RE: Pi Camera module
I ran into an interesting issue today. I changed the IP address of my printer and I didn't set the router correctly so it couldn't get out on the internet. And therefor it couldn't do very much and the LCD said no connection. Once the Pi was able to connect to the internet all was well again.
This raises one of my pet peeves about "internet enabled" devices. If I am on my local network and my printer is on the same local network why do I need to have WAN internet access to run my printer?
Yes, if I want to access my printer remotely (outside side of my local network), then I can understand needing internet access. However, if I am sitting at my computer which is sitting next to my printer, there in no need for WAN internet access.
You say pictures cost money, I can only think you are referring to storing the images on your server somewhere in the "cloud". However, if I am on my local network, there is no reason why streaming should not work as no storage is necessary, except what ever local storage is needed to display video.
It would also be nice if there was a way to capture time lapse videos using local storage either on the Pi or the PC.
RE:
You can run your printer LAN only, just remove the connect configuration. There is a button for it in the settings. With no connect configured, it hopefully won't complain about internet being inaccessible.
We however plan to have the main features cloud based, with the local interface providing only the basic remote printer control.
The local interface for the MINI is run on a microcontroller and we want it to be similar in functionality to the one on PrusaLink for the MK3
Also we are not fans of coding the same thing twice.
Sorry that Connect + Link is not local-first, but hey, there's an excellent solution already available.
RE: Pi Camera module
Are you referring to OctoPrint?
In my opinion, unless I am running printers in multiple locations, I don't see the need for being able to control my printer through the cloud. The only thing I can think of doing remotely would be to start a print on a idle printer or stop a failed print.
What features are you thinking of for the cloud that will not be available locally?
For the mini, I would recommend a separate Pi, just like the MK3, but that could control multiple local printers. Actually that would work for the MK3 also if the Pi was external to the printer. Kind of like a Prusa Internet Hub with each printer connected via USB.
That would allow the same code for the Mini, MK3, SLA and XL.
RE: Pi Camera module
But would require you to buy and setup extra things making it hard to do for a newcomer. Well, now you know the reasons. I get that you would like us to do an OctoPrint like local thing that can be accessed from the internet, but that's not where this project is headed. Sorry about that
RE: Pi Camera module
I appreciate your time and respect your goals. I am just not a fan of putting my life in the cloud.
My thermostat doesn't work if our internet is down.
For the MK3 you need to setup a separate piece of hardware anyway. And your pre-made image for that is pretty easy to use.
What features do you have planned for the web that will not be available locally?
For my usage the existing local functionality is perfect except for live streaming. And maybe time lapse capability.