MKS preview plug-in for Cura

[GenaUser]

Hello,
Where can I find a MKS preview plug-in for Cura?
Thanks in advance

[Vorchak]

I use MKS SBASE with Cura. What do you mean by a preview plugin?

[GenaUser]

It's about MKS TFT 3.5 screen.
In the screen's datasheet, in the "Print Model Features" there is this information: "The Cura slicing software installs the MKS Plugin developed by the makerbase, its sliced model also has the preview function.
I would like to use this plug-in but I don't find it's in Cura and in the Makerbase-mks.

[Vorchak]

Do you mean this one? https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin
I don't use the TFT 3.5 but that is what I found out from MKS github.

[GenaUser]

Thanks for your help, but it's the communication plugin, not the preview plugin.

[Vorchak]

Unfortunately mks does not make it easy to find their stuff. And there isn't much documentation accompanying their github folders. This is the only other folder I know containing their most recent software: https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software

[Timppa71]

The only plugin for Cura is found from https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin, like Vorchak linked before.

With this plugin you can send files directly to your printer (if you have Wifi module installed to MKS-TFT35) and also save files to SD-card (for example) with the preview image. This will work for sure, I have tested it and used it like this.
All you have to do is download the plugin, unzip it and copy it to Cura/plugins folder to make it work.

[GenaUser]

Vorchak, Timppa71, thanks for your help.
I didn't understand that there is no pluging to record locally on a PC, but only using the wifi.
I couldn't test because strangely my wifi module MKS HLK-RM04 doesn't want to work with the TFT 3.5 screen, while it works perfectly with the MKS TFT 2.8...
Thanks again.

[Operrr]

Gena, look here https://youtu.be/ts1etLDoI_A
I specially wrote a video on this topic

[GenaUser]

Thanks Operrr for your video.
I use the second solution. I copy and paste the binary code before my own gcode.

I still have problems using the plugin.
I don't usually use Cura and I'm definitely doing something wrong.
When I use the "Save as TFT file" button, everything seems to be fine. I can choose the save location and the file name, but no file is actually saved. Export is not done.
I tested Cura 3.4.1 with "MKS Plugin 3.3 ↑" on 3 different Mac (OS 10.13.6 and 10.12.6) and on Windows 10 version 1607 (Parallels Desktop).
I never managed to save a file with "Save as TFT file" ...
(The recording in normal gcode working properly)

[Timppa71]

GenaUser, mks-plugin seems to be broken with newer versions with Cure-slicer...
Previously I use Cura version 3.2 and older plugin will work with Cura. Now I updated Cura as well as Mks-plugin and I have same issue like you have, no file is saved. I hope that MKS developers will fix this plugin ASAP, but let's see...

Personally I will give up with MKS products and I have changed to Repetier software. At least they have prompt customer support.

[Operrr]

I agree that technical support works very badly, you can not wait for answers. Already began to regret that I purchased their products. I'm preparing a video review about the support of makerbase and I doubt it will be positive.

[makerbase-mks]

https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin
we have updated the Cura Plugin.

[GenaUser]

That works now in local and wifi. Thanks.
Question: Is it possible to center the view. Only the left upper corner is visible?
This may depend on the screen resolution?

[Operrr]

yes, the screen resolution is affected

[GenaUser]

OK.
This poses a problem on MAC OS. It's not possible to change the screen resolution.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be practical to do it only to use the plugin.
If this point could be improved, it would be really good because we do not see much ...

[pcollingwood]

Once the plug-in was copied to the plugins folder I had to take the space out of the folder name (MKS Plugin to MKSPlugin) or it wasn't read. Then all hell broke loose. It broke Cura, and reset everything to a fresh install. It cannot be read in the format supplied. What magic do I have to do to make it work? Looking at the 'json it seems to only refer to wifi. This is supposed to be the plugin that enables cura to create the file picture when printing isn't it???

[pcollingwood]

Hi MKS
Do you actually LOOK here?

[makerbase-mks]

@pcollingwood There may be some restrictions on the cura version, and some versions may not be compatible. If you downloaded mks plugin3.3, it may only be available for cura3.3 or 3.4. If the installation is not normal, it is recommended to change the version of cura. Because it will also try to improve the compatibility of the plugin.

[pcollingwood]

Have now loaded the 3.5 plugin on 3.6 and it works! Oh happy day.
I tried it on 4.0 Beta and it did not work, it did nothing but didn't break anything either. Hopefully once 4 is released it will work OR a new plugin will not be too far off.
Thanks

[RonaldRijn]

As mentioned above by @pcollingwood the plugin work fine on 3.6.0, but does not work on Cura 4.0 final release. Please investigate if you can make it work on 4.0 also. Would appreciate.

[jjpython]

In 4.0 release, the plugin is greyed out and unselected by default, yet if you select and restart cura it still stays dusabled

[tiruds76]

Thanks for your help, but it's the communication plugin, not the preview plugin.

can you tell me how to get preview on tft screen?

[jjpython]

the complete plugin is disabled in cura 4.0

[tiruds76]

i have cura 3.6

[tiruds76]

I have a problem of delay on cura 3.6 for the axes it takes 2 to 3 seconds but for the temperatures the feedback takes more than 3 minutes do you have any idea how to settle this? is it possible to change the refresh time of the information?

[jjpython]

What board are you using, my MKS sbase 1.3 works as it should with cura 3.6, I'm only using 3.6 cos I can print to tft Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>

…

________________________________ From: tiruds76 <notifications@github.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 8:55:57 PM To: makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT Cc: jjpython; Comment Subject: Re: [makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT] MKS preview plug-in for Cura (#177) I have a problem of delay on cura 3.6 for the axes it takes 2 to 3 seconds but for the temperatures the feedback takes more than 3 minutes do you have any idea how to settle this? is it possible to change the refresh time of the information? — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#177 (comment)>, or mute the thread<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AQAWfyp7l70tYiVEFmOF67p3NlsT_Z5kks5va9rdgaJpZM4Vu-aJ>.

[tiruds76]

mks gen l 1.0 tft32 mks wifi tft

[tiruds76]

do you know if it is possible to modify the firmware of the tft32 to have the previsualization of the gcodes as on the tft35?

[jjpython]

I'm sorry I can't help there, that's an 8 bit board, I could never get my TFT to work with my ramps board so I bought the sbase1.3 Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>

…

________________________________ From: tiruds76 <notifications@github.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 9:23:24 PM To: makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT Cc: jjpython; Comment Subject: Re: [makerbase-mks/MKS-TFT] MKS preview plug-in for Cura (#177) do you know if it is possible to modify the firmware of the tft32 to have the previsualization of the gcodes as on the tft35? — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#177 (comment)>, or mute the thread<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AQAWf46uiCFjvJ45E3AHVk3pFeCRkHHfks5va-FMgaJpZM4Vu-aJ>.

[makerbase-mks]

Now the mks plugin only supports version 3.6, and will update version 4.0 later.

[jjpython]

Any idea of timescale please, I want to use cura 4.0 but don't want to be stuck to usb printing

[Franjalo]

Ahora el complemento mks solo admite la versión 3.6, y actualizará la versión 4.0 más adelante.

Hello makerbase, is still not known anything about the plugin for cure 4.0 or 4.1?

[jesusperiago]

You can use this mod
makerbase-mks/Software#10 (comment)

[bilou24an199]

Hello makerbase
i have a problem with your software Host.exe, i've download the source on the github and installed it on win10

i would try to use the method of Operrr to have the picture during printing but i can't do that.

i can start the software, open a model but when i want to save the model in gcode = non slicing is done even the message "slice finished" appear. And i have no file on my computer with gcode extension

Can you help me

please

[Franjalo]

Puede usar este mod
makerbase-mks / Software # 10 (comentario)

Muchas gracias!! Lo probaré

[commo81]

Is there an update on this for Cura 4.4.0? I got it to work in 4.2.1 but there's no updates for Cura 4.4.0 I'm using the MKS Wifi with a Tft28; board is MKS Sgen_L 32bit attached to my ender 3 pro. I can see the SD card finally in Cura 4.2.1 and can delete files off it and write to it, but the MKS Wifi option doesn't show up in cura 4.4.0

[ETE-Design]

MKS, could you pls. Update your plug-in to newest Cura? Or at least tell is how to update the plugin so we can do it by ourself?

[jagoqui]

I had the same problem, but I solved it by installing the WIFI MKS puglin, I don't know what it has to do with it, but a copy of it in the Cura 4.6.2 plugins folder I restarted it and when opening the two plugins did not work correctly.

https://github.com/makerbase-mks/mks-wifi-plugin -> WIFI plugin
https://github.com/makerbase-mks/Software/tree/master/MKS%20Plugin -> TFT pluguin

[dreamerenigma]

Tell me, now a new version of Сura 4.8 has been released, does the plug-in for previewing images on the TFT35 screen work?

[vzjrz]

I got it to work by simply installing the MKS Wifi Plugin from the marketplace and following these instructions:
https://github.com/Toylerrr/ELEGOO_Neptune2_Cura#how-to-get-icons-on-print-screen
Note that it preview only works for me when using "Save to Disk" and not when why using "Save to removable drive"