We've noticed that the User Manual does not really go into detail with explaining how to create dual color prints in Creatr 1.0 "Materialise", so we'd like to provide this solution article.
NOTE: To print dual color in almost any 3D slicing software program, you need more than one .STL; you cannot assign 2 nozzles to print the same .STL (unless one of those nozzles is only printing support material, rafts, skirts, or brims). If you have one .STL file that you would like make parts of a .STL model different colors, there are a few options found on the internet that can cut segments out of an .STL model and save that segment as a separate .STL. However, you can run the risk of damaging the .STL model to where it will not print properly (so use these with the understanding that you could be wasting filament and time). The best option is to design the segments separately, or search for models that have this already done.
MacOSX Version?
Please note that most of these instructions are for the Creatr 1.0 Windows Version; to know how to do this with the Mac version, you can find this information around the 5:10 minute mark of the following Youtube.com video:
(Creatr 1.0 MacOSX tutorial; Pim references setting which nozzle is assigned to which model around 5:10.)
Windows Version (Simple)
For this solution article, we'll first simply take two of the same model and assign them different nozzles.
1) Open Creatr 1.0
2) Load a Platform by clicking New under the Platform section:
3) Import a part (.stl) by clicking Import under the Part section:
We'll just focus on 2 .STL files for now:
5) When you've analyzed your parts for errors and are ready to move on, click the Print 3D button:
This will open the Submit a Job window. If you normally print with only one nozzle, you most likely not have both nozzles enabled. The Submit a Job window will show you if you have both enabled because here is where you assign which .STL will print with which nozzle:
7) Once you've done this, click the OK button to save and close the Configure Printer window.
8) Finally, you can assign which nozzle you want which .STL model to be printed with in the Submit a Job window, by clicking on the nozzle selection next to the model name:
You can now submit the job however you'd like (to file or printing connected to the PC), and the .GCODE will assign one nozzle to each .STL model.
Two Colors on "One Part"
So as mentioned earlier, you can't actually use 2 colors on one model without designing each colored area as a separate .STL file.
However, it's fairly easy to find some already prepared files online. Here is one example:
Here's the best method to import .STL fiels so that they line up (using up a different set of models):
1) Add a new platform.
2) Go to the Part section and click Import (as mentioned before).
3) In the Import Part window, highlight multiple .STL files at the same time and select the "As Is" option:
4) Click Open in the Import Part window to import the two .STL files "As Is." It will line them up perfectly:
Unfortunately, this does not center the parts on the build platform. SO...
5) Make sure that both parts are checked in the Parts panel on the right:
6) Click the Translate button in the Position section at the top:
Then, you would go on to do the previous mentioned steps of assigning the nozzles to the different parts. Your print should turn out with both colored parts perfectly aligned!
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