3D printing on Linux
GoldenRingWP wrote 09/14/2017 at 10:25 • 0 pointsI've got a Makerbot dual-extruder clone from CTC. I've just got it out for the first time since re-installed Ubuntu on my laptop, version 17.04 / zesty.
What do Linux users use to drive printers like this these days? I used to use Makerware, but it seems that's not even close to usable on zesty. So then I tried replicatorg - but the download link there is to Google code and Google code closed its doors some time ago.
Have people moved on to something else? Or is the 3D printer software ecosystem slowly dying?
Discussions
Become a Hackaday.io Member
Create an account to leave a comment. Already have an account? Log In.
I thought ReplicatorG had died years ago...
I personally use Cura https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software :)
Are you sure? yes | no
I've been using Simplify3d on Ubuntu/Windows/Mac for about 3 years now and no complaints. It's not cheap, but then again good tools usually aren't.
You could also look at Kiri:Moto - it's browser based. I haven't tried it yet though.
Are you sure? yes | no
I added OctoPrint on a old busted screen laptop running Xubuntu (2 gigs of RAM, did have a 900mhz Celeron, but I ended up dual coring with a T4500 upgrade), even got the Logitech C270 USB camera working to show the control and to make timelapse video's. It took a bit of finagling and tweaking but by golly it works like a champ...even can slice .stl's with the onboard slicer using the Cura engine.
Repetier-Server is another good one as well
Are you sure? yes | no
I have been using printrun as part of a shell script that automatically fetches gcode files from a web based print queue. It works well on a raspberry pi. I don't have to be in the same country to start print jobs on my machines. Some of my machines have an auto ejection system also. That allows me to print continually with out ever having to touch the machine. These things use that printrun package.
Are you sure? yes | no
My printer has a Smoothieboard, so I just use its web interface to control the machine. Pronterface still works as well as ever, which is to say it works but it's ugly as sin. I've contemplated the possibility of making a 3D printer host program that follows the Gnome HIG, but after hitting a few design stumbling blocks (mainly relating to file management on the printer—best done with a new GVfs backend? How would that work in a way compatible with the most possible printers?) I gave up.
Are you sure? yes | no