X2SW RepRap software bundle

Hi all,

There is a new v1.1.0.1 beta release of the X2SW software bundle. Please give it a try (binary packages are self-contained, won't affect any existent installations of other tools/packages).

The download links and more detailed info can be found here: https://github.com/dob71/x2swn/wiki
or you can start from here: http://www.okob.net/projects/reprap/hostsoft.htm

The X2SW software bundle puts into one package Pronterface, Slic3r, Skeinforge and all their dependencies. There is a profile manager (x2Profiler) that assists in selecting profiles for various printers (I only published a few experimental ones for now, choose RepRap/X2/x2_0200 to enable all features). The profiles can be shared through GitHub.

The pre-built binary packages for Linux and the installer for Windows are available, but the capability to run everything from the sources is still there (you'd have to install all the dependencies manually if interesting in doing that).

The X2SW bundle was intially created to simplify the initial software setup and configuration for the dual extruding RepRap X2 printers. It contains some tweaks for dual extrusion as well as a few bug fixes and some changes for the configuration files management.

Thanks,
-- dob71

The v1.1.0.2 (beta2) of the X2SW host software bundle is available.

X2SW Wiki and download pages: [github.com]

The v1.1.0.2 fixes:
- Fixed missing Skeinforge TCL/TK dependencies in Linux binary distribution;
- Fixed the version file generation for binary distributions;
- Fixed corruption of the .pronsolerc during restart after downloading new profiles;
- Fixed x2start wrapper script from the Linux binary distribution.

The new v1.1.0.3 (beta 3) of the host software toolchain is available for download.

X2SW Wiki and download pages: [github.com]

Changes:
- Improved Slic3r integration. The presets selected in Slic3r GUI (stored in slic3r.ini file) now loaded as defaults when slicing from the command line. That change allows to configure Slic3r presets using Printrun "Slicing Settings" menu and then slice directly from the Printrun UI. Before that the slicing with non-default Slic3r presets was only possible from its GUI and required manually opening the generated G-code file from Printrun UI.

The new v1.1.0.4 (beta 4) of the host software toolchain is available for download.

X2SW Wiki and download pages: [github.com]

Changes (bugfixes only):
- Fixed the failure to merge g-code if second color STL has gaps with no layers.
- Cleaned up the Print/Cancel and Pause/Resume code (made more reliable and added feedback printouts).
- Increased the size of the retransmisson lines buffer to 32 lines.

The new v1.1.0.5 (beta 5) of the host software toolchain is available for download.

X2SW Wiki and download pages: [github.com]

Changes:
- Added x2Profiler capability to work with branches.
- Added confirmation dialog to the print cancellation.
- Fixed more missing dependencies in Linux binary.
- Fixed reset (to work under both Windows and Linux).

The new v1.1.0.6 (beta 6) of the host software toolchain is available for download.

X2SW Wiki and download pages: [github.com]

Changes:
------------
- Upgraded the Slic3r code to v0.9.7;

- Added RepRap X2 printer flavor to Slic3r's printer types menu (selecting it disables the feature moving nozzle sideways when retracting and uses E axis coordinate reset after a custom start script only if the script itself didn't set the coordinate);

- Added option to use custom script for extruder change;

- Made modifications to strip comments from custom script G-code and a few other lines where it was printed without checking the "verbose" output option;

- Moved the bridge flow rate option to filament section and allowed it to be set per extruder/filament type used;

- Added bridge spacing multiplier option (to prevent nozzle from dragging already laid down bridge filament strings while laying down the new ones), also can be set for specific filament type/extruder;

- Fixed a bug in the code loading GUI config in the command line mode. The command line mode was only loading the default filament INI file even if a different filament was configured for the second extruder in the GUI.

- Fixed more Pronterface bugs with properly resetting the software state and warning the user if operations disrupting the printing were initiated.

- Fixed bugs with Pronterface fonts rendering under Ubuntu 12.04 (the binary package should now work out of the box for both 32 and 64 bit).

- Added generic profiles for printing on RepRap X2 with Slic3r at 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm layer height both PLA and ABS, single and dual extruder;

- Added generic profile for typical 0.5mm nozzle/3mm filament Mendel (Prusa, Max and/or single headed X2, etc.). The slicing with Slic3r (0.1, 0.2 or 0.3mm layer height) or Skeinforge (0.2 or 0.3mm layer height) is available.

The new v1.1.0.7 (beta 7) of the host software toolchain is available for download.
X2SW Wiki and download pages: http://github.com/dob71/x2swn/wiki

Changes:
--------------
Skeinforge
- Fixed several bugs that used to cause Skeinforge crashes when slicing some objects. So far after the fixes it was able to take anything thrown at it;
- Added "Retract on Layer Change" Dimension option that forces full retract before moving Z up (necessary to force retract before switching between primary and secondary extruder during dual color/material prints).

Pronterface
- Changed logic to start x2Profiler if running as a part of the X2SW and the RC file is not in the chosen X2SW profile folder. Previously it would start the x2Profiler only on the first install of the bundle;
- Fixed x2Profiler issue with access to online profiles repository.

Profiles repository
- Added a set of profiles for printing on RepRap X2V3 dual X drive/carriages machines (SF - support for all the new features, Slic3r - conventional single extruder printing only).

The new v1.2.0.1 of the host software toolchain bundle is available for download.
X2SW Wiki and download pages: http://github.com/dob71/x2swn/wiki

Changes:
-------------------
Skeinforge

• Added "Disable Retract Within Infill" Dimension option that, disables all retracts within infill printing sections of G-code. It helps to minimize retract thrashing (use it with Comb plugin).
• Fix for yet another crash showing up intermittently depending on diaphragmPeriod and number of layers in the object.

Slic3r

• Upgraded Slic3r to v1.2.5 featuring lots of improvements and multiple material/object printing capabilities (available through "Settings" in plater's toolbar).
• (Re)applied following X2 mods:
  
  • Automatic loading of GUI profiles for slicing from command line;
  • RepRap X2/X2V3 printer flavor allowing to completely replace extruder change commands with custom G-code;
  • Bridge spacing multiplier option (use 1.1 to have it match Slic3r used-to-be hardcoded defaults);
  • Do not bring up save file dialog in GUI mode if output file name is explicitly set in the command line option.
• GUI layout changed to avoid stacking any options horizontally, added explanation what options apply when assigning different filament to second exruder for printing support or infill.

Pronterface

• Integrated the latest (last commit 7-Nov-2014) Printrun code featuring 3D visualization. A lot of bug/crash/broken UI fixes. Some (non-working and/or non-essential) features and UI modes disabled and/or removed.
• Optimized capturing the piped output (Skeinforge slices faster).
• Improved monitoring capabilities for dual extruder systems. Automatic detection of Marlin X2 firmware and use of advanced M105 reporting capabilities.
• Updated x2Profiler to detect compatible profiles and also filter profiles by version string when displaying the profile tree.
• x2Merge now uses combo boxes automatically populated with names of the available alteration G-code files for picking file to insert when switching extruders. A bug fixed for G-code mixing when insert has no corresponding base layers.

Profiles repository

• All the profiles were marked with version number.
• The X2, X2V3 and Marlin generic profiles converted to load properly with v1.2.0.1 of the software.
• All the v1.2.0.1 profiles can remember user-chosen slicer (Skeinforge or Slic3r) through reboots.
• The "advanced" slicing capabilities button that invokes x2Merge in Skeinforge mode, changes to invoke Slic3r plater in Slic3r slicing mode (the plater-generated G-code is saved in temporary file and loaded automatically after Slic3r UI is closed).

Windows installer

• Upgraded drivers pack to one-for-all signed Arduino driver shipped w/ Arduino v1.0.6.