Latest PrusaSlicer - how to force to produce normal G-Code

Jaroslav

I installed Repetier Host on a new computer and I had to update the built in Prusaslicer, because my config package was stored in newer version. When I try to run slicing for Prusa Mini, it produces binary gcode. I disabled the option from Repetier Host and running PrusaSlicer directly (if I understand things correctly, the settings are stored in different locations. But when I run the slicing, I still get binary code (I see in the log it runs with another ini file (slic3r something.ini - which I think is generated for each session?). It looks like the newest PrusaSlicer defaults to binary gcode when not receiving instruction not to do so. Is there any workaround for this? Trying to render the binary code makes Repetier Host unresponsive. The actual binary gcode could work, but then it would not show up as preview in my server either.

Repetier

The option is in prusa slicer in printer settings->general there is a switch for printer supports binary format. You need a config where this is deselected. Alternatively you can use Repetier-Server which supports also binary format.

Jaroslav

Thanks, but that is what I did - run PrusaSlicer from RH, disabled the setting, closed PS, reopened and confirmed it was saved. I did the same running the executable of PS directly (the setting was different). Disabled the setting, closed and reopened PS to confirm it is off. But I still get binary GCode. I have set up a separate folder with presets for Repetier - maybe that is the issue? I unfortunately have a space and special characters in my Windows user name amd I think that causes some other issues.

Jaroslav

Facepalm🙂 Now I get it, it is not in preferences, but at the printer, found it, thanks a lot!

Jaroslav

Disabling in the printer profile directly helped! I saw a phenomenon that might be related to the binary gcode. Once the binary code was generated, the Repetier window always disappeared from the screen, taskbar and list of windows. It reapeared after a few moments and it happened again when I switched to it. Sometimes it started working again, but most of the time I had to kill it with task manager.

Repetier

Importing binary files as g-code can cause any error in visialization. Parser handles it as g-code and it could produce nonsense for visualization making it break, slow down, ... In deed likely to come from unknown file format.

Jaroslav

I have now normal code, but still the Repetier window disappears randomly when I click in it - usually 2 - 3 times and then it is OK for a while. I have a theory - my Windows account name has a space in the user name (bad practice, I know, but it was set up by the admin like that) and it causes weird trouble with some programs - could this maybe be an issue with Repetier Host as well?

Repetier

If path would be a problem it should disappear always and I remember that problem, so no do not think it is. But it is strange that it happens a few times to become stable. You could try starting it from powershell and see if you get some messages there indicating the problem.

Jaroslav

I tried running from Powershell, no error messages while it disappears. Is there any switch I should use? Or some command? Thanks.

Repetier

No switch, just know on linux you get some output there so hoped this would also be the case. Could it be memory related? Depending on model size it needs ram and also graphic card must support opengl and have ram. If you see in log that it uses opengl emulation it will normally not be stable. Emulation is too slow and too old. Only makes problems. You see it directly after start up which opengl driver gets used.

Jaroslav

It does not send anything to the console. I upgraded memory to 48G, turned off powersaving, but it is still the same. Now it maybe holds a bit longer after start - minute or two, all is OK and then it starts disappearing. Might be something with the video card. The laptop is Lenovo T15 Gen1 with Intel UHD graphics and shared memory.

Repetier

To see which graphic driver it uses you must disable easy mode. It is inside host in the log at the bottom of repetier host.