How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
Hopefully the title says it all. Currently, I am printing on a Creality Ender 3V2, with a Sprite Pro Direct Drive Extruder (S1), and I am trying to print a small puzzle which can be found here: https://www.printables.com/model/634090-puzzle . I want to (hopefully) do this as a single print, printing each piece separately, each in a different color. I almost exclusively use Prusa-Slicer as my slicer of choice, and would like to be able to stick with that, I don't have the $$$ to pay for something like Simplify 3D, which instructions for what I'm asking how to do here can be found here: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-how-do-i-print-this-printing-help/guide-multicolor-prints-without-mmu-with-single-extruder-using-virtual-extruders-in-simplify3d/ . Can this be done with P-S? If so, how do I set it up? Thanks for constructive replies in advance!:-)
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
here's one option
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
Joan, Thank You Very Much!:-) 👍
RE:
Ok, so I that was a great starting point (TY Again, Joan!), but I looked at the configuration file that Rainer posted here, and there were IMHO, waaay too many changes that had to be made to my PS setup, as his example was from PS v1.4.x-alpha, which is very different from my current PS v2.9.1. Also, he was using a Prusa MK3, vs. my Ender-3V2S1.
So...
I took the info from here and here, and used it as a starting point to configure my PS virtual MMU setup, but I still have some questions, based off of my 1st prototype run. If you look at the picture below, you can see a big blob of filament on the Wipe tower at the start of the color change, what may have caused this? Also, when the print is started, the printer performs a purge line, and then prompts for a filament change immediately after that. It should just put down the purge line and start printing the first layer, but I'm sure there is something in my config file that is messing with this, probably some custom g-code I have in there. I have attached my config file for anyone that wants to look at that.
And again, Thank You for any relevant feedback in advance!
Here is a pic for reference:
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
the true MMU setup starts with the Extruder empty and loads filament to start a print, so I think the first filament change is due to that.
if you don't use BGcode (Binary Gcode) you can delete the First M600 code.
M600 process loads the filament, asks if the colour is correct, and then primes the nozzle for printing, which, I believe causes the splurge
what I do is resist removing the waste filament at the M600 filament changes, and simply hold the filament, then when the extruder splurges the excess filament remains attached to the waste pile, and pulls off the nozzle as the nozzle moves back to the print.
I Hope this helps, regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
Joan, Yes I saw that in your post here, after having done quite a bit of research on the subject last night. On my setup, it waited until the nozzle moved to the Wipe tower to perform the "splurge", so I will have to inspect the code to see what it is doing. For now, I will just opt out of using a Wipe tower. The biggest reason I was attempting to use the Wipe tower in the first place was in an attempt to avoid the oozing/stringing that happens with the frequent filament changes - to give the nozzle a place to get that worked out, instead of leaving "spider threads" all over the print plate. Aside from my custom G-code entries, I don't use BG-code, just the code generated by Prusa-Slicer (PS). I will spend some time looking into the G-code output from PS, and see about eliminating that 1st M600 command. Thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions! 😉
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
Hmmm... I have posts all over the place... many are getting old, quite a few refer to manual MMU working...
Google search may work better than Prusa Forum search!
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE:
So I found the solution for that eliminating that 1st M600 command, from here. This is the code that goes in the custom G-code section under "Tool Change":
; TOOLCHANGE_GCODE{if previous_extruder != -1} ; avoid an annoying M600 after the initial prime.M117 Next color is {next_extruder} ; shows message about next colorG4 S5 ; shows the message for 5 secondsM600 ; triggers the actual color change{endif}
Now back to my original question, How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
I will probably end up figuring this out on my own, but feel free to reply if anyone knows how to do this already!
RE: How to print separate parts in separate colors in a single print with a single extruder printer using prusa-slicer?
https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/prusaslicer/manual-multicolor/
Cheerio,