PrusaSlicer is a slicer, which is a program that takes a 3D model in the form of a mesh made up of regular triangles and converts it into a special program that controls a 3D printer. For example, in the form of G-code for for FFF printers, which contains detailed instructions on how to move the print head (the extruder) in space and how much hot plastic to extrude at any given moment. In addition to G-code, this version has also added the generation of layers of raster images for photopolymer mSLA printers. The original 3D models can be loaded from files in the STL, or or AMF.
OBJ formats. Although PrusaSlicer was developed with a focus on open-source printersPrusa , it can generate G-code compatible with any modern printer based on the developments ofRepRap , including all firmwareMarlin , Prusa (a Marlin fork), Sprinter, and Repetier. There is also the possibility of generating G-code supported by Mach3 controllers, and LinuxCNC.
Machinekit PrusaSlicer is a fork ofSlic3r , which was developed by Alessandro Ranelucci and the RepRap community. Until version 1.41 inclusive, the project was developed under the name Slic3r Prusa Edition, also known as Slic3r PE. The fork inherited the distinctive and somewhat inconvenient user interface of the original Slic3r, prompting the developers at Prusa Research at one point to create a separate simplified interface for Slic3r PE —PrusaControl
. However, later on, during the development of Slic3r PE 1.42, it was decided to completely redesign the original interface, incorporating some of the developments from PrusaControl and discontinuing the latter's development. The significant overhaul of the interface and the addition of many new features were the basis for renaming the project.
One of the distinguishing features of PrusaSlicer (like Slic3r) is the presence of a large number of settings that give the user control over the slicing process.
PrusaSlicer is mainly written in C++, distributed under the AGPLv3 license, and works on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Main changes from Slic3r PE 1.41.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzf20FxsN2Q.
- The PerformanceResourceTiming
- Video review of the interface and features of this version:
- The interface now displays correctly on HiDPI monitors. Significant improvements have been made to the manipulation capabilities of 3D objects:
- Now supports translation, rotation, scaling, and mirroring across all three axes, as well as non-uniform scaling using 3D control elements directly in the 3D view window. These same elements can be selected using the keyboard: m — move, r — rotate, s — scale, Esc — exit edit mode.
- You can now select multiple objects by holding down Ctrl. Ctrl-A selects all objects.
- When moving, rotating, and scaling, you can specify exact values in the panel below the object list. When the corresponding text field is in focus, arrows are drawn in the 3D preview window indicating what is being changed and in which direction by this number.
- The project functionality (previously called Factory File) has been revamped. The project file saves all models, settings, and modifiers necessary to generate the exact same G-code on another computer.
- All settings have been divided into three categories: Simple, Advanced, and Expert. By default, only the Simple category settings are displayed, which greatly simplifies life for beginner users. The Advanced and Expert modes can be easily activated when needed. Settings from different categories are shown in different colors.
- Many useful features of Slic3r have now been moved to the main tab (Plater).
- The estimated print duration is now displayed immediately after the 'Slice' action without the need to export the G-code.
- Many actions are now performed in the background and do not block the interface. For example, sending to OctoPrint.
- The object list now displays the hierarchy of objects, object parameters, object volumes, and modifiers. All parameters are shown either directly in the object list (by right-clicking the icon to the right of the name) or in the context panel below the list.
- Models with issues (gaps between triangles, intersecting triangles) are now marked with an exclamation mark in the object list.
- Support for command line options is now based on code from Slic3r. The format is the same as upstream, with some changes:
- —help-fff and —help-sla instead of —help-options
- the —loglevel option now has an additional parameter for configuring message importance (severity)
- —export-sla instead of —export-sla-svg or —export-svg
- not supported: —cut-grid, —cut-x, —cut-y, —autosave
- 3D Printing Capabilities
- Support for color printing via the automatic filament change module (hardware).
- Support for mSLA (mask stereolithography) and the Prusa SL1 printer using this technology. It may seem that supporting mSLA is easier than FFF, as mSLA only requires drawing 2D images for each layer, but this is not quite true. The problem is that the technology requires the addition of correctly shaped supports for somewhat complex models. Printing with incorrect supports can result in some of the printed object remaining on the printing matrix, ruining all subsequent layers.
- Added support for the Cancelobject for OctoPrint. This allows canceling the printing of individual objects without interrupting the printing of others.
- The ability to add custom supports and remove automatically generated ones using modifiers.
- Internal Changes
- All main code has been rewritten in C++. Perl is no longer required for operation.
- Abandoning Perl in the slicing engine allowed completing the support for background slicing with the ability to cancel at any moment.
- Thanks to the redesigned synchronization system between the frontend and the engine, minor changes now invalidate only the parts that need recalculation, not the entire objects.
- OpenGL version 2.0 or higher is now required. The transition to a new version has helped simplify the code and improve performance on modern hardware.
- Removed Features
- Support for printing via serial port directly from the program. Developers have yet to decide whether they will return this feature in future versions or not. (from the news author: I don't understand why this feature exists when OctoPrint provides a web interface and HTTP API for printers connected via a serial port)
- 2D toolpath preview is not implemented in the new interface. It will likely be returned in one of the forthcoming versions. Temporary solution: point the 3D preview camera downwards by pressing the key 1 and select the desired layer.
- Still unimplemented features =)
- Undo and redo actions are still missing.
Detailed change log
You can find the description of all changes at these links: 1.42.0-alpha1, 1.42.0-alpha2, 1.42.0-alpha3, 1.42.0-alpha4, 1.42.0-alpha5, 1.42.0-alpha7, 1.42.0-beta, 1.42.0-beta1, 1.42.0-beta2, 2.0.0-rc, 2.0.0-rc1, 2.0.0.
Links
Source: linux.org.ru
