Getting Started (Page 1 of 4)

I've already installed that one software, but haven't been able to get any feedback from the printer. Do I need the "Python" software as well or just the one software you gave a link to? Using that software it appears to load the text object I want to build, and when I push something it appears to slice the object into "G code" that the printer should be able to use, but I don't know what to do next to make it print. It doesn't even seem to have a button that says, "print" nor a button that says extrude so I can send through that short segiment of filament that is there from when I got the printer. And when I play around with buttons like the ones that are supposed to heat the platform or the extruder the degree numbers appear to go up, but the printer parts appear to remain cold. And in fact when I hit those buttons the numbers go up even when the printer is not connected to the computer so I don't even know if the software knows how to connect to the printer.

Windows 7.

I've installed, "setupRepetierHostSolidoodle_0_82.exe" successfully

I tried to install pyserial - 2.5, but it needed some kind of directories, and I'm not sure if I need that software or not. The instructions on what I need and don't need are not clear.

I am downloading the drivers now. I will test the printer again soon. I was also unclear on if I needed to manually look for drivers like the old days or if the hardware would download them for me.

If you are using repetier host, you wont need pyserial. If you decide to install pronterface, you will need it. The issue you are having is probably caused by the fact that you need install Python before Pyserial. That said, if repetier works for you, stick with that.

The driver site should have an automated installation binary.

Is there a location I should place the folder of driver since there is no .exe file to place stuff for me? I don't want to keep it with the rest of my stuff where it can easily be deleted. So far I've received no messages asking for drivers.

I have however received the message:

"Too many objects on printer bed for automatic packing. Packing disabled until elements are removed."

which I have no idea what it is saying.

You should have a connect button in the upper left corner of RH. Click that. If you have the right com port chosen and drivers installed, you should be able to connect to your printer. If you click on the Manual control Tab, you should see that you are connected or disconnected. If it gives you the message "5 commands waiting to be processed" you may not have the right com port or baud speed chosen. The solidoodle runs at 25000 BPS. Once it is connected, you can slice the object and click the Run button to start your print. It will take a while to start because your printer bed and hot end will need to come up to temp but you should see some minor movement with your hot end while it positions itself.

rocket man i was having that problem. I found out that i had not changed the com port over once you dothat you should be able to print

Gordym tried to explain this earlier.  RH can slice without being connected to a printer, but in order to successfully run the job, you need to connect RH to the printer.  You need to know which COM port your printer is on.  You could do this by going into the Device Manager and connecting and disconnecting the printer from the computer, and noting which COM port appears and disappears.  Then click on the Connect icon in RH and select the correct COM port.  You should see some status information appear at the bottom from the printer.  After that, the Run Job button should work.

"Virtual printer" is the only choice in the drop down under COM selections. And when I went to device manager an icon does show up when I plug the printer in, but it has a yellow warning icon over it. It attempts to find drivers automatically but comes up empty so clearly it doesn't realize I already downloaded drivers for it, and it doesn't really specify a number for the USB port I plugged the printer into.

OK, here is where you have to tell windows where you saved the drivers.

You will want to back the fillament out of the extruder, to accomplish this get the extruder up tp temp then down in the lower middle left of the control csreen for RH is the extruder section just click on the up arrow wait a few secs. then click again... you may have to do this a few times until the fillament comes completely out stringy strands and all then put the new fillament in and click on the other arrow(down) a few times until the new color fillament appears(or the same color)

you can clean the bed with acetone and a paper towel(works best) if you don't have acetone use rubbing alcohol or dish soap.
you shold not need to clean the tip... I never have seems to work ok for me

i wanted to share with everyone the a great tool for the 3d printer this is a #2 paintes knife with a rounded in but its very thin and flexable perfect for getting under an itemwithout ripping or cutting the kaftan tape.