What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
I am interested in adding MMU2/s to my machine, so I was wondering how to create a object with multiple colors.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
i use Fusion 360 for all my designs, you can simply design your stuff however you like and later split it into multiple bodies so Prusasilcer can detect the individual parts.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
I know you can split into parts in PrusaSlicer. Is splitting into multiple bodies a Fusion 360 operation? Thanks
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
Splitting after the fact can be a tricky and painful process depending on the model itself. You can also use MeshMixer to break models apart.
If you are designing the parts yourself, you just need to model the different colors as separate parts and save them as individual STLs to import into PrusaSlicer (if you have the MMU selected and import all the parts as a group it will recognize that it's a multi-part model and group them into a single object for you).
The two items you need to remember when designing parts is that not only do you need to build the part of the other color(s), but you need to remove that material from the part it will be inserted into as well. Also when you export them to STL files the parts all need to be in there correct spatial orientation so PrusaSlicer will know how to reassemble them correctly.
As far as software, any modeling program that will let you export separate STLs while saving the spatial relation will work. Even something as simple as TinkerCAD can work if it otherwise meets your needs design-wise.
Before ordering a MMU you can always test the process out by adding the MMU as a printer in PrusaSlicer and building a model to test with. The slice preview is pretty accurate about the results so you'll be able to see parts that are too thin or otherwise will have issues printing.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
Thanks, GNAT. I think I am starting to understand what is needed. I will try your suggestions with the design tools I know: OpenSCAD and FreeCAD.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
+1 on Fusion 360. It is very well suited for this. For original designs it is trivial to make different parts into separate bodies. You then export each of these as separate STLs to be assigned a color/extruder in PrusaSlicer. F360 is *also* very good for chopping up prior designs that you might only have an STL. It handles imported STLs better than SolidWorks, IMO. You can easily modify faces, cut extrusions, chop into separate parts, etc. . You even get the benefit of the timeline if you remember to turn it on after importing to go back and tweak your edits. I used f360 on this remix: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3521240
Most of the hard work of modelling was done by the original author (craig19951995). It took me less than an hour to import his STL and cut out all the various segments for a multi-color print.
The only thing I would caution you on F360 is it is probably not a good tool to *learn* CAD on. It has a lot of bugs. I have a friend who is learning with it and is very frustrated because he never knows if he is doing something wrong or if it is another tool bug. If you already know CAD then you don't run into as many issues.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
Most of the hard work of modelling was done by the original author (corrected:MPoindexter). It took me less than an hour to import his STL and cut out all the various segments for a multi-color print.
Looks like I credited the wrong person. It appears MPoindexter was the original author. Just setting the record straight.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
I suppose I should be flattered, but I'm not clear why you copied part of my prior response (complete with spelling errors) without attributing it...
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
+1 on Fusion 360. It is very well suited for this. For original designs it is trivial to make different parts into separate bodies. You then export each of these as separate STLs to be assigned a color/extruder in PrusaSlicer. F360 is *also* very good for chopping up prior designs that you might only have an STL. It handles imported STLs better than SolidWorks, IMO. You can easily modify faces, cut extrusions, chop into separate parts, etc. . You even get the benefit of the timeline if you remember to turn it on after importing to go back and tweak your edits. I used f360 on this remix: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3521240/ agency
Most of the hard work of modelling was done by the original author (craig19951995). It took me less than an hour to import his STL and cut out all the various segments for a multi-color print.
The only thing I would caution you on F360 is it is probably not a good tool to *learn* CAD on. It has a lot of bugs. I have a friend who is learning with it and is very frustrated because he never knows if he is doing something wrong or if it is another tool bug. If you already know CAD then you don't run into as many issues.
I'm using Fusion 360 and Prusa i3 MK3. Is it possible to add Prusa Control to the Print Utility? What should be the correct command line parameters for the Prusa program? Thanks.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
I just took the jump on Moment of Inspiration. Wow. Love the program. Using it with pen and touch, as well as mouse, and it is fast. Makes it a lot easier to jump in than F360 I find.
Not free though, but worth every penny.
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
+1 on Fusion 360. It is very well suited for this. For original designs it is trivial to make different parts into separate bodies. You then export each of these as separate STLs to be assigned a color/extruder in PrusaSlicer. F360 is *also* very good for chopping up prior designs that you might only have an STL. It handles imported STLs better than SolidWorks, IMO. You can easily modify faces, cut extrusions, chop into separate parts, etc. . You even get the benefit of the timeline if you remember to turn it on after importing to go back and tweak your edits. I used f360 on this remix: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3521240
Most of the hard work of modelling was done by the original author (craig19951995). It took me less than an hour to import his STL and cut out all the various segments for a multi-color print.
The only thing I would caution you on F360 is it is probably not a good tool to *learn* CAD on. It has a lot of bugs. I have a friend who is learning with it and is very frustrated because he never knows if he is doing something wrong or if it is another tool bug. If you already know CAD then you don't run into as many issues.
Hello! Could you please tell me how to edit stl with F360? I can not edit something but Step... many thanks in advance, im trying to find this a long time ago....
Greetings
Nahuel 🙂
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
+1 on Fusion 360. It is very well suited for this. For original designs it is trivial to make different parts into separate bodies. You then export each of these as separate STLs to be assigned a color/extruder in PrusaSlicer. F360 is *also* very good for chopping up prior designs that you might only have an STL. It handles imported STLs better than SolidWorks, IMO. You can easily modify faces, cut extrusions, chop into separate parts, etc. . You even get the benefit of the timeline if you remember to turn it on after importing to go back and tweak your edits. I used f360 on this remix: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3521240
Most of the hard work of modelling was done by the original author (craig19951995). It took me less than an hour to import his STL and cut out all the various segments for a multi-color print.
The only thing I would caution you on F360 is it is probably not a good tool to *learn* CAD on. It has a lot of bugs. I have a friend who is learning with it and is very frustrated because he never knows if he is doing something wrong or if it is another tool bug. If you already know CAD then you don't run into as many issues.
Hello! Could you please tell me how to edit stl with F360? I can not edit something but Step... many thanks in advance, im trying to find this a long time ago....
Greetings
Nahuel 🙂
Use the gear on the bottom right to disable capturing design history.
Then, right click the mesh/STL you imported and convert it to a BRep.
Now you can edit away!
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
Yup. I just made a modification to one of the Prusa buffer files. Here are the exact steps I took:
1) open--> open from my computer (select the STL you want to edit)
2) Right-click on the MeshBody1 and Select Mesh to BRep
3) Right-click on the "(Unsaved)" Base Feature and select "Capture History"
4) Save
5) Edit
RE: What design software to should I use to create multi-colored object?
Hi thanks for your answer, yes, this is possible with easy geometries. But with complex ones, is not possible "too many faces", says the Fusion 360.... or how did you deal with this?