Add some Gcode buttons

Feature Requests
#1

I’m fairly new to Astroprint and it has worked well for me on an already tuned and ready to go printer.

I was forced back to another Host app when faced with setting up and tuning a new printer.

This might be outside the scope of where you want astroprint to go, but for breaking in a new printer,
I’d like to see about six or so buttons linked to GCode files on the astrobox. This could be simple to implement I think.

They should be located either on the manual controls page or if that is too cluttered (either an advanced page or on the
gcode terminal could work) I am thinking ButtonA tied to a GCode file ButtonA.gcode on the astrobox. I could
then setup the file to do things I currently have to cut and paste into the console. It would be even better if the
button could display, say the first word in the gcode so that I could put in a comment like (; Retract100) at the top of the code and now see what 'ButtonA" would do.

The purpose here is to have short permanent Gcode snippets that a user could setup to do calibrations etc.
Several other host applications have this feature usually called MACROs.

Also on the main controls screen (both on the web and the astrobox side) a 'REPRINT LAST JOB" button would be
quite helpful. I find even when things are working well this is often what I need to do and going back to “FILEs” to
get it is not convenient. It is also very handy while tweaking printer if you have a test print you do over
and over while getting things dialed in.

As a side note I would look to the RepetierHost PRINTER Tab (and I like the older Mac version) for the type of controls
needed when working with a printer that is not quite set it and go. And while I do not care for MatterControl’s actual
control screen their MACRO setup is quite nice.

Offering things like fan speed, extrusion speed etc would be handy, but
I can see that it might make things less clean for the set it and go user.

Maybe an ADVANCED controls selection from
the main dashboard that includes all the normal features and these less used, advanced ones too.

2 Likes
#2

@Darren_DeVecchio:

Thanks for the suggestion.

AstroPrint is designed with the non-technical, average 3D Printer owner/General Consumer in mind, so there’s a very low probability of something like this being implemented on the current interface.

AstroPrint is not trying to be Octoprint – these are two different solutions for two different demographics (non geeks vs geeks).

But, it is possible that this could be implemented in a very nonchalant/hidden way…

Thanks!

#3

Totally understand this is not for the primary target user.

With the possible exception of the reprint last option which I think many people might find useful
when making multiple copies of things especially on smaller printers were having multiples on the same
bed is not practical…and not as easy to do with astropint as some other host apps…but that is another story.

I do think some of this could be easily implemented in a hidden way…:slight_smile:

Is it possible there is some way for outsiders to add an icon to the dashboard?

I might be able to cobble up a web page that has what I need if there is some mechanism for that
page to deliver a file to the astroprint system similar to how the web app transfers files to be printed.

Right now I use a bunch of small print jobs it is just hard to get to them then send them repeatedly

Maybe the astroprint engine monitors some directory for a file to print?

I haven’t really delved into how octoprint and astroprint work…my general feeling is I like astroprint better,
not so much for the look but for the ease of use and the the integration of the web slicing etc. and the new
profile management is nice too…So please do keep up the good work.

I would not want to make AstroPrint into Octoprint so much as have it be more useful to everyone as I expect the bigger the user base the better and really the middle of the road users like me could benefit from this more advanced stuff and the ease of use that astroprint offers, but I agree hiding it from the day to day user is probably best.

Thanks

2 Likes
#4

Thanks!

Ooooh! So, here’s the thing: We are planning on eventually releasing an API with the ability for anyone to make APPS on the AstroPrint platform. Think of it a bit like Google Play (where AstroPrint is Android). For example, Remote Monitoring is an app.

So, theoretically, you would be able to implement anything you want (that interacts with the AstroPrint API) in the form of an APP.

Right now, there’s no easy way to just add in a button to the dashboard, but if you have time you can certainly tinker around with the interface. :slightly_smiling: