Cube3 File Editor

New version posted with extrusion pressure tab changes. You can check which pressures you want to modify, then enter a value in the number up/down at the bottom of the tab. Press calculate to calculate the values. Press update to update the BFB with the changes. Note, this pressure will affect all instances of that pressure. The value in the number up/down is a percentage of change. To increase values by 50%, enter 50. To decrease values by 50%, enter -50. Values range from -100 to 100. Give this a try and let me know. There is still a bug with updating the displayed values, so there could be duplicates. I am working on that change now.

Link to file...

You know I went looking for that 'select all' button :) LOVE IT!

Yes, round or truncate the values in the 'calculated' slot. That might help the error too.

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Oh, yea... and I see some other strange stuff going on when you hit update. One of the Y values popped up in the 'updated' list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TommyDee

You know I went looking for that 'select all' button :) LOVE IT!

Yes, round or truncate the values in the 'calculated' slot. That might help the error too.

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Oh, yea... and I see some other strange stuff going on when you hit update. One of the Y values popped up in the 'updated' list.

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I was thinking of some of the files that I have looked at with more than 20 pressure changes, so yeah, I also wanted a "select all" button. As well as a "Clear" button.

I will do some rounding on the numbers to only go to 1 decimal place, that makes sense. Can you show me the error you're seeing with the "Y" values?

When you hit update, the first entry changes to some arbitrary value. It is not consistent.

New version posted! I think I fixed the issues and rounded the calculated values to 2 digits.

That was one heck of a revision Buddy! Wonderfully done :cool:

There seems to be a floating point thing getting loose somewhere...

Attachment 3392

I haven't confirmed values yet but I went to -20 and +25 and it seemed pretty close at first glance.

Yeah,

Last night I did some checking and did some math compares using Excel, and lo and behold, there was an interesting math error occurring. In my code, the math generated 12.55 and in Excel, it generated 12.6. When I checked on my calculator, it also generated 12.6.

I am trying to determine how my code got 12.55. I used the same formula in Excel that I use in my code, but for some reason my code is doing something odd. The only thing I can think of is that it is due to the transfer from type to type. I will look at that tonight. My current code does this:

Code:

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Double result = Math.Round(currentValue + (changeValue / 100.0 * currentValue), 1);

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Now currentValue, changeValue and result are all type Double. Math.Round returns a "Decimal". The only thing that I can think of is that somehow, the inherent casting from Double to Decimal back to Double is getting lost in translation.

When I modified the code to just be:

Code:

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Double result = currentValue + (changeValue / 100 * currentValue);

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result was 12.6.

So it has to be something with Math.Round. I was late when I got that far, so I stopped. :)

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so maybe I will have to go with something like:

Code:

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Double result = Convert.ToDouble(String.Format("{0:F2}", currentValue + (changeValue / 100 * currentValue));

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I will have to try this out tonight...

I wonder if something is breaking a rule... I always use extra parenthesis in math... ((new/100)*old).
I know it doesn't matter but it ensures rules are followed.
I've noticed a few interesting math interpretations when it come to Arduino coding.

Well, it had to do with the conversion to Decimal, which is a type used for monetary values. Still, weird rounding issues.. New version posted.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e

I tested with -20 on all selected, then 25% on all selected and got the original values back.

EXCELLENT! You know... if you dig into that little 'bug' further, you might find out what has been happening with all those 1/2-pennies in banking transactions, and how the sum seems to always favor the bank. Unlike Monopoly of course :p

That is beyond perfect buddy! That is an ideal way to deal with rounding. Did something weird for a CAD program once that had to do with proper rounding. Basically multiplied by 10 and evaluated the last integer number to test for rounding using the NASA plan of making decision on "nnnn5" where the final number would need to be even. So if 6-9, add 1, endif; if 0-4, truncate; endif; if 5 -and- n [in n5] is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) then add 0, else add 1, endif. Then divide by 10 and take the integer. Integers are easier to deal with even in CAD.

That's quite a process, and one that I discovered in my journey through Google today. I've heard others with similar solutions. I remember back in college, way tooooo many years ago, where we had to simulate a floating point processor in 8088 Assembly Language. The simulation included operations for adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing.... That was probably the only program that I didn't get working 100%...

I just downloaded it. must say, it is quite nice. Much MUCH simplier to use, has a good look to it and, even though WAY above my knowledge and expertise, a ton of info. CAn not wait to finally, FINALLY print ABS through this puppy and for that matter, other filaments. Thanks buddybu and TommyDee, yet another reason for my wife to be upset with me for spending too much time in the basement!!!

Holy Cow ! What a thread... what a tool ;) I think I get what it is about . but I don't get it at all... but I think my first mistake was to take the download from the first page :rolleyes:
I know, I know - different filaments behave different - still, to use this tool: what is it what you recommend to print PETG? sounds like use the Cube3 Slicer, to produce a ecocycle cube3 file while selecting an ABS material, use your tool to adjust the heat and retraction and give it a try, is this correct?

So it is definitely a tool for those that are knowing what they are doing i suppose :confused:I would kindly ask for a crash course/ guidance what makes most sense to start up with. what does it take to get started. simple to complex... that would be nice...

apart from that are you willing to share your code? I'm an IT guy as well and I would love to see how you managed all this... apart from that I was wondering if a port to apple is possible :cool:

Hey Energyx, welcome to the forum and the kind words.

First, from simple to complex. Well, the Cube3Editor aim was to remove the need to hex-edit CUBE3 files, decode them to BFB, edit the BFB, and reencode the BFB to CUBE3 format.

So, for the simplest use case.

1. Take your favorite STL file and pull it into CubePrint.
2. Print your model, select "Offline Ekocycle" and save to file.
3. Open CUBE3 file in Cube3Editor.
4. From there, change EKOCYCLE to CUBE3 in the Printer Model. This will also change the Firmware and Min Firmware versions.
5. Select the filament type your cartridge is configured as, PLA or ABS.
6. Select any color, or the color that your cartridge is configured as. The side effect is if you don't match the color in the cartridge, you get the extra dialog on the cube3 printer that the color doesn't match the model.
7. In the temperature side, the temps are quite high for the EKOCYCLE. The PLA I use has a temperature range of 190-220. So, I set the highest temperature, usually 265, to 220. I then set the remaining values to less than that:

265 -> 220
250 -> 210

etc. You'll figure out what temps work best for you. When I am printing ABS, I leave the temperatures alone.

8. Select calculate, then update for the cartridge you are adjusting.
9. Select Generate Cube3 -- this will save the updated cube3 file with an _MOD appended to the filename, so BOB.CUBE3 becomes BOB_MOD.CUBE3 and BOB.CUBE3 remains unchanged. (this was a request from TD).

That's the simplest solution. the nice thing about this tool is that you can have a PLA configured cartridge and print ABS through it by adjusting the temperatures. You can get more fine tuned by adjusting the extrusion rates and pressures, or even editing the BFB.

The code is written in C#, and is not the cleanest layout. I have been refactoring as I go along, but there should be no reason why you couldn't cross compile to make a Mac version. Although I use a grid library that may not be available, but since it is all C#, it should be capable.

See https://github.com/buddybu/cube3editor for the source code.

See https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e for the latest version.

Awesome! I will have a look! Great stuff :o

As to making 3rd party ABS work in the Cube3...

Set the printer to Offline Ekocycle.
Set up your build plate.
Save the file to the library or to disk (export to disk from the library if needed).
Open the saved .cube3 file with the Cube3Editor.exe
Change the Printer Model to 'Cube3'
Change the material type to ABS
Change the color to any color
File>Save Model
Import the newly generated .cube3 file back into the CubePrint app and send it to the printer.

Under edit>preferences I use yes; preserve Original... Do not Create backups... Yes Zero Temp allowed... and Do not minimize Cube3 File Size.
I mention this as it may be troublesome to know which file is the original and which is modified. With these settings, a new file with -MOD is created.

If you only have a PLA chip, just change the material to PLA. This is just a handshake and will not affect the rest of the data.

Temperature changes are a bit tricky in Cube3. You cannot make a huge mess but proper operation depends on extruder temperature sharing.

The retract settings are for the 'overclockers' among us. I use it to globally change Cube3 files to CubePro files. It can also help manage blobs or purposely over or under-extrude.

And if you missed it, Buddy's also included command line options if you find yourself with a common routine that you want to send through a batch file.

Oh, yeah, the command line. A bunch of this stuff can be modified that way. Thanks for the reminder, I need to update the lead post with the current command line usage.

The command line stuff I will check later :) My long run goal at the moment is PETG together with soluble support (PVA?). I only own PLA chips...maybe I should try to get some more 3dsystems materials before they are all sold out (and if it is just for a backup nozzle...). I don't think I have a good surrounding to print ABS (wife already complains on the smell of PLA...)
Also started to look at your code. First think I want to do is break it free to VSC and dotnet core... let's see if I succeed :rolleyes: But some other business first :cool:

Since Ekocycle doesn't support PVA it will be an interesting update to get the slice you want. It will have to be PLA or ABS with PVA as one of the materials. Since this is a two extruder file now, the editor gets a little more complex with heat-sharing. Have you found my earlier report on how that works in the files?

i may have read it but not recognised it as for me important. I do know that there is this Bias thing with both temps for both sides. But first things first ... single material is just fine to start with... so PETG it is I'm looking for. So now I have a simple coin that I have loaded in the program. I now see the grid for left and right which represents the temperatures. so now I can say...well the 3rd party filament (in this case PLA) is most likely happy with less temp ... so i would just for fun reduce by 10. so good...but maybe for the first layer it should be even less...so how do i read this table... and it also has counts...so I guess counts of that particular temp set in the bfb?! so here I just would like to get some input on what this things are about ...

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So I must say...You two rock...with the B2B Mod, and the adjustments to the cube3 files I just made my best print ever ... no stringing, no clocking sound, superb first layer...I was so close in investing a new printer because i thought they may be better (and they are with things like speed, noise, etc) but the print quality after all is more than ok now on the Cube... especially for a hoppy printer like me. Thank you once more! So cool. the only thing that is left for a perfect print ( and as I understood this almost no way to remove) the "blob"... for me that looks like it gets produced when the printer made the first outer layer, when it is just round "around" it has this super mini delay before it makes the second one... this produces a "scar" all the way up the print...and really sharp tips also get a bit messed up ...

Indeed you have seen the possibilities :)

To understand the temp profiles, you might want to do some investigating of how the slicer assigns temps. You can study the BFB in an offline database and query the 'patterns' the slicer is designed to generate. They are not critical, but to meet the designer's intent, you want to at least understand it.

A tip from my analysis... the first layer temp is much higher using PLA. 235 where 215 is the norm. There is overshoot control in the switching of nozzles. there are several 'maintenance temp' calls which have lower counts in the table. Buddy is adding up all the temp calls for each temp in the file.

The blob is two fold. I am glad you mentioned the start blob. I take out a line in the BFB that parks the nozzle just outside the wiper. This helps a little. I think there is a slight bug in the start because I notices that is starts out fat and only slowly reduces the trace width. This could be managed with some manipulation in the pressure setting (M108). The other setting you want to know about retraction settings. This is where the blob comes in. Let me explain why we may want to affect these values.

First of all, the original cartridge bowden tubes stretch anywhere from 1/4" to 3/8". This was accounted for in the slicer. Our 4mm bowden tubes barely stretch. So we can back of the retraction settings that makes up for this stretch. I find that setting the 2 first values on M227 and the equivalent value in M228 can be cut to 2/3 their original value. Stringing is an indicator of when you hit the lower boundary. The last 2 values also have an affect but I haven't got to the bottom of it yet. They are unique to Cubify.

There is also a painful housekeeping routine for each layer and within layers This is when the extruder is stopped, the plate drops a bit, and the retraction takes over. This works okay, this is when it is destringing, but it also does this without retraction at times. This is when the blob occurs. Basically pausing while filament is expanding from heat. This could be solved with a slight offset between retract and re-instating the original position. Basically pull back a little more than you than you subsequently forward.

Another method for appropriate single models is to remove the entire M103 series and make it a continuous print. This works well for towers, for instance, when only skin layers are put down.

Also look at those #vector calls. These are slicer modes. Walls, sidewalks, infill, etc. each have their own call so you find certain sections a bit easier.

And if you really want to have some fun, put the program's .XML files through the decoder :)

:-O ....okeeee... For now I just enjoy my new printquality for while :-D If that is ok with you. But I can sense I will do a lot of test prints in the future ;-)

:rolleyes: I just put that there for mulling in the mind. Happy Printing Energyx!

And just a little bit on the temperature lists. This is the order that I have found them in the file and the count of the specific temperature I have found. I am not sure how useful this is, but I was thinking of an enhancement that would let you adjust specific temperatures and specific rows.

Thank you for the information about Cube 3D Printer.

hm, i don't have invested that much in it at the moment..but: isn't retraction supposed to pull the material away from the nozzle? like this a high value (as it is produced by the slicer by default) ... shouldn't that have a negative effect in the opposite as the blob? so why does it blob if the material is pulled way more back as it should? Or maybe I just misread your post :-)

So... at bottom line: you spent weeks with looking at BFB it seems ... is it all returning back to the BFB code that is causing the Blob? Or is it some mechanics of the cube how it interprets the BFB code that is causing it? in other words...if i would now spend months with BFB and manipulating the patterns...would i succeed to remove the blob?
Just curious :cool:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by TommyDee

:rolleyes: I just put that there for mulling in the mind. Happy Printing Energyx!

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works ;)

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Attachment 3461Attachment 3462 quite ok ��

kind of... but probably simpler than trying to dig into what retractions means less stringing which is what it's intent is.

On the M227 command, there is a P450 and an S450. in simple terms, one is 'suck' and the other 'prime'. At 450 units X [stepper counts probably] the retraction in the '3DS generic recipe' as set in config files, accounts for 1) the retract and 2) the reduction of the bowden tube stretch (the thin stuff). Therefore, removing the stretch part of this value is appropriate to meet original intent. Basically, we are over-retracting by some 10mm.
As to the 'purge' element, it is set to just come back to where it was. What happens during the pause is that filament is expanding in size at up to 20%! So reducing the 'purge' to account for this fresh expansion will manage the blob.

Ekocycle BFB in Cube3 runs P and S at 375 (IIRC) I change that 325 and I see improvements. I could go back and figure exactly what each step means in avancement or retraction. Stepper are 1/200th of a turn per count. And we have a value of about 25mm on the gear diameter (stated in one of the configs).

Does that make a little more sense of how I am viewing this? It may not be accurate but this is what I see and mess with in my files. I really haven't gone after the blob much past this. I know the other two values have a hand in how fast things resume. I suspect there is a lot of opportunity there too.The other thing to consider is that bowden tube printer have this issue where direct drive is more responsive. Where trying to write with a wet nozzle when direct printers have a fine point pen. So there will always be limitations. But stiffing up that bowden tube is only a good thing. Refining the default recipe to make up for this change could use some investigation. My preference; attack this in the config files when the right value is achieved.

New version posted. It has initial support for Cube1 and Cube2 files. Don't try to manipulate them in the editor quite yet, but added a new utility that just hacks the generated files, quite badly. :)

Also cleaned up some error handling that I had disabled some time ago because of this.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Energyx

...<snip>

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Attachment 3461Attachment 3462 quite ok ��

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For some reason the forum lost some attachments yesterday. It happened to me too. Care to re-upload them?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by buddybu

New version posted. It has initial support for Cube1 and Cube2 files. Don't try to manipulate them in the editor quite yet, but added a new utility that just hacks the generated files, quite badly. :)

Also cleaned up some error handling that I had disabled some time ago because of this.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e

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Are you starting to understand the web I've got on my hands with CubePro now :p

Yep. I just need to find someone local who is dumping CubePro/Ekocycle/Cube3s.... :)

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Oh, and just for anyone else who is reading this set of messages. CREATION files, which are older format CUBE files, are encoded STL files with an XML attached. I think it was 3DSystems first attempt. After they decode the CREATION file, they then encode the STL to BFB and put it in an ecoded CUBE file. :)

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A new release has been posted. this time I put it on my Github page.

https://github.com/buddybu/Cube3Edit.../tag/v0.91BETA

I added a basic XML viewer for those Cube3 files that have not been stripped down to just the model data. You will currently get an error that tells you to load a Cube3 model. :) The next release will fine tune that error.

Can this be used to edit the values of how much filament is left in a cartridge?
If so how?

Welcome to the forumum Thememethunder. :)

Unfortunately, no, this will not be able to do that. You will need to get Tomuro's device to reset that value, or you can work with someone on here who you can ship the chip, do the reset for you, then ship it back to you. TommyDee has offered that in the past, or he will send you a completely setup cartridge.

You will need to still modify your firmware to not modify the chip, and I have noticed that you have asked about that.

Indeed, I still offer the chip service for free. Not sure what postage would be internationally for a 'letter' since this is not for commerce.

...thunder, have a look at this thread in case you might be interested in going that route: http://www.print3dforum.com/showthre...muro-s-Circuit''

Basically with a few components adding up to less that 10 Euro, you can make this a functional chip charger. The code is free and the hardware consists of an Arduino NANO and a 2.2K resistor.

And of course, you have the firmware patch which negates everything except the need to reduce the chip to under 100%.

Lots of great solutions for opening up this printer to some extent. :)

And Buddy's print file tools... They are the cream of the crop!

Please let us know if other burning questions come up. It can all be overwhelming until it starts to make sense.

Aw shucks! Thanks Tommy! I can say that what TD says about this being a bit overwhelming to beginner to all of this, he is correct. But using Tomuro's circuit diagram, even I, a lowly programmer, was able to build it using a breadboard and a cheap Nano.

I still have mine and it works great!

i got the firmware hack to work but for some reason it wouldn't work with my USB stick it only worked with the one that came with it and because of that i only managed to do it yesterday so my cartridges are at 0% (one still has filament in the cartridge) and as a result i cant print with it

The zero percent chip can be reset with the recube tool. Happy to reset it for you if you want to send it to me with a stamped return envelope included. That includes international.

Funny thing about the patch. It will print using WiFi to a 100% chip if the patch has been in place long enough to overwrite an internal buffer. However, that is not the case for USB. USB prints must have a cart less than 100%. That is why and the only reason I favor the ReCube wand. I have the patch in place on Cube3 but not on CubePro.

Hey, new version of tools posted in which I made some XML updates (to make sure that the update works), also if you do "save as", it will save the new file without the '_MOD' filename extension. I still have an outstanding bug that the _MOD version of the file will not be written. Working on that one still. Thanks ThememeThunder. I haven't fixed All of the bugs yet, but I am getting there. See the issues on the github page. Please post any issues you have seen there so that I can track them and make updates...

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e

Github link:
https://github.com/buddybu/Cube3Editor/issues

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And another update -- this one fixes the issue with overwriting existing _`MOD Files. Check it out. :)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gd...mhQ_f28-DhOI6e

Also posted the release on Github:

https://github.com/buddybu/Cube3Edit.../tag/v0.92BETA

Thank you once again for your diligent work Buddy! :cool:

I am working on an XML editor as well. :)

That will be sweet! That will certainly be the next phase for both Cube3 and CubePro.