OctoPrint is an open-source software that allows you to control your 3D printer and monitor the printing process via a web interface. This interface is simple to use and will enable you to upload, slice, and print 3D models from anywhere in the world.
Along with this, by allowing remote access and control, OctoPrint saves time and effort, improves print quality, and allows you to experiment with new add-ons and materials.
These features help make 3D printing more accessible, convenient, and efficient.
Additionally, what makes OctoPrint truly remarkable is its robust plugin system.
These plugins enable you to customize the software to your individual needs, optimizing functionality and improving the printing experience.
With plugins, you can add features such as real-time printer monitoring, as well as manage print jobs more effectively.
What’s more, the flexibility and versatility of OctoPrint’s plugin system have made it a popular choice for both beginners and advanced users.
Best Octoprint Plugins For Beginners
If you have just started using and exploring OctoPrint, you must have probably come across the vast repository of OctoPrint plugins.
Deciding where to begin can be difficult, so here are some of the best plugins for beginners.
Test them out to see what suits your needs, as selecting the right ones can make all the difference.
Upgrade your OctoPrint with the best plugins available, suitable for beginners and experts alike.
From OctoLapse to OctoPrint-PrintTimeGenius, these plugins can streamline and enhance your printing process, and help you unleash the full power of OctoPrint and print like a pro!
Octolapse
Octolapse is a beginner-friendly plugin that allows you to easily create some mesmerizing time-lapse videos of your prints.
Octolapse accomplishes this by taking pictures at the beginning of each layer, allowing you to showcase the entire process from start to finish.
The plugin can even pause the print head during a layer change, eliminating any unwanted movement in the final video.
In addition, depending on the camera you use for Octolapse, you can get some custom camera controls to modify the camera settings.
OctoPrint-TempsGraph
TempsGraph is a plugin that displays the temperature of your 3D printer’s hot end and print bed visually in the form of a graph.
With this information, you can track your printer’s temperature over time and ensure that it produces all 3D printed parts at the optimal temperature.
Aside from that, you can also detect any temperature fluctuations and irregularities that may indicate a problem with your printer, helping you troubleshoot the issue.
OctoPrint-Enclosure
The OctoPrint-Enclosure plugin includes a number of useful features for anyone who uses a 3D printing enclosure.
These features include controls for temperature, fans, and lights, along with a filament sensor.
This plugin’s main goal is to create the ideal printing environment for any material and print job in an enclosure.
Apart from the basic functions, the plugin also allows you to pause and resume print jobs as well as set up alarms and notifications for specific conditions, all of which are necessary when printing in a closed environment.
OctoPrint-GCode System Commands
Apart from allowing you to use a variety of built-in commands to perform common printing tasks, the main feature of the GCode System Commands Plugin is the ability to input custom G-Codes.
With it, you can define your own G-Code commands and specify where the 3D printer should execute them during the printing process.
Setting up a sequence of such custom commands can be extremely useful in streamlining the printing workflow.
OctoPrint-PSU Control
PSU Control is a plugin that lets you monitor the status of your 3D printer’s power supply unit (PSU), along with giving you control over the functionality of the PSU.
In terms of control, you can remotely turn your 3D printer on and off, as well as regulate the temperature of the power supply.
By doing so, you can prevent any overheating and potential safety hazards.
Best OctoPrint Plugins For Advanced Users
OctoPrint’s plugin ecosystem includes several powerful tools and features for optimizing and automating 3D printing processes.
Amongst them, plugins that provide remote monitoring and control and failure detection information are some of the best plugins available for advanced users.
OctoPrint-TFT Touch Screen
OctoPrint-TFT (thin film transistor) Touch Screen is an excellent add-on for any 3D printer because it provides you with an intuitive and user-friendly touchscreen interface without the need for a separate computer or device.
For this plugin, you can use any of the compatible touchscreen displays.
Once you install it and get it running, you can customize using various themes and plugins.
The touch screen, in particular, enables you to start and stop prints, adjust settings, manage temperature and filament, and monitor progress directly from the printer.
OctoPrint-PrePrintService
PrePrintService is all about optimizing your printing process. You can easily do this by taking advantage of its auto-orientation and slicing functionality.
The auto orientation feature uses algorithms to analyze the 3D model and automatically determine the best orientation for printing.
Whereas, the slicing feature allows users to define specific slicing settings for each 3D model so that the model is sliced automatically based on those settings.
OctoPrint-GPX
OctoPrint-GPX is a plugin that converts G-code generated by 3D printing slicers such as Cura or PrusaSlicer into commands that are readable by 3D printers that use non-standard G-code commands.
Many of these 3D printers may be older or less common printers that are incompatible with the latest slicers and slicing software.
You can easily manage and control these printers while also taking advantage of advanced features such as remote management and webcam streaming by combining GPX and OctoPrint.
Obico
Obico for Octoprint, from the creative Plugin creator with the same name that seeks to innovate the 3d Printing space. The machine learning powered plugging helps you detect when your print is failing and alerts you.
This is a popular plugging among the OctoPrint community.
As soon as Obico detects a print failure, you can set it up to alert you by sending an Email or a notification on your mobile app.
This way, you can come, clean up, assess the error and reset or restart the print. This helps save filament, especially on long prints when you leave the printer alone.
The plugin is also available for Klipper firmware.
OctoPrint-PrintTimeGenius
PrintTimeGenius is an advanced plugin that estimates and generates a near-accurate total print time and represents it in the form of a graph for easy visualization.
Using machine learning algorithms, this plugin analyzes previous prints and generates accurate time and material estimates for future prints.
Implementation of this plugin is especially useful for printing job planning and scheduling, as well as estimating material costs and usage.
How To Choose The Right OctoPrint Plugin
Each plugin has unique features that only address specific needs or goals.
So, to help you choose the right OctoPrint plugin for your 3D printer, it is crucial to consider three main factors – functionality, application, and compatibility.
Functionality
Firstly, it is essential to consider the functionality of the plugin and whether it aligns with your printing needs.
For example, some plugins optimize print quality, while others concentrate on automation or remote control.
In short, any plugin you use must primarily extend the capabilities of your 3D printer and OctoPrint.
By selecting plugins that offer the appropriate functionalities, you can ensure that your 3D printing workflow is optimized, and you can achieve the desired printing results.
Application
There are many OctoPrint plugins that you can use only for a single application, whereas others have features and controls that result in them having multiple applications.
The application of a plugin in this context refers to the specific task or purpose that it serves, as well as how it can improve the 3D printing process.
Therefore, it is best to evaluate the use case and choose the plugin accordingly, as some plugins may not be suitable for certain types of 3D printing projects.
For example, a plugin designed to monitor and control temperature may not be suitable for providing a live feed of a print job.
Compatibility
Some plugins may only work with specific printer models or firmware versions, so it is best to check if the plugin is compatible with your setup before installing it.
Checking for compatibility can help in avoiding problems with plugin installation and operation.
Incompatible plugins can cause a range of issues, including crashes and error messages, as well as printer malfunctions and other technical problems.
Additionally, compatibility issues can also arise as a result of conflicts with other plugins already installed on the system. A great way to overcome this and avoid any issues would be to test each new plugin separately before installing additional plugins.
Conclusion
OctoPrint is a powerful and versatile platform for 3D printing, and its plugin repository offers a wide range of tools and features for users of all skill levels.
There are tons of plugins available in this OctoPrint’s arsenal, and their developers are doing a great job of constantly keeping them updated along with adding more functionalities to them.
Before installing any plugin it is important to research about it and then test different plugins to find the ones that best suit your specific needs and help you achieve your printing goals.
In conclusion, you can take full advantage of OctoPrint’s features and capabilities to get the best printing results by using the appropriate plugins.