The Simplify3d Tips and Information Thread

[curious aardvark]

Okay I've discovered that you can drag models around with the mouse by holding down the Ctrl key and shift ctrl for all models.
Major improvement.

But can I:
1) rotate the model like in makerware. Was thinking serena's 'chloe' model if printed standing up would not need infill without changing anything.
2) if i generate 2 interlocking models for dual extrusion, how do I let s3d know, before I import them and it moves them both to the printbed ?

[Dargonfly]

Okay I've discovered that you can drag models around with the mouse by holding down the Ctrl key and shift ctrl for all models.
Major improvement.

But can I:
1) rotate the model like in makerware. Was thinking serena's 'chloe' model if printed standing up would not need infill without changing anything.
2) if i generate 2 interlocking models for dual extrusion, how do I let s3d know, before I import them and it moves them both to the printbed ?

If you double-click the model you can rotate, move, and scale.
If you import something and it always auto-centres them (maybe you can disable this in options?)
But if you have 2 interlocking pieces this is what I do:
New file:
- import both models
- double-click each model and change the X and Y positions to 0
- now you're good to go

Just a little note:
If you have files imported, then closed the S3D file and then reopened it again it doesn't remember the position and rotation correctly.
And as always; fiddle around with it. You'll get the hang of it quite easily.

Also; maybe there is a setting in the preferences to turn auto rotate & center off (that would be preferred for dual extrusion models)

[Stigern]

I was looking for a measurement tool last night, are there a way of knowing the size of the model?

Was trying to resize a bed leveling object, but I need to check how tall one part of the model is after I scaled it up.

[Dargonfly]

I was looking for a measurement tool last night, are there a way of knowing the size of the model?

Was trying to resize a bed leveling object, but I need to check how tall one part of the model is after I scaled it up.

Double click the model (in S3D). There are values that display the total size in XYZ directions.

[curious aardvark]

Oh yeah - there's an option that plays a tune at the end of the print - sounded good on paper. But the soundchip on the ff isn't really up to it. The star wars theme tune nearly made my ears bleed :-)

Top tip: don't use it !
lol

[Stigern]

Double click the model (in S3D). There are values that display the total size in XYZ directions.

Total size is ok, but was hoping they had a "ruler" tool or something that could measure between two points

[Dargonfly]

Oh yeah - there's an option that plays a tune at the end of the print - sounded good on paper. But the soundchip on the ff isn't really up to it. The star wars theme tune nearly made my ears bleed :-)

Top tip: don't use it !
lol

Best tip in this whole thread right there!
hahaha, I wanted to try it, but was too afraid of the end result, now I am happy I didn't try it!

Total size is ok, but was hoping they had a "ruler" tool or something that could measure between two points

Ah, I get what you mean! No, that is not in the software. You'd need to measure it in your CAD/modeling software and do some calculating I'm afraid!


Just remembered another tip:
BE CAREFUL WHEN USING CONCENTRIC EXTERNAL FILL PATTERN!
Only do this at very slow speeds, because it will shake your machine apart when it comes to the small diameter circles.


Does anybody know any sort of scripts which are interesting?
I wish there was an option to have more control over the shells: speed control per shell (not just outer shell), tool control (different material per shell)

[curious aardvark]

Okay - here's one that's puzzling me.

The bed doesn't heat. I've set the temp up the same way I set up the left print head.

bedtemps3d_596x600.jpg

Doesn't matter if i use usb or sd card - the bed does not heat.

What am i doing wrong ?

[Dargonfly]

Did it work previously work S3D?

1) Check if you are using the right temperature identifier (I see you are using T2 HBP, but I am using T0 HBP)
2) Check if you didn't change anything weird in the Starting G-Code:

; **** Replicator 1 dual start.gcode ****M73 P0 ; enable build progress
G162 X Y F3000 ; home XY maximum
G161 Z F1200 ; home Z minimum
G92 Z-5 ; set Z to -5
G1 Z0 ; move Z to 0
G161 Z F100 ; home Z slowly
M132 X Y Z A B ; recall home offsets
M135 T0 ; load right extruder offsets
G1 X-120 Y-70 Z30 F9000 ; move to wait position off table
G130 X20 Y20 Z20 A20 B20 ; lower stepper Vrefs while heating
M126 S[fan_speed_pwm]
M140 S[bed0_temperature] T0
M134 T0 ; stabilize bed temperature
M104 S[extruder0_temperature] T0
M133 T0 ; stabilize extruder temperature
G130 X127 Y127 Z40 A127 B127 ; default stepper Vrefs
G92 A0 B0 ; zero extruders
G1 Z0.4 ; position nozzle
G1 X-115 Y-65 Z0.15 F1200 ; slow wipe
G1 X-110 Y-60 Z0.5 F1200 ; lift
G92 A0 B0 ; zero extruders
M73 P1 ;@body (notify GPX body has started)
; **** end of start.gcode ****

(Here you can also see it uses T0 as temperature identifier for the HBP.)
3) Check heated bed. Use other software (Makerware) - maybe it's broken? but I'm assuming that you accidentally clicked the wrong temperature identifier

[curious aardvark]

bed is fine
to is the right head
t1 is the left head

Hmm, looks like t0 is also the bed.
So sensibly I ought to alter the code to use t2 as heated bed.
I'll try that - thanks :-)

****

Got an evening to play with the printer !
Just refitted the right nozzle and currently doing the head calibrate thing.
Going to try some dual colour printing - wish me luck :-)