What is RhinoSlic3r

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In a freelancing web, a person offered some single objects (in jewelry) that had been designed with Rhinoceros. He said, I want a freelancer to create G-Code of the objects for CNC machinery . I was curious to know can do I do it with Rhino (I have never worked with G-code before) ?

I wondered, why didn’t he use STL output format that Rhino has and is used for CNC machinery and also 3D printing?

He spoke about the speed of machinery. Is G-code faster than STL files for machinery?

I searched the internet and found the name of a software (or maybe plugin) that was “RhinoSlic3r”.

The explanation about “RhinoSlic3r” was this:

Rhinoceros panel for G-code generation from Rhino object* . It allows you to produce 3d printing G-code files for any 3D printer. Features: -Use of provided Slic3r configuration files, your actual ones, or configuration of a new one for you 3d printer. "

May last question is that; can I add “RhinoSlic3r” to Rhinoceros and obtain the G-code of an object that has been modeled in Rhino?

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“G-code” is technically a slang word for the code format that CNC machines need for their particular kinematics they have to generate particular “toolpaths” to make particular components, etc.

In the last decade or more, 3D-printers have basically adapted to use a similar format of “G-code”.

As I understand it, the slang word “G-code” comes from the fact that the letter “G” is used quite often throughout the code in order to “prepare” the CNC machine to take actions appropriately for given situations.

G-codes that actually have the “G” are known as “preparatory” codes. But there’s also “M”-codes and plenty of other letters are used as well, such as “S”, “R”, “T”, “H”, “O”, “P”, “L”, “Q”, “N”, etc…

These codes are usually formatted into single line “blocks”, whereby the machine will read them one line at a time, and some machine can read the line usually from left to right, but some machines can read the lines all at once, and some machines from right to left – it may seem.

Different ‘controls’ and ‘machines’ have entirely different behaviors and characteristics and results from similar codes – it all depends on how the CNC machines are built and energized, etc.

The “STL” format, imo, as I understand it is basically what I’d just call a “mesh” format, and that’s all I really use it for. Yes, 3D-printers basically all rely on this “mesh” format.

While, the other machines more traditionally referred to as “CNC” machines do rely on this “mesh” format, they don’t require entirely just mesh data.

I could go off on a tangent here, but long story short, on a daily basis doing CNC work, I mostly rely on these formats: STP/STEP, IGS/IGES, and STL – and don’t forget 3DM.

3D printers have a very simplified approach to the whole CNC aspect, via STL mesh format utilization.

This may likely evolve over time, but I think in terms of simplicity and reaching a very large audience, the whole mesh(STL) thing is just easier for the end user in some ways, but there’s definitely pros and cons.

This sounds to me like a Rhino plugin oriented for “slicing” geometry into toolpath data for 3D-printing applications. There’s many slicer programs out there, but this one might be useful inside the Rhino workspace…

I believe yes, but the object might have to be a “mesh”, and remember the “G-code” is just what the 3D-printer needs to follow the “toolpaths” necessary to print the parts you’re wanting it to make.

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Thank you so much, sir, for the useful explanation

You said, “the “G-code” is just what the 3D-printer needs to follow the “toolpaths” necessary to print the parts you’re wanting it to make.”

But why did the employer express, he want the G-code of the metal objects for CNC machinery?

He said, it should be done with MasterCam software. He even sent two Rhino files to his page. I downloaded one of them to see what it is. Probably, it is designed with Matrix plugin of Rhino.

sample
sample793×518 115 KB

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Mastercam is a CAD/CAM application. That means it had the tools for Computer Aided Design, AND Computer Aided Machining, so you can model with it and generate tool paths to machine it.
It have been around a long time and works well.
That said, it appeals most to people that started off as machinists first, and then moved to computers. The Mastercam approach to modeling is familiar with the approach a Journeyman Machinist might approach producing a part given a set of drawings.

Rhino has no native CAM tools. That’s common. The only other tool I know of that can be used for Modeling and CAM is Autodesk’s Fusion360.

If it were me, I’d have a look at DeskProto.
It has some great tutorials to get your head around the CAM process. The evaluation lets you actually post G-code and cut a part.

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I’m not sure, depends what the employer is in the business of doing? If they’re employing you to create ‘toolpaths’ for CNC machines, then they want the G-code for particular ‘toolpaths’ – I surmise.

But there’s some issues with trying to run a CNC business that way, and this can send us on some big tangents, so I’d need more information to answer such questions.

Mastercam is a CAM program, and yes it’s main purpose is to generate G-code, but the whole process is pretty complicated depending on how different companies are setup to use it for their particular situation.

Yes, Mastercam has some CAD abilities, and they do cost extra especially for their “advanced CAD”, but I only recommend their bare minimum for CAD, because Rhino is superior in terms of CAD.

I see here to be what appears as a ‘polysurface’, which I’d recommend to merge into a program like ‘Mastercam’ by utilizing the STP/STEP format – to say the least. From there, it can get complicated.

This part looks like it may be suited for a 4-axis milling machine, or a 6-axis lathe, etc.

The CAM software can cost in the upwards of $10k-$18k, and the machines can cost in the upwards of $50-$190k. … not to mention, computer workstations, facilitation, post processors, tools, technicians, maintenance fees etc.

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Thank you, sir

I am not interested in machinery , Mastercam or G-code much. I only saw that project in a web and wanted to get some information about G-code.
Rhino compared with other engineering software has the largest number of various outputs that stp, step and stl are among them, and I was curious to know why that person wanted to use G-code, instead.

I neither could do that project nor was interested to do.

Thank you so much for addressing the tutorial reference.

I was always interested to learn new things. Although my purpose is not to learn machinery or become a machinist, but it can add to my knowledge.

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Many thanks dear masters for the answers that were helpful to me and enlightened me relatively, though I am not familiar with CNC machines and their various and complicated programs.

I know, there are plenty much professional techniques with many details in this field and I am not to step in this confusing world at present, though I am greedy to learn every scientific and technical things.

Thank you again :slight_smile:

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