Tools for running Slic3r from FreeCAD
This module lets you quickly export all visible parts in the current document, and open the resulting .stl file in Slic3r. You can also set up a default print profile, and directly get information about the resources that would be used to print it, as well as quickly generate the .gcode file.
This module is in the add-on manager. Just go to Tools >> Addon manager to install it.
This module has been tested with FreeCAD 0.18 and Slic3r Prusa Edition 1.41.3 on Linux. It shouldn't need any external dependencies, and shold work fine other versions of Slic3r on other operating systems as well, but I haven't had a chance to test them so far. I don't think it will work with earlier versions of FreeCAD, however, since this module requires Python 3.
If you have a chance to test the module on other operating systems and with other versions of Slic3r, please let me know!
Before you can use the module there are a few settings you need to set. To access these settings, go to "Edit >> Preferences" and then select "Slic3r Tools". The settings are:
Set up the path to your where your slic3r executable is on your hard drive. If you run windows, this is the .exe file. If you run Linux, you can point to the .AppImage file here.
This should point to a slic3r .ini file. The .ini file contains information about which printer you are using as well as layer height, etc. While Slic3r has a GUI to let you work with several profiles at once and quickly change between them, the SLic3r Toolbar can only work with one profile. To export the current profile from slic3r and use it from Slic3r Toolbar, go to "File >> Export Config..." from inside Slic3r.
By default, slic3r-tools will export .stl files to the same direcotry as the main free cad document. If you want to export .stl files somewhere lese, you can set a directory here.
This command exports the current document as a .stl file. It works in a similar way as choosing "File... >> Export..." in the menu. However, while the default export option requires you to first select which objects you want to export, this option exports all visible object. There is no prompt to ask for a file name, the name of the exported .stl file will be derived from your document file name.
Export the current document as .stl. Run slic3r and open the .stl file in Slic3r.
Show quick information for your print. The information includes estimated print time, used filament and filament cost. In order to use this command, you need to set a profile .ini file for slic3r to use, see above.
Export .gcode for the current document, with the current slic3r settings. In order to use this command, you need to set a profile .ini file for slic3r to use, see above. There is no prompt to ask for a file name, the name of the exported .gcode file will be derived from your document file name.
All types of feedback, suggestions and contributions are much welcome!
For discussion, you can use this thread on the FreeCAD forum.