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Getting Started with Klipper

Installation

This Backend component can be installed on any Linux device that is running Klipper. Ensure that the latest version of pip is installed on your device with the following commands:

pip install --upgrade pip

In some cases you will need to specify pip3:

pip3 install --upgrade pip

In some cases, you will need to upgrade using python:

python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Please follow the steps below for your device:

Raspberry Pi

  1. SSH into the Raspberry Pi and navigate to the root directory of the user
cd /home/pi
  1. Download this repository's release for Raspberry Pi
git clone https://github.com/printpal-io/Klipper-PrintWatch
  1. Change directories
cd Klipper-PrintWatch
  1. Install libraries
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
  1. Modify the settings file
sudo nano settings.json

Then modify the api_key and camera_ip fields to match your configuration.

You can obtain your API key from your account's settings tab, or upgrade if you haven't upgraded your account yet.

The camera_ip field should be the URL address for retrieveing the static image of your webcam. If using crowsnest (built-in streamer for Klipper), this URL is configured in your crowsnest.conf file. The address is typically http://127.0.0.1/webcam/?action=snapshot. Verify this by entering the URL into your browser and ensuring the static image of the webcam is returned.

  1. Reload the systemctl daemo
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
  1. Enable the systemctl process for PrintWatch
sudo systemctl enable /home/pi/Klipper-PrintWatch/printwatch.service
  1. Start the systemctl process for PrintWatch
sudo systemctl start printwatch.service
  1. Validate the printwatch process is running
sudo journalctl -u printwatch

Outputs:

Sep 08 23:35:24 pi systemd[1]: Started PrintWatch AI.
Sep 08 23:35:28 pi python3[2237]: INFO:     Started server process [2237]
Sep 08 23:35:28 pi python3[2237]: INFO:     Waiting for application startup.
Sep 08 23:35:28 pi python3[2237]: INFO:     Application startup complete.
Sep 08 23:35:28 pi python3[2237]: INFO:     Uvicorn running on http://0.0.0.0:8989 (Press CTRL+C to quit)

Usage

In order to use the plugin, begin a print job and navigate to the Web Application.

A few seconds after starting the print, your printer should be displayed on the Printers page. From here, modify the settings for your printer and click 'save', this will propogate the changes back down to your printer.

If this is your first time using the plugin, follow our setup guide for configuring your camera's settings, location, and the lighting.

Development

Develop a custom integration with the AI backend by using the REST API documentation found on this repository.