Tweaker-3

The Tweaker is an auto-rotate module which finds the STL or 3MF object's optimal orientation on the printing platform to improve the efficiency of 3D printing.

Author: Christoph Schranz, 12.01.2016

Salzburg Research

Quickstart:

python Tweaker.py -i demo_object.stl -vb

Extended mode:

This mode yields the most reliable results, but needs more computation time.

python Tweaker.py -i death_star.stl -vb -x

Minimise the necessary support material:

If you want to optimise the print in terms of minimal support material volume, add the flag -vol. The extended mode is suggested for this operation.

python Tweaker.py -i demo_object.stl -vol -x

Convert a 3mf object to stl without tweaking:

python Tweaker.py -i pyramid.3mf -c

Choose the output type of the STL format:

python Tweaker.py -i pyramid.3mf -t asciistl

You can choose the output types "asciistl" and "binarystl" (default). "3mf" is not supported yet.

Just see the results:

python Tweaker.py -i demo_object.stl -r

Show the progress of tweaking:

python Tweaker.py -i demo_object.stl -x -p

Designer Mode:

In some cases the smoothness of one side's surface may be more important. Therefore, orientations closer than 45 degrees to a vector can be weighted. The use of the extended mode -x is also recommeded. Here is an example of how to favour the side x,y,z=0,-1,2.5 with a factor of 3:

python Tweaker.py -i demo_object.stl -vb -x -fs "[[0,-1,2.5],3]"

Find Help:

python Tweaker.py -h

Version:

python Tweaker.py -v

Cura Plugin:

Cura 15 and Cura 2.3 are supported. Installation infos are in the PlugIn folder, or you can also download the PlugIn from Cura 2.7 PlugIn Browser.

Interested in how the algorithm works?

This Whitepaper declares this program. Additionally, background infos and benchmarks are provided.

Donation

If this project helps you reduce time to develop, you can give me a cup of coffee :)