End of STL files?

[Geoff]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for your responses to the thread. I don't have any gripes with STL files or slicing at all, but I know some new users to 3dprinting who are not as technically savvy as some and find this off putting having to slice files. Some packages (especially certain opensource ones) can be quite complex to newbies of 3dprinting. We are users at the very start of consumer 3dprinting, but having to download a file and then upload it into a package, to then slice and prepare for printing, before then having to send it to the printer can be quite a learning curve, especially for young children. I am a supporter of anything that makes 3dprinting easier so more people can experience this amazing technology and I am keen to find out people's views on this. Users ultimately want the easiest smoothest experience when using technology, for a small design from downloaded from thingiverse e.g. iphone case, if there was the option to hit 'print' and that was it straight to the printer, I think people would do it.....

I agree , open source packages can be poorly written for the beginner, but no longer.

My children are 7 and 9. They can sculpt a 3D model on the Ipad using Sculpt123 buy Autocad (or creature pack) texture it, upload it and have it printed out the next hour. Now, I'd love to take credit - but they picked it up by themselves, I only showed them a few little things- but for the most part, kids figure things out generally on their own I find (if they are that way inclined)

I agree people want a smooth experience, and as it is now it could be better. Slicing 200-300mb mesh files can take hours literally, ideally I'd love a magic print button that eliminates that waiting.

[Roxy]

...

I agree people want a smooth experience, and as it is now it could be better. Slicing 200-300mb mesh files can take hours literally, ideally I'd love a magic print button that eliminates that waiting.

One thing the Slicer programs could do is slice a couple of layers and start sending that G-Code to the printer. The printing takes enough time it would seem the Slicer could be doing that in parallel.

And on the G-Code topic... It should be straight forward to convert G-Code back to an .STL format.