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SD card and macros?

Posted by Purple Kerbie 
SD card and macros?
December 10, 2013 10:37AM
In pronterface I wrote a "preheat" macro that sets the temps, moves the bed forward, and raises Z 0.3 mm. How can I set something up like this on a stand alone printer?
I was thinking I could write a gcode file that looks like my macro, but I don't know which software to use.
Or maybe modify the Marlin file? What tab would that be?
Re: SD card and macros?
December 10, 2013 08:56PM
You can use a text editor like Notepad+ on Windows or gedit in Linux. gcode is pretty straightforward.

The macros in pronterface are handy but unfortunately they send all the commands at once.

You can also put any gcode you want in your slicer configuration both before and after. In my post-print code I have a command to turn off the heated bed since I'm usually not there when printing completes, and I need to cool the bed down anyway to get the piece(s) off the bed.

If you have the LCD display you can "play" any gcode you want (that you've uploaded) from the SD card menu. Octoprint makes this easier (using the web interface).

Or perhaps I'm not understanding what you want to do...
Re: SD card and macros?
December 11, 2013 07:15AM
Thanks papergeek,
That's exactly what I needed to know. I knew I could add that stuff to the slicer start code, but I didn't know how to edit the text. I think I need to actually slice an object with the "macro" code in the start part, then edit out everything but my preheat code. So you say I can do that with Notepad+? A quick google search looks like I want to use Notepad++. Is there a difference? Thanks again.
Re: SD card and macros?
December 11, 2013 09:14PM
yes. Notepad++. is much better than notepad. it has plugins to highlight different text strings, such as languages, or show invisible characters such as LF, and CR.

notepad is default text editor for windows.
Re: SD card and macros?
December 12, 2013 01:48PM
Yes indeed, Notepad++ is what I meant and the other plus got lost in seniorspace...
It's an excellent FOSS text editor for Windows...
Re: SD card and macros?
December 12, 2013 05:53PM
Doubtless, a gcode file would do the job, and easily, but in the interest of completeness...

You can modify Marlin to add new menus and commands. I've done this to put my most frequently called commands into a "Common" menu that lives above "Control" and "Motion".
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