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Octoprint with mk4s status?  

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William
(@william)
Active Member
Octoprint with mk4s status?

It's been a bit but last I checked the mk4 had severe problems with octoprint, and this is one of the big things holding me back from replacing my mk3s+, was that it would basically be a huge downgrade for my workflow going to mk4.

What's the current status as of mk4s release with updated firmware and updated prusa slicer and how it works with octoprint? Have these issues been fixed? Can I get the same octoprint compatibility and functionality now as I currently have on my mk3+?

Example past issues post:

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/english-forum-original-prusa-i3-mk4-hardware-firmware-and-software-help/prusalink-vs-octoprint-for-the-mk4/#post-665416

Thanks!

Posted : 26/08/2024 1:34 am
Tony
 Tony
(@Tony)
Guest
RE: Octoprint with mk4s status?

When I first got my MK4, I was very concerned about getting Octoprint to work with it just like my MK3.  But since the reports showed problems with Octoprint and the MK4, I decided to try out the Prusa tools before setting up a new Raspberry Pi system.  I found PrusaLink to be a very simple, bare bones monitor of the MK4 and its prints.  I found PrusaConnect to be an interesting mix of information and control that covered more of the functionality of Octoprint in a utilitarian way.  Niether of these programs, by themselves can replace Octoprint completely.  However, they have a few features not found in the base Octoprint program (although I'm sure someone could write an add on for these features).  My surprise came with the new functionality of PrusaSlicer with the MK4.  I love the ability to start a print directly from the slicer with a single button press.  It saves the steps of storing the gcode, uploading it to Octoprint and then starting the print from Octoprint.  So now I work with two systems.  I print on my old MK3S driven by Octoprint,  and I print on my new MK4 using the Prusa tools.  For me, the workflow is faster using the MK4 and Prusa tools (direct print submission from PrusaSlicer, and the raw speed improvement of the MK4).   The only thing I really miss from Octoprint is the live GCode viewer.  The forums make it sound like many people are now successfully using Octoprint with the MK4, but I have grown accustomed to the Prusa tools flow with the MK4 and now prefer it.  I don't know what specific Octoprint feature you rely on, but if you are like me you might be pleasantly surprised with the MK4 and prusa tools.

Posted : 27/08/2024 5:24 pm
Walter Layher
(@walter-layher)
Prominent Member
RE: Octoprint with mk4s status?

Starting a print job on an MK4 with OctoPrint directly from PrusaSlicer is very much possible, it works exactly the same way as with an MK3S+.
If that is a drawback for you, you must be doing something wrong or you are missing something in your setup in PrusaSlicer, like setting up a physical printer for it.

Posted : 27/08/2024 6:02 pm
fabnavigator
(@fabnavigator)
Estimable Member
RE: Octoprint with mk4s status?

I don't have an MK4S so I can only speak to the MK4. I've ordered the upgrade, but it hasn't arrived yet.

I sold my MK3S and bought an MK4 back in January. I've only ever printed using OctoPrint. I have no complaints using it with the MK4. I can't see the progress on the screen, but who really cares. I can see it on my phone using a very handy app called "OctoApp".

I usually start my prints from PrusaSlicer. After I slice I press the "Upload and Print" button.

I can control the printer from the OctoPrint web interface, OctoApp, or I can pause, resume, and cancel from the printer control panel if I need to.

The MK4 is so much better than the MK3S. I would not hold back if I were you.

Posted : 27/08/2024 6:03 pm
William
(@william)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Octoprint with mk4s status?

I appreciate all the replies!

I'm especially looking for feature parity with the mk3 and octoprint, and has the mk4 or mk4s reached that yet with the latest firmware and slicer versions.

So as an example from the post I linked, the runout sensor not working while printing from USB, has that been fixed? Because that will be a problem if it's not fixed and I run out of filament on a long print, then it's ruined. 

Another example from that post, since I use Obico (aka spaghetti detective) it needs to support printing pausing while printing from USB when sensing a problem while watching the webcam, with spaghetti. Has that been fixed yet?

Not entering printing mode might or might not be an issue for me, I guess it depends if all the other pieces work and it can be controlled from octoprint. Like will it properly go into a color change mode?

I probably will try prusa connect, but it's not going to support all the things I have setup with octoprint, so I need that.

Posted by: @Tony

My surprise came with the new functionality of PrusaSlicer with the MK4.  I love the ability to start a print directly from the slicer with a single button press.  It saves the steps of storing the gcode, uploading it to Octoprint and then starting the print from Octoprint.  

That sounds like a neat feature! In addition if the printer in prusa slicer is setup to have octoprint as a gcode upload host, it will show an extra button to upload the gcode directly to octoprint without storing it etc. 

https://help.prusa3d.com/article/sending-files-to-octoprint-duet_1663 Here's the prusa support URL on setting this up if anyone is curious (I also suggest following the info in the comments so one can avoid using the global API key for octoprint, that's not good security practice).

Posted : 28/08/2024 1:22 pm
Walter Layher
(@walter-layher)
Prominent Member
RE: Octoprint with mk4s status?

The only difference between MK3xx and MK4 with OctoPrint is the missing progress display on the printer's display when printing via OctoPrint.
Everything else works the same on both printers: filament runout sensor works, color changes work.
I have never used Obico so I can't say if this works.

Posted : 28/08/2024 3:57 pm
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