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Frequently Asked Questions

4,860 bytes added, 00:53, 6 December 2016
The Slice Engine list only shows MatterSlice. Where are CuraEngine and Slic3r?
== Is MatterControl compatible with my 3D printer? ==
This mainly depends on the language your printer speaks. Currently, MatterControl supports two languages for communicating with the printer; [http://reprap.org/wiki/G-code GCodeG-Code] and [http://www.sailfishfirmware.com/doc/details-s3g-and-x3g.html S3G/X3G]. GCode G-Code is the standard language used by RepRaps and most other printers. S3G is a condensed language used by Makerbot and Flashforge. Most consumer 3D printers speak GCodeG-Code.
In addition, you will need appropriate slice settings for your printer. MatterControl has built in profiles for many printers. A link to the complete list can be found below. If your printer is not on the list, don't worry. You will just need to fill in the settings yourself. Obtain specifications from the manufacturer and input them into MatterControl under `Settings & Controls -> Settings -> Printer` as well as a few under `Settings & Controls -> Settings -> Filament`.
Some newer GCode G-Code printers are using intermediary boards to run web servers in order to control the prints. These printers, while they do speak GCodeG-Code, are not able to be controlled directly by MatterControl. GCode G-Code generated in MatterControl can still be sent to the printer using its web-based interface.
LINK: [http://www.mattercontrol.com/#jumpSupportedModels Known compatible printers list].
The best solutions is to figure out how to get your design software to export STL files in millimeters. In SolidWorks, for instance, the Save As dialog has an Options button, that allows you to set many parameters for exporting an STL.
If you cannot get your design software to do this, though, you can still rescale the part once you have it in MatterControl. Edit View the partin [[3D View]], then enter [[3D View/Edit|Edit mode]] and choose Scale [[3D View/Edit#SCALE|SCALE]] from the bar on the right. There is a A drop down menu that will let you from offers many common conversion factors, or, axis dimension specifications can be entered directly in the appropriate fields.
== Does MatterControl Work on Windows XPI have a ROBO 3D or other printer with built-in bed leveling. Where did the option for Automatic Print Leveling go? ==
You might be confused about the different kinds of print leveling that are available.  Your printer has hardware leveling which allows it to probe the height of the bed before each print. Other printers don't have this feature, so for them MatterControl has the option to use [[Options/Software_Print_Leveling|automatic software leveling]]. This is where you measure the height of 3 points on the bed using the piece of paper.  If you try to use both types of leveling at once, they will conflict with each other and cause problems. This is why the option for software leveling is now hidden if you have a Robo or any other type of printer with a probe. For more information on the various types of leveling, and how to configure them, look at our article on [[Automatic Print Leveling]]. If your Robo is having issues with leveling, check out [http://forums.matterhackers.com/topic/9/what-to-do-if-your-robo-keeps-trying-to-print-up-in-the-air this post on our forums]. == Does MatterControl work on Windows XP? == No. MatterControl dropped support for Windows XP with version 1.2. You can still download [https://mattercontrol[Release Notes#1.appspot1.com/downloads/development/ag9zfm1hdHRlcmNvbnRyb2xyOwsSB1Byb2plY3QY6gcMCxINUHVibGljUmVsZWFzZRiAgIDAxOeTCgwLEgZVcGxvYWQYgICAwMnShQoM 3|download Mattercontrol 1.1.3]], which was the last version to work with XP.
== How do I install the drivers for my printer? ==
# Choose the folder {{ic|C:\Program Files (x86)\MatterControl\StaticData\Drivers}}
# Click Next and the drivers will install
 
== Where can I get alpha or beta builds of MatterControl? ==
Alpha and Beta builds of MatterControl are available for users that want to test the latest features at the risk of experiencing bugs or crashes. Alpha builds are published several weeks before a stable release. If no bugs are found, it will be promoted to Beta and eventually to Stable.
 
On MatterControl Desktop, navigate to the [[HELP menu]] at the top, then choose Check For Update. Switch the '''Update Channel''' to Beta or Alpha.
 
On the MatterControl Touch, go to OPTIONS. Under Application Settings, switch the '''Update Notification Feed''' to Beta or Alpha.
 
If you experience an issue with an alpha or beta build, please report it either to the [https://github.com/MatterHackers/MatterControl/issues GitHub issue tracker] or via email to support@matterhackers.com. Be sure to include the build number. It can be found at the bottom of the About screen. The last four digits are the important part.
 
Experimental builds are also available. These contain the absolute latest code, and are offered to select users in order to get feedback on new features and ideas. They are intended only for testing and should not be considered reliable, stable or even working (from time to time). To request an experimental release, send an email to support@matterhackers.com. If you are using this version to gain access to a new feature please update to the stable version as soon as the feature is available. Advanced users can also [[Building MatterControl|compile MatterControl from source]].
== How do I clear the application data? ==
If you are having a problem with MatterControl that is not fixed by re-installing, you may need to delete some of the data that MatterControl saves on your computer. This data will persist, even if MatterControl is uninstalled so remove that folder if you want to completely reset MatterControl to a clean slate. You can also temporarily rename the SQLite database file ({{ic|MatterControl.db}}) to see if your settings are the cause of a problem.
On '''Windows, MatterControl keeps the user's library and settings in {{ic|C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\MatterControl}. On Mac and Linux it is in {{ic|~/.local/share/MatterControl}}. This data will persist, even after MatterControl is uninstalled. Remove that folder if you want to completely reset MatterControl to a clean slate. You can also temporarily rename the SQLite database file ({{ic|MatterControl.db}}) to see if your settings are the cause of a problem.''
On Windows, MatterControl keeps the user's library and settings in {{ic|C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\MatterControl}}.  '''Mac/Linux''' On Mac and Linux the user's data library and settings are in {{ic|~/.local/share/MatterControl}}. This is a hidden folder in your user's home folder. '''MatterControl Touch T10 or T7''' Follow these steps:  #Swipe down from the top right of the screen twice to bring up the Quick Settings menu.#Choose 'Settings'.#Navigate to 'Apps'.#Choose 'MatterControl'.#Hit 'Clear data'. !Do not click 'Uninstall'!#Re-launch MatterControl. If you do not have sensitive data in MatterControl, sending the MatterControl.db or a zip of the MatterControl folder to support@matterhackers.com can help us track down bugs and is appreciated. == MatterControl Touch Will Not Download will not download an Update update and Cloud Services Do Not Work services do not work ==
Sometimes the tablet fails to get the correct time from the NTP servers. Without the correct date and time, a TLS connection to MatterHackers cannot be established. Cloud Sync will not work and updates will fail to download. Swipe down from the top left to see the current date and time. If this is not correct you will need to go into the Android settings app (gear icon on home screen) and adjust it accordingly. The tablet has no RTC battery, so the time will be reset whenever you reboot.
 
== When I restart my printer, values of Steps per mm return to the firmware's default value. How can I change this? ==
 
It is likely your printer's firmware does not allow EEPROM to be saved.
 
In order to apply your settings, you can either update your firmware to allow for EEPROM changes or you can add custom G-Code to the "On Connect G-Code" section in MatterControl. Updating firmware requires a fair bit of effort, so it's probably easier to update the custom G-Code. Here's how:
 
#In MatterControl, navigate to [[Settings/Printer/Custom G-Code|Settings > Printer > Custom G-Code]].
#In the "On Connect G-Code" box, enter
#:<code>M92 Exxxx</code>
#So, if your steps/mm is 194.5, you would enter <code>M92 E194.5</code>. This is case sensitive, so make sure to use capital letters.
 
Once this is done, every time you connect to MatterControl, it will send the proper steps/mm to your printer.
== "Slicing Error" When using Slic3r ==
You may be able to determine what is going wrong by running Slic3r independently. For every print, MatterControl generates a config.ini file that it provides to the Slic3r executable. This is in {{ic|~/.local/share/MatterControl/data/gcode/}}on Mac/Linux and {{ic|C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\MatterControl}} on Windows. Run Slic3rindependently, import this config file, and slice your STL. You will then be able to see if Slic3r gives any error messages. On Windows, the Slic3r executable provided with MatterControl is in {{ic|C:\Program Files (x86)\MatterControl\Slic3r\bin}}.
== I have Intel integrated graphics and MatterControl crashes ==
* The version number of your Intel graphics drivers
In the mean timemeantime, there is a workaround. You can launch MatterControl with the {{ic|FORCE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING}} option, which disables all 3D graphics. Add the parameter {{ic|FORCE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING}} to the Target field of the MatterControl shortcut. To do so, right click MatterControl shortcut either in the start menu or elsewhere. Select 'Properties' and edit the 'Target' field. Just add {{ic|FORCE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING}} after the quotes. The whole target should read like this:
<code>"C:Program Files (x86)\MatterControl\MatterControl.exe" FORCE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING</code>
 
== The [[OPTIONS/Slice Engine|Slice Engine]] list only shows MatterSlice. Where are CuraEngine and Slic3r? ==
 
Either you have a [[MatterControl_Touch|MatterControl Touch/T10]] tablet (which do not have any third-party slicers included) or the printer profile you're using has more than one extruder configured. [[Multi-Extrusion]] is not supported for any third-party slicers.
== See also ==