Printing an stl file multicolour

Lvet

(@lvet)

Estimable Member

Printing an stl file multicolour

Hello,

I have an stl file that I would like to print in different colours with the MMU2S.

Is there a way to assign different filaments to different areas of the model within PrusaSlicer? Or do I have to split the stl file in a cad program?

Best Answer by stewartr:

You could try Meshmixer, it's a free download and works fine on MacOS. I've used it to do exactly what you are trying. Although it can maybe be a 'bit weird', and can use up a lot of memory / crash (so save often), the learning curve is far easier than Blender. Check out the manual, but have a search on YouTube for a tutorial on splitting a single STL into multiple parts with Meshmixer. I found this instructive;

Posted : 02/01/2021 9:07 am

towlerg

(@towlerg)

Noble Member

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

You can do it by layer. Slice the STL, a scale appears on the right of the bed. Moving the slider up and down shows the layer, left click and click on the plus sign.

Posted : 02/01/2021 10:22 am

Lichtjaeger

(@lichtjaeger)

Noble Member

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

You have to split the model into different bodies to assign the colours.

For that, you could use professional software like Blender or something more specialized like Pepr3D.

Posted : 02/01/2021 12:49 pm

Lvet

(@lvet)

Estimable Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

Thanks for your answers.

I find Blender a bit overkill for what I am intending to do but I will try to get the hang of it. Unfortunately I am running MacOS and as far as I can understand Pepr3D running only on Windows.

Few months ago, I read a feature proposal for PrusaSlicer in which you would "paint" the model in order to select a specific filament for the area. I guess it will take some time before it will get implemented.

Posted : 02/01/2021 10:17 pm

stewartr

(@stewartr)

Eminent Member

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

You could try Meshmixer, it's a free download and works fine on MacOS. I've used it to do exactly what you are trying. Although it can maybe be a 'bit weird', and can use up a lot of memory / crash (so save often), the learning curve is far easier than Blender. Check out the manual, but have a search on YouTube for a tutorial on splitting a single STL into multiple parts with Meshmixer. I found this instructive;

Posted : 03/01/2021 9:21 pm

Lvet

(@lvet)

Estimable Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

Hi @stewartr,

I tried Meshmixer, and it's brilliant. It's exactly what I need.

Super Thanks for the great piece of advice

Posted : 06/01/2021 11:52 am

ssill2

(@ssill2)

Noble Member

RE: Printing an stl file multicolour

@lvet

Keep an eye out for for prusaslicer 2.4! It has painting of your model for multi-material. I've been playing around with the alpha code built from github and it's excellent.

Check this out for a preview of how it works.

Posted : 06/06/2021 10:24 pm