This is the first 2 color 3D print I produced using the new UPStudio3 (UPS3) version 3.2.5 using the “Paint” command.
The original .STL file is a once piece, single object file I named “dented”. Other examples of this print can be found in the blog. The colored areas here are selected with UPS3 with the “Paint” command selected within the floating drop down menu.
The cursor is used to select flat enclosed areas in the drawing within selected angle ranges. I am not yet fully aware of everything this command will permit in selection as this is my first attempt and have not seen nor received instructions.
I chose to use the purge tower as I wanted best results with this first print. I do believe the “shadow” (no tower) option will also work. I will try a print using that option later.
I posted in the kickstarter forum, there are several more print options in this new 3.2.5 release. The print extruder Entity ID can now be selected in the “Special” command tab assigning print function to specific nozzles. That was not used for this print.
Just got this UPS3 Version 3.2.5 working on my MAC as I had some problems deleting/overwriting the old version installed. This is certainly a MAC OS issue and not the new UPS3. Fully deleting the old version and the LaunchPad icons manually before loading the new 3.2.5 version was required.
My Windows computer has an issue with any software using OpenGL2. Many other Intel users have reported a similar issue. The problem is not widespread and is regarded by the software designers an Intel GPU driver issue. The OpenGL2 standard is 30 years old and really should be depreciated to higher (number) versions in newer software designs, Currently one of my peeves.
Otherwise UPStudio3 3.2.5 works well on the MAC where I have connected to Cetus2 via USB through WAND.
Here is print number two using the new “Paint” feature. As you can see, Paint works just as well here as the first print. This is a feature I will be using many more times where I see an application.
With this print I also chose to use the no purge tower “shadow” internal purge. This model is far from a great example for the shadow purge.
It is the same file model as the first print but I reduced the print size to 80 percent (20% reduction). This also makes the walls 20% thinner with less purge volume. I expected these mediocre results and was the reason I used the purge tower on the larger first print.
There is only one print line width between the outside of the model and the purge.
I selected the extreme contrast color difference to enhance this problem. Some of the show-through is position dependent because of the color stripe effect of the single nozzle flowing two colors.
The choice of closer color similarity will also improve the color hiding.
Shadow purge must be used selectively with models that provide sufficient internal space and extra wall layers to hide the purge. Shadow also works best with thick layers so the purge happens in shorter travel distance.
This model was printed with 0.20mm height layers. I know 0.25mm or larger would be a better choice. Two layer wall skin width were used here and three or more wall layers (if space available) would also improve results.
The point I make is this result is not a hardware (printer) issue but rather a user application choice of choosing to use the shadow print option and also selection of correct print variables. It is not a great option for every print. With experience users will know when it is a good option and which variables to alter.
The new “Paint” feature is a good way to add color to existing mono print files. I no longer must design a new CAD file for making color design changes.