Can't connect Cura to printer, but I can see Fluidd. Neptune 4 Pro, Cura 5.6.0

[pburto 0]

This is my first post so please go easy if I happen to be an idiot.  (I might be.)

 

My first 3d Printer is an Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro.  I got it  which I got knowing it doesn't have WiFi, but it does have the Ethernet connector and it's in the same room as my computer.  I'm printing just fine using a thumb drive.  That is, I load .STL into Cura, set up, slice, save to a removable drive (the thumb drive) and march it over to the printer, select the file and print.  Works fine, but too many steps.

 

I wanted to use Ethernet to send my print jobs to the printer direct from Cura.  So I looked up how to connect this printer to the network.  Pretty simple: Cable from router to printer, reset the printer, check its IP address from the screen, then type that IP address in a browser.  What I see is Fluidd (Klipper's front end) and I can monitor print jobs as they progress.

 

What I can't do, is find the same printer on the network in Cura. 

 

Approach 1) Manage Printers > Add New > Non UltiMaker Printer and under "Add a networked printer" it doesn't find it on the network.

 

Approach 2) Same steps, then click "Add printer by IP address" > Enter IP Address > Add.  It spends 5 seconds saying "The printer at this address has not responced yet." which changes to "Could not connect to device."

 

Bu bu but... Why not?  Doesn't the fact that I can see fluidd mean it's physically connected and in the same network?

 

 

[odog 1]

I have the same printer and can see the issue you have. I do not think that Cura supports sending prints remotely to a Klipper 3D printer. What you can do is send prints to the printer through the Fluidd interface. You can do this by selecting the jobs tab on the left and then clicking upload and print in that menu. This will allow you to select a .gcode file from your computer and send it to your printer wherever you are. I attached an image showing you how to get there from Fluidd.

[pburto 0]

Thank you very much... That works.  But I'm surprised the solution is so "workaroundey".

 

It eliminates the step of walking over to the printer, but it ADDS the step of launching Fluidd, loading it, then sending it to the printer.  Normally I wouldn't launch Fluidd at all.

 

So...  it seems logical that, given that...

 - I need a slicer (and the printer even came with Neptune4-oriented a version of Cura)

 - Cura produces gcode that my printer is quite happy with

 - Cura has the ability to see printers on its network...

 

...that Cura should be able to send the same gcode file, byte-for-byte, to the printer via the network.  If it can't, that's weird.  Cura has a cool Monitor tab, which I'd love to be able to use, and I know Fluidd has something similar, but only with a top-down view.

 

So although your answer works, I'm just surprised and I still naively question if there isn't a more direct and elegant solution.  (One which people with other printers seem to enjoy.)

 

 

Edited February 5 by pburto

[ahoeben 1,951]

The "Add networked printer" and "Add printer by IP" functionality works for Ultimaker printers only.

 

You need to install a plugin to send prints to Klipper-based printers:

https://marketplace.ultimaker.com/app/cura/plugins/emtrax/MoonrakerConnection

[Dustin 130]

UltiMaker Cura is first and for most designed for working with UltiMaker 3d printers.
This is why something for a 3rd party product might feel like a "work around" or require a plugin as noted by ahoeben.

UltiMaker strives to add compatibility and functionality for 3rd party 3d printers.

However, with that said lots of this comes from help and contribution by 3rd party developers - UltiMaker Cura is open source. 

As UltiMaker 3d printers don't run Fluidd, or even Klipper for that matter.. This is really up to the community to help add this functionality if its desired.