JimsJump / Duet_3_6HC_Time_Lapse

Python script to collect photos & create video of 3D Printer Layer Changes using the Duet 3 - 6HC Mainboard (from Duet3D) and Raspberry Pi SBC

Duet_3_6HC_Time_Lapse

Create time lapse videos with your Duet 3 - 6HC Mainboard, mainly meant for 3D Printers, but can be used for other machines too.

Designed to run on a Raspberry Pi and may be adaptable to other Linux platforms. Supports cameras via USB, Pi (ribbon cable), and Webcam. Produces photos and renders a video using MJPEG-Streamer & FFMPEG. Creates a sub-folders for photos and video with date and time stamps for each.

Notes

As the printer changes layers, Duet Web Control (DWC) will post PRINT_STARTED, LAYER_CHANGE, and PRINT_COMPLETE while the printer is operating and log them in the Duet Control Server Service. The program uses these cues to monitor the service for changes and then to have M-JPEG take photos and store them so FFMPEG can then compile the time lapse video. To see the journal posts from the Duet Web Control enter the following:

sudo journalctl -f -u duetcontrolserver

Note this idea was originally conceived by Danal in the post here: https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/14055/random-duet3-sbc-questions/8 Danal also has a more advanced Time Lapse here: https://github.com/DanalEstes/DuetLapse

Status

Considered a well refined release at this point - not a super advanced code; but, small and does the job.

REQUIREMENTS - Linux User level 3 out of 5

• Familarity with Linux terminal and a Raspberry Pi using Python.
• Familarity with setting up your slicer software to make additional GCODE at layer changes.
• Verified working with Slic3r 2.2.0

Supporting Software: PIP & Python Libraries

A stock Raspberry Pi build for the Duet 3 - 6HC Mainboard lacks needed software to support the code. Python needs PIP and several libraries to be installed. Install the following using a terminal:

Ensure Linux is up to date

sudo apt update
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Add Python PIP

sudo apt-get install python3-pip
sudo apt-get install python-pip

Python Imaging Library

sudo pip3 install Pillow
sudo pip install PIL 
sudo apt-get install python-imaging

Python Developer Libraries

sudo apt-get install python-dev
sudo apt-get install python-requests

Enable Python Systemd Libraries

sudo apt-get install python3-systemd
sudo apt-get install python-systemd

Enable journal-gateway:

sudo apt-get install systemd-devel
sudo apt-get install build-essential
sudo apt-get install libsystemd-dev
sudo apt-get install libsystemd-daemon-dev
sudo apt-get install systemd-journal-remote
sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-journal-gatewayd

M-JPEG Streamer & FFMPEG

See https://github.com/cncjs/cncjs/wiki/Setup-Guide:-Raspberry-Pi-%7C-MJPEG-Streamer-Install-&-Setup-&-FFMpeg-Recording for more information on how to install on your Raspberry Pi. Using a USB camera? Take the extra time to review the setup and include the "-y" option.

Verify Camera Setup

Once everything is installed, verify the camera is setup with M-JPEG-Streamer. In any browser Chrome/Firefox/Edge etc, access the camera's URL URL should look similar to this: http://127.0.0.1:8081 Live image similar to this: http://127.0.0.1:8081/stream_simple.html NOTE: your URL and port numbers will likely be different than these but same as what was setup in the M-JPEG Streamer & FFMPEG requirement above.

Slicer Setup

Your slicer program (Like Slic3r or Cura or other) will need to insert GCODE at the following

Print Started - Insert code below at top of the GCODE

; Time lapse - start print
M118 P0 S"PRINT_STARTED"   ; announce print has started

Layer Changes - Insert code below before next layer change

; Time lapse - end of layer - take photo 
G1 X30 Y190 F6000        ; move head out of camera way Optional but works very good, change position depending on your camera setup
M400                     ; wait for all movement to complete
M118 P0 S"LAYER_CHANGE"  ; take a picture
G4 P1000                 ; wait a bit, P1000 = 1 second

Print Completion - Insert code below at bottom of the GCODE

; Time lapse - complete print
G1 X30 Y190               ; move head out of camera way Optional but works very good, change position depending on your camera setup
M400                      ; wait for all movement to complete
M118 P0 S"PRINT_COMPLETE" ; take final picture
G4 P500                   ; wait a bit

Usage

On the Raspberry Pi, copy the file "timelapse_duet3.py" to the folder where you want to store the time lapse photos and video.

In a new terminal, enter the below

python3 timelapse_duet3.py

The program will now wait/scan the system journal for entries from the Duet Control Server Service.

Start your 3D print and as the printer completes the GCODE, photos will be taken and stored to a unique sub-folder with a date and time stamp. When the print completes, the program will have FFMPEG compile the video and store in the same folder. Once complete, the program will self terminate.

Notes and feedback

Feel free to contact me for questions about the code; however, as each installation is unique, I won't field questions on the M-JPEG and FFMPEG installation.

Happy Time Lapses!!