Print quality and slicers  

Re: Print quality and slicers

Could you please share gcode as well?

Re: Print quality and slicers

Yes of course, but how do I share it. I tried attaching the file and it did not accept it?

Re: Print quality and slicers

Yes of course, but how do I share it. I tried attaching the file and it did not accept it?

Zip it up and attach it to a post.

Peter

Re: Print quality and slicers

Perfect thank you

The files are attached

Re: Print quality and slicers

Anyone had a chance shed any light on this for me. I am not confident of using slic3r PE at present because of this issue.

Thanks

Re: Print quality and slicers

Anyone had a chance shed any light on this for me. I am not confident of using slic3r PE at present because of this issue.
PrusaControl (PC) uses Slic3r under the hood to generate the gcode, but at this point, it's using a very old version that was configured with fairly conservative settings to help inexperienced users get good results. Slic3rPE has been under continuous development, and has been tweaked and tuned for the Prusa hardware considerably since. If you're using a more recent version, it's very likely you'll get slightly different results.

If you want to experiment, you can import the PC-generated gcode into Slic3rPE as a config (via the File->Load config menu option) to load the same settings that were used to generate the gcode into the newer version of Slic3rPE. I did this with the 2 gcode files you uploaded, and there are some notable differences in settings.

Your speeds in Slic3rPE are higher, notably for perimeters. Not by a huge amount, but it may be enough to matter.

Your perimeters are different as you noted.

Poking through other differences, I was really surprised to see these Advanced settings differences:

I hadn't noted PC using those extrusion widths for a 0.40mm nozzle before. I also noted a lot of other minor differences for filament temp and cooling settings.

The lumpy surface on the right-side cylindrical surface might be accounted for by increasing to 3 perimeters and having a bit of over-extrusion. You're using more filament for those walls essentially making them solid and any excess filament has to go somewhere.

Looking at your prints, the differences are mostly around features such as grooves in the surface. You'll see surface variations like that very often corresponding to speed changes layers as the printer has to move the bed and extruder on one layer but not another. Some layers may be shiny, or be under-extruded. This isn't a fault so much as an indication that you need to dial-in your settings. Slow down your speeds and those variations in vertical surfaces tend to fade away and even out. The easiest thing to try would be simply slowing down the print using the front know mid-way through your print using the Sli3rPE-generated gcode. Dial it way back to 50% or so and let it run. Do the results look better and more consistent? If so, dial back your print speeds in Slic3rPE. How far exactly depends on a lot of factors, but you could try knocking say 10% off external perimeter speeds and repeat until you get good results. Or knock 50% off and work upwards.

Don't be afraid to dive in with Slic3rPE. It's definitely different than PC, but you'll soon appreciate the added control. I'd definitely recommend finding some small test pieces that can print in 15-30 minutes rather than larger prints at least until you get close with your settings.

Re: Print quality and slicers

Thank you that is great. I will carefully read and take in all the information and try again. I have updated my Slic3r install now as well and will try again.