1 Topic by Staffordknot

  • Staffordknot
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Topic: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

Like probably most 3d printing enthusiasts i would like  convert my printer / build a multi extruder machine.

But how do you set up the stl files to print it? I use sketchup to design my files.

I would really appreciate some links to quality articles on this using sketchup to do this. Quality being the word, I have google too lol

Cheers

2 Reply by Hunter Green

  • Hunter Green
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Re: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

There's not a lot to it; I've just started doing it with my FlashForge Creator (and I also use SketchUp).  It's basically that you create two (or more) STL files, one for each color, and then the slice software merges them.  So all you do is make your design, make sure its bottom is on the origin plane (at least with RepG you don't get the chance to move parts when doing a dual merge that you normally get with single color), then make two copies of it.  Edit them so one has only the bits in one color, and the other has the other, then produce the two STLs.  Here's a remix I did recently that shows that, and which has the SketchUp source files so you can see what I mean: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:226891

FlashForge Creator, SketchUp 2013

3 Reply by AOYOU3D

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Re: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

AOYOU3D provides STL files for dual color prints, go to ebay to search "STL files for
3D printer---", AOYOU3D also is able to tell you how to upload two STL files to Slic3r,
and export a G-code file, finally get a dual color print.
Sketchup & Autocad123 are not developed so good for making the dual color prints yet.

4 Reply by dubbsd

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Re: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

here is Youtube video of dual extrusion desighn in 123d design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1giymE4iXI

Ultimaker S3.

5 Reply by n2ri

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Re: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

I think if you only want to use 2nd head for printing support with washable material you can setup slic3r to use like head #2 for support. if Im not mistaken?
thats my plan anyway when I get there

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

6 Reply by n2ri

  • n2ri
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Re: Duel / tri colour printing - how do you design your stl file for this?

thats AIO and is a free download. while downloading at source forge I also found another modeling program called 'Wings' and got it free also. after all we cant have too many design programs hehe

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs