Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
Hi there,
I'm in the process of updating my firmware, slicer and drivers for the first time.
I've been able to scour around and figure out how to update my firmware, http://manual.prusa3d.com/Guide/Upgrading+firmware/66 , and update my Slicer version to the latest along with all preset config files, https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/releases . I think the next step is to update my drivers.
Now, I know that the location of new drivers is here: https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/releases , but I'm not sure what to do when I download and open the .zip file onto my mac. All the tutorials, manuals and forums I've found so far just gloss over this and say 'install the drivers' but I'm not sure how to do that exactly, or what drivers even are. Like I said, I'm a beginner!
Do I just leave the downloaded folder on my mac, or do I need to upgrade the printer itself, similar to how I upgraded the printer firmware? My intuition is telling me that on that downloaded driver folder there are things that stay on my mac (like the Slic3r and Colorprint programs) and other things that get uploaded to my printer somehow, either through the usb cable or the SD card.
Can anyone lay out this process for me? Also, I think having a 'upgrade checklist' page would be helpful for new users somewhere, listing all the things you should do when upgrading your printer, like 'did you update the firmware?' 'did you update slic3r PE?' 'did you update drivers?', etc., along with links on how to do those things.
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
I think you've been looking at the wrong place, try this:
http://www.prusa3d.com/drivers/
You can simply download the setup file for your OS and it will update Slic3r and it's related software as well as drivers (which are used when you connect your printer to the PC via USB cable).
You will also find firmware updates on the same page, as well as settings for some other popular slicers.
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
I think you've been looking at the wrong place, try this:
http://www.prusa3d.com/drivers/
Whoops, I actually meant to post that link in my first post! I ended up posting the github link twice. Yes, I've been to that page and I downloaded the most recent driver release, 'prusa3d_mac_1_7_9_1'. I just don't know how to use that to update my printer. I plugged into my printer via USB and successfully updated the firmware using the firmwareupdater app, and manually updated my Slic3r PE, but what about for everything else?
You can simply download the setup file for your OS and it will update Slic3r and it's related software as well as drivers (which are used when you connect your printer to the PC via USB cable).
Which file in the downloaded folder is the setup file? Is it the .ini file? Should I click on that while tethered to my printer?
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
Sorry, I thought the OSX download contains a setup file (like the Windows download does).
I don't think you need to do anything else on the OSX besides what you did (replaced the Slic3r app and updated the firmware). Those .ini files contain recommended printer settings for the Slic3r software. They should already be included with the Slic3r app, but you can load them by going to the File->Load Confing Bundle. Be careful though, doing this will overwrite any custom print settings you might have made yourself.
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
Sorry, I thought the OSX download contains a setup file (like the Windows download does).
Gotcha, so the PC version has a setup file that does everything automatically, but the mac file you need to install things more manually, it seems.
I don't think you need to do anything else on the OSX besides what you did (replaced the Slic3r app and updated the firmware).
Are these 2 things (updating firmware and Slic3r version) typically the only steps you have to do on a driver update? Other than, lets say, Replacing an older version of Pronterface or ColorPrint apps? I'm also not really sure what Pronterface is. It looks like another slicer program to me. Is there any reason I'd use that instead of Slic3r PE? I'm getting pretty used to the Slic3r PE format.
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
Sorry, was away for a while.
Yeah, it seems there isn't a setup for OSX, but to be honest, you only have to drag the two apps from the zip file to the Applications and that's it.
Yep, you only need to update the Slic3r and firmware and you're done.
Pronterface is not a slicer, but a software that lets you control your printer via USB. You can control temperatures, move the extruder around, start a print etc. Basically, if you don't want to use the LCD and SD card, you can use Pronterface to do everything via computer. Regardless of how you want to do it, you still need a separate slicer software (Slic3r PE, Simplify3D, PrusaControl, Craftware etc.) that will generate the necessary gcode for you. The gcode file contains all the actual commands for printing your model.
If you don't intend on controlling the printer via PC, then you don't have to update Pronterface (or even install it in the first place).
With the ColorPrint app, you can kinda do multi-colour printing. Say you want to print a cube in two colours (one in the bottom half and a second colour for the upper half). With ColorPrint, you'd specify that you want to change the filament after it prints a certain amount. The printer will then stop at that point, move the nozzle away and you'll be able to change the filament. It will then continue to print with the new colour. Here's a short video from Prusa explaining how it works:
If you don't intend to use this feature, then you don't have to update/install ColorPrint app.
Re: Updating Tutorial/Checklist?
Thank you for such a thorough answer!