Slic3r 0.9.8 Is Out! Looks Good Too!

Exciting news in the DIY 3D printing world: Slic3r Beta 0.9.8 has been released... and it doesn't suck!

Slic3r is an open source slicing program (duh... ) that takes a 3D model (an STL) and converts it into a tool path for your 3D printer.

Slic3r is much more user friendly than some of the other slicing programs on the block. Slic3r is also very quick to generate G-Code. Slic3r can generate g-code in seconds, unlike other slicing programs which can take minutes (or hours).

So far after testing v0.9.8 on a few prints, I am VERY VERY pleased with the results. The last 7+ releases of Slic3r were burdened by fatal flaws: program crashes, not lifting the z-axis to the correct heights, pimples and rashes on your prints (the Slic3r STD). I actually have not adopted a new Slic3r version since 0.9.1 because of these problems.

This Slic3r release appears to be, fast, stable and intelligent. In my book, all of Slic3r's dirty sins are forgiven I am adopting version 0.9.8 as my new primary slicing program

Slic3r GodFather, Alexrj (aka Sound), recomends you upgrade to version 0.9.8 too:

"This juicy new release contains many bugfixes and improvements. Work focused on stability and print surface smoothness, removing gaps, spikes etc. You're advised to upgrade to this version... or provide a good reason for not doing that. ;-)"

In truth, a lot of the "new" features I am gushing over (intelligent narrow path infill etc.) were added in versions 0.9.7 or earlier... the trick is that the nasty flaws in those versions stopped me from using them.

I can't recommend enough that you run over to www.slic3r.org and add Slic3r 0.9.8 to your 3D Printing arsenal.

Also Be Sure To use this calibration guide (a nice hidden gem) to get the best prints from Slic3r: [github.com]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2013 02:39PM by Idolcrasher.

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FabberForge - Printing Happiness

[www.fabberforge.com]

Thanks for the update. Will definitely check it out.

The new release of Repetier is now packaged with Slic3r 0.9.8

Idolcrasher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The new release of Repetier is now packaged with
> Slic3r 0.9.8


So is that a testiment to "Sound" preferring Repetier host to Pronterface?

I'm still new here and haven't tried anything besides pronterface/slic3r/Marlin as those were what I decided on before I even got my build together.

Well, it shows the Rpetier guys like Slic3r at least

Idolcrasher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, it shows the Rpetier guys like Slic3r at
> least


Oh lol I totally ready your post backwards. Drrrrrrr

I have just tried 098 and it looks promising. I think I can say that this is the first release I have been able to make anything good out of (without tweeking my head off) after 072b, still only tried it but it does look promising indeed.
Good on you Sound!

I agree Iceman. While I was a version 0.9.1 user, I had a whole bag of tricks to make that possible

0.9.8 is is working "out of the box." The parts are coming out nice and solid (when they should be ) . It is refreshing.

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FabberForge - Printing Happiness

[www.fabberforge.com]

Hey Guys,
I just loaded 0.9.8 and starting to play with it. I was using alexrj's extruder calibration page and I got stuck on:

- Open the Gcode file and look for the value for single wall width

Is this somewhere in the opening lines? Do I need to do some math?

; generated by Slic3r 0.9.8 on 2013-01-23 at 15:48:00

; layer_height = 0.2
; perimeters = 3
; top_solid_layers = 3
; bottom_solid_layers = 3
; fill_density = 0.1
; perimeter_speed = 30
; infill_speed = 60
; travel_speed = 130
; scale = 1
; nozzle_diameter = 0.5
; filament_diameter = 2.76
; extrusion_multiplier = 1
; perimeters extrusion width = 0.80mm
; infill extrusion width = 0.80mm
; first layer extrusion width = 0.26mm

M107
M190 S110 ; wait for bed temperature to be reached
M104 S210 ; set temperature
M92 X63.5061 ; calibrate X
M92 Y63.7017 ; calibrate Y
M92 Z2299.2150 ; calibrate Z
M92 E625 ; calibrate E
G28 ; home all axes
M106 ; turn on fan
M109 S210 ; wait for temperature to be reached
G90 ; use absolute coordinates
G21 ; set units to millimeters
G92 E0
M82 ; use absolute distances for extrusion
G1 F1800.000 E-1.00000
G1 Z0.500
G92 E0
G1 X112.980 Y114.568 F7800.000
G1 Z0.200
G1 F1800.000 E1.00000
G1 X112.160 Y115.558 F540.000 E1.01339
G1 X111.260 Y116.538 E1.02724
G1 X110.490 Y117.238 E1.03808
G1 X109.100 Y118.288 E1.05622
G1 X108.290 Y118.828 E1.06636
G1 X107.460 Y119.298 E1.07629
G1 X105.870 Y120.038 E1.09455
G1 X105.220 Y120.268 E1.10173

These three lines:

; perimeters extrusion width = 0.80mm
; infill extrusion width = 0.80mm
; first layer extrusion width = 0.26mm

Not sure why Slic3r is giving such wide extrusions for a 0.5 mm nozzle, or such a narrow extrusion width for the first layer.

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Thanks Cameron for the quick reply.

I was looking back through all my settings and for some reason I had "First layer extrusion" at 130% instead of default 0.

After changing it and redoing the extrusion test, I am spot on. I can't believe I was getting good looking prints with being off so much. I was making 1.2 mm walls when it was calling for 0.8.

Set your own width. Try a 2.2 "width over thickness"

Example:
0.2mm layer height
0.44mm width


For your first layer, consider trying something thicker and wider (but still a 2.2ish ratio) for better adhesion.

Example:
0.3mm layer height
0.66mm width

You can shoot for thinner heights and thicknesses; there comes a point where you will not be adding quality and only adding time to your prints. Find your sweet spots and adjust based on the job at hand.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2013 01:22AM by Idolcrasher.

Idolcrasher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Set your own width. Try a 2.2 "width over
> thickness"
>
> Example:
> 0.2mm layer height
> 0.44mm width
>
>
> For your first layer, consider trying something
> thicker and wider (but still a 2.2ish ratio) for
> better adhesion.
>
> Example:
> 0.3mm layer height
> 0.66mm width
>
> You can shoot for thinner heights and thicknesses;
> there comes a point where you will not be adding
> quality and only adding time to your prints. Find
> your sweet spots and adjust based on the job at
> hand.

I've never seen a slic3r setting "width over thickness". This confuses me as I've seen several people refer to it...
Is this the same thing as "default extrusion width"? Sounds like it's not.

Do you mean that it's best to manually set "default extrusion width" based on your selected layer height?

You got the idea. It is not a single setting. "Width over thickness" is your extrusion width divided by layer height.

Usually a width over thickness ratio lower than 1.8ish can be troublesome.

I have played with super high and low ratios though. You will be surprised what is possible when you tinker with your printer and its settings

Idolcrasher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You got the idea. It is not a single setting.
> "Width over thickness" is your extrusion width
> divided by layer height.
>
> Usually a width over thickness ratio lower than
> 1.8ish can be troublesome.
>
> I have played with super high and low ratios
> though. You will be surprised what is possible
> when you tinker with your printer and its settings
>

Sounds like it should be a tick-box option next to "default extrusion width"---- "Use ratio xxx instead" ;-)

Thanks for the clarification Idol

Take that up with Sound lol. I proposed something similar on the Slic3r github and did not get any traction...

Idolcrasher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Take that up with Sound lol. I proposed something
> similar on the Slic3r github and did not get any
> traction...


Honestly so far I've been doing fine leaving "default extrusion width" at "0", which must be using a similar ratio. But definitely should have an option to change the ratio itself, rather than either-or.

I'll throw it in the suggestions on github when I have some time. I know he's busy with more important things typically. Maybe if I catch him on IRC again.

In the meantime it's pretty easy to do the math myself. I think. (where's my calculator?) ;-)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2013 11:25AM by xclusive585.

2 things I'd love for Slic3r is:

1 to be able to export ALL setting in a single bound (I can use 2 different computers) I know you can do the active ones at once. (I ddn't see any files in any folder that seemed to be the paramaters. unless I'm missing something )

2 have it default to a different output folder. I like to have the STLs in one and a second folder for whats queued up to print.

On Linux i believe that folder is .slic3r (hidden folder)

Bingo! Thanks
(~/library/Application support/Slic3r on the mac.)
Nw to find it in Windows (though, the windows machine is a distant secondary)

xclusive585 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On Linux i believe that folder is .slic3r (hidden
> folder)

Just pulled and built slic3r v0.9.9dev from github. Used an unaltered old config from v0.9.3 and it produced some really beautiful prints. (A prusa y-motor-mount and a set of extruder herringbone gears).

First layer now has the correct height, and there are zero bumps on the outside of the print.

I would also recommend to upgrade.

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--
-Nudel
Blog with RepRap Comic

I'm getting this error on a few STLs

Can't call method "retract_length" on undefined value at /slic3r.app/Contents/Resources/lib/std/Slic3r/GCode.pm line 258

more here

[forums.reprap.org]

@anode, start with a fresh config for the new version and manually enter your settings.

I get the "retract_length" error on everything I have tried. This is my first time using slicer, so maybe I am missing something. But it just doesn't work for me. I have tried different values for the retraction, but it doesn't seem to have an effect.

Anyone have and then solve this issue?

So happy to read all this good feedback! \o/

Slic3r has been under active development for one year, and you know, development snapshots are unstable by definition. 1.0 is the goal for stability, and we're going there thanks to the community supporting with feedback.

@anode505, @pfinucan, can you export your config (File menu -> Export) and attach it here? I'd be glad to give it a look.

Oh crud! I found my retract error prob, but forgot what it was. But I think it was something about too small a hole/layer or the like. (or it *might* have been a SAE drawing in a mm system)

can you upload an stl and give other people a try. i have both slic3r 0.72b and 09.8 installed. can try them both. currrently set for 3mm retract.

@anode I have the exact same problem. It's accompanied by this error

No layers were detected. You might want to repair your STL file and retry.

@Sound Do you want to see my config.ini or do you think the retract error is secondary to the "No layers detected" error?

@jamesdanielv I'd be glad to upload the stl in question. How would I do that exactly? I'm new here.