How can I automate the stl slicing and export using python?

[MarcosMC 0]

Hi, 

I'm coding an algorithm that is intended to take a .STL file, slice it and export it to later be able to read the .GCODE file it generates.

I'm a newbie programmer and I dont know if I can use the Cura's github repository to code that, so if I can, let me know how.

 

I hope you can help me and thanks in advance.

[gr5 2,204]

You don't need to get anything from git.  Install cura and as part of that installation there is an executable called the "engine" - I think it's "curaengine.exe" - something like that.  That's the actual slicer part.  Cura is the gui combined with curaengine.  Anyway you can pass parameters to curaengine on the command line so you can call it from python or any other scripting language.  This is documented on various parts of this forum.  Just google within the forum for the engine like this:

 

site:ultimaker.com  curaengine

 

Note that this is usually called the "command line interface" or CLI.  Many programs (most?) have a command line interface - parameters that can be called from the console screen.  But most people don't realize this.

 

[edited to say  curaengine]

[ahoeben 1,965]

You meant "curaengine.exe".

 

Actually getting curaengine to slice with a full profile is not trivial, but can be done.

[MarcosMC 0]

On 2/20/2021 at 11:20 PM, gr5 said:

You don't need to get anything from git.  Install cura and as part of that installation there is an executable called the "engine" - I think it's "curaengine.exe" - something like that.  That's the actual slicer part.  Cura is the gui combined with curaengine.  Anyway you can pass parameters to curaengine on the command line so you can call it from python or any other scripting language.  This is documented on various parts of this forum.  Just google within the forum for the engine like this:

 

site:ultimaker.com  curaengine

 

Note that this is usually called the "command line interface" or CLI.  Many programs (most?) have a command line interface - parameters that can be called from the console screen.  But most people don't realize this.

 

[edited to say  curaengine]

Thanks.

 

And, can I use curaengine remotely using any type of server connector? For example, i have a web which I upload a stl file, and then the web returns me the gcode text inside of it. 

 

[ahoeben 1,965]

CuraEngine has a command line interface. You can use the commandline interface from Python, PHP, Node.js, or whatever floats your boat... er... server.

Edited June 28, 2021 by ahoeben