Settings based on model geometry

[Nicolinux 288]

Cura is already pretty smart but you know what would be even cooler? If Cura (or the slicer in general) would anticipate the model geometry and either activate the proper settings or suggest them.

Some things are (I suppose) easy to implement. Like a printjob consiting of small delicate objects. This job would benefit from features like "cool head lift" or a dynamic "minimal layer time". Or if there are many short retraction moves automatically change the "minimal extrusion before retracting" setting.

I mean it would be nice if slicers were that smart. It would allow a lot more people to use 3D printers for everyday things (and not only prototyping).

 

[yellowshark 153]

It's a bit like comparing Edlin to MS Word. You need a lot of time, resources and money to make that quantum leap. AND you need a marketplace big enough and prepared to pay MSWord/Office prices to enable a business case for the investment. One might surmise that eventually that will happen. It is interesting to see that MS, Stratysys and particularly Adobe are now touching the market. We, or at least I, live in hope

Currently it is too difficult for non technical people to get good results. When I think about how frequently I had to reload and reconfigure Win95, and learn Assembler to get decent graphics on the Amiga, the World has moved on, as it always does.

 

[Nicolinux 288]

I don't think this is too far fetched. Daid seems to be pretty smart and a few of these features would go a long way.

For the enduser the true value would be to print already generated gcode files. No need to fuss around with slicer settings. This might be even an interesting business case for 3d printer manufacturers and 3d model makers. Buy a model, specify the printer you have and get the gcode file (guaranteed to come out right). The only remaining factors would be hardware tollerances and stupid user bahaviour (as usual

 

[Daid 306]

The idea is not that far fetched really. And it actually something we do have on our list of possible things to work on.

But before that is smarter support material. As you pretty much need good automated support before you want even better automated functions.