Macros

Macros are snippets of saved code which can be called with the click of a button instead of having to be typed repeatedly.

The Macros of the Controls pane section is where the user creates and stores these macros.

To learn more about G-Code and its utility in 3D printing, check out this resource: http://reprap.org/wiki/G-code

Macros Pane

Macros pane containing example macros for the Rostock MAX V2

Once macros have been created, they will appear under the Macros title.

The screenshot to the right shows an example of several macro buttons for the Rostock MAX V2.

Macro Editor

By default, the Macros section has no buttons.

To access the Macro Editor, click the pencil icon (

) next to the word Macros. This will open the Macro Presets window.

Macro Presets Window

Add

To add a new Macro, click the Add button. This will open the Edit Macro window.

Close

Click the Close button to close the window and return to the main screen.

Edit Macro Window

Macro Name

Enter a unique name for the macro.

Macro Commands

Enter G-Code command(s) in this field.

Can be multiple lines long.

Save

Click the Save button to add the button to the Macros section.

Cancel

Click the Cancel button to discard changes.

Macro Scripting

Macro Scripting allows for the use of advanced functions in macros. These functions are called by using commands.

Syntax

To use a macro scripting command, begin the line with the following function:

; Command:

Then add a command and any applicable parameters.

; Command:[command] "[parameters]"

The result should look something like this:

; Command:Message "Waiting for extruder to heat to [temperature]."

Commands

Message

Shows the specified message.

Optional parameter variables

ExpectedSeconds: [time]
ExpectedTemperature: [temp]

ChooseMaterial

Shows the choose material window.

WaitOK

Show the specified message and waits for user to click OK to continue sending code.

Example Script

The following box shows an example of a script used for loading filament:

; Command:ChooseMaterial "Choose the material that you are loading."

; Command:Message "Waiting for extruder to heat to [temperature]."
M104 S[temperature] ; start heating up the extruder

M302 S0  ; Allow extrusion at any temperature
; Command:WaitOK "Put filament into extruder and click Continue."
; Command:Message "Loading filament..." ExpectedSeconds:28
G92 E0              ; reset the extruder position to 0
G91                 ; Relative positioning
G1 E100 F1200       ; extrude the filament 
G1 E100 F1200       ; extrude the filament 
G1 E100 F1200       ; extrude the filament 
G1 E100 F1200       ; extrude the filament 
G1 E100 F1200       ; extrude the filament 
G4 S1               ; wait for move to finish

M302 S150  ; Set cold extrude temp back to reasonable
; Command:Message "Waiting for extruder to heat to [temperature]."
M109 S[temperature] ; heat up the extruder

; Command:Message "Extruding filament..." ExpectedSeconds:19
; extrude slowly so that we can prime the extruder
G1 E100 F300        ; extrude the filament slowly

G4 S1               ; wait for move to finish
G90                 ; Absolute positioning
G92 E0              ; reset the extruder position to 0

M104 S0             ; turn the extruder temperatuer off