How to Install Pronterface on Raspberry Pi

by raspberrypi33

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Intro: How to Install Pronterface on Raspberry Pi

While many people find it easy to just control a general Rep-Rap 3D printer from their own computer, there will come times when you must use something portable If you need to, for example, take your computer to work. The Raspberry Pi would be the go-to solution for you. These steps will take you through on how to run the software "Pronterface" on your Raspberry Pi 2 B. Pronterface is a wonderful software that most people know about if they have a Rep-Rap. I will assume that you have a general knowledge of the Raspberry Pi, and that you are able to boot it up, and have basic command terminal experience (This is my first Instructable).

Materials:

Raspberry Pi 2 B with Raspbian

Peripherals for Raspberry Pi

3D Printer (Rep-Rap)

Mouse

Keyboard

1. First, boot your Pi up, and direct yourself to the command terminal. Then, type in the following (This is VERY important because it updates your Pi's software cache):

sudo apt-get update

Then:

sudo apt-get upgrade

2. After that, then, type this:

sudo apt-get install python-serial python-wxgtk2.8 python-pyglet python-numpy cython python-libxml2 python-gobject python-dbus python-psutil python-cairosvg git

3. Finally, type out this:

git clone https://github.com/kliment/Printrun.git

4. In your home folder, go to the folder "Printrun", and open up the file "Pronterface.py". It should ask you to if you want to execute the file, and when it does, click "execute", not "execute in terminal"

5. Going further, if you want to make a desktop icon, type out the following into "leafpad", or any other text editor:

[Desktop Entry]

Name=PRONTERFACE

Comment=3D Printer

Exec=/usr/bin/python /home/pi/Printrun/pronterface.py

Icon=/home/pi/Printrun/pronsole.ico

Terminal=false

Type=Application

(NOTE: Make sure that there are no spaces in the text document for the icon.)

6. You're done! Enjoy using Internet free, hassle free 3D printing. Once you connect you printer during the boot process, you're just about done.

7. Also, remember to, in the drop-down list of ports in Pronterface, please pick the correct one. The device should end with a "0"

NOTE: The following information and code has been only tested on a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, and controlling a Printrbot Simple Metal with a Printrboard Revision F5.

NOTE: If you have any trouble with the code, go to these websites, as they have the instructions listed above:

https://github.com/kliment/Printrun

http://bukobot.com/raspberry-pi

8. Expand Your Project:

If you really want to extend your Raspberry Pi, add a touchscreen on it! Adafruit has some great models such as this one:

https://adafruit.com/products/2298

Also, you could 3D print a mount for your Raspberry Pi to connect to your 3D printer. This link is for a Printrbot Simple Metal if you want to mount your Raspberry Pi:

https://thingiverse.com/thing:673133

Finally, you could add a Raspberry Pi camera to you Pi, and take time-lapse videos with it. Refer to "The Raspberry Pi User Guide" for more info:

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118921666.html

NOTE: If you have successfully completed the steps above, please click the "I made it!" button and post some pictures. I would love to see them!

23 Comments

rms54 2 years ago

After I entered this;
sudo apt-get install python-serial python-wxgtk2.8 python-pyglet python-numpy cython python-libxml2 python-gobject python-dbus python-psutil python-cairosvg git

I got a list of errors. "python-serial" has no installation candidate
Unable to locate python-wxgtk3.0
unable to locate package python-pyglet
etc.
None of them completed. ???

StepOnItNow 3 years ago

Does this work with a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B? Could it run a version of Windows 10 and Pronterface? Would also love the ability to add a camera with some sort of live view at the same time that I can connect to on my home network?

raspberrypi33 3 years ago

I am going to test it with the Pi 4 model B that I have very soon. I don{t really think the Pi 4 can run Win 10, but I might be wrong. For the camera, check out the slightly more up'to date software called Octoprint. It has time lapse image setup from the Pi's camera and it meant to be connected to a home network.

StepOnItNow 3 years ago

Hello, thanks for the reply! Yes I have seen octoprint and I assume that can run in the background on the raspberry pi 4 model B whilst I can also run Pronterface at the same time? Please let me know what your findings are as it will be very much appreciated!

Sam

raspberrypi33 3 years ago

You probably can run both Octoprint and Pronterface at the same time. Ocotprint can do both slicing and act as a client. Pronterface is a client, although there are slicer plugins available. However, keep in mind that only one piece of software can access the 3D printer's serial port at the same time. If you are sending your G-code through Pronterface, for example, you would not be able to access the printer via Octoprint and vice versa. I would recommend to use either one or the other. If you are using a wireless network, Octoprint is much better. However, I have only a wired network, so a standalone Pronterface configuration works best for me.

TahirT4 6 years ago

I have the new raspberry 3 B + with me it does not want the software PRONTERFACE

amoroi 6 years ago

Is there a way to see the the whole pronterface window on my 5 inch lcd...a resize that we can make to fit the 800x480 screen?

tb1405 7 years ago

Hi

I have tried this with a anet 3d a8. (Prusa I3 China Clone) but i doesnt work.

I get all the time this Error Code.

Connecting...

start

Printer is now online.

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

ok 0

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 14665, in <lambda>

lambda event: event.callable(*event.args, **event.kw) )

File "/home/pi/Printrun/printrun/gui/controls.py", line 289, in tempdisp_setlabel

wx.StaticText.SetLabel(root.tempdisp, label)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 8503, in SetLabel

return _core_.Window_SetLabel(*args, **kwargs)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/encodings/utf_8.py", line 16, in decode

return codecs.utf_8_decode(input, errors, True)

UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf8' codec can't decode byte 0xff in position 26: invalid start byte

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

ok 0

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 14665, in <lambda>

lambda event: event.callable(*event.args, **event.kw) )

File "/home/pi/Printrun/printrun/gui/controls.py", line 289, in tempdisp_setlabel

wx.StaticText.SetLabel(root.tempdisp, label)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 8503, in SetLabel

return _core_.Window_SetLabel(*args, **kwargs)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/encodings/utf_8.py", line 16, in decode

return codecs.utf_8_decode(input, errors, True)

UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf8' codec can't decode byte 0xff in position 26: invalid start byte

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

ok 0

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 14665, in <lambda>

lambda event: event.callable(*event.args, **event.kw) )

File "/home/pi/Printrun/printrun/gui/controls.py", line 289, in tempdisp_setlabel

wx.StaticText.SetLabel(root.tempdisp, label)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 8503, in SetLabel

return _core_.Window_SetLabel(*args, **kwargs)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/encodings/utf_8.py", line 16, in decode

return codecs.utf_8_decode(input, errors, True)

UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf8' codec can't decode byte 0xff in position 26: invalid start byte

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

ok 0

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 14665, in <lambda>

lambda event: event.callable(*event.args, **event.kw) )

File "/home/pi/Printrun/printrun/gui/controls.py", line 289, in tempdisp_setlabel

wx.StaticText.SetLabel(root.tempdisp, label)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/wx-2.8-gtk2-unicode/wx/_core.py", line 8503, in SetLabel

return _core_.Window_SetLabel(*args, **kwargs)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/encodings/utf_8.py", line 16, in decode

return codecs.utf_8_decode(input, errors, True)

UnicodeDecodeError: 'utf8' codec can't decode byte 0xff in position 26: invalid start byte

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Attempted to write invalid text to console, which could be due to an invalid baudrate

Do you have any idea?

raspberrypi33 7 years ago

Furthermore, sometimes China clones don't work, so if the problem persists, then try using a different Arduino or RAMPS board or whtaever board you currently have now.

raspberrypi33 7 years ago

I had this exact same problem with my Printrbot a few weeks ago! I found that it wasn't the computer's fault, but it was a firmware problem. If you know how to re-flash your firmware on your electronics board, then you should give it a try.

LongJ 7 years ago

Ok what do you call the text file for the desktop icon and where do you put it

Seems like that might be kind of important

raspberrypi33 7 years ago

For me, I just opened up Leafpad, and saved it to my desktop. It them just appered as an executable icon.

LongJ 7 years ago

Thanks I'll give that a try some time. I have a Pi 3 with a 5" touchscreen running octoprint but a lightweight interface like this can be handy for tweaking and setups after upgrades ..... And there is always another upgrade. it's mounted on a small worktable with locking wheels

I'm looking to make something that I can download from thingieverse, slice it and print making the printer standalone needing only a power outlet and a WiFi network

This coming summer a buddy and I are going to load it in my modified jon boat run it off the boat's wifi network/AP and run the unit from my deep cycle storage cells and making a video of it printing "out in the wild" something I want for my boat or a 3D printed lure and then catch a fish with it. Just because I can ...... and I haven't seen anyone else do it

http://netbook2chartplotter.blogspot.com/

Krishnananda. K.H 7 years ago

Very helpful article. But do not include "Categories-Application;Development;" while creating Desktop shortcut. Else it will remain text document. At least for me it was so.

raspberrypi33 7 years ago

Thanks for telling me that! I will update it!

kd7eir 8 years ago

Accessing it from the same computer it is running on as you are doing with Pronterface, Octoprint does NOT require internet access. Also, you never mentioned connecting the printer to the raspberry pi, and configuring the ports - without those steps, Pronterface will not be able to communicate with your 3d printer.

raspberrypi33 8 years ago

Just the other day, I tried Octopi without internet access. I needed to plug in an Ethernet cable into my pi to get it to work. I don't have W-Fi, so plugging the Ethernet cable made it work. I wonder if it works for you if you don't have internet access to your pi.

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