I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.  

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Prontoface is your answer https://help.prusa3d.com/article/pronterface-and-usb-cable_2222

And in prusa slicer use default value and just hit export gcode after slicing no need to put in gcode viewer then import gcode into prontoface 

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

I realize that using an SD card is the easiest way to get the prints started, however I dont have a functioning SD card reader on the desktop I have the MK3s+ tethered to by USB.

If you want to print via SD card, and have a functioning/available USB port, there are there are plenty of USB to SD card adapters available.  e.g. https://www.amazon.com/usb-sd-card-adapter/s?k=usb+to+sd+card+adapter

Do not attempt to print via a direct USB connection unless you have a dedicated computer with an operating system that maintains an uninterruptable connection.  Windows and Macos do not; some Linux distro's are OK.

An SD card should have been supplied with the machine with some sample prints on it, if not any small SD card is enough, even a 1 or 2 GB card salvaged from an old camera will do. Cheap USB to SD adaptors are vailable from most electronics stores and even supermarkets.

Which CAD software are you using?  Perhaps someone here can help you with the preparation stages.

Cheerio,

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

does ithave to be a SD card or can it be a micro SD card inside a SD card . I hope I explained that right. You know the Sd cards arent easy to get by going down to walmart and buying one. Theyve got all kinds of micro sd cards  and I've got several sd cards that accept the micro sd. 

But Im probably going to go with the advice given to get the usb to sd converter/reader

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Yes, it does not matter if SD or Micro-SD. Most (all?) Micro-SD Cards come with an adapter for SD Card slots. They work just fine.

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

I'm getting this error message when I try to 'Connect' Any ideas whats the incorrect function.',1??????

Connecting...Could not connect to COM5 at baudrate 115200:Serial error: Cannot configure port, something went wrong. Original message: OSError(22, 'Incorrect function.', None, 1)

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Perhaps you are using the wrong COM port? They sometimes change if you reconnect the device.

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Connect printer then open up the application so it can get right com port 

Connecting...Could not connect to COM5 at baudrate 115200:Serial error:

Which operating system and what software are you using?

You should not need to make a direct connection except when updating firmware.

Cheerio,

RE:

First I tried the ponterface that came with the drivers I reinstalled. Then due to the information in the excellent link 'Hello" left me a link to, it directed me to a version from https://github.com/kliment/Printrun/releases that , although looked roughly the same, it kept throwing the error code I opened up with above .

I'm gonna try his latest tip to open the printer then open the app , so it gets the correct port..

wish me luck..... 

I'll get this, I'm determined to do so, and with help from the awesome people/bots/AI/jk, I will print with this thing.   I wanna get a laser engraver and am intentionally not ordering it due to this 3d printer. If I cant get this down, I dont deserve a laser engraver.

Also I'm using this ponterface due to the fact that my sd card reader/writer is in route. I wanna try to print with the usb tethered and this is the app I've been led to .

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Also look into octoprint that might work for you too if you search prontoface the latest one should work 

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Don't know where you live, but I can pick up USB to SD card adapters for about $5 from many places.  Better ones for $10.  One of our local general handyman stores has them on the shelf.  Any store that sells school supplies should have some.   I have a couple that look like USB sticks that have both SD and micro SD slots in them.

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Thank you all so much. I finally took each and every one of yall's advice and ....WhooooHooo!  I got my first print done. 

I used prusaslicer and tweeked the scale a tad funky but the main goal you all helped me with got accomplished. 

It is a mini lego cup. I chose it due to its immediate availability. 

You guys and Gals rock. Are there any special websites or applications that have free g-code items? Maybe an app that I cant begin to create specific models and then save them as g-code?  I'm sure theres probably hundreds. Maybe one thats geared towards someone just starting out, or easy to use? I downloaded Autodesk fusion 360 but I think the trial may be up. Never really got to use it. It seemed pretty cool I was just running down the wrong road trying to use the USB cord for printing. 

I gots a decent sd card reader and I hope to get this thing printing. Thanks again for your help .

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

As a maker you can get a free license for Fusion 360. You just have to renew it every year. Some functions are limited compared to the full version, but the free version is plenty enough for designing models for 3D printing and I think you won't ever need the limited functions for 3d printing. You can search for tutorials on YouTube, there are a lot of them!

Are there any special websites or applications that have free g-code items?

G-codes are printer specific so not usually aggregated on websites, there are plenty of sources of STL, STEP and other files which you convert to g-code for your printer with PrusaSlicer - eg, click on '3D Models' at the top of this page....

Maybe an app that I cant begin to create specific models and then save them as g-code? I'm sure theres probably hundreds.

There are; if you want to start a fight ask which is the best ... but this is a frequent topic here, search the forum.

Cheerio,

RE: I'm Having trouble getting my MK3s+ to actually print my first piece.

Posted by: @j-r-mode

Thank you all so much. I finally took each and every one of yall's advice and ....WhooooHooo!  I got my first print done. . Maybe one thats geared towards someone just starting out, or easy to use? I downloaded Autodesk fusion 360 but I think the trial may be up. Never really got to use it. It seemed pretty cool I was just running down the wrong road trying to use the USB cord for printing. 

I gots a decent sd card reader and I hope to get this thing printing. Thanks again for your help .

 

Years ago, I needed to get some stuff 3D printed and downloaded FreeCAD which is full featured and free.  I learned how to use it from tutorials online and now almost use it for everything I need drawings for, not just 3D printing but the design of my 3D printer work bench for example.  I am looking at Blender for some more complicated items with weird curves as suggested by a friend of mine.  I am not familiar with Fusion360 since I don't have any Windows computers.  There is a FreeCAD group on Printables.com for help and suggestions.

Glad you got a SD card reader.  Makes life easier.