Since my last update on Cura 2, there have been many great improvements made by Ultimaker. Version 2.3.1 was recently released so peruse the release notes https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software/release-notes. Most notably for LulzBot users, is the ability to create a custom printer without having to modify files. This makes using the software with non-Ultimaker printers much easier. Below is instructions on how to configure it. Please post questions and any problems you run into.
- Download version 2.3.1 from software.ultimaker.com
- Install Cura like you would any other software on your platform
- Launch Cura
- Create a configuration for your printer
Settings -> Printer -> Add Printer …
Custom -> Custom FDM printer
Give your printer configuration a name (in the lower left corner)
Add Printer
Now grab settings from your current slicer (here is a screenshot with Cura LulzBot Edition on the left and Ultimaker’s Cura v2.3 on the right, using settings for a LulzBot Mini)
The most important number to enter is your nozzle size! Most LulzBots use 0.5, but some of the older TAZs are 0.35
before closing that window you still need to: - Insert the Start and End GCODE sections
Download a profile of your favorite printer and material from http://download.lulzbot.com/print-profiles/cura/
Extract the start/end gcode then paste into the appropriate boxes of Cura
Some of the settings have changed names, so in the start section you need to modify these two variable names. Note: some profiles reference these variables more than once.
print_bed_temperature -> material_bed_temperature
print_temperature -> material_print_temperature
Should now look something like this:
Check these links to read more about the inner workings of GCODE specifically for Mini and TAZ 6
Close Machine Settings window
Close Preferences window
6. Import a profile
Settings -> Profile -> Manage Profiles…
Import
(Down at the bottom) change “Files of type” field to “Cura 15.04 profiles (*.ini)”
Navigate to, then select the profile which you downloaded earlier
Open
Close preferences window
7. Prepare to print
(In right hand panel, near the top) Change the “Profile” field to the one you just imported
Disable “Print Build Plate Adhesion”
Load a model with File -> Open File
Save the sliced GCODE file somewhere (SD card or your file system)
8. Start printing and experimenting!
Challenges
Many of the below problems will be fixed over time, but they have not been taken care of yet.
Interoperability
- On Linux, Cura 2.3 cannot be installed side by side with existing Cura Original
- Cura 2.3 automatically attempts to connects with printers when it is started up, so ongoing USB print jobs may be killed
Performance – Compared to 2.1, significant improvements have been made. However not all features are faster then the previous generation of Cura.
Regressions – these features were not deliberately removed, they just have not been re-implemented on the new code base yet. Compared to 2.1 there are less.
- Minimal print controller interface
- No way to import/display GCODE files
Experimentation/Ease of use –
LulzBot profiles include a wipe temperature in the start gcode section, this number is material specific. Until this is extracted as a setting of the User Interface, it is difficult to swap between materials. For now you will have to open the printer settings and modify this hard-coded number in the start GCODE section
Z-offsets may require tweaking to achieve optimal first layer adhesion
Caveats
This has only been tested on Linux (Debian Jessie). But everything should work the same on other platforms.
Do not trust the GCODE that it produces. There may be bugs lurking, so please do not start a multi-day print then leave your printer unattended!
“What happened to version 2.2?” you ask. Well, a PinkUnicorn had a nasty collision with a train. The mythical being is fine, but the SteamEngine had to be completely re-built. It was a mess… please don’t ask about it.
Edit: add a few links
Edit2: version 2.3.1 is now released, updated information