terrypin

Thanks but I don't want to install and learn yet another program! But out of curiosity where in that image does it tell you there are no problems, i.e. it is 'manifold' or 'watertight'? Mine is Ender 3 V2, using PLA. You could be onto something about 'printer definition'. I'm just about to post a new question about printer settings. Bottom line: are you confirming that in Cura (4.9.1), for some reason you don't get the error message opening the original STL?

I'm using the latest general version 4.9.1. As you don't get the 'not watertight' message I'm wondering if I did post the original version. Just in case, I've downloaded it again and still get the same behaviour, Here's the file once more: https://www.dropbox.com/s/766koetnivd9la4/arduino_uno_bottom.stl?raw=1 I too thought it looked good, although to be honest at this stage of learning I don't know what I'm looking for. In the following screenshots the only 'odd' things are the tiny white bits, which the colour legend says are 'starts'. Are they a relevant sign? Nor did the recommended X-ray view tell me anything. What am I looking for in that? Needless to say I did not again print from this original, given the mess it caused before: The top part of the case gave the same problem. Here's its file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ttzhlxtw74i8syf/arduino_uno_top.stl?raw=1 To repeat, I wish Cura (or its Extensions) had such a handy tool as 3D Builder. As an end user with 3D printing as a new hobby, I just want to get files printable 😉 Here's what the finished two parts look like after being fixed: Terry

What I should have said was "I do so wish Cura and its extensions/add-ons could include such a terrific tool" As mentioned, I used two 'Mesh Tools'. Neither 'Fix simple holes' or 'Fix model normals' fixed my two STLs. Happily, the 3D Builder tool did.

Thanks for all the responses. After a few hours further research I discovered that great tool in 3D Builder, which confirmed there was a problem and fixed it. But, as Greg says, without explanation of the cause. (Although I doubt it would have meant much to me as a beginner.) Before that discovery I'd unsuccessfully installed Mesh Tools and tried the two tools there in vain. Then I brazenly tried two prints. Both failed. I didn't catch the second until maybe an hour into a 1h49m print, and by then the base of the case was sliding around beneath a tangled mess. After the repair by 3D Builder I reloaded it into Cura (4.91) and printed it. Followed the same routine with the top of the box. I do so wish Cura could include such a terrific tool. Terry

I downloaded this Arduino box from thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:994827 and loaded this STL into Cura https://www.dropbox.com/s/0es0o1o356b2aw3/arduino_uno_bottom.stl?raw=1 But it gave the message "not watertight and may not print properly". I couldn't see anything obvious in Preview (although as a novice that's not surprising!) so I went ahead anyway. Sure enough, turned my back on it for 10 minutes or so after a while and got a tangled mess, dragging around the apparently finished (but flawed?) rectangular base. Thought I'd use this as opportunity to try the Mesh Tools extension. First tried 'Fix simple holes' which gave "The mesh needs more extensive repair to become watertight". Then used 'Fix model normals', which didn't report anything. Should it? I sliced it again but the resulting gcode was identical to the original in size, so presumably nothing has changed. In short, I'm lost. How should I now proceed please? Terry 0 comments

Great idea, thanks Frank, I'll try that when I next print a similarly challenging part. Terry

Thanks Carton, understood.

Thanks, I'll try the first of those. But I don't know what you mean by the second? In the support settings I see no reference to that? Aren't the default settings supposed to allow 'break away' by the user? If it helps, here's a screenshot showing all 52 lines: Hmm, that image looks hard to read. Here's the list as text (without the default values): Generate Support Support Structure Support Placement Support Overhang Angle Support Pattern Support Wall Line Count Connect Support ZigZags Support Density Support Line Distance Initial Layer Support Line Distance Support Infill Line Directions Enable Support Brim Support Brim Width Support Brim Line Count Support Z Distance Support Top Distance Support Bottom Distance Support X/Y Distance Support Distance Priority Support Stair Step Height Support Stair Step Maximum Width Support Stair Step Minimum Slope Angle Support Join Distance Support Horizontal Expansion Support Infill Layer Thickness Gradual Support Infill Steps Enable Support Interface Enable Support Roof Enable Support Floor Support Interface Thickness Support Roof Thickness Support FloorThickness Support Interface Resolution Support Interface Density Support Roof Density Support Roof Line Distance Support Floor Density Support Floor Line Distance Support Interface Pattern Support Roof Pattern Support Floor Pattern Minimum Support Interface Area Minimum Support Roof Area Minimum Support Floor Area Support Interface Horizontal Expansion Support Roof Horizontal Expansion Support Floor Horizontal Expansion Support Interface Line Directions Support Roof Line Directions Support Floor Line Directions Fan Speed Override Use Towers

Could the experts recommend what settings I should have used for this 16 minute print please? My screenshot hopefully shows the problem details clearly. In summary, I enabled support default settings but after several minutes with a tiny screwdriver I was still unable to get it off.

Many thanks for that comprehensive advice. Much to study!

Thanks both, understood. I do have some bought packs (Amazon UK). But this (a one-off replacement for a plug), is not included in any of my mixed packs. And my motivation anyway was largely a learning exercise: about screw/bolt threads and also the more general topic of how best to place a part of this sort. But I'm sold. I'll forget the print project and rummage through my junk box tomorrow, although I rather doubt I'll find one so small in diameter that's at least 17 mm long 😉 Terry

As a novice, this is my attempt at an M3 bolt (approx 3mm diameter, 17 mm total length). Printing it vertically gave a just about acceptable result, but I read that it would be significantly stronger if horizontal. Obviously it's impossible to have all of it on the bed, so could I get suggestions on the best approach please? For instance, should it be at an angle, with just two points touching the bed, as in my screenshot? Or exactly horizontal, supported by the 2 mm deep head, plus Cura support of constant height under the thread? Or something else? Whatever the placement, I'd greatly appreciate advice on specifying the Cura Support settings please (for my Ender 3 V2 if that matters). BTW, is it possible to remove the 'shadow' displayed around the model? Terry

Need help on resolving this serious problem please. Spent most of yesterday and five hours today trying. Meanwhile cannot open any STL from File Explorer by any means, except opening Cura first and dragging the file into it. Did not have this issue with 4.9.0 In case it helps here is my log file: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e9rhfzafqn6o8k6/AAA5kMik4Nf4bAE39jDun3hFa?raw=1

Despite having set the defaults correctly, I cannot get it to work. From File Explorer, d-clicking does not open Cura. Same for both 4.90 and 4.91. And using 'Open With...' does not create an entry for Cura. Looks like a Win 10 issue, but so far Cura is the only application that's suffering. I'm not a programmer but it seems that Win 10 is still trying (but failing) to open Cura 4.8.0, based on running SysInternals Procmon tool. I started Procmon running then quickly d-clicked an STL, waited a few seconds (with no Cura opening), then stopped Procmon and filtered the 256K entries by 'Process = Cura.exe' AND 'Path contains Ultimaker'. That gave 78 entries, the first few of which I've pasted below. ALL of them refer to 4.8.0. Win 10 Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.1052) Anyone else seeing this issue or able to suggest possible fix please? -------------------- Time Process PID Operation Path Result Detail 11:02:25.0527447 Cura.exe 10272 Load Image C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\Cura.exe SUCCESS Image Base: 0x7ff7bfb60000, Image Size: 0x14000 11:02:25.0575370 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll SUCCESS Desired Access: Read Attributes, Disposition: Open, Options: Open Reparse Point, Attributes: n/a, ShareMode: Read, Write, Delete, AllocationSize: n/a, OpenResult: Opened 11:02:25.0575544 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS Desired Access: Read Attributes, Disposition: Open, Options: Open Reparse Point, Attributes: n/a, ShareMode: Read, Write, Delete, AllocationSize: n/a, OpenResult: Opened 11:02:25.0575626 Cura.exe 10272 QueryBasicInformationFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll SUCCESS CreationTime: 28/10/20 09:52:50, LastAccessTime: 10/06/21 11:01:09, LastWriteTime: 28/10/20 09:52:50, ChangeTime: 08/03/21 18:24:42, FileAttributes: A 11:02:25.0575751 Cura.exe 10272 CloseFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll SUCCESS 11:02:25.0575830 Cura.exe 10272 QueryBasicInformationFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS CreationTime: 28/10/20 10:42:00, LastAccessTime: 10/06/21 11:01:09, LastWriteTime: 28/10/20 10:42:00, ChangeTime: 08/03/21 18:24:33, FileAttributes: A 11:02:25.0575980 Cura.exe 10272 CloseFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS 11:02:25.0577173 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS Desired Access: Read Data/List Directory, Execute/Traverse, Synchronize, Disposition: Open, Options: Synchronous IO Non-Alert, Non-Directory File, Attributes: n/a, ShareMode: Read, Delete, AllocationSize: n/a, OpenResult: Opened 11:02:25.0577185 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll SUCCESS Desired Access: Read Data/List Directory, Execute/Traverse, Synchronize, Disposition: Open, Options: Synchronous IO Non-Alert, Non-Directory File, Attributes: n/a, ShareMode: Read, Delete, AllocationSize: n/a, OpenResult: Opened 11:02:25.0577463 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFileMapping C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll FILE LOCKED WITH ONLY READERS SyncType: SyncTypeCreateSection, PageProtection: 11:02:25.0577922 Cura.exe 10272 QueryEAFile C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll SUCCESS 11:02:25.0579234 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFileMapping C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS SyncType: SyncTypeOther 11:02:25.0580402 Cura.exe 10272 Load Image C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\VCRUNTIME140.dll SUCCESS Image Base: 0x7ffd754f0000, Image Size: 0x17000 11:02:25.0580477 Cura.exe 10272 CreateFileMapping C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.8.0\python35.dll FILE LOCKED WITH ONLY READERS SyncType: SyncTypeCreateSection, PageProtection: --------------------

Many thanks. Will try those ASAP.

Thanks for the prompt reply Greg, much appreciate it. I’m away from my PC right now, so perhaps it will become clearer when I get back. But how can a single number define the relative movement on the X Y plane? Or is it say the calculated distance, i.e. sqrt(x^2 + y^2)? Or even something like the length of the route traveled, twists and turns included? (Like a straightened piece of string on a paper map before computers came along). Or none of the above? Also I’m a bit baffled about the units. I tried dragging the mouse cursor as close to horizontal as I could, for 10 of the smaller grid divisions, but the number reached was nothing like 10. The reason I’m so interested is that I’m looking for some way to accurately measure parts of my model before I commit hours to printing it. It’s difficult to do in OpenSCAD but I think it should be possible in Cura. I’m still at novice stage so am probably missing something basic! Terry

My model is shown as having dimensions 31.68 x 18.3 x 5.0 mm. I use Centre Selected then the Move tool. A small black rectangle with white text displays a changing number in units of mm. Could someone advise me how to interpret it please? Both while moving and with 'Lock Model' enabled. Terry

Thank you. I think I grasp what you mean. Essentially that the walls are fixed so prevent any thickening of the walls, yes? But why then does Cura appear to offer the option at all?

Without finding and editing the original SCAD file I want to change the wall thickness (i.e. the thickness of each of the four sides) from its original 0.8mm to 3mm. (To keep it simple I've used 3.2mm.) However, after overriding the profile by making this change, why do I not see any difference in the display of the walls?

Duh! Terrific, thanks!

Time for me to eat dirt - the problem was down entirely to me, sorry! The explanation was that for this project, after slicing, I had taken advantage of the handy Cura feature that allowed me to save directly to the SD card (in its USB stick). I didn't notice that this does not let me specify a new name. For all my previous projects I had saved the gcode to my project folder on the PC, with my choice of filename. I then copied that to the SD card before inserting in the printer. I'll revert to that method from now on! The speed and automatic reject of the other method is nice - but not at the cost of losing my own naming.

Thanks both. Out for most of today but I’ll carefully study those points when I get back to the PC. Not aware of doing anything special with the SD card. And never used the direct USB PC connection to printer.

Not sure I fully understand. The LCD showed the first 20 chars of the name ‘boite 10cmx10cmx3cm p1’, which was not the name of the gcode file on the SD card,

Thanks, understood. I’ll try Mesh Tools.

I usually save the Gcode from Cura 4.9 with a new, easily recognisable name. But the LCD of the Ender 3 V2 still displays the default. Viewing the Gcode in a text editor I see that this must be because there are several lines like this, with the original default name: ;MESH:boite 10cmx10cmx3cm p1.stl (Instead of the name I saved, Box-100x50x25.gcode.) I could use my text editor to change all of those to my preferred name. But is there some setting in Cura I've missed that will avoid that unwanted extra workflow step please? Was this also the behaviour in 4.8?