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How to single stl but multiple colors  

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Zach Barnes
(@zach-barnes)
Active Member
How to single stl but multiple colors

I have a part that I downloaded off of thingiverse, and I would like to print it in multiple colors. It is the tree tile from RifRaf's terraforming mars tile set. However, I cannot figure out how to do this. Do I slice the part in meshmixer and somehow send it over to the Prusa slicer? Or do I have to convert it to a solid object in Solidworks, cut it, make an assembly from it, and then export that as an .stl? Or can I just do it within the prusa slicer itself?

Posted : 01/09/2019 1:14 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

Hi Zach,

do you mean this tile?

Do you want the tree tops to be green and the earth brown?

try this file

 

Attachment removed

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 01/09/2019 1:42 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

Hi Zach,

do you mean this tile?

there are several ways to have different colours on this tile, 

Below, is one simple way

Do you want the tree tops to be green and the earth brown?

try this  attached file

 

Attachment removed
I loaded the tree tile into Prusa Slicer, then right click and select extruder 1 (I have allocated brown to that extruder)
Added a modifier block
selected the modifier block so that it covered the tile, and raised it 5mm to cover the tree foliage
then I right clicked the modifier box and changed the extruder to 2 (I have allocated Green to that extruder)
then set up the print attributes as best I could (no idea what settings you want to use... so did a best guess, using PLA)
then saved the settings and zipped them into the file that is attached above! 
If you unzip the file, and save it somewhere such as downloads, then you can use the Open Project, option in the prusa slicer File menu, to load the settings I created...
0.15 mm layer height
prusament PLA,
2 perimeters, 20% infill, 9999 top layers, 55 bottom layers
extruder 215/205C  Bed 70/70C
Retraction 0.4mm, z lift 0.4mm
Hope this works for you.
and you should stand a chance of printing the file...you might need to reduce the  extrusion multiplier a little, say 0.95
regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 01/09/2019 1:42 am
Zach Barnes
(@zach-barnes)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

I think that is it! Thank you sooo much! I'm pretty much brand new to 3d printing, and my school got a new Prusa, and I volunteered to help set it up. And I apparently chose a fairly complicated way. But thank you again, this should work!

Posted : 01/09/2019 2:09 am
Zach Barnes
(@zach-barnes)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

Actually, another couple questions. I am trying to duplicate what you did, just so I know how to do it. I have created the box, but when I try to change dimensions, all of them change together, as if they are locked. How do I change that? Also, the box will not raise off the print bed, even if I put +5 mm

Posted : 01/09/2019 2:16 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

I think we have just found a BUG / Inconsistency in Prusa Slicer... 

I think you are trying to adjust the size and position of the modifier block using the Part manipulation window tools.

and I actually used the graphical tools on the other side...

so I selected the modifier cube and re sized it to be larger in X and Y, and smaller in Z, using the tools on the left side of the slicer window, then I roughly positioned the block using the tools on the left side of the slicer window, again
then I checked whether I had the block at the right height, to miss the base, but catch the foliage...  

and found I was a bit low,    now the graphical tools are difficult to adjust by tiny amounts using the laptop mouse pad, so I then used the Z value in the Part manipulation window on the right, 

the part manipulation window on the right, seems to not respond to Z level changes if the Part modifier is on the build plate level, but after it is lifted off the build plate level using the other tools, then the Z level input box does seem to move the item in the Z axis...   (ODD)!

and that raises another issue, the Z level value seems to be unrelated to the actual Z height, but more to another point in 'space'  depending upon where the modifier box was located using the graphical tools...   so you might find the ideal Z height to be different to 5 mm.

I will raise this with the Prusa developers...   

I hope this has helped you move forward, 

Regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 01/09/2019 9:53 am
Zach Barnes
(@zach-barnes)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: How to single stl but multiple colors

Hi Joan, 

Sorry to bother you again, and sorry its been a while. I just got the chance work on this again. When I follow your steps, upload part as an .stl into the slicer, right click on the part, change extruder to number 5(what I have my filament on), right click on the part again, click modifier, then box. get the box moved to where I want it, then right click the box and change its extruder to number 4. I then hit slice, but it is all the same color, it didn't switch to two separate colors. 

 

What am I doing wrong? 

 

Thanks,

Zach

Posted : 04/09/2019 5:27 am
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