Portable install?  

RE: Portable install?

Have you thought about using remote desktop ?

RE: Portable install?

I have not, but that would only work if the workstation in printerroom is always on.

RE: Portable install?

Not really.   The software doesn't allow you to specify a location for the configuration/settings files so you cant run it completely from a USB stick.  At least not on Windows.  Might be different on MAC/Linux though.

I have a similar work situation to you, in that I run it on several PC's depending where I am.  I have folder(s) on my USB stick with the actual executable files (basically the contents of the latest release from github) and a few earlier ones.  I can then run the exe from the USB thumbdrive.
The config folders though are still on each machine.  However using the export config bundle facility in slicer you can save all your custom profiles into an xml file.  This file can then be imported into slicer on the various machines which will make the configurations the same.  I keep the all my config bundle snapshots also on the usb drive so I can just install them if any machine needs a newer copy.

There is a request on redmine for the install/config folder to be defined in the software which if implemented would theoretically allow a usb stick stand alone install.  If or when that gets made reality though is a big unknown.

One suggestion on github was to use symlinks on mac/linux to copy the config locations to something like dropbox  and keep them in sync.  I don't know if that would work on those operating systems or if something similar is possible on Windows.

RE: Portable install?

I will look thru github and maybe post a request for custom config/settings-folder location.

I use Windows Commander for file browsing, which have that feature. It's really handy.

RE: Portable install?

Will --datadir parameter do what you want? Discussion here.

RE: Portable install?

Bob are there any placeholders that would reference the drive you are launching from instead of an explicit drive letter ?  I'm thinking if the thumb dive gets different drive letters on each machine.

RE: Portable install?

Posted by: @neophyl

Bob are there any placeholders that would reference the drive you are launching from instead of an explicit drive letter ?  I'm thinking if the thumb dive gets different drive letters on each machine.

Interesting idea. I don't have access to PrusaSlicer on Windows, so can't test. Not sure if you can use environment variables or anything similar. 

RE: Portable install?

Seems like one of those things that could eventually be got to sort of work. IMO better to examine ways of sharing design and sliced files using some shared device on the network.

RE: Portable install?

Interesting.

I wonder if a --datadir=./config would work...

It's more or less a local network solution tho, as mentioned previously driveletter can change.

I use the google drivesync for one of my backupsources that can be driveletterized.

I'll investigate further.

RE: Portable install?

Ok, so i have somewhat progress.

My googledrivesync is mapped to a driveletter (same on all pc/laptops etc).

This should work with a usb-stick as well.

I installed a fresh copy of PS on the drive (for example q:\stuff\Prusa3D)

BUT DO NOT START IT YET!!!

In the prusa dir (\Prusa3D\PrusaSlicer\) create a .bat file, i names mine ps-start.bat

Make a new dir inside Prusa3D\PrusaSlicer\, i named mine "profiles"

.\prusa-slicer.exe --datadir .\profiles

You must start using the "ps-start.bat" or it will not load the profiles/configs.

It will call on prusa-slicer.exe relative to where the .bat file is executed.

Hope this helps someone else.

Oh, and PS: I make no claims it will work for you, your milage may vary, don't break the internet disclamer etc 🙂

RE: Portable install?

Sorry it took me so long to try it but this works great.  Now all the different versions I have on USB stick can be self contained and if I want to make things easier on new versions I can just copy my start.bat and profiles folder into the same directory as the version I want to work with and its all there.

Like you I would use dropbox, except that work doesn't allow the use of it so this portable USB thumb drive method is perfect for me.  Thanks for working this out. 🙂

RE: Portable install?

You can do it via a Shortcut link where you can then pin to the taskbar if you like. The target command to use is 

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "" .\prusa-slicer.exe --datadir .\profiles

Set the Start in to the location where prusa-slicer.exe is found.

Icon will be ugly but you can change it to the Prusa Slicer icon via the properties for the shortcut link

Any USB device that has a serial number will use the last drive letter selected (where appropriate). This is obviously a function of the OS.

Careful on updates

I updated my 2.3.1 to 2.3.3 yesterday (i did do a full backup first).

And it will wipe the install-dir of any custom profiles and non-original files.

I had to copy back the "profiles" directory as well as the ps-start.bat file.

I guess the standalone download from github could work. I used the full driver-package install.

As always, ymmv.

Check out --datadir and other options

Posted by: @mrstoned

Is it possible to have PS on a portable install like USB or network drive?

You can use the --datadir command-line option to specify the location of config files. The Slic3r manpage has details.

I have been able to use relative paths with config bundles, but haven't tried this with --datadir. Something like ".\dirname" might work.

The simplest way to do this is to make a bootable usb device, install Puppy Linux or similar and install your selection of design software plus slicer.  That way you carry a complete environment in your pocket.

Alternatively. if you're always on the same network, plug a usb drive into your router and use it as a NAS.

Cheerio,

Have you considered Dropbox?

Maybe I'm just not understanding the problem fully, but I just use Dropbox. you can save the project (.3mf) into Dropbox and access it from any terminal using Prusa slicer and as long as you are connected you will always have the most up to date version of your project.

Hope this helps

Swiss_Cheese

I just use Dropbox. you can save the project (.3mf) into Dropbox and access it from any terminal

The idea of a central store is sound - which is why I suggested a basic NAS, much faster than remote storage.

I wouldn't trust Dropbox, or any cloud service, especially not the free versions.   I recall the backup system snapshot we stored there until, a few months later when we needed it, the whole account had evaporated.  And their security record is dire...

Cheerio,

Portable install?

@diem

Wow, that sounds like an awful experience, no one could blame you for feeling that way. fortunately I've not had this happen, however we keep a back up in more then one location.

Good Luck

Swiss_Cheese