SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Changing Configuration Issues

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-26T23:13:04Z

I solved this problem, as I mentioned in other threads. The problem was caused by setting the height of the first layer more than the nozzel opening. Thus with a .35 MM nozzle that's the tallest first layer you can use. If you are using the .1MM INI file you can go to that which is triple the normal layer thickness. But, if you are using the .3MM INI file you can only go to .3 or .35MM in first layer height. The error message that shows in the popup says nothing about this. I only discovered it when I happened to look down at the message area of Repetier after it had failed. There it was plain as all get out. Well, it was in a pink and hard to see but there.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-26T15:47:56Z

I have a friend out East that has a Maker-Bot Replicator (kit). He's sent me some really good miniture samples and if he could do those constantly I'd be more interested in the Replicator 2. Thing is, it isn't consistant. He took a STL file of mine and after four attempts came "close to the ball park" so to speak but not something I could use. I can't afford that kind of time investment. I need a machine that will produce consistantly once the settings are dialed in. I don't feel any of the low cost units are even close on this. As to Maker-Bot support, I don't see anyone over on their forum bragging about it, fact just the opposite. The Zcorp 350 is what I need but there is no way I could justify the cost. My volume needs don't even come close to recouping 30-40K. I won't brag that Shapeways is the best either as I've seen their screwups sent out as finished product to a friend. But, right now they are the best deal in town until I find another one. [grin]

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-26T13:58:56Z

We can't get the quality of the 50k+$ printers they have for sure, but I agree it is a great platform to build prototypes on; also good for building light weight structural parts that are hidden. You can always build the parts for a stereo-lithography printer as they seem pretty simple to construct (not sure about calibration or software, but I think pronterface can handle that approach to printing) and that would yield prints with very high quality. Makerbot's are gimmicky printers that try to appeal to the subcultures by promoting their nerdy style...Build a MendalMax and you get way more to play with (nozzles, extruders, fans, etc) + free support from real nerds. I think the biggest limitation of the SD2 is the extruder, it really can't do much other than vinyl (untested), ABS (be careful of quality), PLA, and mabey PVA. (kinda pointless without dual extruders)

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-26T02:02:10Z

Jeffery, Yes, I did install as 'admin' so that might just be the answer. I'm using my laptop for the SD2 and that runs Win7 which is the pitts compared to Win XP Pro which I have on the other machines. Even deleting a program or searching for something is Hell in complarison. Such is life as we more forward. [grin]

I have a Maker-Bot Rep 2 on order but after going through all this with the SD2 and then reading their forums and seeing all the issues they are having I realize it's not worth paying over six times more for the same issues. I'll be canceling that order tomorrow. I'll use the SD2 to proof-concept pieces then have the final printing done at Shapeways. I need very concise finished pieces so that's the best way to go.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-26T01:45:38Z

Try using the run as admin in the apps properties.

The only place RH stores files is in the program directory and user>app data (hidden before editing privileges)> Local (you can check the other app data folders as well to get rid of slic3r. Also make sure you check default user(s) and other account folders. It is really buggy for me on 1 of my 3 computers I tested it on...which happens to have windows 8 and I run as standard user. (Windows 8 is pretty clunky)

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-25T22:47:19Z

OK, I deleted the program totally and cleaned out the registry... That was the ONLY way to clean things up. Every effort to reinstall ended in failure. After reinstalling the Repitier-Host software I went to Slic3r Configure and Ctrl-L'd in the 'solidoodle2.3.MM.ini' file. It would not load it into the printer area and would not save an changes to printer tab to that INI file. Frustrated I quit for a while and shut it all down.

After a bit I came back to it and it was still set the same way so I did the Ctrl=L again and this time it loaded the Printer area???? OK, it even saved the Custom G Code to the Solidoodle2.3MM.INI file... [don't celebrate yet]

I then loaded an STL file and hit Slice with Slic3r and it started then poped an error message saying it couldn't find the file Composition.gCode in the named location.

On reading the Solidoodle2.3.MM.INI file there is a dynamic variable there for this [Input_Filename_Base].gcode and in the error message it's looking in a particular user area directory. I found a copy of the file and copied it there but on exicution of the next Slic3r action it was deleted and the error popped up again. NOTE: The copy I found was in the TEMP directory of the drive, not the user area, and was what I believe to be the correct file as the date and time matched.

I'm trying to find out where this variable is set and if there is anyway of changing it if need? Or, does someone have an answer to how to fix this problem?

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-25T00:36:39Z

It seems to have something to do with my admin privileges/account setup on windows 8 as well.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T21:08:10Z

Jeffery, It worked OK for me too until I tried to change the INI file from .1MM to .3MM one. From then on it deteriated and now I'm totally removing the softare and reinstalling it. Sometimes, that's the only solution.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T15:23:39Z

I can confirm that using .72 RH with Slic3r 0.9.7 works properly for me on my system. I am not seeing the random poor quality. I don't load anyone's configs, I just mimic their settings and see great results, outside of your printer specific calibrations I hope this helps anyone seeing this problem.

TLDR: Use old Repetier-Host and new Slic3r 0.9.7 to temp. remedy odd config loading issues, but you will/could re-introduce older bugs/issues. I am having trouble now with it heating the bed. I know my bed hardware is perfect so...GO figure...

What OS are you using?

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T15:02:45Z

Well, glad we're getting on the same page. [grin] The fact that the INI file is not showing up in the drop-down boxes on the Slicer tab makes be believe that RH is loading the Default.INI file instead of the loaded through Ctl-L. My reason for thinking this is that all that Custom G-Code is missing from the Slic3r file when it finishes.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T13:59:46Z

RH is the problem...I have been saying for a couple weeks that the latest version of RH won't always load Slic3r settings properly on all PC setup (something seems to hang in memory). I will test today and find out what version is bug free and move back to that for the time being.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T02:29:20Z

Don't use Setup, despite what they say. I wish they hadn't included that method, because it can get confusing. Use Setup to point to the exe that you want to use. If you are trying a different version of Slic3r, then you want to use Setup to point it to that version, otherwise leave it alone and keep the configuration directory blank, leaving Repetier to do whatever it wants.

Use Configure to open Slic3r, CTRL-L to open up the .ini and save the tabs. Then make sure you select the newly saved profiles in Repetier before hitting Slice with Slic3r. Usually when this kind of thing happens, it is because the user has made new profiles in Slic3r, but didn't select those new profiles in Repetier. Otherwise it may be a two different directories are being used to save profiles somehow, which is why you should leave it blank in Setup.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T02:17:03Z

Yes Ian, I've done this and made all the changes in each of the tabs and saved each one to the correct INI file. I then downed the software and brought it back up. Checked to see that it was using the correct setting. But, when I Sliced a file and looked at the slicer code things weren't there that should have been and the sliced job ran totally wacko.

One thing I did was add that Start Code discussed in another thread to the Custom Gcode area. That was not in the Sliced file at all.

The Floppy Icon is there in that area and works correctly by questioning on the file I wanted to save to 'Solidoodle2.3MM.ini'. But, when you go to SETUP not Configure, all the drop down boxes are empty and the ones at the top pertaining to the set up are even greyed out. Yes I used Ctrl-L to load the config INI but when sliced I get the same results.

Best bet is to delete all software, I have copies of the original files sstored on the server. I'll just copies those over to the program area and restart as is it's a new set up. Something got changed in the system somewhere but where who knows.

Thanks for the input.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T01:44:47Z

There is no save dialog in the main Plater page, you have to go over to the settings tabs-

If there is no floppy disc icon in the settings tabs, then that is weird. You have to CTRL-L to load the profile which adds it to the three drop downs as you saw. Then switch to the settings tabs and hit the save (floppy) buttons for each one. After this you still need to select the settings from the pull down menus in Repetier, because Repetier doesn't know what you have been doing in the Slic3r GUI.

Re: Changing Configuration Issues

2012-12-24T01:41:22Z

Devilman 2025 - That's what my plan is in the morning, if I get time. I'm most likely going to need to go to the walk-in-clinic to get some meds for this flu.

Right now I have the software individually installed on two machines but I also have a file server system here and I think maybe I'll install the program there and just link to it on the individual computers. That way I'm using the same INI files. It doesn install anything to the OS registry so it should be OK over there.

What I was trying to do was switch back to .3MM from .1MM. I'd love to know if anyone else has successfully done this with no issues or if they have had the same issues I've had. I find it strange that even when set up and operating OK they have drop-downs that have no real purpose. Sort of like a feature that wasn't implimented.