Most common software setup

I just ordered a Makergear Prusa kit and I wanted to get some more information about the software.

I know I need the firmware, skinning software and the host PC software. I also understand that the Arduino IDE and drivers are needed as well as Python.

What's the most common software setup (firmware, skinning program, and host software) that's used?

I use Skeinforge for slicing, Repsnapper for communicating with my printer although have used Pronterface as well

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Experimenting in 3D in New Zealand

use the setup instructions and install sfact. it is the most stable. slic3r still has issues with some stl files.

[reprap.org]

also a windows painless install version is here

[koti.kapsi.fi]

extract it and run it from the folder.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 10:42PM by jamesdanielv.

The most common software may not be the best. Especially in the case of RepRap where things change quickly. If you're going to be relying on Rick (MakerGear) to get you going (recommended), you'll want to use what he's most familiar with. He's not on the bleeding edge, but he's reasonably up-to-date. He has recently posted some links to firmware and so on for MakerGear printers in the MakerGear google proup. It's worth a look. You'll also want to get IRC figured out so you can ask questions in the MakerGear channel.

I use marlin+slic3r+pronterface.

Try various software setups every now and then, both to find your favorite and to avoid 'locking' yourself down to one package, making it difficult to switch to a new software solution in the future. Many people love RepG and/or skeinforge and refuse to try anything else, which I think is a loss for them.

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-Nudel
Blog with RepRap Comic

Marlin/RepSnapper Beta (Windows)/Skeinforge 41/NetFabb Basic (to repair bad STLs), Solidworks

Marlin (start with 0.9 not 1!) it is basically the same as sprinter but makes nicer prints - you can find it at: [github.com]
Choices: Slic3r, Skeinforge, SFACT. I would say avoid SFACT, it is buggy at the best of times. Skeinforge has way too many settings (but is the most fully featured). Slic3r is simple and currently gives the best prints out of the box. I guess I would recommend slic3r, although I currently use Skeinforge. [slic3r.org]
Pronterface - No contest here, avoid RepG it's not worth the hassle. [github.com]

This is a very common setup on IRC so you will get heaps of help!

jcabrer Wrote:
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> Marlin/RepSnapper Beta (Windows)/Skeinforge
> 41/NetFabb Basic (to repair bad STLs), Solidworks

Yep basically the same as I use except I still use Sprinter on the Prusa and have no Idea now what's on the Sells Mendel but it works nice so it will stay unknown for now

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Experimenting in 3D in New Zealand

NelsonRap Wrote:
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> I use Skeinforge for slicing, Repsnapper for
> communicating with my printer although have used
> Pronterface as well


Again, This.

We have considered trying Repetier out recently as well. We haven't just yet, however.

It would be interesting to do a poll to get a feel of the statistics. The poll feature doesn't seem to be activated in this forum?

Keff

Pronterface and skeinforge. Nuff said.