USER
MANUAL
Unique
Ware
2
CraftWare
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
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2 INSTALLATION AND GETTING STARTED
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2.1 DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE CRAFTWARE SOFTWARE4
2.2 OPEN THE CRAFTWARE SOFTWARE4
2.3 CRAFTWARE HAS 3 VIEWS WITH DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS4
3 OBJECT VIEW – ADDING AND MOVING OBJECTS
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3.1 DETAILED COMMAND INFORMATION
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3.2 OPTIONS MENU5
3.2.1 General settings
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3.2.2 Graphics settings
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3.2.3 Color settings
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3.2.4 Printer settings
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3.3 ADDING AN OBJECT
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3.4 SELECTING OBJECTS
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3.5 CHANGING THE VIEWING ANGLE – LOOKING AROUND IN THE VIRTUAL BUILD PLATFORM
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3.6 DUPLICATING OR CLONING AN OBJECT
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3.7 MOVING THE OBJECT ON THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM
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3.8 ROTATING AN OBJECT
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3.9 CHANGING THE SIZE OF AN OBJECT10
4 SUPPORT VIEW - CREATING AND MANAGING SUPPORT BARS
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4.1 AUTOMATIC SUPPORT GENERATION
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4.2 SETTING THE THICKNESS OF THE SUPPORT BARS
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4.3 CHANGING THE SURFACE STEEPNESS FOR AUTOMATIC SUPPORT BAR GENERATION
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4.4 MANUALLY ADDING AND REMOVING SUPPORT BARS11
5 GENERATING THE GCODE
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5.1 EASY SLICING MODE SETTING OPTIONS
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5.1.1 Print Quality
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5.1.2 Selecting the printing material
– this option specifies the heat setting of the extruder
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5.1.3 Automatically generate support – CraftWare generates support bars automatically 13
5.1.4 Add raft – CraftWare generates raft below the object automatically
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5.2 SLICING SETTINGS IN CRAFTWARE IN EXPERT MODE
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5.3 SETTING OPTIONS IN EXPERT MODE
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5.4 BASIC SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE14
5.4.1Resolution
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5.4.2Extruder
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5.4.3 Vertical shell
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5.4.4 Top-bottom shell setting
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5.4.5 Top most shell settings
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5.4.6 Vase Mode
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5.4.7 Enable micro travels
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5.4.8 Enable disable infill
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5.4.9 Infill settings
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5.5 ADVANCED SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE
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5.5.1 Island entry point settings
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5.5.2 Island entry point location settings
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5.5.3 Drawing order: ToolPath optimizer configuration
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5.5.4WarmupFill
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5.5.5 Alternating loop direction
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5.5.6 Retraction inside islands
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5.5.7 Speeds settings:
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5.5.8 Support setting
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5.5.9 Far Travel settings
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5.5.10 Avoid Island
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5.5.11 Avoid holes
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5.6 FOUNDATION SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE
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5.6.1 First layer settings
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5.6.2 Skirt settings
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5.6.3 Brim settings
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5.6.4 Raft settings
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5.7 TEMPERATURE SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE
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5.8 HEATING SETTINGS23
5.8.2 Cooling settings - Fan control
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5.9 GCODE PARAMETER SETTINGS
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5.9.1 Header/Footer options
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5.9.2 Layer Script
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5.9.3 GCode Options
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5.9.4 GCODEE Postprocessing
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5.9.5 Early extrusion
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5.10CONTROL
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6 GCODE VIEW
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6.1 FUNCTIONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN
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6.2 FUNCTIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN IN GCODE VIEW25
6.2.1Slice
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6.2.2Clear
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6.2.3Load
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6.2.4Save
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6.2.5Print
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6.2.6Options
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6.3 FUNCTIONS ON THE TOP OF THE SCREEN
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6.3.1Legend
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6.3.2 GCode (G1)
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6.3.3Type
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6.3.4 Tool Head
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6.3.5Extrusion
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6.3.6 Feed Rate
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6.3.7 Section view
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6.3.8 Control panel at the bottom of the screen in GCode view
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INTRODUCTION
CraftWare software converts 3D designs into printing commands for the CraftBot 3D printer. To print a
3D object CraftBot needs toolpath information generated from 3D object files like .obj or .stl. Toolpath
information is simply called “GCode”. CraftWare has been developed by CraftUnique with the aim of
easing and perfecting the printing process.
This manual was prepared for the version 1.14.
INSTALLATION AND GETTING STARTED
2.1 DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE CRAFTWARE SOFTWARE
• Open a new browser session on the computer where you’d like to install CraftWare.
• Go to www.craftunique.com/craftware
• Scroll down the page to select the latest version of CraftWare.
• Select the Windows or MAC OSX version according to your operation system. To install Craftware
on Linux use the package manager or issue the command “dpkg -i craftware_1.14-5.deb”
• Download the installer
• Open the installer and follow the directions to install the software.
2.2 OPEN THE CRAFTWARE SOFTWARE
Once CraftWare has been opened up, you will see a virtual build platform which represents your
CraftBot’s real build plate.
2.3 CRAFTWARE HAS 3 VIEWS WITH DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS
(1) Object view – 3D object view to move, rotate, resize/scale, clone/duplicate
(2) Support view – add or remove support individually or modify auto generated ones
(3) GCode view – the object can be viewed in a sliced view
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Switching between views is done either by clicking on the Object, Support or GCode buttons or by
hitting their respecting number (1-2-3) on the keyboard.
Object and Support views have unlimited “Undo – Redo” option. Undo - Redo function is not available
in GCode view.
OBJECT VIEW
– ADDING AND MOVING OBJECTS
3.1 DETAILED COMMAND INFORMATION
Commands to use CraftWare are also highlighted at the lower section of the screen with explanation
what functions are available in the given view and how these functions can be controlled.
3.2 OPTIONS MENU
General, graphic, color and printer settings can be managed via the Options menu located at right side
of the screen.
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3.2.1 General settings
On-line settings – if selected CraftWare will check is new updates have been released since last usage.
Other setting options include CPU settings, handling panel on screen placement and file handling
options.
3.2.1.1 File handling setting options
Within file handling options users can specify the type of GCode extensions to be used. Users can also
add prefix and suffix to the file names here.
3.2.1.2 Setting Associated file types
Users can specify which types of file should be automatically associated with CraftWare
3.2.2 Graphics settings
In the general graphics settings rendering, object viewer and GCode viewer settings can be modified.
3.2.2.1 Rendering API – it can either Openg GL or Direct 3D
3.2.2.2 Object viewer settings
Display mode – compressed or legacy
Specifying how object outside the work area should be market. If the sliding bar is moved to the left
objects parts outside the work area are transparent. If the slider is moved all the way to the left object
parts outside of the work area will be colored bright red.
Further object settings include
• Show backfaces – The surface of the object consists of triangles. This option visualises these
triangles. If users move inside the the object and see the those triangles from the back they will
see them marked black.
• Transparent – turns objects transparent, showing object blocked from view lighter.
• Environment mapping -– Surface of the objects reflects the surrounding. Giving more realistic view.
• Eozin shader – giving an eozin green shade surface to the objects.
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3.2.3 Color settings
Visual color tailoring of the object segments, different extrusions volumes (mm/mm), speed settings
(mm/s) in the GCode visualization.
Accepted color formats are RGB, RRGGBB, ARGB, AARRGGBB,
Double click to pop up the color editor.
3.2.4 Printer settings
Different 3D printers have different technical specification. In this setting section of CraftWare these
individual differences can be specified.
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Set the following parameters according your 3D printer technical specification:
• 0,0 position – specify where the 0,0 starting position is. This is marked on the screen with a
transparent light blue triangle.
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•
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For 3D printers with circular build platform select Circular platform
Specifying the filament type the 3D printer can handle
GCode acceleration estimation – if selected CraftWare will calculate using the parameters
specified here: Max. Acceleration, Corner coefficient, Max speed, time step
3.2.4.1 About
The “About” section tracks software development changes.
3.3 ADDING AN OBJECT
You can add objects, .stl files onto this virtual build plate and get an impression of what the real life
print will look like. To Import your design objects either Click the “Add” button located in the top
row of icons, select the 3D design object to be printed or “Drag and Drop” your stl file from the file
manager. Multiple files can be added to the scene. The selected object will appear at the center of the
virtual build plate.
More objects can be added to enable multiple object printing parallel.
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3.4 SELECTING OBJECTS
Click on the „Select” tag in the upper tool row. There are two options to select an object:
• Moving the cursor above the selected item – a frame will be shown around the object – and by
clicking with Left Mouse Click
• or by selecting from the list of object in the function bar at the bottom of the page.
Select all function (CTRL + A key) can be used if we have multiple objects we would like to modify. Select
none function is also available at a Click.
Adding object to the selection: Shift + Left Mouse Click
3.5 CHANGING THE VIEWING ANGLE – LOOKING AROUND IN THE VIRTUAL BUILD PLATFORM
CraftWare has the option in all views to move around in the virtual build area:
• Zoom in and out - Scrolling the Mouse wheel
• Rotate around target with the middle or right mouse button
• Use SHIFT to pan and CTRL to look around
Camera Control enables to change the view angle
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Home – sets back viewing angle to the original starting viewpoint
Top, Left, Right, Bottom view can be selected at button click
Extends – this function helpt to view ALL object on the build plate in the closest possible view,
without changing the view angle
3.6 DUPLICATING OR CLONING AN OBJECT
Switch to „Move”. Move the mouse over the object to be duplicated/cloned (Cursor will change to a hand
sign). Hold ALT+key Left Mouse and drag the Duplicate/Clone away. Release Left Mouse Button key.
Multiply objects: Select object to be multiplied. At the bottom control panel select “Multiply”. Specify the
number of clones and click “ok”.
3.7 MOVING THE OBJECT ON THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM
Select “Move button” on the top icon row. Objects can be moved either by mouse movement or by
setting numerically the distance by axis in the panel at the bottom screen.
With the drop function we can virtually place the object on the build platform.
Objects turn red if moved outside of the printing area.
Realign – arranges all objects within the print area optimally centered.
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3.8 ROTATING AN OBJECT
Objects can be easily rotated in CraftWare. Click on the „Rotate” button on the top menu panel. If object
is selected with Left Mouse Button three arrows will appear indicating the three axes along which the
object can be rotated. By holding the Left Mouse Button down over the selected axis CraftWare will
rotate the object along it as the mouse is moved. Once the desired position is reached release the Left
Mouse Button.
Object position can individually be tailored as well by manually in the control panel at the bottom of the
screen.
3.9 CHANGING THE SIZE OF AN OBJECT
Objects can be resized in two ways. If we would like to proportionally resize the object select „Scale”
button on the top menu panel. Move mouse over the item to be resized, click the Left Mouse Button.
By moving the mouse forward the object will be enlarged and by pulling it will shrink.
Object size can be individually tailored as well manually in the control panel at the bottom of the
screen. Resizing can be in metric or in percentage. By clicking on the red lock sign independent
modification of the X-Y-Z axes dimensions are enabled. If locked changes will be proportional to all
dimensions.
Mirror function mirrors the object along an axis. For example this function can be used if we would
like to have a left and a right mirrored version of the same object. It does not need to be redesigned.
By mirroring the duplicate we can easily create the required item.
SUPPORT VIEW – CREATING AND
MANAGING SUPPORT BARS
Support view can be entered either by clicking the „Support” button at the left side of the screen or by
hitting „2” on the keyboard.
4.1 AUTOMATIC SUPPORT GENERATION
CraftWare can automatically generate support by clicking on Auto-Generate Support in the control
box at the bottom of the screen.
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4.2 SETTING THE THICKNESS OF THE SUPPORT BARS
Support thickness can be individually tailored in the control box at the bottom of the screen. By default
support bar thickness is set to 1.8 mm CraftWare will automatically recalculate the bars and place them
in the same distance apart as the sickness of the Support Bars.
4.3 CHANGING THE SURFACE STEEPNESS FOR AUTOMATIC SUPPORT BAR GENERATION
The minimum surface steepness determines to which object part CraftWare generates support
automatically. By default surface steepness is set at 75°. In case of more fine printing lower steepness
can be applied.
4.4 MANUALLY ADDING AND REMOVING SUPPORT BARS
CraftWare has the option to manually add or remove support bars. Even non vertical support bars can
be added.
Removing a support bar: CTRL + Left Mouse Button
Adding support bar: Move the cursor to the attaching point of the planned support bar; (CraftWare will
allow it only to the positions where it is feasible, red sign will indicate if not feasible) support bars max
steepness is 45°.
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GENERATING THE GCODE
Once the designing of the object is ready the printing toolpath information (GCode) needs to be
generated. This has to done by clicking on the “SLICE” button to the right side of the screen. A new
window pops up with options to specify the printing quality and material to be used.
CraftWare slicing feature has two modes: Easy and Expert. By default Easy pops up.
5.1 EASY SLICING MODE SETTING OPTIONS:
5.1.1 Print Quality:
• Ultra: 100 micron
• High: 200 micron
• Medium: 300 micron
5.1.2 Selecting the printing material – this option specifies the heat setting of the extruder
• PLA – 215 °C/ 419 °F
• ABS - 250 °C/ 482 °F
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5.1.3 Automatically generate support – CraftWare generates support bars automatically
5.1.4 Add raft – CraftWare generates raft below the object automatically
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A Raft is a few layer of filament creating a base underneath the object. Objects are printed on the raft,
not directly on the build plate. Rafts help to prevent warping. Rafts are recommended for object with
small footprints. Rafts are primarily used with ABS to help with bed adhesion.
By hitting the Slice button CraftWare will generate the GCode and switch to GCode view.
5.2 SLICING SETTINGS IN CRAFTWARE IN EXPERT MODE
By clicking on Expert Mode CraftWare offers a range of further setting option. In the Mode box it is
possible to switch back to Easy Mode, doing so will eliminate all setting changes done in Expert Mode.
Input control - Detailed description of the function is explained in the left bottom box for the input
control field to be modified.
5.3 SETTING OPTIONS IN EXPERT MODE:
Load – You can load previously saved settings
Save – Name and save current settings
Delete – Delete previously saved settings
Load defaults – Resets all slicing option to default setting
Import / Export – Settings can be exported and imported in a cwsp file format (Craft Ware Slicer Preset)
5.4 BASIC SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE:
5.4.1 Resolution:
Extrusion Width – It specifies the distance of midline of perimeter and loops in millimeter. Should be
set based on the printer’s specification, by default it is set to 0,400 mm.
Layer height – Specifies layer height in millimeter. Layer height is basically equivalent to vertical
resolution in 3D printed objects. The thinner the layer, the more layers per millimeter and the
smoother the texture of your built object. It can be set between 0,3-0,1 mm
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5.4.1.1Drawspeed: Draw speed
Base speed (FeedRate). It’s used when the extruder is active. It is adjustable based according to different
toolpath segment types (loops, infill, support, etc.).
5.4.2 Extruder
Filament diameter: should be set according the diameter of the filament usable with the printer’s
extruder. This value is the base of the extrusion rate calculation.
Extruder adjust: Adjust to finetune extrusion rate.
5.4.3 Vertical shell
Vertical shell consist of the outside layers of the printed object.
5.4.3.1Loop count
Number of extruded lines (perimeter+loops) that the vertical shell made of. Defines shell thickness on
the side of the object. The outmost vertical shell is the perimeter, and the remaining optional inner
Shells are called loops.
5.4.3.2Thickness
Thickness is calculated by multiplying number of loops with the extrusion width (mm)
5.4.3.3 Shell offset
Shell offset - Adjust this to offset the perimeter inside or outside a bit in order to achieve precise
prints. Suggested value is -0.07 mm to the inside.
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5.4.3.4 Perimeter width
Perimeter widths adjust the width of the perimeter. Smaller perimeter width preserves thinner features
of the object
5.4.3.5 Perimeter speed
Perimeter speed settings adjust the draw speed of the perimeter. The print can look nicer when drawn
at slower speed.
5.4.3.6 Inner loop width
Inner loop widths adjust the width of the innermost loop. Smaller inner loop makes better connection
between the loops and the infill. (If the Vertical Shell Count is only 1, the Inner Loop Width is not used.)
5.4.3.7 Loop/Infill overlap
Loop/Infill overlap option adjusts the gap between loops and infill. This value can be negative
5.4.3.8Path smoothing
Path smoothing function simplifies the generated toolpath. The higher is the value the less number of
path segments will be generated.
5.4.3.9Fix winding errors
Fixing winding errors if selected it can fix wrongly faced triangles in the mesh.
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5.4.4 Top-bottom shell setting
5.4.4.1Type – Top bottom shell type setting
Specifies the layer pattern of the top/bottom shell. Can be filled with parallel lines or with concentric
circle-like polygons. Concentric HShell implicitly ignores too small details, so it is good for the inner shell.
5.4.4.2Top/Bottom layers:
Number of layers which made a horizontal shell on the top or bottom sides of the object.
5.4.4.3Density
Specifies the distance between adjacent Shell filler lines. When it’s 100%, the distance between lines is
exactly Extrusion Width. If reduced, then there will be less number of filled lines but the lines will be
thickened by increased extrusion.
5.4.4.4 Speed
Adjust the speed of the Shell (100% = DrawSpeed).
5.4.4.5Minimum line length
Small line segments below this length will dropped. It’s in Extrusion Width units.
5.4.4.6Shell Base Angle
Sets the direction of the horizontal shell lines on the first layer. When the Shell type is circular, it has no
effect.
5.4.4.7Shell Angle Increment
On each layer this value is added to the previous layer’s angle. When the Shell type is circular, it has no
effect.
5.4.5 Top most shell settings:
Topmost shell is the part of the horizontal shell that is visible from the top. It could be denser and
slower than the other invisible parts of the Shell
5.4.5.1Top shell Type:
Can be linear of concentric.
5.4.5.2Density
Specifies the distance between adjacent HShell filler lines. When it’s 100%, the distance between lines
is exactly Extrusion Width. If reduced, then there will be less number of filler lines but the lines will be
thickened by increased extrusion.
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5.4.5.3Speed
Adjust the speed of the Shell (100% = DrawSpeed).
5.4.6 Vase Mode
While using this special mode, you can slice a hollow vase-like object from a given solid geometry.
5.4.7 Enable micro travels
Enable or disable micro travels.
5.4.8 Enable disable infill
Infill is disabled, and Bottom shell is only enabled at the first BottomShellCnt layers of the whole mesh.
5.4.9 Infill settings
Infill settings specify the type, the density, printing speed and thickness of the infill of the object. Infill
improves the strongness of the object, and prevents top layers from falling down.
5.4.9.1Infill Type
Selects the infill pattern. Types to be selected are: parallel, square grid, triangle grid, 45° degree, 36°
degree or 30° degree.
5.4.9.2Infill Density
Adjust the amount of mass extruded into the inside of the object.
5.4.9.3Infill Speed
Adjust the speed of the infill printing (100% = DrawSpeed).
5.4.9.4Infill Thickness
You can make stronger infill walls with this option.
5.4.9.5Infill Base Angle
Sets the direction of the infill pattern on the first layer.
5.4.9.6Infill Angle Increment
On each layer this value is added to the previous layer’s angle.
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5.5 ADVANCED SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE
5.5.1 Island entry point settings
5.5.1.1 Perimeter gap
A gap inserted between perimeter’s start and end points (where the nozzle begins and ends the
perimeter). Gap distance is in Extrusion Width units can help eliminate ‘bubbles’ on the surfaces.
5.5.1.2 Lead-In length
Length of a small line which starts the extrusion a bit earlier.
5.5.1.3 Lead-Out length
Length of a small line which moves away the extruder from the freshly finished perimeter.
5.5.1.4 Lead-Out/Out angle
Angle between the lead-In and lead-Out segments.
5.5.1.5 Source direction
A direction which is used together with Facing towards source and Close to source weights.
5.5.2 Island entry point location settings
Weights are in the range -10 to +10. They tell the slicer, how to choose the best island entry points:
5.5.2.1Facing towards source
Similar to Close to source, except it is based on the facing of the entry point’s normal vector. Good entry
point candidates are facing towards the source direction.
5.5.2.2Close to source
Set it to a high to align the island entry point close to the source location.
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5.5.2.3 Proper corner angle
Avoids flat surfaces, prefers concave corners.
5.5.2.4 Near to previous point
Tries to align the island entry points close (or far when negative value is specified) to each other. Avoids
flat surfaces, prefers concave corners.
5.5.3 Drawing order: ToolPath optimizer configuration
• [perims à loops] à [fills]: Start going from perimeters towards loops, then draw the fills.
• [perims] à [fills, loops]: Start with perimeters, then draw the fills mixed with the loops.
• [perims] à [fills, loops, holes]: Start with perimeters, then draw the fills with the loops and the
holes.
• [fills] à [loops à perims]: Start with fills, then draw loops reaching perimeters.
• [fills] à [perims à loops]: Start with fills, then draw perimeters and do the loops after.
• [fills, loops] à [perims]: Start with fills and loops, then finish with the perimeters.
• [fills, loops, holes] à [perims]: Start with fills and loops and holes, then finish with the perimeters.
• [loops à perims] à [fills]: Start going from loops towards perimeters, then draw the fills.
5.5.4 WarmupFill
Warmup can be used to make sure that the extruder has a steady flow right before when it draws a
perimeter.
5.5.5 Alternating loop direction
Alternates loop drawing direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) in adjacent layers. Making the island
entry point seam more symmetric.
5.5.6 Retraction inside islands
If these are turned off, retraction is reduced to the inter island travels. Turn these on if you want
retraction inside the islands.
5.5.7 Speeds settings
5.5.7.1 Travel speed
When the extruder is inactive, the printer head will move at this speed.
5.5.7.2 Wipe speed
The speed of the above feature.
5.5.7.3 Vertical speed
Specifies how fast the build platform moves.
5.5.7.4 Retract speed
This is how fast the molten plastic sucked back up into the hotend before “far” travels. Prime speed
Re-establishes material pressure in the hotend after a “far” travel.
5.5.7.5 Minimum Layer Time
Don’t let layers to be finished faster than the time specified. Those layers are to be drawn at reduced
speed, so they’ll have enough time to cool down.
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5.5.8 Support setting
5.5.8.1 Support width specification
Adjusts the width of the support lines.
5.5.8.2 Soft support width specification
Adjusts the width of the soft support lines. Those lines are touching the objects.
5.5.8.3 Support speed specification
Adjusts the speed of the support lines. 100 % = Drwa speed.
5.5.9 Far Travel settings
5.5.9.1 Minimum Distance
The minimum distance when a travel is treated as a “far” travel. The next 3 parameter only used for far
travels.
5.5.9.2 Elevation
Z elevation of the printer head.
5.5.9.3 Retract length
Length of the filament spinned backwards by the extruder before the far travel.
5.5.9.4 Prime length
After reaching the travel destination, this is the length of the filament spinned forward by the extruder.
5.5.9.5 Wipe length
Before every long travel, the nozzle can go backwards on its path in order to reduce oozing while
travelling.
5.5.10 Avoid Island
If selected the extruder does not move over islands, it bypasses them.
5.5.11 Avoid holes
If selected the extruder does not move over holes, it bypasses them.
5.6 FOUNDATION SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE
5.6.1 First layer settings
5.6.1.1 Height
The first object layer’s height can be different. Larger values can help if the print-bed is not calibrated
well. Only applied when there is no raft.
5.6.1.2 Extruder adjust
Extruder adjust settings specifies the flow on the first layer.
5.6.1.3 Speed
Draw speed exclusively used for the first layer. Including raft.
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5.6.1.4 Z Adjust
This value will be added to the output Z coordinate in the GCode. For example it can be the negative
height of the paper with which you calibrated the bed to zero.
5.6.2 Skirt settings
Skirt is the first drawn structure that initializes the extrusion process.
5.6.2.1 Offset
Specifies the distance of the skirt from the Support Bars and the Object’s perimeter.
5.6.2.2 Min. length
Controls how much extrusion is required while drawing the Skirt. When the extruder is in idle state it
needs to extrude some material until the extrusion flow is reliable enough to draw important parts with it.
5.6.2.3 Min. count
Minimum number of loops in the skirt.
5.6.3 Brim settings
Brim is a basement structure that helps thin object parts and support bars to stick to the build-plate.
5.6.3.1 Loop count
Selects how many loops made up the brim structure.
5.6.4 Raft settings
A Raft is a few layer of filament creating a base underneath the object. Objects are printed on the raft,
not directly on the build plate. Rafts help to prevent warping. Rafts are recommended for object with
small footprints. Rafts are primarily used with ABS to help with bed adhesion.
Raft settings configuration:
5.6.4.1 Offset
Specifies the distance of the Raft from the Object’s perimeter.
5.6.4.2 Raise first object layer
Sets the value by which the first object’s layer is risen.
5.6.4.3 Only under support – raft is printed only under support bats
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5.6.4.4Raft specification by line
Additional raft layers can be added before or after a line. Lines can be deleted. Sample table can be
loaded.
Raft configuration
Type: Nothing, Linear, Square grid, Triangle grid
Layer Height: Height of the current raft layer
Density: Specifies how many lines are drawn
Angle: Base direction of the lines
5.7 TEMPERATURE SETTINGS IN EXPERT MODE:
When these values are set, then temperature commands will be inserted in the GCode.
5.8 HEATING SETTINGS
5.8.1.1 Bed temperature
Sets the temperature of the build plate.
5.8.1.2 Head temperature
Specifies the temperature of the extruder head.
5.8.1.3 Set order heating commangs
“Bed first” or “Head first” can be selected.
Some common values:
• PLA: Head: 220 °C, Bed: 60 °C
• ABS: Head: 250 °C, Bed: 110 °C
5.8.2 Cooling settings - Fan control
5.8.2.1 Enable fan
If fan control is enabled, than fan control code will be inserted into GCode.
5.8.2.2 Fan Speed settings
Specifies fan speed in percentages.
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5.8.2.3 Disabling fan on first N layers:
It can turn the fan off on the first few layers, so it will not cool the heated build-platform.
5.9 GCODE PARAMETER SETTING
5.9.1 Header/Footer options:
Enter whatever you want the GCode generator to insert at the beginning and at the end of the GCode
file.
5.9.2 Layer Script
LayerScript: is an ECMAScript that is evaluated on every layer. The following variables, funcions can be
used:
• layerIdx: contains the current layer’s idx. 0based. negative means raft layer.
• layerCnt, raftLayerCnt: no regular and raft layers.
• raftHeight: Height of the raft (to subtract from z).
• z: Current layer’s position in mm (raft is included).
• bool zPassed(float): Use this funct to check if the printer reached a specific height, so you don’t
have to check for an exact z coordinate.
• addLine(str), addFooter(str): setBedTemp(), setHeadTemp(): Appends non-waiting temperature
commandt to the layer’s header.
• setFan(): Appends fan setting command.
• pause(): Appends pause command. Works with CraftBot.
5.9.3 GCode Options
5.9.3.1Use G1 for travels (instead of G0)
5.9.3.2Display progress(M73)
If selected progress is calculated based on printing time, if not selected that based on GCode size.
5.9.3.3Extras- Start up extrdured
How much filament is extruded before print.
5.9.4 GCODEE Postprocessing
5.9.4.1Acceleration
Enable: Produces extra GCode commands to implement accelerating/deceleration. Printer’s own accel
function should be disabled while this is active.
5.9.4.2Maximum acceleration
Maximum acceleration on straight path segments.
5.9.4.3Corner coefficient
Maximum allowed speed change in corners, relative to Maximum acceleration.
5.9.4.4Minimum speed
Can’t decelerate below this speed.
5.9.4.5Time step
Time resolution of the acceleration or deceleration.
5.9.4.6Disable CraftBot’s acceleration
CraftBot’s built in acceleration setting disabled.
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5.9.5 Early extrusion
This function starts/stops the extruder earlier. It compensates the delay of the material’s flow inside the
heated chamber.
5.10 Control
Set maximum number of CPU cores. Thread priority: Normal or High.
For slicing according to the set parameters hit the slice button.
GCODE VIEW
GCode view can be entered either after slicing has been done or by clicking the ”GCode” button at the
left side of the screen or by hitting ”3” on the keyboard.
6.1 FUNCTIONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN
One can move back to the object view or to the support view by selecting their respective button on
the left side of the screen or by hitting 1 or 2 on the keyboard.
For details of the Camera function see chapter 3.5.
6.2 FUNCTIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN IN GCODE VIEW
6.2.1 Slice
The slice option screen will appear.
6.2.2 Clear
Clears all objects – can’t use undo!
6.2.3 Load
Previously saved GCode can be loaded.
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6.2.4 Save
Saving the final GCode.
6.2.5 Print
If the printer is connected directly the printing can be started by clicking on the print button.
6.2.6 Options
See for details Options Menu in chapter 3.2.
6.3 FUNCTIONS ON THE TOP OF THE SCREEN
6.3.1 Legend
Details color setting.
6.3.2 GCode (G1)
Visualizes the GCode highlighting the layer selected in the bottom control panel Layer bar.
6.3.3 Type
Coloring lines by type – Switch on “Legend” for color setting.
6.3.4 Tool Head
Recommended to use with dual extruder models. Different line coloring by printing heads.
6.3.5 Extrusion
Coloring by amount extruded filament.
6.3.6 Feed Rate
Coloring by Feed Rate.
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6.3.7 Section view
Enables to see the inside of the object “cut” along a specified section.
6.3.8 Control panel at the bottom of the screen in GCode view
6.3.8.1 Layer
In the box specific line can be selected, by moving the sliding bar layer visualization can be shown in
progress.
6.3.8.2 Line
Using the slider printing lines in a given can be visualized.
6.3.8.3 Visible layers
Using the slider visible layers can be visualized.
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