Slic3r Vs Cura
Hi
I just ordered a MK3S and I have been using a very modified Anet A8M with which I have just about got Cura4 tamed. Should I invest in the time swapping (and learning to use) to Slic3r with my new Prusa when it arrives or do you think carrying on with Cura is just as good an option? Is Prusa Slic3R optimised for my new machine and if so, in what way? Many thanks for opinions - Dennis
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
They both work well, some things CURA does better (Supports, top layer ironing), whilst Slic3r appears to be able to sometimes print better quality as well as better integrates with the Prusa printer features like time remaining during printing.
Slic3r is also more tweak-able for getting difficult prints sorted and can use modifiers on parts of the sketch, but again this is getting to advanced printing.
Personally I use both, mainly because I use Design Spark Mechanical for my drawing package and CURA integrates with this directly so I can output direct from DSM, but it's not really any more difficult to save as .stl from DSM and load the file into Slic3r.
If you already are familiar with CURA, then there is no reason to not continue using it and also learn Slic3r, then you have the best of both worlds, and if you find you never use any of the advanced features, then you may as well stick to what you already know and are familiar with.
I'm of the opinion that it is better to have and not need than need and not have, so have taken the time to explore slic3r, but still have a long way to go to claim mastery of either package.
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
Thank you for that
Dennis
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
with the original MK3S Cura 4.0.0 profiles found at the bottom of the "support page", CURA 4.0.0 works beautifully.
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
perfect, thanks
Dennis
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
Also here is a thread with details for settings with CURA 4.
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
Hmmm, new forum dosent seem to accept edits to posts!, Oh well.
What I tried to add to my above post:
In the link above, I have detailed changes to the START and END G-CODE.
These changes are not necessary, and cause a delay before the printing actually starts, but myself and others have found that warming the PINDA sensor before mesh bed levelling leads to a much more consistent and reliable first layer, and therefore an overall better finished print.
Personally I find the benefits outweigh the slight wait and give me a chance to just check the model one last time and abort the print before it has actually started to print (Hit the reset on the printer!). When your doing something on the fly, it's surprising how many more improvements come to mind after you think you have finished your design.
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.
RE: Slic3r Vs Cura
Excellent, tks @chocki.
yes this new version is not fully mature, like the @ function which seems not working here. An other exemple is the new mix between "announcement" and "general discussion". May be Prusa do not have to announce anything ?
anyway, it exist.
as far as the start and end G-code are concerned, I am using successfully using the following :
CODE DEPART UTILISE POUR MK3S
M115 U3.6.0 ; tell printer latest fw version ( from slic3r, do not konw the interest)
M83 ; extruder relative mode
M900 K30 ; PLA et ABS put K45 for PET (from slic3r) --- to be done manually at filament change !!!
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
G1 Z100.0 F200 ;move the platform UP 100mm
G1 E50 F200 ;extrude 5mm of feed stock
G4 S2 ; Dwell for 2 seconds
M300 S440 P200 ; play a sound
G4 S2 ; Dwell for 2 seconds
M300 S660 P250 ; play a sound
G4 S2 ; Dwell for 2 seconds
M300 S880 P300 ; play a sound
G4 S10 ; Dwell for 10 seconds
G28 W ; home all without mesh bed level
; ----------------- now as per Prusa start code :
G80 ; mesh bed leveling
G1 Y-3.0 F1000.0 ; go outside print area
G92 E0.0
G1 X60.0 E9.0 F1000.0 ; intro line
G1 X100.0 E12.5 F1000.0 ; intro line
G92 E0.0
G90 ; use absolute positioning
M82
code fin utilise pour mk3s. I am doing a small retract before turn off the extruder.
M140 S0 ; turn off bed
G1 X0 Y210; home X axis and push Y forward
G91 ;relative positioning
G1 E-10 F300 ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle to release some of the pressure
G1 Z+3 E-8 F{speed_travel} ;move Z up a bit and retract filament even more
M104 S0 ; turn off extruder
M107 ; turn off fan
M84 ; disable motors
G90
M300 P300 S4000 : beep to inform taht print is finished