Full Spectrum
### A Snapmaker Orca Fork with Mixed-Color Filament Support [](https://github.com/Snapmaker/OrcaSlicer/actions/workflows/build_all.yml) --- ## ☕ Support Development If you find this fun or interesting!
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## ⚠️ **IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER** ⚠️
**This fork is currently in active development and has NOT been tested on actual hardware! **
- **Not Production Ready**: The mixed-color filament feature is experimental and untested
- **No U1 Access**: Development is being done without access to a Snapmaker U1 printer
- **Help Needed**: If you have a U1 and are willing to test this fork, please reach out!
- **Use at Your Own Risk**: This software may produce incorrect G-code or unexpected behavior
**I am actively seeking testers with Snapmaker U1 printers to help validate and improve this feature.**
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**Full Spectrum** is an open source slicer for FDM printers based on Snapmaker Orca and OrcaSlicer, optimized for Snapmaker's U1 multi-color 3D printer with independent tool heads. This fork adds support for virtual mixed-color filaments, enabling you to create new colors by alternating layers between physical filaments.
# Download
### Stable Release
📥 **[Download the Latest Stable Release](https://github.com/ratdoux/OrcaSlicer-FullSpectrum/releases)**
Visit our GitHub Releases page for the latest stable version of Full Spectrum, recommended for most users.
# Features
## Mixed-Color Filaments
Full Spectrum includes support for **virtual mixed-color filaments** designed for the Snapmaker U1 multi-color printer with independent print heads.
### How It Works
- **Create new colors by mixing**: Combine two physical filaments to create a new color appearance through layer alternation
- **Example**: One layer of red + one layer of green = apparent yellow color
- **Customizable ratios**: Adjust the alternation pattern (e.g., 2:1 ratio = two layers of filament A, one layer of filament B)
### Features
- Automatic generation of all possible color combinations from your loaded filaments
- Visual preview showing the additive color blend
- Enable/disable individual mixed filaments
- Per-layer resolution control with customizable ratios
- Seamless integration with the existing filament management system
### Using Mixed Filaments
1. Load 2 or more physical filaments in your printer
2. The "Mixed Colors" panel will automatically appear in the sidebar
3. Each combination shows:
- Color preview swatch
- Component filaments (e.g., "Filament 1 + Filament 2")
- Layer ratio controls (spin controls for fine-tuning)
- Enable/disable checkbox
4. Mixed filaments can be assigned to objects just like physical filaments
5. During slicing, the mixed filament resolves to alternating layers of its components
### Dithering Settings
Full Spectrum includes advanced dithering controls to fine-tune the layer alternation behavior for mixed filaments. These settings are found in **Others → Dithering** in the print settings:
#### Dithering Cadence Height A & B
- **What it does**: Controls the height (in mm) of each alternating segment for the two component filaments
- **Cadence Height A**: The height of layers using the first filament in the mix
- **Cadence Height B**: The height of layers using the second filament in the mix
- **Example**: Setting A=0.3mm and B=0.15mm creates a 2:1 ratio pattern where you get twice as much of filament A as filament B
- **Use case**: Fine-tune color intensity by adjusting the relative amounts of each component color
#### Dithering Step Size
- **What it does**: Defines the Z-height increment (in mm) for each dithering step
- **Purpose**: Controls the resolution of the layer alternation pattern
- **Default**: Typically matches your layer height setting
- **Advanced usage**: Set smaller values for smoother color transitions, or larger values for more distinct color banding
- **Compatibility**: Must be compatible with your printer's Z-axis resolution
These settings give you precise control over how your mixed colors appear in the final print, allowing you to achieve different visual effects from the same filament combinations.
### Technical Details
- Virtual filament IDs start after physical filaments (e.g., with 4 physical filaments, first mixed ID is 5)
- Layer-based alternation is computed during tool ordering
- Works with all existing features: supports, infill, and multi-material painting
# How to install
**Windows**:
1. Download the installer for your preferred version from the [releases page](https://github.com/Snapmaker/OrcaSlicer/releases).
- *For convenience there is also a portable build available.*
- *If you have troubles to run the build, you might need to install following runtimes:*
- [MicrosoftEdgeWebView2RuntimeInstallerX64](https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/releases/download/v1.0.10-sf2/MicrosoftEdgeWebView2RuntimeInstallerX64.exe)
- [Details of this runtime](https://aka.ms/webview2)
- [Alternative Download Link Hosted by Microsoft](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=2124703)
- [vcredist2019_x64](https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/releases/download/v1.0.10-sf2/vcredist2019_x64.exe)
- [Alternative Download Link Hosted by Microsoft](https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe)
- This file may already be available on your computer if you've installed visual studio. Check the following location: `%VCINSTALLDIR%Redist\MSVC\v142`
**Mac**:
1. Download the DMG for your computer: `arm64` version for Apple Silicon and `x86_64` for Intel CPU.
2. Drag Snapmaker_Orca.app to Application folder.
3. *If you want to run a build from a PR, you also need to follow the instructions below:*