Non-Essentials user How to set start height in Cura

[G3rald 0]

I am a newby to Cura and need to set the file to start printing at 1mm height

I have printed a 1mm high base and want to print a second colour on it.

[GregValiant 1,330]

Cura has things called Post Processors that can add things or replace things in the final gcode.  Two of them are "Pause at Height" and "Filament Change".  You can find them at "Extensions / Post Processing / Modify Gcode" and then "Add a Script".

Both can be used to change colors during a print.  You could have printed the base, paused at the completion of the last base layer, and then changed filament, and resumed the print with the new color.  Supports work when you do it this way.  It takes a bit of practice to get it just right but if I were you I'd scrap the base that is there and use Pause at Height.

 

I could walk you through how to print that second model on the existing base but it's involved and requires very specific slicing of the top model and very specific "one-off" startup gcode.  Much easier (and in the long run much better) to cut your losses now and use Pause at Height.

 

You can do a lot of things with Pause at Height on a single extruder printer.  The little camper/sleigh is an assembly with 4 pauses in the body.  The coasters were printed with a single gcode file with 4 pauses in it for color changes.

Edited November 14, 2022 by GregValiant

[G3rald 0]

Many thanks for your information.  I have a Trinus printer that worked with Pango software which had a start at height setting. This software is no longer working on my printer but Cura is working perfectly. Below are some examples of prints done

 

 

My problem now is how to continue printing after pausing and changing filament. I do not have a control (screen) that says print. I am a newcomer to this and have no coding experience

 

[GregValiant 1,330]

That will work.

I have my own system using Pause at Height.  Instead of using the retraction options - when I insert the new filament I push by hand until the color changes and then do a retraction of 5 or 6mm (my retraction distance) and grab the hanging sausage with tweezers.  When I click on the LCD button to resume the print I snap my wrist as the print head moves and break off the sausage.  I get excellent restarts like that.

If a restart happens to start in support, that's the best as it gets thrown out anyway.

[G3rald 0]

Many thanks for your information and time

Much appreciated