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MKS preview plug-in for Cura

Open GenaUser opened this issue 6 years ago • 40 comments

Hello, Where can I find a MKS preview plug-in for Cura? Thanks in advance

GenaUser avatar Aug 04 '18 12:08 GenaUser

I use MKS SBASE with Cura. What do you mean by a preview plugin?

Vorchak avatar Aug 04 '18 12:08 Vorchak

It's about MKS TFT 3.5 screen. In the screen's datasheet, in the "Print Model Features" there is this information: "The Cura slicing software installs the MKS Plugin developed by the makerbase, its sliced model also has the preview function. I would like to use this plug-in but I don't find it's in Cura and in the Makerbase-mks.

GenaUser avatar Aug 04 '18 16:08 GenaUser

Do you mean this one? https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin I don't use the TFT 3.5 but that is what I found out from MKS github.

Vorchak avatar Aug 05 '18 21:08 Vorchak

Thanks for your help, but it's the communication plugin, not the preview plugin. preview function

GenaUser avatar Aug 06 '18 07:08 GenaUser

Unfortunately mks does not make it easy to find their stuff. And there isn't much documentation accompanying their github folders. This is the only other folder I know containing their most recent software: https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software

Vorchak avatar Aug 06 '18 13:08 Vorchak

The only plugin for Cura is found from https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin, like Vorchak linked before.

With this plugin you can send files directly to your printer (if you have Wifi module installed to MKS-TFT35) and also save files to SD-card (for example) with the preview image. This will work for sure, I have tested it and used it like this. All you have to do is download the plugin, unzip it and copy it to Cura/plugins folder to make it work.

Timppa71 avatar Aug 07 '18 08:08 Timppa71

Vorchak, Timppa71, thanks for your help. I didn't understand that there is no pluging to record locally on a PC, but only using the wifi. I couldn't test because strangely my wifi module MKS HLK-RM04 doesn't want to work with the TFT 3.5 screen, while it works perfectly with the MKS TFT 2.8... Thanks again.

GenaUser avatar Aug 08 '18 12:08 GenaUser

Gena, look here https://youtu.be/ts1etLDoI_A I specially wrote a video on this topic

Operrr avatar Aug 12 '18 14:08 Operrr

Thanks Operrr for your video. I use the second solution. I copy and paste the binary code before my own gcode.

I still have problems using the plugin. I don't usually use Cura and I'm definitely doing something wrong. When I use the "Save as TFT file" button, everything seems to be fine. I can choose the save location and the file name, but no file is actually saved. Export is not done. I tested Cura 3.4.1 with "MKS Plugin 3.3 ↑" on 3 different Mac (OS 10.13.6 and 10.12.6) and on Windows 10 version 1607 (Parallels Desktop). I never managed to save a file with "Save as TFT file" ... (The recording in normal gcode working properly)

GenaUser avatar Aug 13 '18 14:08 GenaUser

GenaUser, mks-plugin seems to be broken with newer versions with Cure-slicer... Previously I use Cura version 3.2 and older plugin will work with Cura. Now I updated Cura as well as Mks-plugin and I have same issue like you have, no file is saved. I hope that MKS developers will fix this plugin ASAP, but let's see...

Personally I will give up with MKS products and I have changed to Repetier software. At least they have prompt customer support.

Timppa71 avatar Aug 13 '18 14:08 Timppa71

I agree that technical support works very badly, you can not wait for answers. Already began to regret that I purchased their products. I'm preparing a video review about the support of makerbase and I doubt it will be positive.

Operrr avatar Aug 13 '18 18:08 Operrr

https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin we have updated the Cura Plugin.

makerbase-mks avatar Aug 20 '18 07:08 makerbase-mks

That works now in local and wifi. Thanks. Question: Is it possible to center the view. Only the left upper corner is visible? This may depend on the screen resolution?

GenaUser avatar Aug 20 '18 08:08 GenaUser

yes, the screen resolution is affected

Operrr avatar Aug 20 '18 08:08 Operrr

OK. This poses a problem on MAC OS. It's not possible to change the screen resolution. Moreover, it wouldn’t be practical to do it only to use the plugin. If this point could be improved, it would be really good because we do not see much ...

GenaUser avatar Aug 20 '18 08:08 GenaUser

Once the plug-in was copied to the plugins folder I had to take the space out of the folder name (MKS Plugin to MKSPlugin) or it wasn't read. Then all hell broke loose. It broke Cura, and reset everything to a fresh install. It cannot be read in the format supplied. What magic do I have to do to make it work? Looking at the 'json it seems to only refer to wifi. This is supposed to be the plugin that enables cura to create the file picture when printing isn't it???

pcollingwood avatar Sep 29 '18 02:09 pcollingwood

Hi MKS Do you actually LOOK here?

pcollingwood avatar Oct 07 '18 01:10 pcollingwood

@pcollingwood There may be some restrictions on the cura version, and some versions may not be compatible. If you downloaded mks plugin3.3, it may only be available for cura3.3 or 3.4. If the installation is not normal, it is recommended to change the version of cura. Because it will also try to improve the compatibility of the plugin.

makerbase-mks avatar Oct 15 '18 06:10 makerbase-mks

Have now loaded the 3.5 plugin on 3.6 and it works! Oh happy day. I tried it on 4.0 Beta and it did not work, it did nothing but didn't break anything either. Hopefully once 4 is released it will work OR a new plugin will not be too far off. Thanks

pcollingwood avatar Feb 24 '19 06:02 pcollingwood

As mentioned above by @pcollingwood the plugin work fine on 3.6.0, but does not work on Cura 4.0 final release. Please investigate if you can make it work on 4.0 also. Would appreciate.

RonaldRijn avatar Mar 22 '19 12:03 RonaldRijn

In 4.0 release, the plugin is greyed out and unselected by default, yet if you select and restart cura it still stays dusabled

jjpython avatar Mar 26 '19 13:03 jjpython

Thanks for your help, but it's the communication plugin, not the preview plugin. preview function can you tell me how to get preview on tft screen?

tiruds76 avatar Mar 27 '19 20:03 tiruds76

the complete plugin is disabled in cura 4.0

jjpython avatar Mar 27 '19 20:03 jjpython

i have cura 3.6

tiruds76 avatar Mar 27 '19 20:03 tiruds76

I have a problem of delay on cura 3.6 for the axes it takes 2 to 3 seconds but for the temperatures the feedback takes more than 3 minutes do you have any idea how to settle this? is it possible to change the refresh time of the information?

tiruds76 avatar Mar 27 '19 20:03 tiruds76

What board are you using, my MKS sbase 1.3 works as it should with cura 3.6, I'm only using 3.6 cos I can print to tft

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From: tiruds76 [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 8:55:57 PM To: makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT Cc: jjpython; Comment Subject: Re: [makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT] MKS preview plug-in for Cura (#177)

I have a problem of delay on cura 3.6 for the axes it takes 2 to 3 seconds but for the temperatures the feedback takes more than 3 minutes do you have any idea how to settle this? is it possible to change the refresh time of the information?

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT/issues/177#issuecomment-477343982, or mute the threadhttps://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AQAWfyp7l70tYiVEFmOF67p3NlsT_Z5kks5va9rdgaJpZM4Vu-aJ.

jjpython avatar Mar 27 '19 21:03 jjpython

mks gen l 1.0 tft32 mks wifi tft

tiruds76 avatar Mar 27 '19 21:03 tiruds76

do you know if it is possible to modify the firmware of the tft32 to have the previsualization of the gcodes as on the tft35?

tiruds76 avatar Mar 27 '19 21:03 tiruds76

I'm sorry I can't help there, that's an 8 bit board, I could never get my TFT to work with my ramps board so I bought the sbase1.3

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From: tiruds76 [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 9:23:24 PM To: makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT Cc: jjpython; Comment Subject: Re: [makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT] MKS preview plug-in for Cura (#177)

do you know if it is possible to modify the firmware of the tft32 to have the previsualization of the gcodes as on the tft35?

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT/issues/177#issuecomment-477353038, or mute the threadhttps://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AQAWf46uiCFjvJ45E3AHVk3pFeCRkHHfks5va-FMgaJpZM4Vu-aJ.

jjpython avatar Mar 27 '19 21:03 jjpython

Now the mks plugin only supports version 3.6, and will update version 4.0 later.

makerbase-mks avatar Apr 08 '19 11:04 makerbase-mks