Java Software Preferences File

AxisCount=3

The number of cartesian axes in the machine. String theory aside, we live in three dimensions...

BackColourB(0..1)=0.9, BackColourG(0..1)=0.9, BackColourR(0..1)=0.9

The RGB values of the background in the graphics window.

BackFactor=2.0

A viewcone parameter needed for Java 3D, q.v.

BaudRate=19200

The communications speed between the host computer and the RepRap microcontroller.

BoundFactor=3.0

A viewcone parameter needed for Java 3D, q.v.

CommsDebug=false

Setting this true will cause each message to and from the RepRap machine also to be written to System.out.

Debug=false

Setting this true will cause each action the host makes the RepRap do to be written to System.out.

DisplaySimulation=false

This is normally set and reset by the "Display Paths" button on the RepRap control window, and so should not be hand-edited. Setting this true will cause a new window to be opened in which each segment laid down by the RepRap machine is represented as a line, so you can see the build happening on the computer's screen as each slice is being processed.

DumpX(mm)=120, DumpY(mm)=5

The position at which the extrude head can be run for a bit to purge itself.

FastSpeed(-1..255)=240

Legacy. The fastest rate that the PIC XY steppers can be stepped.

FiveD=true

This only has an effect on G-Code generation. When this is false, the software generates G-codes to control the X, Y, and Z movement of the machine and separate codes to control the extruders.

When this is true, the software generates G-codes that treat the extrusion as just another dimension. That is to say, it generates code like this:

G1 X23.9 Y39.0 Z0.2526 E66.5 F3000.0 ;print segment

G1 X23.9 Y39.7 Z0.2526 E67.2 F3000.0 ;print segment

So, for example, the second line is saying move 0.7mm in Y from where you last were and extrude 0.7mm of filament while doing so, all at 3000 mm/minute.

FoundationLayers=-1

The number of layers of material to put down under the object being built before building proper starts. Set this to -1 to suppress the laying down of foundations.

FrontFactor=0.001

A viewcone parameter needed for Java 3D, q.v.

GCodeUseSerial=false

This is normally controlled automatically, and shouldn't be changed by the user. Setting this true causes the code to send G-codes direct to the RepRap machine (as opposed to writing them to a file) from communications port Port (see below).

IdleZAxis=true

Legacy. Causes the PIC to turn off the current to the Z-axis stepper when there is no vertical movement.

InterLayerCooling=true

Setting this true causes RepRap to turn on the cooling fan between layers to freeze/set the build material being used. See Extruder0_CoolingPeriod(s) below. It also has the effect of causing the machine to re-zero itself in X and Y between each layer. This is a good idea, so - if you don't want cooling, still set this true but set the cooling period very short (e.g. 0.1 second).

MachineColourB(0..1)=0.3, MachineColourG(0..1)=0.4, MachineColourR(0..1)=0.3

The colour of the RepRap build bed in the graphics window.

MaxXYAcceleration(mm/mininute/minute)=1200000

This is the maximum rate at which the machine can accelerate horizontally (i.e. in X and Y). As G Codes are in mm/minute, this is in the rather eccentric unit of mm/minute². If you want to run at constant speed, or you have RepRap firmware that does not support accelerations, setting this negative will turn off XY accelerations for the whole machine (regardless of the similar values for the extruders - see below).

When this is positive, the software generates G-codes that treat the feedrate as just another dimension. That is to say, it generates code like this:

G1 X23.9 Y39.0 Z0.2526 E66.5 F1500.0 ;print segment

G1 X23.9 Y39.7 Z0.2526 E67.2 F3000.0 ;print segment

So, for example, the second line is saying move 0.7mm in Y from where you last were, extrude 0.7mm of filament during the move, and accelerate from 1500.0 mm/minute to 3000.0 mm/minute while doing so. To make a movement at constant speed, simply set the feedrate first:

G1 F1500.0 ;set feedrate

G1 X23.9 Y39.7 Z0.2526 E67.2;print segment

This would do exactly the same movement and extrusion, but at a constant feedrate of 1500 mm/minute.

MaxZAcceleration(mm/mininute/minute)=3000

This is the maximum rate at which the machine can accelerate vertically (i.e. in Z). As G Codes are in mm/minute, this is in the rather eccentric unit of mm/minute². If you want to run at constant speed, or you have RepRap firmware that does not support accelerations, setting this negative will turn off Z accelerations for the whole machine.

MaximumFeedrateX(mm/minute)=3000

The fastest speed that the X axis can be driven at without stalling or missing steps.

MaximumFeedrateY(mm/minute)=3000

The fastest speed that the Y axis can be driven at without stalling or missing steps.

MaximumFeedrateZ(mm/minute)=50

The fastest speed that the Z axis can be driven at without stalling or missing steps. Note, if you're experimenting, that moving up against gravity is harder than moving down, which will lead to a slower value. Use that.

MouseTranslationFactor=50

A scaling factor for mouse movements in 3D in the graphics window.

MouseZoomFactor=50

A scaling factor for mouse movements in 3D in the graphics window.

MovementSpeedZ(0..255)=240

Legacy. The speed to move the Z axis on the PIC controlled machine.

NumberOfExtruders=3

How many extruders are in use. Note that you can use the same extruder more than once. That is to say you can copy all the parameters of Extruder0 (say), call them Extruder1, and edit them to get different behavior (leaving the address the same - see below). Then you can flip between the two when you load objects to build.

Port(name)=/dev/ttyUSB0

The port on the host computer that is connected to the RepRap machine. On Linux machines this will be something like /dev/ttyUSB0, on Windows it will be something like COM5.

RadiusFactor=0.7

Another Java 3D parameter. This sets the size of the world that you're looking at.

RememberWindowPosition=false

When set true, forces the system to put the RepRap window back where it was and the same size after you've folded it away.

RepRap_Machine=GCodeRepRap

The type of RepRap machine attached to the host computer. This decides the encoding of the information sent from the host. Valid types are: GCodeRepRap, SNAPRepRap, and Simulator.

SelectedColourB(0..1)=0.2, SelectedColourG(0..1)=0.2, SelectedColourR(0..1)=0.6

When you load an object to be printed onto the picture of the RepRap build area, then select it with the mouse so you can slide it about, this decides what colour it will change to to indicate that you have selected it.

Shield=true

When set true, this causes a wiper shield to be built alongside the parts being laid down. If the write head returns to the origin between layers, then this shield tends to remove any dribble from the nozzle before the nozzle starts laying down the part itself. Allow a blank space of 6mm in X and Y between the origin and the southwest corner of the object(s) being built for the shield to be constructed in.

SlowXYFeedrate(mm/minute)=1500.0

When accelerating in X and Y, this decides what speed the machine can do as a standing start. That is to say, at this speed the steppers won't lose steps if they just start running. Thus it is also the speed at which the machine goes round a right-angled corner, for example (as that stops X and starts Y, or vice versa).

SlowZFeedrate(mm/minute)=5.0

When accelerating in Z, this decides what speed the machine can do as a standing start. That is to say, at this speed the steppers won't lose steps if they just start running.

Subtractive=false

Set this true if you have a cutting head, rather than an extruder, in your RepRap. Experimental...

UnselectedColourB(0..1)=0.3, UnselectedColourG(0..1)=0.3, UnselectedColourR(0..1)=0.3

The default colour of an object to be built when it's not selected. This is overridden by Extruder0_ColourB/G/R (see below).

WorkingLocation=reprap-wv.stl

The file containing the stl for the model of the RepRap build base that appears in the graphics window.

WorkingOffsetX(mm)=-17.3, WorkingOffsetY(mm)=-24.85, WorkingOffsetZ(mm)=-2

The position of the bottom left hand corner of WorkingLocation (see above) relative to (0, 0, 0).

WorkingX(mm)=300, WorkingY(mm)=300, WorkingZ(mm)=300

The lengths of movement in the three directions. There is a bug in the code that handles these, so they are set to a nominal 300mm each at the moment.

WorldName=RepRap-World

An internal label that is used as the root of the Java 3D graphics object tree.

XAxisAddress=2

Legacy. The address of the X-axis stepper controller for the PIC.

XAxisScale(steps/mm)=7.99735

Legacy. The number of X stepper-motor steps needed to move 1 mm for the PIC. A good way to set this is to get the machine to build a long thin brick 100 mm long and a few mm deep and high. Then measure the object with accurate vernier calipers (giving length L, say) and change this value accordingly: XAxisScale_new = XAxisScale_old.L/100.

XAxisTorque(%)=100

Legacy. The power to sent to the X-stepper coils. This is now controlled by a potentiometer on the stepper controller board.

XYReZeroInterval(mm)=-1

Repeatedly stop building and re-zero the X and Y axes against the opto endstops after this distance of movement. Set this negative to suppress this behaviour. See also InterLayerCooling above.

YAxisAddress=3

Legacy. The address of the Y-axis stepper controller for the PIC.

YAxisScale(steps/mm)=7.99735

Legacy. The number of Y stepper-motor steps needed to move 1 mm in the PIC. See XAxisScale above for how to set this.

YAxisTorque(%)=100

Legacy. The power to sent to the Y-stepper coils. This is now controlled by a potentiometer on the stepper controller board.

ZAxisAddress=4

Legacy. The address of the Z-axis stepper controller in the PIC.

ZAxisScale(steps/mm)=320

Legacy. The number of Z stepper-motor steps needed to move 1 mm in the PIC. Look up the pitch of the threads in the corner of your RepRap machine (the standard ones, M8, have a pitch of 1.25 mm), then divide the number of steps your Z stepper takes for one revolution by that value.

ZAxisTorque(%)=100

Legacy. The power to sent to the Z-stepper coils. This is now controlled by a potentiometer on the stepper controller board.

Extruder Preferences

Extruder0_Address=0

The address of the extruder. These addresses are used by the RepRap firmware to decide what physical device the host is talking to.

Extruder0_AngleSpeedFactor(0..1)=0.5

Legacy. Go faster round angles/changes of direction in the path according to this: relative speed = 1 - 0.5*(1 + cos(angle))*AngleSpeedFactor.

Extruder0_AngleSpeedLength(mm)=-1

Legacy. The distance either side of a change of direction to speed up for. Set this negative to suppress this behaviour.

Extruder0_ArcCompensationFactor(0..)=8

When the extruder moves in an arc, too much material is laid down on the inside, and not enough on the outside. See this page for an explanation of what this does.

Extruder0_ArcShortSides(0..)=1

When the extruder moves in an arc, too much material is laid down on the inside, and not enough on the outside. See this page for an explanation of what this does.

Extruder0_Beta(K)=550.0

Legacy. The beta value of the thermistor used to measure the temperature of the extruder in the PIC. For a non-PIC controllers set this to 550.0 regardless of what thermistor you actually use.

Extruder0_Capacitor(F)=0.000003

Legacy. The capacitor value in the PIC controller used to time the resistance of the thermistor. For a non-PIC controller set this to 0.000003 regardless of what thermistor you actually use.

Extruder0_ColourB(0..1)=0.6, Extruder0_ColourG(0..1)=0.3, Extruder0_ColourR(0..1)=0.3

The colour of objects made by the material in this extruder in the graphics window.

Extruder0_CoolingPeriod(s)=0.1

The time to turn the cooling fan on between layers. Set this negative to suppress cooling between layers. See InterLayerCooling above.