2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
_Q: Yet another RepRap slicer?_
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A: Yes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# Slic3r
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## What's it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Slic3r is (er, will be) an STL-to-GCODE translator for RepRap 3D printers,
|
|
|
|
|
like Enrique's Skeinforge or RevK's E3D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## Why another one? Why Perl?
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-09-04 09:01:22 +00:00
|
|
|
The purpose is to build something more maintainable and flexible than both
|
2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
Skeinforge and E3D. The code makes extensive use of object-oriented
|
|
|
|
|
programming to achieve some level of abstraction instead of working with
|
|
|
|
|
raw geometry and low-level data structures.
|
|
|
|
|
This should help to maintain code, fix bugs and implement new and better
|
|
|
|
|
algorithms in the future.
|
2011-09-04 09:01:22 +00:00
|
|
|
I also aim at implementing better support for hollow objects, as Skeinforge
|
|
|
|
|
isn't smart enough to generate internal support structures for horizontal
|
|
|
|
|
facets.
|
2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
Of course, Perl's not that fast as C and usage of modules like Moose make
|
2011-09-04 09:01:22 +00:00
|
|
|
everything quite memory-hungry, but I'm happy with it. I want to build a "rapid
|
2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
prototyping" architecture for a slicer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also, http://xkcd.com/224/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## What's its current status?
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-09-05 10:21:27 +00:00
|
|
|
Slic3r is able to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* read binary and ASCII STL files;
|
|
|
|
|
* generate multiple perimeters (skins);
|
2011-09-05 11:33:09 +00:00
|
|
|
* generate rectilinear fill (100% solid for external surfaces or with customizable less density for inner surfaces);
|
2011-09-05 16:52:09 +00:00
|
|
|
* retraction;
|
2011-09-05 10:21:27 +00:00
|
|
|
* use relative or absolute extrusion commands;
|
|
|
|
|
* center print around bed center point;
|
2011-09-05 10:22:54 +00:00
|
|
|
* use different speed for bottom layer;
|
2011-09-05 10:21:27 +00:00
|
|
|
* output relevant GCODE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-09-05 11:33:09 +00:00
|
|
|
Roadmap includes the following goals:
|
2011-09-05 10:21:27 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* output some statistics;
|
|
|
|
|
* allow the user to customize initial and final GCODE commands;
|
|
|
|
|
* option for filling multiple solid layers near external surfaces;
|
|
|
|
|
* support material for internal perimeters;
|
|
|
|
|
* ability to infill in the direction of bridges;
|
2011-09-05 16:52:09 +00:00
|
|
|
* extra perimeters on alternate layers;
|
2011-09-05 10:21:27 +00:00
|
|
|
* skirt;
|
|
|
|
|
* cool;
|
|
|
|
|
* nice packaging for cross-platform deployment.
|
2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2011-09-04 09:01:22 +00:00
|
|
|
## Is it usable already?
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-09-05 11:33:09 +00:00
|
|
|
Yes. I need to write a script to install dependencies.
|
2011-09-04 09:01:22 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2011-09-01 19:06:28 +00:00
|
|
|
## Can I help?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sure! Send patches and/or drop me a line at aar@cpan.org. You can also
|
|
|
|
|
find me in #RepRap on FreeNode with the nickname _Sound_.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## What's Slic3r license?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Slic3r is dual-licensed under the _Perl Artistic License_ and the _AGPLv3_.
|
|
|
|
|
The author is Alessandro Ranellucci (that's me).
|
