Error Message From Cura "printer setup disabled, gcode cannot be modified"

[DiamondStarr 0]

For some reason I keep getting this error message no matter what I'm trying to slice.  "printer setup disabled, gcode cannot be modified"  Even when I try to open STL files that I have sliced before using the same settings and software.  Even if I try to open GCode files already sliced with Cura, I get the same error message.  It was working just fine two hours ago, and now it won't slice anything.  Please help!

[Smithy 1,145]

The message gcode cannot be modified comes when you open a gcode and that's ok, because you cannot change settings of an already sliced gcode file. 

 

But it is strange that you get the message also when opening a STL file. Can you double check that it is really a STL and not something else. Maybe download something from Thingiverse and try it with that file.

[DiamondStarr 0]

I did double check that it was an actual STL file.  In fact I created another in TinkerCad and tried again - still the same error.  But I will try your suggestion and D/L something from Thingiverse and see how that works out.  If you're still available in a few minutes I'll let you know the results.

[DiamondStarr 0]

Okay, here's the weird thing.  I downloaded a simple Cookie Cutter STL from Thingiverse.  I opened it in Cura and it let me slice it fine.  But then when I went back to the sliced file, just to view it in Cura, half of Cookie Cutter was missing.  This is what's been happening.  When I do the print, they are only coming out half printed even though it looks like I'm slicing the entire object.  But then when I reopen the very file I tried to print to see why it's not printing.  Only half the file is showing - it looks just like it's printing out.  Half a print.

[IRobertI 521]

The problem with cookie cutters came up just the other day. More than likely the walls are too thin to print with the settings/nozzle you are using.

 

[IRobertI 521]

Also, there's no need to save the gcode and then load it in cura again to check. Simply go over to the "Preview" tab (top center of the screen) and you can see what the slice looks like. It will also allow you to change to a different colour scheme ("Line type") to better see exactly what's going on.

[DiamondStarr 0]

But they printed fine not more than 5 hours ago.  I think I'm limited on how many posts I can make so please forgive if I'm unable to reply.  I will try to slice something else that doesn't have thin walls to see how that works out.  It seems that it's not working with ANY of my STL files.  What's puzzling is that a few hours ago everything was fine.  Nothing has changed and I just got my BLTouch installed correctly and now I can't use the darn thing again for yet another reason.  Very frustrating.  But thanks for any help you can provide.  If I'm able to post, I'll let you know the result.

[DiamondStarr 0]

17 minutes ago, IRobertI said:

Also, there's no need to save the gcode and then load it in cura again to check. Simply go over to the "Preview" tab (top center of the screen) and you can see what the slice looks like. It will also allow you to change to a different colour scheme ("Line type") to better see exactly what's going on.

Thank you both (Robert & Smithy).  I think you have identified the problem. Robert you were correct about the walls being too thin.  It only happens on the cookie cutters that I have resized.  Whew!  I feel so much better now.  I thought this was going to be yet another pain in the backside to get this resolved.  It's just weird that the cutters I have downloaded from "CookieCad" all printed out just fine.  Now they won't print completely, only the base prints.  But thank you much for your help - at least now I have a solution.

[Smithy 1,145]

Don't worry there is no restriction on how many posts you can do.

[Smithy 1,145]

You can try the setting "Print thin walls" in Cura then it should be sliced. If it also prints fine is another question.

[DiamondStarr 0]

1 minute ago, Smithy said:

Don't worry there is no restriction on how many posts you can do.

Okay, thank you! 😁

[DiamondStarr 0]

3 minutes ago, Smithy said:

You can try the setting "Print thin walls" in Cura then it should be sliced. If it also prints fine is another question.

Ah!  I found that setting and I will give that a try to see how it turns out. I'm really not familiar with all the settings in the software yet, but this one sounds useful.  All this learning is making my brain hurt.   Thanks again!  I can't believe how helpful you guys are.  

[Smithy 1,145]

You are welcome!

But keep in mind that if a wall is too thin for a standard 0.4 nozzle the result could still be bad. But that's nothing Cura or any slicer can help.

 

You can then only make the walls thicker in your design or use a smaller nozzle in your printer.

[DiamondStarr 0]

Got cha! Makes sense.  Just confused on why the ones I did not resize printed out fine before, but now they won't.  Strangeness...  thanks again.

[Smithy 1,145]

I am sure you did something different, maybe you have changed the line width or something like that. There are several settings which are taken into account to slice thin walls correctly. 

 

But anyway, you know now which settings need some modifications to get it sliced.

[DiamondStarr 0]

Yah, I'm sure I did something stoopid and had no clue I did it.  Newbies... gotta luv 'em.  I'm rechecking all my cutters now and editing them all just to be on the safe side.  I'm just glad it wasn't something severe like my printer being configure wrong, or I blew something up, or some other such newbie thing.  I can't even tell you... I've spent an entire week just trying to get my BLTouch to work correctly.  So many Youtube vids and forums - but thank God - learning can be fun!  LOL!  Never hurts to expand the old brain.  Wait... yes it does.  It hurts bad.