"Manual" multicolor  

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Thank you!! Great explanation 

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Only just seen this post.  @Marko-s4, 

the M600 process could be much more userfriendly. All you need is someone who has the time and resources to address the issues. 

Much more experienced people than me, have passed the opportunity over, 

and it's not something I am qualified to resolve, 

So I Offer 'Coping skills', that work for me
regards, Joan

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Posted by: @jseyfert3

Posted by: @minorhavoc

I'm a little late to the party but here's my recipe for doing "manual multicolor" with a wipe tower:

1. In "Printer Settings"-->"General":
   • Set "Extruders" to desired number of colors
   • Enable "Single Extruder Multi Material"
2. In "Printer Settings"-->"Single extruder MM setup":
   • Set "Cooling tube position" to 10.
   • Set "Filament parking position" to 0.
   • Set "Extra loading distance" to 0.
   • These settings eliminate the filament getting retracted into heatsink section and possibly jamming there as well as eliminating the big blob created in the wipe tower after changing filaments.  I think the original values are appropriate for a physical MMU(2) where the filament is needs to be moved between the Bowden tube and the extruder tip but does the wrong thing for manual color changes.
3. In "Print Settings"-->"Wipe tower", disable "Prime all printing extruders".  Since we're manually changing filaments, there's no need to do this.
4. In the "Printer Settings"-->"Custom G-code"-->"Tool change G-code" section, put the following:

{if layer_num >= 0}M600 ; change to filament for extruder {next_extruder + 1}{endif}

• • M600 performs a filament change.  The layer_num check skips the unnecessary filament change triggered by the tool change that occurs at the very start of the print (when layer_num is -1).  I think this initial tool change is needed to ensure the MMU(2) has the correct filament selected but isn't needed when manually loading the filament.

It took me a bit to come up with these settings, but now manual multicolor prints on my Prusa i3 MK2.5 work flawlessly.  I wouldn't use it for prints lots of color changes, but it's wonderful for embedding colored text in a layer.

Thank you! I wanted the wipe tower with the manual multicolor printing to stabilize the flow when the color is switched (not for purging to change color since the M600 already does that well enough on my MINI).

What I tried is just setting the filament parking position and extra loading distance to 0, and I saw that got rid of the "CP Toolchange Load" which is where the big blob on the wipe tower was coming from. It was trying to load in 18 mm of filament on my MINI after it was already loaded from the M600, and doing that right above the wipe tower, making a big blob.

I need to play around with it a little more though, because a normal unload, especially on PETG, gives me a super long string and badly shaped tip, and I always have to trim it. No big deal. But, I noticed with the wipe tower enabled, the printer does a special unload sequence that must be designed for minimal stringing for MMU reload ability, and there was NO STRINGING on my filament!

When I set the parking position and extra loading distance to 0, it still tried to shape the tip, but then ran the filament right back to the nozzle after it finished so I got the normal super long string. My goal is to try to play with the PrusaSlicer settings so I can get this tip shaping on unload, but avoid the blob.

Hello! just curious if with the latest firmware updates this still works for you? I am still getting those huge blobs when the extruder goes to the wipe tower. i thought i have run the same settings as posted here but that's my main problem now. 

RE: "Manual" multicolor

MikeGKA has a great colour change gcode on the previous page, here are my settings with the latest Prusaslicer alpha and stable firmware for the MK4.

Print settings > prime tower enable, prime all extruders disable

Printer settings > extruders 2 - 5, single extruder multi material enable
custom gcode as example on previous page
each extruder, retraction when disabled set to 0

The single extruder MM setup I leave as default

Posted by: @logtrog

 

Posted by: @jseyfert3

Posted by: @minorhavoc

I'm a little late to the party but here's my recipe for doing "manual multicolor" with a wipe tower:

1. In "Printer Settings"-->"General":
   • Set "Extruders" to desired number of colors
   • Enable "Single Extruder Multi Material"
2. In "Printer Settings"-->"Single extruder MM setup":
   • Set "Cooling tube position" to 10.
   • Set "Filament parking position" to 0.
   • Set "Extra loading distance" to 0.
   • These settings eliminate the filament getting retracted into heatsink section and possibly jamming there as well as eliminating the big blob created in the wipe tower after changing filaments.  I think the original values are appropriate for a physical MMU(2) where the filament is needs to be moved between the Bowden tube and the extruder tip but does the wrong thing for manual color changes.
3. In "Print Settings"-->"Wipe tower", disable "Prime all printing extruders".  Since we're manually changing filaments, there's no need to do this.
4. In the "Printer Settings"-->"Custom G-code"-->"Tool change G-code" section, put the following:

{if layer_num >= 0}M600 ; change to filament for extruder {next_extruder + 1}{endif}

• • M600 performs a filament change.  The layer_num check skips the unnecessary filament change triggered by the tool change that occurs at the very start of the print (when layer_num is -1).  I think this initial tool change is needed to ensure the MMU(2) has the correct filament selected but isn't needed when manually loading the filament.

It took me a bit to come up with these settings, but now manual multicolor prints on my Prusa i3 MK2.5 work flawlessly.  I wouldn't use it for prints lots of color changes, but it's wonderful for embedding colored text in a layer.

Thank you! I wanted the wipe tower with the manual multicolor printing to stabilize the flow when the color is switched (not for purging to change color since the M600 already does that well enough on my MINI).

What I tried is just setting the filament parking position and extra loading distance to 0, and I saw that got rid of the "CP Toolchange Load" which is where the big blob on the wipe tower was coming from. It was trying to load in 18 mm of filament on my MINI after it was already loaded from the M600, and doing that right above the wipe tower, making a big blob.

I need to play around with it a little more though, because a normal unload, especially on PETG, gives me a super long string and badly shaped tip, and I always have to trim it. No big deal. But, I noticed with the wipe tower enabled, the printer does a special unload sequence that must be designed for minimal stringing for MMU reload ability, and there was NO STRINGING on my filament!

When I set the parking position and extra loading distance to 0, it still tried to shape the tip, but then ran the filament right back to the nozzle after it finished so I got the normal super long string. My goal is to try to play with the PrusaSlicer settings so I can get this tip shaping on unload, but avoid the blob.

Hello! just curious if with the latest firmware updates this still works for you? I am still getting those huge blobs when the extruder goes to the wipe tower. i thought i have run the same settings as posted here but that's my main problem now. 

RE: "Manual" multicolor

hello all

I have not so much problem so far on the mk4 and using the wipe tower too otherwise for me without wipe tower there is always leaks after changing color small one but then while the extrud return to print i have small filament part printer where i don't want and so ugly .. then the wipe tower is fine, just is there any option to have a small one , ? i tried many different set up but still big i mean large when you only want print letter and simple text it's take lot of time to clean so useless !!

thx

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Can someone help me please?  I would greatly appreciate it. I have printed muticolor w manual color swaps before with my MK4.   However after the firmware and software updates that introduce bgcode, I cannot print multicolor using the past methods that worked.  When I try, and put the same file into the MK4, the screen goes black and will not respond unless I either remove the USB or I press the reset button.  Anytime I choose a multimaterial file, this happens.  I then tried using the gcode output from PrusaSlicer (same MK4 firmware 5.1.3 and PrusaSlicer 2.7.2) and still no success.  A few months back, I really needed to print a multicolor ouptput and did a firmware downgrade of the MK4 and PrusaSlicer... and everything worked fine.   I just don't want to keep changing firmware/software each time I am looking to do a manual multicolor / tool change.  Please help any of you that think you may have a solution.  I've been all over the internet searching and tried a ton of things and nothing is working.... Thanks in advance.

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Send your file through Prusa Link

RE:

A great big THANK YOU to Racenviper !    I cannot be the only one that has experienced this problem, and yet, I'm sooo very happy to at least have this workaround that Racenviper provided.   For any of those using PrusaSlicer firmware version 5.1.0 or newer along with the updated firmware of the MK4, I hope you find this thread.   I was searching all over for magic Gcode (or in this case BGCODE) that I was hoping would fix this and it turns out to be more of the Prusa MK4 firmware for the USB interface/menu.  The same bgcode file that would lock up the Mk4 thru the USB interface, worked perfectly fine w PrusaConnect.  I suspect that PrusaLink or Prusa Connect would both work fine.   

I plan to eventually buy the MMU3 (soon to be in stock) but have been doing a few simple manual multicolor projects up until this problem.  In the meantime I'm glad to have this ability back.

The quick response seen here (those in the Prusa community) are a great reason for people to buy into a brand that has a great community following to match the level of the manufacture's support.   

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Works also with Octoprint too!

RE: "Manual" multicolor

@eastcoastjoe let me understand: how did you save the bgcode file ?

1.  on the PC with PrusaSlicer export G-code, and then you copied the .bgcode exported file on the USB dongle, and then you put the dongle on the MK4.
2.  on the PC with PrusaSlicer you click on Send to Printer button (wireless/LAN).
3.  on the PC you drag & dropped / uploaded the .bgcode on the printer's PrusaLink page.
4. on the PC you drag & dropped / uploaded the .bgcode on the printer's PrusaConnect page.

this seems to me still the bug related to some dongles that do not like to the Prusa MK4 USB hardware. I think it was never officially solved.

RE: "Manual" multicolor

It’s an old issue: https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware-Buddy/issues/3525

Posted by: @eastcoastjoe

A great big THANK YOU to Racenviper !    I cannot be the only one that has experienced this problem, and yet, I'm sooo very happy to at least have this workaround that Racenviper provided.   For any of those using PrusaSlicer firmware version 5.1.0 or newer along with the updated firmware of the MK4, I hope you find this thread.   I was searching all over for magic Gcode (or in this case BGCODE) that I was hoping would fix this and it turns out to be more of the Prusa MK4 firmware for the USB interface/menu.  The same bgcode file that would lock up the Mk4 thru the USB interface, worked perfectly fine w PrusaConnect.  I suspect that PrusaLink or Prusa Connect would both work fine.   

I plan to eventually buy the MMU3 (soon to be in stock) but have been doing a few simple manual multicolor projects up until this problem.  In the meantime I'm glad to have this ability back.

The quick response seen here (those in the Prusa community) are a great reason for people to buy into a brand that has a great community following to match the level of the manufacture's support.   

RE:

Hi all,

I tried the methods from @notswedishbacon, @minorhavoc as well as @mike_gka, but did not manage to solve blob issue.

blob issue: When the tool is starting for second time, it extrudes a blob into a purge tower. Print head can then run into this blob on next color changes (I had a belt skip). 
This is a problem for printing multimaterial in 2+ layers with 2+ colors. I had 3 colors in 2 layers. 

Attaching the picture of the purge tower.

Did anyome experience this and solved it? 
Thanks!

RE: "Manual" multicolor

I have this issue too. It was also mentioned by jmsaltzman in this post (the same thread) quite some time ago (and solved by gcode postprocessing). 

It was also mentioned here: https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/issues/8086

Can you maybe try to set the "extra loading distance" to a high negative value? like "-85"?

RE: "Manual" multicolor - Workaround found

I also had the issue that multicolor print with virtual extrudes did not work on my MK4.

PrusaSlicer: Version 2.7.4+win64
MK4 Firmware: 5.1.3

I could "solve" the issue / make a workaround, which allows to print the gcode files via USB, as follows:

1) use the script from https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/prusaslicer/manual-multicolor/paged/6/#post-673676 to get the pauses and filament changes into the code with color info
2) Slice & Export GCODE (non binary)
3) Edit the GCODE file and remove all comments after the last GCODE command (in my file it was "M73 P100 R0" if you want to search for it)
This comment section starts with "; objects_info"
4) Save the file and put it on your USB stick.
5) Print 🙂

It seems to me that MK4 firmware is processing these comments and fails, but as they are comments, the print is not changed.

Happy Printing!

RE: "Manual" multicolor

I had huge blobs as well, I had to add the following settings:

• Filament Settings - Advanced: Minimal Purge on wipe tower: 0
• Printer Settings - Single Extruder MM setup: Purging volume: 0
• Print Settings - Multiple Extruders - Wipe Tower: Extra flow for purging: 100%

RE: "Manual" multicolor

I know this is an older thread and I apologize for resurrecting it. I'm just getting into multi-color printing. After reading this, I have some questions:

1) Will this easily extrapolate to 3 or more colors? Basically do the same thing, but for 3 separate objects and deal with more filament changes?
2) If I get the MMU for my MKS3.5, will I have the same issue with that extra little bit that squirts out after the change and needs to be removed manually? Or does the MMU handle it and make it completely automatic?

I have some projects I want to print now that could be 2 or 3 or even 4 colors and I am seriously considering getting an MMU, but also thinking I'd understand the process (and can print at least one out immediately) if I do at least one project manually.

RE: "Manual" multicolor

As I only own a Prusa Mini+, I can only answer question 1.Up to 4 different materials/colors can be defined. According to the documentation, this is all that works, but I haven't tried it yet.

RE: "Manual" multicolor

So I'm having a problem where PrusaSlic3r wants the tool head to go back down to Z0.25 after the M600

I've used this for my klipper modded MK3 a couple times without a problem. But for some reason I get this weird behaviour where it wants to go back down to the build plate. Do anyone have a solution to this?

1) Will this easily extrapolate to 3 or more colors?

Easily, no, it turns into a real chore keeping track of which filament comes next but yes, you can define more extruders up to at least ten... I haven't tried more.

If I get the MMU for my MKS3.5, will I have the same issue with that extra little bit that squirts out after the change and needs to be removed manually?

You will be using a wipe tower, I don't have an MMU3 and it's several years since I cannabilised my MMU2 for parts but I remember it being possible to leave it to it's own devices for hours (with a limited range of compatible filaments.)  I rarely needed different colours so got little use out of it.  My XL does an excellent job with mixed materials and can also handle colour changes so I no longer use the manual MMU method.

Cheerio,

RE: "Manual" multicolor

Posted by: @tango

I know this is an older thread and I apologize for resurrecting it. I'm just getting into multi-color printing. After reading this, I have some questions:

1) Will this easily extrapolate to 3 or more colors? Basically do the same thing, but for 3 separate objects and deal with more filament changes?
2) If I get the MMU for my MKS3.5, will I have the same issue with that extra little bit that squirts out after the change and needs to be removed manually? Or does the MMU handle it and make it completely automatic?

I have some projects I want to print now that could be 2 or 3 or even 4 colors and I am seriously considering getting an MMU, but also thinking I'd understand the process (and can print at least one out immediately) if I do at least one project manually.

1) With manual, I'd recommend sticking to 2 colors and flat multi-color objects like signs and such. This is because the number of filament changes is the number of colors per layer minus 1. With 2 colors, 1 filament change per layer. With 4 colors, 3 filament changes per layer. Manual filament changes are tedious and require a lot of time sitting in front of the printer, so if doing 4 colors and not a flat object that only needs color changes in 2-4 layers, it will be hours of sitting in front of your printer changing filaments and catching ooze from the nozzle. And trimming filament ends.

2) Not at all. When using the MMU, the printer uses a wipe tower, and touching the nozzle isn't required. I have the MMU3 for my MK4, and while I haven't done a lot of printing with it, or a lot of printing at all recently, my 3rd MMU3 print was a 3-color print with over 1400 filament changes. I did not touch the printer the entire print. I just let it print, for the 30 hours or so the print took!