Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2  

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Start with the Slic3r build that you'll get with the printer, they come with presets that are great to start with.

http://www.prusa3d.com/drivers/

When you feel that you can manage the printer you can start look at other slicing software witch packs other features. Often its great to handle two different slicers though.

Regarding modeling software its a personal choice ofc! Fusion 360 is pretty ok! I'm using 3D studio Max myself, but that's a lot more expensive though. And I do more modeling than just for 3D printing with it anyway.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Hi,

Most of my models are made with tinkercad. It runs in browser and offers most of the functions I need.
It's very fast and very handy. Perhaps this is an alternative for you?

Greetings and a lot of fun with your MK2,
Daniel

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

thanks,

I tried tinkercad : but (IMO) you don't have enough control when you place your volume
there is a lake of precision.

may be I am wrong .
I should give tinkercad another chance.

I hope I will enjoy my printer and not regret it.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

I also would recommend sticking to the Prusa version of Slic3r provided in the Drivers package, it has been tweaked to work well with their printers.

As for 3D Design packages, there are a lot to choose from so try them and see which one you are the most comfortable and confident in using, there is no definitive package to use, it's personal choice... I've used 123D Design, 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, blender and in the past Cinema4D...

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Nobody mentioned Sketchup with STL plugin. Very easy to learn and use. My 13yo daughter managed to design model of whole house in 2 days including adjustments for successful 3D print. She has never used Sketchup nor any other 3D editing software before.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Hi Nathalie,

welcome on board 🙂

For the design software, there are a lots, even in the free space, and in most case, it's the match of the ergonomics with your usage that make you choose.

For easy 3D object manipulation I started with 123D Design for AutoCAD, which is pretty easy to use but need some tricks to arrange parts together with high precision.

I'm trying right now Onshape, which is a cloud approach and offer a very high level of control on constraint you put between element, but the logical approach is really different, mostly based on sketch that you transform using extrusion, rotation and others, and that need some learning effort for me.

TinkerCAD is cool too, pretty easy to use (close to 123D Design in my opinion) and like onshape it's cloud based, which allow to modify a model from anyware, but can't work offline.

OpenSCAD is a reference tool for procedural editing (most of mk2 part are available in OpenSCAD format) but need some time to master.

Others possible free alternatives: FreeCAD, Sketchup, Blender.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

I am on a mac ( win 10 on virtual machine if needed).

The ultimate basic question 😀 : Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2.

and secondary question : what are you using to create 3d model.

Welcome!

I am just building my MK2 now, but it is my second printer. I am also a Mac user. With my other printer, the Mac versions of the software were very poor, so I used Windows 10 as a virtual machine with Repetier Host and Slic3r. It looks like the Slic3r version for Mac that shipped with my MK2 is up to date. I would recommend you start with that slicer. You can use the Pronterface application to connect to your printer from the Mac, but that software is pretty old and ugly. 🙂 You might be better off just copying the sliced file (gcode) to the SD card and running it from the printer control panel.

I've purchased Simplify3D, and now that is my primary Slic3r/printer communications program. The program is USD$150.00 While expensive, the other Macintosh versions (for my old printer) were so poor, it seemed to be the only choice. Simplify3D has some great features, but if I were you, I would still start with Slic3r, and only move to Simplify3D if you start to reach limitations within Slic3r.

I'm just learning the design software. I've tried TinkerCAD, it is pretty easy to learn, and there are many tutorials available on Youtube and elsewhere. I've tried Sketchup, which is also very simple. Most recently I've started using 123D Design from Autodesk. So far, I like that one the best. Fusion 360 is a step up from 123D Design, and, depending on your situation, and your reading of their license agreement, you may be able to use it for free.

John

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

I will see when my printer will print : because it doesn't :
the calibration is a nightmare 😈

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

thanks,

I tried tinkercad : but (IMO) you don't have enough control when you place your volume
there is a lake of precision.

may be I am wrong .
I should give tinkercad another chance.

I hope I will enjoy my printer and not regret it.

In TinkerCAD, one of the first things you should lay down is a Ruler so that you can enter hard and accurate measurements. Please give TinkerCAD another chance. Also, check out the Shape Generators for better precision on round/curvy objects. I've learned how to make a few shape generators and I have a few in my private collection that I'm not ready to release quite yet.

Nobody mentioned Sketchup with STL plugin. Very easy to learn and use. My 13yo daughter managed to design model of whole house in 2 days including adjustments for successful 3D print. She has never used Sketchup nor any other 3D editing software before.

Sorry to do this to you David, but SketchUP! is no longer owned by Google and since that has happened, it is pretty good for architects, but can cause all sorts of problems making 3D printed objects. Thomas Sanlanderer and Angus Deveson of Maker's Muse both state that SketchUP should be avoided for making 3D models that would be used in 3D printing.

I will see when my printer will print : because it doesn't :
the calibration is a nightmare 😈

I do understand your pain. I have resorted to using a good pair of calipers to ensure perpendicularity. I did attempt to make some Alignment Sticks for this printer, but apparently my design has flaws. I look forward to anyone that can redesign them properly.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

I did attempt to make some Alignment Sticks for this printer, but apparently my design has flaws. I look forward to anyone that can redesign them properly.

Ooo Ooo I can see a flaw! I can! If you can't get your printer to print how do you print the alignment sticks?!?! 😕

😆 😆 😆

Well, I thought it was funny? 😳

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

In TinkerCAD, one of the first things you should lay down is a Ruler so that you can enter hard and accurate measurements. Please give TinkerCAD another chance. Also, check out the Shape Generators for better precision on round/curvy objects. I've learned how to make a few shape generators and I have a few in my private collection that I'm not ready to release quite yet.

Better yet is the Beta version of Tinkercad. You no longer need to place a ruler to change dimensions and it allows for rounding of the edges.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Sorry to do this to you David, but SketchUP! is no longer owned by Google and since that has happened, it is pretty good for architects, but can cause all sorts of problems making 3D printed objects.
I'm quite lucky man then, because my Sketchup obviously couldn't figure that out and keeps working without problem. 😆

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

See Thomas Sanladerers's post on youtube.

"3D printing basics from idea to the physical world!"

He used Autodesk 123 Design. And printed the result on an Original (factory built?) Prusa I3 Mk2, he received from Josef Prusa (for free ?) and signed by Josef Prusa on the metal frame? Cosy 🙂

However the Original Prusa I3 Mk2 in my opinion, is one one of the best 3D printers out there as a kit and/or paid for ready built right now.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Sending kit for free to well known pundits in the 3d Printing world, like 3D Printing Nerd, Makers Muse and Thomas Sanladerer is a manufacturers choice I guess. But the 3 mentioned above do give honest reviews. And I respect them.

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

I know this must be SOMEWHERE in these foums, but what is the best free slicer software to use with the i3 MK2? One that communicates nicely with the printer. (Previous in this forum, Prusa mentions issues) I was thinking of using the free sculptris as my 3d software. Is there a reason to choose 123D design instead. Yes, I'm a noob to 3d printing. Perhaps I must hunt out the noob forums... 😐

Re: Which software best to use with Prusa i3 MK2

Sorry to do this to you David, but SketchUP! is no longer owned by Google and since that has happened, it is pretty good for architects, but can cause all sorts of problems making 3D printed objects.
I'm quite lucky man then, because my Sketchup obviously couldn't figure that out and keeps working without problem. 😆

Makes two of us - We've been using it for 9+ years for 3d printing design, without any issues at all...