github ratdoux/OrcaSlicer-FullSpectrum 0.7-alpha
v0.7-alpha

latest releases: v0.9.9, v0.9.8, v0.9.7...
pre-release3 months ago

v0.7-alpha Pre-release

EXPERIMENTAL BUILD - NOT TESTED
Based on Snapmaker Orca v2.2.4

v0.7 full spectrum alpha focuses on Local Z reliability, better mixed-filament control, and a cleaner custom Gradient/Pattern workflow.

This has had limited testing on the Snapmaker U1 via the community.

What's New in v0.7

Local Z Dithering Reliability (v0.7)

  • Improved handling for overlapping mixed-painted zones on the same XY plane.
  • Fixed cases where layer-height modulation could flatten or become equal when a second zone starts.
  • Fixed stale first-zone behavior where editing one gradient did not correctly update resulting layer heights.
  • Reduced repeated same-color layer runs in complex multi-zone transitions.
  • Mixed passes and base passes are separated more cleanly in perimeter clipping paths.

Manual Pattern Mixed Filaments (v0.6, refined in v0.7)

  • Pattern add button in Mixed Filaments UI (alongside Gradient add).
  • Custom repeating layer patterns (for example 11112222 for a 4:4 ratio).
  • Pattern parser accepts 1/2 or A/B with separators (/, -, _, |, etc.).
  • Manual pattern takes precedence; blend percentage is auto-derived from the pattern.
  • Backward-compatible parsing for older custom mixed-row formats.

Local Z Dithering Mode (v0.4, refined in v0.7)

  • Local Z dithering mode in Process -> Others (dithering_local_z_mode).
  • Mixed-painted zones are split into local sub-passes with pass-specific flow height.
  • Runtime guard remains active when wipe tower or wiping overrides are enabled.

Selective Expansion/Contraction (v0.7)

  • Added selective expansion/contraction controls for mixed-color behavior tuning in challenging transition regions.
  • Intended to help with edge consistency where mixed passes interact with neighboring toolpaths.

Mixed Filaments UI Refresh (v0.7)

  • More modern and compact layout for custom Gradient and Pattern mixed filaments.
  • Reduced spacing and tighter row cards for better readability with many mixed rows.
  • Cleaner preview area with summary inline for faster scanning.

Config/Save/Load Reliability (v0.5 + v0.7 hardening)

  • Config comparison checks type and value.
  • Improved dirty-state detection, diffing, and unsaved-changes behavior.
  • Mixed filament project settings load more consistently.
  • Stronger logging for mixed-row parsing and config application.

Same-layer Pointillisme (new in v0.7, experimental)

  • What it is: a same-layer color interleaving mode that tries to distribute multiple filaments inside a single layer instead of alternating by layer.
  • Goal: test whether very small in-layer color "dots" can produce smoother visual blends than normal layer cycling.
  • Status: extremely experimental and may produce unusable results.
  • Reality check: this is likely a dead end for production use on current hardware and may be removed or replaced in a future release.

Installation

  1. Download Snapmaker_Orca.zip.
  2. Extract to a folder.
  3. Run the executable.

Warning

  • Use at your own risk.
  • May produce incorrect G-code.
  • Local Z behavior is still experimental.
  • Seeking testers with U1 printers.

Features Not Yet Tested

  1. Local Z height dithering
  2. Patterns
  3. Selective expansion/contraction
  4. Advanced dithering
  5. Height-weight cadence

Known Issues

  • Untested on real hardware.
  • Local Z mode still needs validation with real prints.
  • Advanced dithering output may require calibration.
  • Pointillisme is research-grade only right now and is likely not viable for stable, repeatable prints.
  • Startup crash may still occur in some setups and needs further debugging.

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