My first successful print using an Android device with #GCodeSimulator !!!
I found a major bug in V1.02 which caused prints to fail . It did reorder the layers by Z-position during analysis of the gcode file, which is obviously wrong. I have just uploaded the fixed version V1.04 to Google Play store.
Homepage: http://www.dietzm.de/gcodesim
Can you make the APK file downloadable as my device don’t do google play…
THANKS
I don’t understand, is it a simulator or does it actually drive a printer ?
BTW, how do you keep the device powered AND connected to a printer ? I tried a powered USB hub with my Nexus 7 and that doesn’t work.
I am going to download and try this out. My pengpod tablet boots android or linux and has a separate charging port.
Just some feedback regarding this:
The arrows for manual X/Y/Z movement are confusing. I’d suggest using the same layout that everyone is familiar with from Pronterface/RepetierHost
I didn’t spend much time on it, but I couldn’t figure out how to go back and forth between manual view and simulation view…navigation between areas is confusing.
It works so far on my Nexus 7, but I found it tedious to download the STL on my computer, slice it on my computer, and then move the gcode over.
The echo window doesn’t need to echo manual moves and the gcode sent in order to perform those moves. echo window also shouldn’t bring up the keyboard when pressed.
@Shachar_Weis its both. It started as a simulator and later on I figured out that it would be easy to add real printing function. Since no other printing tools for Android exist, I decided to add this function to the Android version. (The PC version still does not allow printing) . Its probably time for a rename.
You might need a powered hub with upstream power for the Nexus 7 (is Nexus 7 charging?) , a simple Y-Cable should work as well. My Galaxy Tab 2 doesn’t need a powered Hub.
@ThantiK Thanks for the great feedback ! Some comments:
I used this layout because the original Pronterface layout would not fit on the panel.
What exactly is disturbing ? Is it the Z button position ? Or the fact that distance is changed by a seperate slider?
I did some improvments in V1.04. Simulation is active until you start printing. When printing is running you can’t use any simulation action (e.g. jump to next layer) . Once you stopped printing , simulation is active again. I need to improve this area.
In v1.04 I added a network receiver. This way I slice on my PC and let Slic3r send the model over network to my tablet. A long press on the load button enables the network receiver. On the PC I use a Slic3r post-running script with “telnet 192.168.1.1 53232 < file.gcode” to send the file.
Fixed in V1.04. Long press on print button enables debug mode (show every gcode in console)
Ah, thanks for replying – I was just typing out another gloss-over before I checked my notifications.
#1: The slider for adjustment of the distance is fine, it’s the Z axis being on the bottom left and top right corners that’s not intuitive. Also the arrows are just triangles I can’t tell where they’re pointing on those 2 buttons. It’s disorienting.
#3: When you show the dialog for the network interaction, you should probably make sure it stays up longer, and also posts some sort of IP address as well as the port.
There’s also a lot of vertical space you’re not using, so feel free to fill that up. To be honest, I don’t even care about the simulation stuff. Only thing that interests me is being able to print from my tablet natively.
I second that. A native android printing app is awesome. I really don’t need a simulator.
@Shachar_Weis maybe I split it into two separate apps. I’m not yet fully convinced because I find it helpful to validate the slicer outcome before starting a print.
It would also be ok to have two modes to the app, there just isn’t a need to have both interfaces on at the same time.
And I still haven’t figured out how to connect a printer to a nexus 7 and charge it at the same time. I have not seen any Y usb-host cables and a powered hub doesn’t seem to work.
@Shachar_Weis I don’t know what is needed to make USB-OTG work on a Nexus 7, but maybe @ThantiK can help you. He wrote in a previous post: “It works so far on my Nexus 7”
All you need is one of these: http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-Micro-USB-OTG-Adapter/dp/B005QX7KYU/
Nothing special. I don’t charge my Nexus while it’s printing. It can sit screen off for days and days at a time, and this doesn’t seem to drain the battery much.
Yes I have one of those cables. I just didn’t want to trust a long print to battery.
I found another bug. Its printing endless, once the part is printed it starts from beginning again. Likely to crash into the already printed part.
Yeah thats a teeny tiny bug you got there 
@Shachar_Weis
its not a bug, its a feature
so it does drive a USB to run a arduino/ramps thingy?
