What is OctoPrint Ender 3 & How to Use it?

What is octo print?

OctoPrint, a 3D printer control software developed by Gina Häusse, is completely free to use and runs usually on Raspberry Pi. With Wi-Fi, your printers can be tracked from everywhere in the world. You can even watch videos in real time, if you connect a camera!

OctoPrint is a 3D print controller open source application that provides a connected printer Web interface. It shows the status and key parameters of printers and allows the operator to plan prints and control the printer remotely.

The Cura forked OctoPrint is available under the same AGPL license. GitHub is hosting development. The Spanish smartphone manufacturer BQ has been providing OctoPrint with full- time support between August 2014 and April 2016. Häußge turned to Patreon when BQ came to a halt in April 2016.  The OctoPrintPatreon campaign will receive over $6,600 a month from over two hundred supporting organizations by February 2021.

OctoPrint is compatible with Python 3 from version 1.4.0 released on March 4, 2020. Most plugins from OctoPrint were compatible with Python 3 at the time of release.

What are the benefits of using OctoPrint?

OctoPrint is a 3D printer application based in Raspberry Pi, which allows you to remotely control your 3D printer. The software program, created by Gina Häussge in 2012, has continuously improved with new versions and new features appearing regularly (by using plug-ins).

We are confident that if you are not already a regular user, you will be convinced to try OctoPrint. There are several reasons for using OctoPrint:

1. Easy printing

Many 3D budget printers have no wireless management or monitoring capabilities. Either loaded versions onto the SD card or interacted with the cable must be sliced. These link alternatives are limited and can easily frustrate. OctoPrint offers you an excellent option.

Software which is installed on Raspberry Pi, which is linked to the 3D printer, is supplied by OctoPrint. Thanks to the Raspberry-wireless Pi’s capabilities, you can control the 3D printer wirelessly on the local network.

OctoPrint enables you to send G-codes remotely, to control the extruder and the hot end temperatures, to monitor continuous printing progress, and much more. You can always control your 3D printing system with OctoPrint’s wireless printing capabilities, even if you are not present physically.

2. Print wherever you want

Wireless printing is great, as you know, when you’re on the same network and home. But what if you are out and want to start printing so that when you are home, it’s finished? Or what if, if you are not home, you want to monitor your prints?

Plug-in Anywhere from OctoPrint allows you to control (start and stop) your prints, and to monitor them from anywhere. It is a website accessible on your mobile device or your computer.

3. Open source

OctoPrint is the free open-source GNU Affero General Public License software (AGPL).

Everybody can modify their source code in their own Github repository to suit their own needs.

Many developments in the 3D printing world have actually occurred in the area itself. For the renown of several 3D printing elements, which include free, free open source programs, such as Marlin, Cura and, of course, the famous writing company OctoPrint, exclusive designers have put in hours of their own time.

4. Cloud slicing

As the name shows, cloud trimming is a remote trenching feature that enables you to trim your 3D versions without really setting up software for trimming on your computer. A plug-in installed on the Raspberry Pi is used to cut the version.

Consider a scenario where your laptop is full of apps and where you can’t set up a new slicer. Or do not plan to mount the software of slicing on every computer you use. This is the ideal location for the cloud slice plugin. The function uses either the motor plug-in Cura or Slic3r.

5. Terminal commands

For more advanced users, the terminal command function is a great feature. It allows you to view in real time the codes which are sent to the 3D printer. This includes temperature messages, SD card messages, and command features for the 3D printer that are visible here.

However, the most important way is to send personalized G-code commands to your 3D printer. You can send commands directly within the OctoPrint terminal instead of relying on another program to communicate with your printer, like Pronterface.

In a number of scenarios, this can be useful. You can see the existing system pre-sets in the terminal command if you have to calibrate your 3D printer.

What are the reasons to buy OctoPrint ender 3?

There are multiple reasons why you should buy octoprint ender 3, some of them are:

1. Octolapse

Octolapse is a plug-in that uses cleaner, sharper videos for OctoPrint to build on the performance of the time lapse section. If you want to optimize your time-lapse videos, please check out our post for the ideal settings for Octolapse.

2. Touch screen

For many of our devices, a touchscreen interface has become the norm. But this helpful feature is still missing in many 3D printers.

Users can use a TouchUI plug-in from OctoPrint to get their OctoPrint UI on their touchscreen. You can use OctoPrint without opening your computer with this plugin. The user interface on the contact screen is very similar to what you see on your browser.

3. Time lapse videos

Videos from Timelapse use a part of the area filmed in real time (and also are much more enjoyable to view). OctoPrint shops on the Raspberry Pi the timelapse in your area and can even be downloaded from your computer. A time-lapse video clip also has the ability to determine the exact source of a print failure or at any time of the failure.

4. G-code

Users who run OctoPrint will typically monitor their print progress via a Raspberry Pi’s webcam. However, the G-code visitor can keep you updated with your printed status when you don’t have a webcam or simply want another way to check your print.

The under-rated OctoPrint feature shows the position of the nozzle and the layer number in real time. In the window below the visualizer, you can find your print status, which shows the G-code commands sent to the printer.

5. Multiple Control Printer

This feature is excellent, as you can imagine, when you work with more than one 3D printer. Connect them to each Raspberry Pi with their respective webcams.

OchoFarm offers a free, open-source and user-developed interface that allows multiple 3D printers to be controlled and monitored by a single Raspberry Pi. On one single screen, you can inspect your multiple printers and send and monitor prints.

How to setup OctoPrint ender 3?

You can setup your ender 3 octoprint by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Installation

The latest OctoPi operating system can be downloaded for startup. Use Etcher to write the image on your micro SD card once you have downloaded the disk image. Make sure the disk is written successfully and you receive confirmation.

Decompress the image and install the .img file on an etcher-based SD card. Do not format your operating system SD at any point, although this is required – this will break it and you will need to start over. Just flash the .img file with Etcher, that’s enough!

Step 2: Configuration

You want to get connected to your network once you plug in the Raspberry Pi, to allow OctoPrint to be accessed from a remote device. While you can connect a mouse, a keyboard and the Raspberry Pi monitor to configure your network settings, it’s much easier. You can add your network settings to a micro SD card file so that Raspberry Pi can use them if it boots.

Open the micro SD card and open the boot directory in the file browser on your computer. The “octopi-wpa-supplicant.txt” file opens then. Within the “WPA/WPA2 Secured” section of this file you can configure the PSK and SSID (password) of your network.

Step 3: Boot the Pi

Put the Pi SD card, connect the USB cable to your Pi, and power the Pi.

To scan your network and find the IP address of your Pi, use an IP address scanner such as the Advanced IP Scanner. Note, it’s a moment or two for your Pi to boot. You can check that you have properly set a WiFi name, password and country if you don’t see a device called OctoPi appearing in your network. If the problem continues, verify that the image has been properly installed and reinstall if needed.

Open Putty and enter the IP address of Pi on your computer. You are going to be asked to sign in. Default is to use the “pi” username, and to use the “raspberry” password, but you know that, if you enter it, you won’t view it in Putty. (The password can be changed later with a passwd command.)

In the search bar of any browser, except for Microsoft Edge, type your Pi’s IP address. The Setup Wizard will then be accessible by OctoPrint. Bear in mind that the Ender 3 has a construction volume of 235 x 235 x 250 mm.

Step 4: Pi configuration

Type octopi.local in the address bar and click Enter in a web browser in your local network. This upgrades the user interface of OctoPrint. You will see a setup wizard since this is the first time you start OctoPrint. To start the installation, click Next.

You can set a username and password for your printer on the next screen. This is a good idea because of the setup wizard. Click on the Access Control Enabled button. Go ahead and set a usernamen and password. To proceed, click Next.

The following 3 displays allow you to make choices regarding the transmission of anonymous use information to developers in OctoPrint, which allows you to check the connectivity where OctoPrint can check if it has internet access and allows a blacklist plugin to prevent you from installing buggy-known plug-ins. All these options are recommended, but you can decide whether to turn each of them on or off when using the wizard. After you have made your choice, click Next on every screen.

Step 5: Login to get access to octoprint

SSH Log on to your Pi (whether your computer is supporting Bonjour or the IP address your router assigns to it is located at Octopi.local), “Pi” is your default, and “Raspberry” is the default password. Run raspi-config software. When it’s open:

Change the “Change User Password” Password

Alternatively: Change the time zone configured by “Location Options” > “Timezone.”

You can use the arrow keys and enter menus to navigate. Use the tab to select the buttons below.

The file system does not have to be expanded. This is done automatically by current OctoPi versions.

If you have one, you don’t have to manually enable RaspiCam, which is already looked after in the image.

How to update ender 3 pro firmware with OctoPrint?

You can use the Firmware Update plugin to flash pre-compiled firmware images from a local file or URL to your printer.

The updating of the firmware should be one of the important aspects of assembling Ender 3. Not necessary in the first day, but in the first week.

These are the steps for firmware updates:

1. Boot loader installation

To install a bootloader to update the firmware via a USB connection in the future. This requires the body to be opened and an Arduino connected as an ISP. The steps at the beginning may look overwhelming but it’s not very difficult.

Make sure you’re ready for both of these things before you start:

• Mini cura
• usb string

Also, please make sure your printer is next to Cura and the printer is enabled. If you have done this and all the items you need, let’s start preparing your file.

HEX file acquisition

2. Preparation

First, the firmware needs to be obtained as a HEX file. Sources of these files are usually available throughout the internet. Just look for the firmware name you want with “Download HEX.”

You’ll have to download your firmware to a spot, after you’ve found the HEX file you want. Extract the folders and search for the HEX that must keep your firmware when the file you have downloaded is zip.

Next, we’re going to take the downloaded file and send it to your printer using Cura:

Connect the USB cable that should be turned on from your device to your printer with Cura.

• To go to the upper left corner, open Cura and click “Settings.”
• From the menu, select “Printer,” and then click “Printer Management….”
• Click “Update the Firmware,” then select the printer whose firmware you want to update.
• Click “Custom Firmware Upload.”
• Choose HEX file for firmware.

A loading bar shows the firmware update progress, wait until it is downloaded or disappears.

3. Firmware updates

Install the latest heat-running protection version. It appears that Creality ships Ender 3 without Marlin’s latest version. (Marlin is a RepRap family of 3D printers open-source firmware. One of them is the Ender series).

Watch OctoPrint: Control Your 3D Printer Remotely Using a Raspberry Pi!

Top 5 FAQs & answer related to OctoPrint Ender 3

Conclusion

OctoPrint is a software application for monitoring and controlling your 3D Printer on your local network or on the internet. Most people operate OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi (link), which allows you to run the software continuously easily and efficiently.

You will need to buy a few accessories to set up OctoPrint with your Ender 3 or CR-10. You can run OctoPrint without a computer to keep your 3D printer in another room or turn off your PC for long prints. You can buy from Amazon all you need and we can tell you what you need.

By reading this guide, I hope you got the full idea of What is OctoPrint Ender 3 & How to Use it?

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