DWC Custom Configuration

Dr_Ju_Ju

Yes I know, I've written a number for different filaments etc., but they are pain in the butt...

The system should be able to read the file you want to print, and set the appropriate temperatures, without having to revert to macros..

jay_s_uk

@dr_ju_ju all my temps are set from my gcode... not sure why you need macros for that.
and if you really want to, pass the values from your slicer to a custom macro

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju Once you asking about preheating, then about reading temps from gcode... that's confusing and i think, it will not help to solve your issue.
Please describe exactly your "main problem".

And IMO the 3 "top boxes" in DWC shows important informations. When you not like to use them, don't look at them!

theKM

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theKM

I get it. The controller itself is insanely configurable, but the UI is actually quite locked down.

I made a plugin that will create movement/macro panels by configuration, being able to re-configure the whole thing would be nice.

So if the maintainers can't be convinced... I'll volunteer. No promises on the when it will be done, but I'll make it more configurable... then I'll push it somewhere, make a PR, and then the maintainers can decide if they want to merge it.

First I'll focus on making the top components hide if you don't want them, to configure that plugins should get the entire main area (they really should be able to without someone else deciding something else is more important... might even look at if the plugin itself can self-describe if it should get the whole panel)... and secondarily how easily I can help configure the main menu...

EDIT: now I see there's a button in the top right of DWC screen, that on any screen rather than huge, a button appears to toggle off the top status components... which means plugins can indeed get the whole screen, so plugins like mine and BtnCmd can use the whole space. nice! ( ok, maybe my extra UI hackery not quite as much required now... )

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju said in DWC Custom Configuration:

As I said, I want an EASY way to modify the pages, without reverting to code bashing !!

Perhaps the BtnCmd PlugIn is something for you?
https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/22776/btncmd-dwc-plugin-create-custom-layouts-action-buttons
An easy way to create individual tabs inside DWC. All object based, with very less coding. At the moment i use 3 tabs:
One tab for preheating, homing/leveling, important infos:

the second for endstop status, spezial functions, links

the third tab will soon be used for FW retract tuning:

Dr_Ju_Ju

If you've not used/seen it, I suggest you have a look at Octoprint, which I use for my Prusa machines, which in many respects lags behind DWC, but for usability/local & remote monitoring etc. I personally find is far superior to DWC.

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju I use Repetier Server for all my machines. It's similar to Octoprint...

Dr_Ju_Ju

Yes I've used Repetier, Simplify3D etc., but I usually come back to Octoprint...

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju It's up to you what you'd like to use.
Then can we close this thread or do you have an additional question?

Dr_Ju_Ju

I suppose I'll just have to accept that DWC is crap in the usability stakes, and use it for configuration only, its a pity that there also isn't a simple control interface...

Other than that, I would probably have to dump the board & go for something else.

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju said in DWC Custom Configuration:

I suppose I'll just have to accept that DWC is crap in the usability stakes

Please discribe what's not user friendly in DWC?

TimsWorkshop

@dr_ju_ju Come on mate... beggers can't be choosers.

DWC is a community built UI as is the firmware and out all the different firmwares and UIs for 3D printing, I haven't seen a more active community from the makers themselves. We should be constantly applauding their efforts here, not saying 'it's just crap

I come from a web development background... I know how much is involved in writing an SPA, which has the functionality like DWC and the API endpoints to allow someone to develop a plugin to address UI enhancements.

You can't ask for a way to modify a UI and not write any code... It's like asking to drive a new car out of the lot with no engine.

And from years and years in the development world... a word I've come to hate is it should... Should is an assumption, and assumptions are usually from the naive and cause projects to go over budget and over time.

I appreciate what you're saying here, but there's a far better way to go about it...
One of them is to learn how to do it and help support the community...

Dr_Ju_Ju

Go look at Octoprint, where it's much easier to select an object for printing, the file view is automatically updated on upload & selected for printing, preheat, & start printing.

The Tab system, then makes it easier to monitor the running print on the control tab, and depending what plugins have been installed, even with webcam.

Other plugins then give more control, to the user, on what can be added or removed from the 'standard' interface such as full 3d gcode viewer etc

DWC is a super technical system of control, but all I'm interested in is the simple process of printing objects, which for me, will often be targeted at parts used in Astrophotography e.g. focuser motor mounts etc.

cosmowave

@dr_ju_ju Sorry, I don't understand your problem. You can use Octoprint for starting your prints... that's allowed!
Or make your own tab in DWC with the BtnCmd PlugIn...

But it can be, that my english is too bad for understand you correctly.
That's on my todo list, to better learn english. Unfortunatly my list is too long!

TimsWorkshop

@dr_ju_ju I've used Octoprint... I've used Repetier server... I have 4 printers and DWC works fine with me.
No one is forcing you to use DWC, attach a SBC and use Octoprint or connect Repetier, but I'm sorry mate, I find your posts unconstructive and more of just winging.

engikeneer

@dr_ju_ju said in DWC Custom Configuration:

Go look at Octoprint, where it's much easier to select an object for printing, the file view is automatically updated on upload & selected for printing, preheat, & start printing.

There is the 'upload and start' button in the top right of DWC. I almost always use this when kicking off a print, even if I know the file is already on the printer somewhere. It's easy and sets the print off straight away. Not sure if that helps?

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cosmowave

@arnold_r_clark said in DWC Custom Configuration:

I.M.H.O.P. I feel the product 100% SHOULD do a better job of being configurable for item placement, colours and font etc.

Once again: you can use Btn_Cmd for designing relatively easy your own tabs. With free button placement, millions of colors for the buttons and without learning a programming language.

When you buy a Duet Board, you know what you get. The hardware and software is well documented. When you read the docu, you can more or less imagine, what is possible and what not.
Nowhere is written that we easy can make our own layouts in DWC!

I don't know where you get the idea that all of this should be configurable?
When you buy a car, and you'd like to change the rims? You need tools and the skills... or somebody, who can make it for you!
When you buy Windows, you can't change the complete Layout to your needs!

theKM

@cosmowave said in DWC Custom Configuration:

When you buy a Duet Board, you know what you get...

...except that the controller itself is almost infinitely configurable. If you want, you can configure the controller to be a 3d printer, or a CNC machine with endless tools, or it can be an automatic 9 axis gcode driven kitten grinder. THAT is what the Duet board is; a stepper motor oriented machine thinkbox for anything that you need it to be.

Many of the firmware changes in recent years have literally been about removing assumptions of what the machine's purpose is, to be more of just a set of facilities ready to do whatever you want them to do.

You cannot, however, configure the user interface to do what you want it to be, for your specific purpose. A plugin doesn't override many assumptions made in the interface about the priority of the machine.

Why can't the UI move a little in the same direction?...

If the default config has it work exactly how it currently works, why do you care that there's a configuration option that hides the status components even on a large screen?...

The OP needs to convince a coder and maintainers to create and merge the feature... that's a large task... but why in heck do people go out of their way to block it from happening?...