4WK/Debloat-Windows-10NOTICE: A tentacle may can pass the cageBut if you use Windows XP online the changes are worst than windows 10 due security brench.Windows XP is excellent to run hidden code with admin permissions to do whaever dev want, you may be spyed right now and every key recorded. If you search for Windows XP vs 10 the results may be influenced and praise XP, hackers manipulating your search to make you keep on XP.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 10:27:50 am
content: Quote from: sn4k3 on October 20, 2019, 04:48:16 amThe first thing i read : These scripts have not been tested with the Creators Update.MS is very smart, they give you a update and set all privacy settings to leak again.So does google and the rest, data is the new gold.50% of all telephone calls in the USA is coming from a robot who you learn to speak.Same with adobe shit ( dont install anything from them ), you install it and you are leak again + AI mined on your computer.Google learning from you, and tracking you with keypress speed, keywords etc, not just IP or computer.MS aint dumb, they have a gold mine.So XP was so unsafe that MS banned it, they are forbidding you to use it, because of the big bad internet virus and criminals ( including governmental and polices ),how logical is it to make a new windows that only works if you go online ?They still advicing you to use antivirus, it is the same as saying our product is unsafe, you have to figure out yourself what is the best protection.So what is the difference with XP ?WinXP is so old it is accepted you copy it, you dont steal anything from MS because they dont sell it anymore, they wont miss income.After all these years hobbyists must have made something to hack XP so they can make it how they like, it is common knowledge that wont be updated anymore.Fresh install and modify, will be better then win10 ever will be from MS, they are doing this on purpose.If your XP is running slow you can format HD and fresh install.Win10 wont give you any update after fresh DVD install, new policy, you need to have updates no older then 1 year.So whats the difference ?Eventually you be paying per update.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:12:07 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 19, 2019, 10:07:39 amYour computer isn't good as you're trying to perform a somewhat modern task and have to ask online. I don't know what got you to paint yourself in a corner like that but it may be time to realise holding on to an ancient platform isn't a viable strategy.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:23:16 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 19, 2019, 01:59:28 pmThere should be plenty of information how the 3D printing process works. I assume you have access to internet other than this forum. You first create a 3D model with software like Solidworks or even OpenSCAD. The result is saved as an stl file. That model is then sliced by a program like Cura so the printer knows how to deal with the model. The result is gcode which are instructions for the 3D printer to follow. Heat this and go there. The gcode is then typically loaded on an SD card and into the printer for actual printing. There are many ways of generating stl files which can be open or proprietary, free or very expensive and off and online.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:26:18 pm
content: I have my own 3D editor, applause, thank you.Doing game programming also.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:39:19 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 20, 2019, 01:26:18 pmI was going to load the gcode commands (as a demonstration of the complexity) in this post for a simple box I made for a small Chinese frequency counter.However, even for that simple box, all the gcode commands were too many for the allowed post size on this forum. It's mind-boggling.Get yourself the right tools and enjoy the hobby.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:42:13 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 20, 2019, 01:26:18 pmI must've misunderstood. Load the stl file your 3d editor puts out into Cura and you should be good.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 01:34:33 pm
content: I can just order it and try later, no need to saw off any fingers or hammer them.Based on algorithm generated casings aint to difficult, dont need edittor at all.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 02:09:05 pm
content: The correct procedure is design in Fusion360 (free) or parametric like OpenSCAD or some other 3D CAD tool.Then export STL files.Then generate printer and filament specific gcode files with theslicer.The gcode files are large, simpleBenchyis 4MB.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 04:14:22 pm
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on October 21, 2019, 02:09:05 pmFusion 360 is cloud based and hardly free.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 04:15:18 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 21, 2019, 01:34:33 pmYou said you have a 3D editor. Just output your design as stl and you're set.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 04:46:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on October 22, 2019, 04:14:22 pmIt is cloud-based but it actually is free for any user for personal use. I have a free account.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:04:14 pm
content: I refuse to use it. They could retract my license at any time.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:11:02 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on October 22, 2019, 05:04:14 pmOh I don't use it either, I just got an account last year when I was looking for a program to use. Too hard for my brain. I may learn it one day, don't know yet.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:12:16 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 22, 2019, 04:46:19 pmThat's a very narrow interpretation of the word free. About as narrow as it gets really. You give up full control of your designs and workflow and trade it for postponed payment.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:13:29 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on October 22, 2019, 05:12:16 pmOh OK ...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:16:16 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 22, 2019, 05:13:29 pmThe distinction of it being a service instead of a program is a rather important one. I've lost files and work to "free" Autodesk software before.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 05:16:47 pm
content: I’m finding freecad sufficient. I’ve designed some complex parts in it now and it works like my brain does.Price is right and it isn’t a bloated whale. And you can also use it for Kicad models!

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 07:21:30 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 22, 2019, 04:46:19 pmQuote from: bd139 on October 22, 2019, 05:04:14 pmYes, that is right. But it's more free right now than anything else beginners can easily use.Quote from: Mr. Scram on October 22, 2019, 05:12:16 pmMaybe. Meanwhile you did get to draw and print objects. And learned some 3D modeling. Without paying autodesk a penny.It's about as free as Circuit Maker.I didn't expect it to get people that hot...edit:I know about FreeCAD. It's a whole different type of modeling. Scripted modling I would say.I've downloaded many 3D cad tools. But eventually settled for an Fusion360 subscriptionat workbecause of their low priceright now. And started using it at home for my 3D printer.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 07:22:32 pm
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on October 22, 2019, 07:21:30 pmHow long have you been a member?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 08:08:08 pm
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on October 22, 2019, 07:21:30 pmI learned freecad entirely from a deceased German dude on YouTube. I am an idiot and I can work it.As for free, when the landlord grants you freedom, you are not free. You are a sharecropper.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 09:33:03 pm
content: I'm just saying I lost work to Autodesk's "free" software because they changed their minds. That's not getting hot, that's fair warning.

author: phs
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 09:54:04 pm
content: Another note of praise for FreeCAD: Have been using it for several years now, after having used many other CAD software, including Catia, Autocad, CadKey, TurboCAD, VariCAD (quite nice Linux commercial CAD software), and others. If you're familiar with Catia, FreeCAD has a number of similarities, and is rather easy to switch to.Here, it's frequently used in conjunction with KiCAD, for designing enclosures that can then be easily prototyped in-house (3D-printed), and/or sent out for production. The .stl files it produces are clean, and it imports them well, also. This makes it easy to work with existing CAD files for off-the-shelf enclosures, components, etc.FreeCAD models are often imported into Blender, where they can be further tweaked with Blender’s powerful mesh tools, and then photo-quality renders are produced with Blender/LuxRender. Animations are possible, too. FreeCAD actually has some nice mesh tools of it’s own, as well.FreeCAD is extremely capable, and almost all designs I do in it now are fully parametric, meaning that making changes to a model is simplified and efficient. Parametric modeling is where it’s at for complex designs, and is one of FreeCADs most powerful assets. At this point, I tend to use the built-in spreadsheet facility to hold all dimensions and formulas. For most enclosures done here, if it is required to change dimensions, the changes just get typed in to the spreadsheet, and the entire model updates accordingly. Changing the length, width and height of an enclosure is often as simple as updating just those three dimensions in the spreadsheet. This greatly facilitates the re-use of existing models. Parametric design, when learned and incorporated into the design process well, makes for extremely robust models, and saves a lot of time overall. It’s truly a thing of beauty.Learning FreeCAD is a great investment of time, because it can never be taken away from you, and the data files you generate with it aren't locked up in some proprietary format. Plus, it’s cross-platform (no dependence on Windows – $$ saved/risks avoided), can be installed on as many workstations as needed, and something that clients love is that they can install it for free as well, to view or even edit designs as desired. Also, it’s extremely scriptable, with powerful hooks built in for Python programming. Of course KiCAD has the same advantages.As was learned the hard way here, the big corporations all too often don't really care about the little guys, and if you have issues, as we did with the incompetent greedy crooks at Altium, you're completely screwed -- unless you happen to have the resources and time to threaten them with a lawsuit. And, after generating thousands of people-hours of designs, who in their right mind would want to have them all dependent on a single corporation that you’re helpless to defend yourself against should they decide to hike up prices, discontinue support, move to the “cloud”, or even go out of business. It’s much easier to sleep at night knowing that no matter what happens, it will always be possible to have full control over all design files, and that your company has no dependencies on other companies over which you have no control at all.When Altium shafted us a few years back, we immediately moved everything over to KiCAD and will never even consider doing “business” with Altium again. This is despite the fact that we had been loyal users and proponents of Altium for many years. The use of FreeCAD, KiCAD, and lots of other Open Source software has provided a competitive advantage that eliminates having to deal with evil overlords. The transition wasn’t completely smooth, and there are certainly some features in Altium and other CAD software that are occasionally missed, but there hasn’t been a single show-stopper yet, and the stress level has gone way way down.Quick reality-check, though: FreeCAD does have some rough edges, can be hard to fully grasp, and doesn’t have a lot of the hand-holding features that the big players have for a variety of functions. The various features and capabilities are sometimes hard to find, and can be quirky. And, it can be a little crashy until you get to know it (mainly if you tend to run the nightly build versions). That said though, I’ve rarely found anything I really needed that FreeCAD was incapable of accomplishing, and once you learn your way around, it’s very robust and it’s possible to be quite efficient at cranking out designs.Finally, FreeCAD seems to have a lot of active development going on, the forums are filled with experts who are extremely polite and helpful, and I predict it has a very bright future with lots of exciting developments already well in the wings. There are some really smart folks working on several assembly toolsets, and FreeCAD has a myriad of useful modules and plugins that are worth exploring.And yes, I am VERY biased – especially after the horrid experiences with the big bullies out there that think they can own you...

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2019, 01:11:36 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on October 22, 2019, 05:12:16 pmYou mean autodesk is leeching your designs and workflows to learn AI ?

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2019, 01:15:10 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on October 22, 2019, 05:16:16 pmThe competition has released your designs ?, or did autodesk delete your files ?

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2019, 06:28:43 pm
content: Quote from: Jan Audio on October 23, 2019, 01:11:36 pmCan you explain your preoccupation with AI?

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2019, 02:31:29 pm
content: AI is just a marketing technique.