Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?  

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

Posted by: @ricky-b4

Is there a manual with step by step instructions on how to use the new PrusaSlicer 2.1.0? It sure would make it easier if there was one. Maybe there is one but I am missing it when I look through everything on your web site. I would like to print in multiple colors but I also like the additions to the new version of Slicer. I would rather not go back to Slic3r. 

Hi Ricky, 

I have not seen a step by step manual,
I have learned by trial and error, what problems are you having?

at the moment I have two versions of Prusa Slicer loaded, 
I believe the production version is 2.1.1 and the current development version is 2.2.0 Alpha2.

i did a brief Resume of printing a multicolour print with MANUAL colour changes, for a prusa mini last night...   there is no mmu support for the mini at the moment!
Note!, you MUST be in either Advanced Mode, or Expert Mode, in order to see the bulk of the multi media options within 'Prusa slicer'

If you design your multi filament model, with spaces for the smaller parts, cut out of the larger part,

as shown on the left of the image above, then you can select all parts of your model at the same time, and when you try to add them to Prusa Slicer, the slicer will ask if you want to consider the items as a multi filament object, if you select YES, the slicer will preserve the relationship of the parts as designed.   this is helpful, because it automatically pre allocates extruders' to your elements and allows you to treat the model as a single entity, so that if you want to add more instances or manipulate the model, all of the parts get replicated or manipulated at the same time. 
in the image above right hand side, I added three extra instances and turned them all face down, to take benefit of the build plate surface texture and reduce waste.

I could probably have printed more instances but this is good enough for discussion

in the model above the card is 0.8mm thick, printed at 0.2mm layer height, the red and blue parts are 0.6mm thick and the black part is o.4mm thick. with the result that the face side shows all colours whilst the back is all white... the level of pigmentation of your white will define how much 'discolouration' you notice on the back of the card, as I planned to make the magpie Black, I made it thinner to reduce discolouration on the back.

if you plan on re using the model for different clients, then having the cut out's can be a  dissadvantage...

in the model above, the red part has no cut outs, and the remaining 4 parts are effectively 'Merged' into the red part  (note, this can look odd in the Plater '3d Editor view', because all parts are 'fighting' for supremacy, in the same space... but the 'Preview' window shows the expected results...
this item is shown, face up, on the left side of the image...   the right side of the image shows a section of both the model and the wastepile.
the wastepile looks huge, but it is mostly space...   the slicer uses 'Sparse Fill' for all layers where there are no colour changes.

when you add the parts, if you add them individually as in the section above labelled 'A' the slicer will not maintain their relationship. and it is almost impossible to manually manipulate the components back into place. 

section 'B' shows that I have selected the five parts to insert all at the same time.  this can be a time saving option.

section 'C' shows the slicer asking for confirmation that this is a multimaterial item, if you choose 'YES', the slicer will maintain relative positions  for all of the parts. as partially shown in section 'D' 
in section 'D' the slicer has automatically nominated extruders to the various elements (unfortunately the slicer loaded the parts in an order where the parts did not arrive in the preferred order  for instance the plain topped box was loaded before my name and the panel outline, so those parts are not visible. 

you can move the individual parts up and down in the panel at the right of the slicer window, to restore the preferred order by dragging and dropping...    you can also re organise the extruder allocation, by double clicking the extruder allocation, to open a selection box, then choosing the preferred extruder

I have run out of insert-able pictures so I will continue in the next post

regards Joan

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

continued...

I prefer to print items like this face down, to make use of the build plate surface finish!

if you look in the right hand side dialogue box, I have also added different settings for various elements, for example the grey oval, has 'Octogram Spiral' infill and only one perimeter, and the letters have 'Hilbert Curve infill', and only one perimeter. because  I like the effect,  especially if 'Silk' filament, or 'Pearlescent' filaments are used

Other 'Benefits' of printing in this orientation are...   

1, reduced waste in the waste-pile / wipe tower... because the slicer stops building the wipe tower, as soon as the last filament change is complete!

2, most MMU errors occur during changes, in this orientation all filament changes occur in the first millimetre of height, whereas, if the model was face up the filament changes would all take place in the last millimetre, where a failure would be much more costly in time and materials...

I hope these notes give you a good insight into multi material prints... 

I haven't covered PVA, BVOH, or dissimilar filaments for supports... as they are more advanced options!

regards Joan

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

@joantabb

Thanks Joan, you nailed one of my problems on the head, adding them separately and then trying to print as a part of the object. The other problem I have is I want to print one item with multiple layers of color without having to manually change the filament. I do the manual change but I would rather have a wipe tower for the change because after I change the filament it will extrude enough to to clear out the nozzle I remove the extruded material then push the button to say yes and just before the head starts to move it spits out about a 25mm strand of filament that I have to be quick to grab because the head is moving back to the part to start printing. I use the layer mode in 2.1.0 to change the color but when I tried to use it in Multi Material mode so I don't have to manually change the filament I am unable to designate a filament change. Either it can't be done or I have no idea on how to do it. That is why I think there should be a manual in one place without having to search for answers.

I have to say one thing, when I first started about two years ago and would have a problem I'd look through your post for the answer first because you have mad skills and definitely know what you are talking about. I came to 3D late and my learning new things ability is not what it used to be when I was younger, so having a book next to the machine would help me. 

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

@ricky-b4

Hi Ricky, 

I made a simple demo for you, an oval with extruded text, plus two oblong panels, one which covers most of the bottom of the model,,, and the other which just covers the extruded text.

I exported the STL's  and initially loaded the model into Prusa Slicer, 

and assigned extruder one to the model, 
then right clicked on the model and  I added the bottom panel as a modifier, and allocated extruder two to the modifier
next I right clicked on the model and added the second panel as a modifier and allocated extruder 3 to that modifier, then I sliced the model...

Above, you can see the model enclosed by the two modifiers

Above you can see the resultant model

above I have slid the two modifier panels to the side to hopefully make the setup more obvious

regards Joan

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

@ricky-b4

you can even get carried away a bit...

I have included the zip files for you to play with

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

Thank you Joan, by showing me how to use the layer height modifier I was able to accomplish the task at hand. I imported all parts of my model that I wanted to layer, added the 6 layer modifier ranges and assigned an extruder  to each layer. Those are the little things I don't know and seeing it done helped me. There is a list of tools available for use when you right click on the part but no explanation as to what they do. Some are are easy to decipher but others are not. Thank you again, like I said you have mad skills! Now I am off to learn how to use Fusion 360, I have a book for that.

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

@ricky-b4

thanks Ricky,  

it's good to be appreciated!

I hope you used the same extruder for some of your six modifiers...    as the MMU only has 5 extruders  🙂

regards Joan

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

😀 yes, in fact I only used two colors with six changes. In all though I will end up with four different main colors with the same secondary color for each three patterns each from three to six changes. I had it all down on paper for doing it manually now it only took me about an hour to slice all the versions I needed and put them on a SD card. Thanks again Joan.

RE: Is there a manual or instructions on how to use the i3 MK3s MMU2s with PrusaSlicer 2.1.0+win64?

🙂