Can't use Change Extruder on XL 5 TH in some prints, but can in others
I've used multi-color on my XL 5 TH many times with success. I set the filament colors to the extruders, then right-click the slicer bar and add "Change Extruder" to change to the color I want at the layer I want.
In this project, I can't. I can only select "Add color change (M600) for > Extruder #". The only thing I can think of that's unique to this project is I have several build plates and I've added several parts (both solid and negative primitive boxes) to each model on each plate.
I'm using the same printer profile as always. I've tried changing the extruder from Default to a specific extruder(s) in each Part in the print and tried using multi-color painting by height as a workaround, but that doesn't work either. My print always uses the first (Default) extruder only. I'm using PrusaSlicer 2.9.2. What am I missing?
RE: Can't use Change Extruder on XL 5 TH in some prints, but can in others
If you uploaded a project file we could be more specific and maybe find a workaround.
I wasn't totally aware before but after doing some testing getting this feature to appear is super wonky:
- It won't appear if you have used the painter tool at all
- It seems the most consistent way to get it to appear is if you have a single extruder print setup
- You can use up to two extruders if one of them is the default extruder and the specificly set extruder has to be the first on the plater's model list
- You can kinda actually use more than two extruders but only through the extruder parameters in Print Settings>Multiple Extruders. So like one set specifically on the plater, another one as default, another one as infill, another one as solid infill, another one as support; not quite the same as painting 5 colors but...
I cant read code well enough to tell you why it's so weird, just that it is what it is. But there are multiple ways of changing extruders at specific heights (modifer shape, height range modifer, painter tool, etc) so just use a different method if one doesn't work out quite right.
XL-5T, MK3S MMU3 || Printing with multiple nozzle-sizes: Official Guide, Unofficial(old) || PrusaSlicer Fork || Other advanced slicer tactics || TPU || HF Nozzles
RE: Can't use Change Extruder on XL 5 TH in some prints, but can in others
Hey, thanks for the thoughtful response. First time I've posted to the community, so I didn't realize I could upload the project too.
I think you're mostly onto it with items 1 and 3.
This is the first time I've done extensive revisions within the slicer. I usually just edit the original model with Fusion, etc. In this case, I only have an STL to work with (the only file this software exports), so adding parts and negative volumes are required. I started over with a very simple model to test my workflow. After succeeding a bit then failing, I tried the painter tool - now realizing you're right. Using it at all seems to preclude using "change extruder" with the layer bar. Setting the correct default extruder on the model before adding any parts or modifiers works reliably, but trying to change it afterward is ... intermittently successful?
Last item: Because I have 5 virtual beds in this project, I think I had at least once added a primitive part to bed 3, but merged it into the objects in bed 1. It's easy to do when you're viewing from straight on left or front for example. Is there some way to completely hide the bed and parts on all beds except the active bed? I don't see a way to - even with "printable" disabled.
RE: Can't use Change Extruder on XL 5 TH in some prints, but can in others
Projects can be uploaded, but you have to zip them first and then upload that zip file - can't upload the 3mf directly.
I don't know of any way to hide parts. Having multiple beds is a new feature to the slicer and the only way I know of to 'hide' a bed is to move all the objects off of it. Not all areas in the plater view space generate a bed.
XL-5T, MK3S MMU3 || Printing with multiple nozzle-sizes: Official Guide, Unofficial(old) || PrusaSlicer Fork || Other advanced slicer tactics || TPU || HF Nozzles
RE: Can't use Change Extruder on XL 5 TH in some prints, but can in others
I think I might have a possible solution, as dumb as it is (just wrote up a bug) If you have any nozzles set on the STL/parts....it won't show the change extruder option.
Copy the .3mf, try changing all your parts to have default nozzle, then see if you can change extruder on the ruler.