Octoprint is a gcode sender similar to pronterface. The advantage of octoprint is that it is designed to interface over a network, with a webcam. It can even power up and power down the printer. Which is very cool and adds to the already futuristic feel of 3D printing. Octoprint can run on many systems but we will be discussing using Octoprint on a raspberry pi with the Octopi image.
Fortunately there already exist good tutorials for setting up Octoprint. Rather than re-invent the wheel, I am going to send you to the various sources I used in the installation and use of octopi. Reading over the many questions people have posted I have noticed that for some installation is very quick and easy while for others it is a cause for grey hair and neck pain. I have started this discussion to see if anyone else has had trouble with octoprint and for any suggestions/input you may have.
What you need to set up:
• Raspberry Pi, Model B+ is recommended as it can achieve a 250,000 baud rate which works well with the Arduino Mega.
• SD card for models A and B. Or a micro SD and micro SD adapter for model B+.
• USB micro power cord capable of at least 1 AMP. More than 1 AMP is OK.
• A USB webcam or a raspberry pi cam
• Powered USB hub. You need this to power the USB camera and your printer’s Arduino.
• Keyboard and Mouse for setup. I had to plug these into the pi. Did not work on the USB hub.
• HDMI monitor for setup (you can use just about any monitor but you may need an adapter)
• SD card reader. Check to see if your computer already has this.
• Wireless adapter, if you need a wireless connection to your network.
You probably have most of this stuff laying around your computer desk. I imagine having to buy all of this stuff would make the project prohibitively expensive.
The first YouTube video I am going to point you towards is Thomas Sanladerer’s guide “Getting Started with OctoPrint on Raspberry Pi”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzN_MwunmE This is an obvious choice as it is the video you will find on http://www.octoprint.org
This video will get you up and running with Octoprint over your network. I ran into several problems while replicating the steps of this video.
1. My “wireless adapter” was actually an unlabeled Bluetooth adapter. This will not work and may drive you crazy trying to find the problem.
2. Octopi.local did not work.
Turns out if you are using Windows, instead of going to octopi.local you will have to type in the IP address of your raspberry pi into the web browser. Or install Bonjour Printer. Which I have no idea how to use.
How do you find the IP address?
1. Open the LX terminal in your Raspberry Pi’s desktop.
2. Type the command: Sudo ifconfig
If you’re using a wireless connection, the IP address will be on the second line of wlan0 following inet address:
If you’re using a wired connection, the IP address will be on the second line of Eth0 following inet address:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-3-network-setup/finding-your-pis-ip-address
Controlling the gMax over your network is great…If you’re a lazy person. But if you are like me, you would like to 3D print while out on a date, or kayaking :lol: . This is where I am stuck. My knowledge of this subject is very slim. Apparently In order to control your printer over a web browser you have to disable your firewall. Leaving your network and printer very vulnerable to malicious intent (which can start fires). There are services that will help keep this interaction secure. I am trying to set up with yaler.net. Which costs about 10 bucks for a relay domain. Let me know if you know of others.
Other topics to be discussed:
Adjusting camera settings in raspberry pi to send very high quality pictures instead of low res video.
Time-lapse photography.
Using with a smartphone.
Setting up the printer to be powered up and shut down with octoprint.
And another great source: https://github.com/foosel/OctoPrint/wiki/FAQ
My focus this week will be to get an understanding of all this to assist you and make a comprehensive write up about setting up and using octoprint with octopi. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Fortunately there already exist good tutorials for setting up Octoprint. Rather than re-invent the wheel, I am going to send you to the various sources I used in the installation and use of octopi. Reading over the many questions people have posted I have noticed that for some installation is very quick and easy while for others it is a cause for grey hair and neck pain. I have started this discussion to see if anyone else has had trouble with octoprint and for any suggestions/input you may have.
What you need to set up:
• Raspberry Pi, Model B+ is recommended as it can achieve a 250,000 baud rate which works well with the Arduino Mega.
• SD card for models A and B. Or a micro SD and micro SD adapter for model B+.
• USB micro power cord capable of at least 1 AMP. More than 1 AMP is OK.
• A USB webcam or a raspberry pi cam
• Powered USB hub. You need this to power the USB camera and your printer’s Arduino.
• Keyboard and Mouse for setup. I had to plug these into the pi. Did not work on the USB hub.
• HDMI monitor for setup (you can use just about any monitor but you may need an adapter)
• SD card reader. Check to see if your computer already has this.
• Wireless adapter, if you need a wireless connection to your network.
You probably have most of this stuff laying around your computer desk. I imagine having to buy all of this stuff would make the project prohibitively expensive.
The first YouTube video I am going to point you towards is Thomas Sanladerer’s guide “Getting Started with OctoPrint on Raspberry Pi”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzN_MwunmE This is an obvious choice as it is the video you will find on http://www.octoprint.org
This video will get you up and running with Octoprint over your network. I ran into several problems while replicating the steps of this video.
1. My “wireless adapter” was actually an unlabeled Bluetooth adapter. This will not work and may drive you crazy trying to find the problem.
2. Octopi.local did not work.
Turns out if you are using Windows, instead of going to octopi.local you will have to type in the IP address of your raspberry pi into the web browser. Or install Bonjour Printer. Which I have no idea how to use.
How do you find the IP address?
1. Open the LX terminal in your Raspberry Pi’s desktop.
2. Type the command: Sudo ifconfig
If you’re using a wireless connection, the IP address will be on the second line of wlan0 following inet address:
If you’re using a wired connection, the IP address will be on the second line of Eth0 following inet address:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-3-network-setup/finding-your-pis-ip-address
Controlling the gMax over your network is great…If you’re a lazy person. But if you are like me, you would like to 3D print while out on a date, or kayaking :lol: . This is where I am stuck. My knowledge of this subject is very slim. Apparently In order to control your printer over a web browser you have to disable your firewall. Leaving your network and printer very vulnerable to malicious intent (which can start fires). There are services that will help keep this interaction secure. I am trying to set up with yaler.net. Which costs about 10 bucks for a relay domain. Let me know if you know of others.
Other topics to be discussed:
Adjusting camera settings in raspberry pi to send very high quality pictures instead of low res video.
Time-lapse photography.
Using with a smartphone.
Setting up the printer to be powered up and shut down with octoprint.
And another great source: https://github.com/foosel/OctoPrint/wiki/FAQ
My focus this week will be to get an understanding of all this to assist you and make a comprehensive write up about setting up and using octoprint with octopi. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
