Overall process

I’ll take a stab at this one… since I like to hear myself talk… well see myself type. Hopefully I will be of some help.(my comments are bull)
I took this from the repetier site:
The typical workflow is as follows:

1. Create a 3d model and export it in stl format or get it from the internet.
2. Arrange one or more models on a virtual print plate.
3. Slice the the models into thin slices and compute a path for printer head. This is done by a slicing software, which converts the model into g-code, the language your printer speaks.
4. Check the created g-code for errors and printability.
5. Send the g-code to your printer or copy the code to a sd card, which you can insert into your printer.
6. Monitor your printer.

Except for point 1 the host offers everything you need. As you will see, the host interface offers different tabs to guide you easily through the workflow.

Can someone who has done this before please describe in detail what the overall process is.
I am getting an unassembled unit so I will assemble it the I will have calibrate it and at that point I can print something.

• That about sums it up, calibrating takes time and patients, I’m still working on getting my RepRap Prusa dialed in and printing perfectly… but I have a lack of time issue right now.

As I understand things
I get a drawing of something or create it

• Simply yes, check out sites like www.thingiverse.com (the biggest one) and www.defcad.org (the one that hosts the stuff thingiverse won’t, think AR-15 lower you see on the news) for premade things, and using programs like you listed below will help you design your own things, or edit those that you download to fit your purpose.
  

Here is where things gets confusing ( So please correct)
The object file is loaded into a program where it is converted to gcode
The gCode file s loaded into software that runs the printer and I can print

• Check out http://www.repetier.com/ for these questions, from what we were told on the kickstarter page this is the program we will be using. One of the creators, please correct me if I am wrong.
• I use this program right now for my Prusa, it has Slicer built it to convert your .stl to gcode. Also their firmware is awesome for using it to calibrate the printer.

So the format of the object file needs to be able to be read by the gCode conversion software and then I have to have a program to read the gCode and print.

• The format is normally .STL and yes it needs to be read by the conversion software, but with the repetier software it is an all in one program. Pronterface (another printer interface program) I think has you import the gcode in, but I may be wrong I haven’t played with it much after I found repetier (sorry if I sound like a salesmen).
  

So what software should I be looking at to get the file format for the program to convert it to gCode and what program would do that conversion and then what software would I use to print the the object

• Well I’m sure you will be surprised to read I recommend repetier

I have several pieces of software but what should I be trying to use

Software:
CAD
Blender
SolidWorks
AutoCad

• Basicly if you can design in 3D and export in .STL you should be fine. You can use 123d or sketchup, and blender for free. Or pay out the wazoo for SolidWorks or AutoCAD inventor, or “test” a copy you find online… (I’m not a lawyer, but pretty sure it would be an illegal “test”)

I am also looking at file types of .stl .3ds for free files

• Not sure about .3ds, but yes .stl works fine

I have pronterface and repetier from the kickstarter faqs

• Both are good I prefer repetier, and I would recommend it for anyone, plus the creators said that is what they will be using.

I have seen that at least one of these actually creates gCode so that is good.

• that’s repetier for you

Those who know if you could give general guidelines so I can focus my attention in the right direction as far as file type and CAD software and printing software
at least recomendations

• Use the CAD program you like the best, or have, as long as it can export to .STL or I’m sure you can find a converter online, but in my experience with converting design files is the less times you convert from on file type to another the better (stuff has a tendency to redesign itself on occasion).
• look on youtube for many how-to’s as well as the different 3D printing sites out there.
• Check out www.reprap.org for some more info and another forum that is helpful, also google does wonders
• I’m at work right now, and don’t have access to all the sites I have bookmarked at home. I will try to remember to post them tonight of tomorrow.

If you have any questions, or I wasn’t redundant enough saying to use repetier let me know.

 

Yeah, I've been playing around with repetier, it would be nice if we had info on the printer so I can fill out the information for it. D:

 

I played around with OpenSCAD (http://www.openscad.org/) as, for me as a software engineer it's only learning another programming language.

 

I have created a bunch of designs in TinkerCad. The free version only allows you to work on one design at a time, but I do my design, export it to .stl and then save it on my computer for printing at a later date. The problem with this is that once exported, it is finished. You can't re-import it to Tinkercad and modify the individual parts that make up the whole. You can import an .stl and modify the whole object, but you can't change any of the pieces that comprise the whole. Right now, all of my designs are untested. Should I want to change any parameters, I will have to rebuild the whole thing. The Big Advantage to this is that I have been learning how to use TinkerCad pretty efficiently so even if I have to completely redo a design it won't be a huge deal. It is getting me to think in 3D and though it is not an ultra-sophisticated program, it has enabled me to take my ideas and produce theoretically printable files. Next, I shall have to download Repetier-host and see if I can in fact translate, slice and set up printable g-code.
And by then, I hope to have a printer ready to make my stuff.

 

Until we get a reply from the creator, you might try setting your bed size to 10"x10"x8" like they said on the kickstarter. At least that will get you close to what the printable area will look like.

 

Aside from the print area, there are a lot of other parameters that can/will be adjusted as we go along. The setup changes are very easy to incorporate, so you won't need to worry much about them until your printer arrives and you know what material you are going to print with. They each have individual characteristics of temp., speed, retraction, infill, etc. Repetier makes it easy, but we will all have to experiment about actual settings for what on our own machines. While the RoBo boys undoubtedly have settings for us to try, we don't have anything to try them on yet. Well, at least I don't. Just download the software and play around with it. Import an .stl file from thingiverse (or your own creation) and slice it up. It's pretty interesting even without the printer!