PrusaSlicer is slicer, that is, a program that takes a 3D model in the form of a grid of ordinary triangles and converts it into a special XNUMXD printer control program. For example in the form G-code for FFF printers, which contains detailed instructions on how to move the print head (extruder) in space and how much hot plastic to extrude through it at a particular moment in time. In addition to the G-code, this version also added the generation of raster image layers for photopolymer mSLA printers. Source 3D models can be loaded from file formats STL, OBJ or AMF.
Although PrusaSlicer was developed with open source printers in mind Prusa, it can generate G-code compatible with any modern printer based on the development RepRap, including everything with firmware Marlin, Prusa (a fork of Marlin), Sprinter and Repetier. It is also possible to generate G-code supported by Mach3 controllers, linux cnc ΠΈ machinekit.
PrusaSlicer is a fork slic3r, which in turn was developed by Alessandro Ranelucci and the RepRap community. Up to version 1.41 inclusive, the project was developed under the name Slic3r Prusa Edition, aka Slic3r PE. The fork inherited the peculiar and not very convenient user interface of the original Slic3r, so the developers from Prusa Research at some point made a separate simplified interface for Slic3r PE - PrusaControl. But in the future, when developing Slic3r PE 1.42, it was decided to completely remake the original interface, incorporating some of the PrusaControl developments and stopping the development of the latter. Serious reworking of the interface and the addition of a large number of new features became the basis for renaming the project.
One of the distinguishing features of PrusaSlicer (as well as Slic3r) is the presence of a large number of settings that give the user control over the slicing process.
PrusaSlicer is written primarily in C++, licensed under the AGPLv3 license, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Main changes since Slic3r PE 1.41.0
Video review of the interface and features of this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzf20FxsN2Q.
- Interface
- Now the interface is displayed normally on monitors with HiDPI.
- Significantly improved possibilities for manipulating XNUMXD objects:
- Now supports translation, rotation, scaling and mirroring in all three axes and non-uniform scaling using 3D controls right in the XNUMXD viewport. The same elements can be selected from the keyboard: m - translation, r - rotation, s - scaling, Esc - exit from editing mode.
- Now you can select multiple objects by holding Ctrl. Ctrl-A selects all objects.
- When translating, rotating and scaling, you can set exact values ββin the panel below the list of objects. When the corresponding text field is in focus, arrows are drawn in the 3D preview window showing what and in what direction the given number changes.
- Redesigned work with Project (previously called Factory File). The project file saves all the models, settings, and modifiers needed to be able to get exactly the same G-code on another computer.
- All settings are divided into three different categories: Simple, Advanced and Expert. By default, only the Simple category settings are shown, which greatly simplifies life for novice users. The Advanced and Expert modes can be easily enabled as needed. The settings of different categories are shown in different colors.
- Many useful features of Slic3r are now displayed on the main tab (Plater).
- Estimated print time is now shown immediately after performing a "Slice" action without the need to export G-code.
- Many actions are now performed in the background and do not block the interface. For example, sending to Octo Print.
- The list of objects now shows the hierarchy of objects, object parameters, object volumes and modifiers. All parameters are displayed either directly in the list of objects (by right-clicking on the icon to the right of the name) or in the context panel below the list.
- Models with problems (gaps between triangles, intersecting triangles) are now marked with an exclamation point in the list of objects.
- Support for command line options is now based on code from Slic3r. Same format as upstream, with some changes:
- --help-fff and --help-sla instead of --help-options
- --loglevel has an additional parameter to set the severity of the logged messages
- --export-sla instead of --export-sla-svg or --export-svg
- not supported: --cut-grid, --cut-x, --cut-y, --autosave
- XNUMXD Printing Capabilities
- Support for color printing with a (hardware) automatic filament changer.
- Support for mSLA (mask-assisted stereolithography) and the Prusa SL1 printer using this technology. It may seem that mSLA support is simpler than FFF, because mSLA simply draws XNUMXD images for each layer, but in fact this is not entirely true. The problem is that the technology requires the addition of support structures of the correct form for more or less complex models. When printing with incorrect supports, it may happen that part of the printed object remains on the print matrix and ruins all subsequent layers.
- Plugin support added Cancelobject for Octoprint. This allows you to cancel the printing of individual objects without interrupting the printing of the rest.
- Ability to add your own and remove automatically generated supports using modifiers.
- Internal changes
- All core code has been rewritten in C++. Now you don't need Perl to work.
- The rejection of the pearl in the slicing engine made it possible to complete support for slicing in the background with the ability to cancel at any time.
- Thanks to the redesigned frontend synchronization system with the engine, small changes now invalidate not entire objects, but only those parts that require recalculation.
- Now requires OpenGL version 2.0 or higher. The transition to the new version helped to simplify the code and improve performance on modern hardware.
- Remote Features
- Support for printing via serial port directly from the program. The developers have not yet decided whether they will return this feature in future versions or not. (from the author of the news: I donβt understand why this feature is when there is OctoPrint that implements a web interface and HTTP API for printers connected by a serial port)
- The 2D toolpath preview is not implemented in the new interface. It will most likely be returned in one of the next versions. Workaround: point the 3D preview camera from top to bottom by pressing the 1 key and select the desired layer.
- Still unrealized features =)
- Cancel (Undo) and redo (Redo) actions are still missing.
Detailed changelog
A description of all the changes can be found 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.
references
Source: linux.org.ru