New CraftWare Slicer

[heathenx]

So, Craftware is pretty interesting. It has some nice (unique) features, including custom supports like S3D. I've gotten it installed but haven't printed anything with it yet. Only works on Windows for the time being and it's still in beta. Anyone else try it yet?

http://www.craftunique.com/craftware" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jesse]

Yes, I posted a thread about it: http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5827" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's pretty good. The developers will update the slicer if you send them bug reports.

[bvandiepenbos]

I had not seen this one yet. I will give it a try.
Thanks for posting the link.

[heathenx]

Sorry for double posting, jesse.

[McSlappy]

Yeah I've tried it and I love the interface as well as the awesome way they present the custom options. I'm not sure if I had a buggy version but I couldn't actually get it to export gcode. I have since downloaded the latest version, but am working through some errors.
I really like this slicer's controls, but I'll need to get it running and test for my verdict! I'm hopeful!

[Tinyhead]

Very cool. Didn't see the original thread. Going to check this out right now.

[lightninjay]

Just for the record, I've managed to make some pretty sweet prints with CraftWare, especially with the ability to place custom supports (much like the coveted S3D support feature).

I really encourage those of you who have yet to really try and tune craftware to your printer's settings, to earnestly try, as it also has a custom raft option that you may find useful as well (I know I have)

It also features the popular triangular infill of matterslicer

[Jimustanguitar]

Are there any good learning resources for it? Online tutorial videos and such, or is it pretty easy to pick up?

[bvandiepenbos]

I find it very easy to use and understand... easier than Matter Slice with it's complicated and confusing setting methodology.

I have not printed with CW but it makes some good looking code and the interactive supports are awesome.

[lightninjay]

+1 for the easier than matterslice comment. You set the settings for your printer dimensions similar to RepetierHost, and then it's just a simple matter of tweaking the model with rotation, scale, and positioning controls, checking your nozzle settings, slicing your model and sending it to the printer, I do so by putting exported gcode on SD, but I'm sure importing the code into a host like RepetierHost wouldn't be an issue.

It has a "workflow" oriented workspace is the best way I can explain it.

First screen you select files and arrange them, then you can either choose to move to the custom support tab and let it auto-generate supports for you, or you can place them where you want. Once that's done, you click slice and it pulls up the, in my opinion, well-labeled slicing settings, that also makes it very convenient to make different profiles for different filaments.

After the slicing has finished, it allows you to inspect your gcode with a user-friendly, yet highly informational slicing interface which can even take you to a specific point within a layer in the gcode.

Highly comprehensive program and much work seems to have been done to make this a high-quality, free product.

[Batteau62]

Very impressed with this! Has anyone printed with it yet? Conclusions?

[lightninjay]

I print with it routinely, and I love the results. It even allows you control over the gap between a start and end of a perimeter to help eliminate blobbing in the exterior finish.

[0110-m-p]

Just installed this and at first glance it looks amazing. I really love the flow-based layout and how intuitive and complete the slice settings are. Will take a bit to tweak all the settings, but it looks very powerful. I think I'll give it a go today.

[Mac The Knife]

I didn't see a nozzle setting, I assume you have to change the layer width to match the nozzle diameter? Or did I miss something?

[lightninjay]

Spot on. I've even gotten mixed results printing with a .35 head with an extrusion width of .21 and flow percentage of 75%

Ran two wall perimeters and it made a significantly thin structure.

[Batteau62]

Is there a setting for "Z-lift (KISSlicer) aka Z hop (Cura)"?

[lightninjay]

Is there a setting for "Z-lift (KISSlicer) aka Z hop (Cura)"?

None that I can see which are blatantly obvious, but I have noticed that its wipe and retraction settings handle printing most objects well enough without a Z hop.

[dunginhawk]

so i just tried the slicer (i like it so far) but when i went to print, it came down to the bed super slow, then sped off the plate. i had a finger on the on off switch.
is there somewhere we need to tell it what printer we have etc? i dont remember setting that up.
i love the interface though.

[teoman]

Just checked and they have a mac version.

It is 1.06 whereas windows is up to 1.08.

I shall give it a try once I make it back home.

[Mac The Knife]

so i just tried the slicer (i like it so far) but when i went to print, it came down to the bed super slow, then sped off the plate. i had a finger on the on off switch.
is there somewhere we need to tell it what printer we have etc? i dont remember setting that up.
i love the interface though.

Bottom, right hand side, there is an "options" button. That is where you set up the printer shape and size.

[dunginhawk]

anyone else find a lot of the settings in there confusing? I had no idea what to do for half of them... i havent gotten any print to work right with this slicer yet... although I think ill really like it if they ever come out with a guide

[lightninjay]

Here's the options and slicing settings I'm currently using for 1.75mm PLA. Make sure to input the closest whole number to YOUR machine's Z height. There is an option in the slicing settings to offset the Z-height at a more precise level, so don't fret

Options menu configuration

PLA1.75settings.txt

If necessary, change the txt extension to ".cwsp" then import these in the slicing menu

(3.15 KiB) Downloaded 205 times

[dunginhawk]

thanks LJ

[Jimustanguitar]

There was an update recently (between installing it a month ago and trying to use it this week). Anybody know what changed?

[Mac The Knife]

There was an update recently (between installing it a month ago and trying to use it this week). Anybody know what changed?

All I caught in the log was bug fixes.