How to Create the Best 3D Printing Time-Lapse Videos With Octolapse
Octolapse is an OctoPrint Server plugin that you can install to create those awesome stabilized 3D printing time-lapse videos where the printer nozzle stays in one place and the 3D printed object seems like it’s growing by itself.
It’s really fun with loads of customization options and presets that can further enhance the time-lapse videos of your 3D prints. Below, we’ll detail everything you need to do to get started.
Things You Will Need
You will need the following to get started.
Install the Octolapse Plugin
After setting up your OctoPrint server, check the printer connectivity and follow the steps below to install the Octolapse plugin.
At this point, we have successfully installed the Octolapse plugin.
Set Up Octolapse for Your 3D Printer
Once the camera is detected and selected under Octolapse, continue following the below steps to configure the Octolapse plugin for your particular 3D printer. We will set up Octolapse for the Ender 3 V2 for this guide.
Here are the instructions:
Connect the Camera
After installing the Octolapse plugin on our OctoPrint server, we need to connect a webcam or Raspberry Pi camera to the Raspberry Pi. Once the camera is connected via USB or camera port, click theOctolapseoption and select the webcam or connected camera from the drop-down.
Using Octolapse on Android With Octolapse
If the video quality is low resolution, you can edit the camera properties to increase the resolution. Alternatively, you can installOcto4A or OctoPrint for Androidappon your old or retired Android smartphone to run the OctoPrint server and record the Octolapse (time-lapse) videos using the high-quality smartphone camera.
After installing the OctoPrint on your smartphone, follow these steps:
Make sure to test the camera and add it to Octolapse. Go toSettings>Octolapseand click onCamera to access the settings.
You may edit the default webcam settings or add a new camera. Click onTest Webcamto ensure the camera server is up and running.
Add Script to Your Slicer
If you use Cura, Creality3D, or any other slicer, make sure to add the script to your printer settings in the slicer program. The steps to add the script in Cura and Creality3D slicer are as follows:
Once added, clickClose>Close.
Now, you could start slicing the 3D object you want to print and upload the G-code to the OctoPrint server for printing.
Record Time-Lapse With Octolapse Automatically
Now, whenever you start printing via the OctoPrint Server, the OctoPrint displays or previews the snapshot plan. It tells you where the print head will be when the Octolapse takes the snapshots.
ClickAccept and Continue.
This will start the 3D printing process and OctoPrint will begin taking the snapshots. It will combine these snapshots to create a seamless time-lapse video of your 3D-printed object.
When the printing is complete, click theVideos and Images…button to download the time-lapse video created by Octolapse.
Upgrade to a DSLR for 4K Time-Lapse Videos
No matter which webcam you use on your Raspberry Pi OctoPrint server, the quality cannot come close to the OctoPrint for Android (unless you have an ancient Android device with a low-res camera).
However, it’s possible to connect DSLR or mirrorless cameras to your Octolapse via a USB connection and use it with Octolapse to take snapshots and create professional-looking time-lapse videos that are perfect for YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.
Time-lapse is a creative and interesting way to capture change. If you’re not sure where to start, try one of these time-lapse projects.
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