Running CuraEngine from command line, returns empty GCode file

[BiLeVi 1]

I have been attempting to get CuraEngine running from the command line in order to use an interactive python script with it through the subprocess import that python has. I call the directory that Ultimaker Cura is in, then type in the argument:

 

CuraEngine slice -v -p -j C:/Users/blv/Cura/resources/definitions/ultimaker2.def.json -o C:\Users\blv\Desktop\200_stars.gcode -l C:\Users\blv\Desktop\stl files\200_stars.stl

 

I get the output file 200_stars.gcode, but when I open it, its completely empty!

 

There are errors/warnings that pop up within the command prompt, which state:

[WARNING] JSON setting zig_zaggify_support has no default_value!
[ERROR] Couldn't find definition file with ID: ultimaker2_extruder_0
[ERROR] Couldn't open JSON file:
[WARNING] JSON setting machine_end_gcode has no default_value!
[WARNING] Unrecognized data type in JSON setting machine_head_with_fans_polygon

[WARNING] Unable to recognize the extension of the file. Currently only .stl and .STL are supported.[ERROR] Failed to load model: C:\Users\blv\Desktop\stl. (error number 0)

 

I believe that the empty GCode output is a result of the JSON file not being read properly, but I do not know how to get it to open and read correctly.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

[MariMakes 198]

Hey @BiLeVi,

 

Welcome to the Ultimaker Community 🎉

Personallly I'm not very skilled with running from the engine command line, and most of the Cura Developers can be found on the Github https://github.com/Ultimaker/Cura

But I can ask someone from the team to take a look for you. 🤞

[DivingDuck 104]

The best way to overcome these problems is to create a folder that includes all files needed including the .stl file and a little batch file for running the slicer engine.

 

Looking on your errors there are missing:

ultimaker2_extruder_0.def.json,

in addition you need:

ultimaker.def.json,

fdmextruder.def.json

 

Here is an litte example, extract the folder Test to your Desktop and run batch file SliceUM2.bat in cmd window:

Test.zip

[nallath 1,120]

I think you're using the wrong slashes. You use / slashes in one part and \ in the other. Windows is a bit peculiar about that 😉

[Nosybottle 9]

I might be wrong, but shouldn't you have quotation marks around the STL file path? There's a space in it

 

C:\Users\blv\Desktop\stl files\200_stars.stl

                                           ^

                                   right here

Edited October 27, 2022 by Nosybottle

[DivingDuck 104]

+1 good catch.

Spaces in file and path names are often a problem. This is why I always add surrounding quotation marks for path and file names in the batch example.