Replicator 2 - From GCODE to X3G

[mattia mercante]

Hello,

Because I can't understand how to have the MakerBot Slicer default profiles' values, I've tried to find an other way throught ReplicatotG software. There exist some presets for Replicator 2 (the accelerated one, in my case). I've modified the layer thickness and the infill values. I want to modify the rafts and supports, in order to have them less strong and more easy to remove (and that stick too much on my surfaces)... but couldn't find the way hot to set these parameters.
Just as test, I've calculated the GCODE for my object. But Repliator 2 machine can't read directly this type of file (saved on the SD card).

So: how to convert GCODE to X3G files? I need x3g because my machine have the firmware 7.

Thanks in advance,
Mattia

[SteveO]

Id love to know the answer to this as well...

[Dan Newman]

1. Only makerbots use x3g
2. There's only two publically available programs to convert gcode to x3g. Namely
ReplicatorG 40 and Makerware.

So, load you gcode into either of those and then tell them to produce an SD card file.
If they will not load your gcode, then your gcode isn't apt for Makerbots.

Note that the DIY 3D printing community does not use standard gcode. They have
their own offshoot of gcode.

Dan

[mattia mercante]

Hello dnewman,

thanks for the kind reply. I have both softwares u write about, and I've generated my gcode with ReplicatorG 40.
Ok, now that u point me at, I've finally find, with Replicator G, the feature to convert to a s3g and to a x3g.

My problems (already wrote also in other last post) are quite solved: now I only need to understand how I can handle the default profiles for my Replicaotr 2.
In Makerware software, I usualy choose "high" parameter. But I only want to reduce the raft density and try to make more weak the supports.
But if I create a new profile, all starts from different "default" point, and the print fail.

So... how I can know the values that the machine use from "high" profile, created by MakerBot team? This will be the right point where to start for my values modding.

Regards,
Mattia

[Dan Newman]

I do not use MakerWare and as such have no advice for you. Other folks who
use MakerWare may have suggestions for you.

Dan

[Michael McCool]

That may all be true, but for various reasons, I'm considering operating on the x3g directly anyhow.

So, back to my question: is there documentation?

Michael McCool

PS I post-process PS/PDF files all the time...

On 2013/04/02, at 22:25, Wingcommander whpthomas <m...@henri.net> wrote:

For various reasons, I want to make small, automated edits to the x3g files (such as inserting pauses between slices to change filament colors) on a VERY lightweight processor with my own code and don't want to fire up all of ReplicatorG.

Michael: This would be much easier to do to the gcode - the x3g format is binary, and it does not have any framing, so you have to parse very command in order to traverse a file. Gcode is text based, and each command is on a separate line delimited by the line feed, so its much easier to process and edit prior to converting to x3g format.

Mattia: With regards to gcode, you can't really add supports to existing gcode. All you can do is load it and export to x3g format in Makerware or ReplicatorG. 

Gcode is similar to what happens when you press print in your application and its sends post-script off to the printer. As a matter of course, one generally doesn't apply additional layout to post script files on their way to the printer.

What you need to do is load your original STL file in ReplicatorG and re-slice with supports in order to add them.

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[Dan Newman]

On 2 Apr 2013 , at 12:32 AM, Michael McCool wrote:

> Is there any documentation on the x3g file format? I've looked all over
> (except in the ReplicatorG source code, which is my last resort) and can't
> find any.

https://github.com/makerbot/s3g/blob/master/doc/s3gProtocol.md

However, the RepG and MW sources are the definitive guide -- the "in practice"
guide.

> For various reasons, I want to make small, automated edits to the x3g files
> (such as inserting pauses between slices to change filament colors)

For that you would need to send s3g command 23.

> on a
> VERY lightweight processor with my own code and don't want to fire up all
> of ReplicatorG.

> Any pointers would be most welcome!

Of course this means you will be printing over USB. So you need to follow
the serial framing for s3g/x3g and not the unframed data used for files.
And you will be buying into the printing defects some people (many people)
see when doing detailed prints over USB.

Dan

[mattia mercante]

Hello Wingcommnader,

thank you for your kind reply.

Best regards,
Mattia