In the last 3 lessons, we saw what Canvas is, how to access it and hot to set up the 3D printer. Today, we’ll see how the layer view works. It is also called object slicing simulation.
Here’s how a Gcode is made in Canvas. This process will slice into layers the entity we import.
Click on the Canvas logo in the upper left corner of the page. It’ll bring you to your projects page.
Now, click on New Project and the following window will pop up
It’s time to import our 3D entity.
Click on the Add Models button, upper right corner. Drag your 3D model inside the program.
If we click on the Settings button, we’ll access the slicing parameters.
As other slicing programs, there are macro-categories such as General, Layer Height, Extrusion, Infill, Temperature and Cooling, First layer, Supports, and Transition.
For now, we are just studying the slicing system in Canvas. Click on Save and then click on Slice.
Your object will be displayed into many thin layers. We have already seen what means “slicing” in previous chapters. We’re going to learn how Canvas works.
Print Summary
In the top left corner of your page, you’ll see Print Summary.
In “Size” choose the millimeters measurement.
“Time” indicates the estimated time the printer takes up to create the 3D object. It rarely is accurate because there are many variables.
At Fabula 3D, we did an analysis. We wanted to see how much the slicer is accurate when it estimates the printing time.
The result is that there’s a gap of 8-12% on the time evaluated by Cura 15.04.
Reminder: the global speed can be controlled by the wheel on the 3D printer when the machine is working.
For example, if you see it took up to 11 hours to complete an object when the slicer estimated the time to be 10 hours, you can just speed up the global speed to 110% and save some time.
Filament Lenght: indicates you how many meters of filament the entity needs.
Colors of the layers
Color by: it activates or deactivates some elements expected in the Gcode.
Show travel movement: if you check it, you can see the printer movements such as the repositioning of the extruder.
Show retract point: if you check it, you can see the spots where the retraction activates.
Show restart points: you can see the points where the printer starts again, probably after a retraction.
You can see the layers in many ways:
- tool index;
- path type;
- layer height;
- print speed;
- fan speed;
- print temperature;
we can have a quick analysis of how the object is 3D printed, even at a graphic level.
Tool index: you can see the entity divided into layers of a specific color.
Path type: the most famous. Basically, it divides the parts where you can operate on the object in the general set up. It can show the Inner and outer parameters, final and the first layer and the infill.
How can we display the layers in the 3D model?
On the right side of your screen, you can find 2 verticals bars, where you can scroll a black dot on. These, indicate the layer you want to display.
In future articles, we’ll learn more about Macro-areas.
I’ve always worked with Cura 3D in my tutorials, but, given the fact that online slicers exist, I’m moving forward in that direction.
Cura 3D, especially the first editions, is smart and has few parameters to change. I’ve noticed the same ease on these online slicing platforms.