When I tried my Ender 3 V2 for a few weeks, it bothered me that you always have to move the SD card with the GCode files from the computer to the printer. There is a great solution that allows you to control your 3D printer via a web interface or app and even monitor it via camera.

Octoprint in a nutshell
As explained above, Octoprint is open-source software that allows you to control your printer via a web interface. I installed the software on my Raspberry Pi 3b+ and I am very happy with it so far. Alternatively, you can install OctoPrint on a computer or in a VMWare.

The Raspberry Pi is connected to the 3D printer via Micro USB. OctoPrint is compatible with many 3D printers. Both WIFI and Ethernet are possible with the Raspberry Pi, but be aware that the WIFI module in the Raspberry pi is very weak.

Features
You can upload finished GCode files directly via the web interface of Octoprint. This saves you from having to plug the SD card from the computer into the printer. In addition, you can preheat and even move the printer via Octoprint. Another feature is that you can update the firmware of the 3D printer via OctoPrint. This all works wirelessly and you don’t have to plug-in SD cards.

Installation on Raspberry Pi
The installation on my Raspberry pi 3b+ was super easy. I just had to download the image and flash it to the SD Card. I started to use the Pi via WIFI, so I had to edit a config file before starting off, but even that was easy with a Tutorial. When you first access the WebInterface, you have to adjust a few things, but after 10mins, you’re ready to go. Super easy, super good!

Camera/Timelapse
The best thing about Octoprint is that you can connect a camera to monitor the print. You can also make cool timelapse recordings that you can upload directly to YouTube or stream on Twitch with various plugins.

I bought this Night Vision Camera for my Raspberry Pi, with which I can always keep an eye on the printer. The downside is that you can see a red cast on the camera, making it not ideal for time-lapse photography. The camera is attached to the Z-axis so it always adjusts to the height of the 3D printer. I printed this holder with PET-G, it fits great, even if you have to fix the camera a bit better with some cable ties.

IOS App
I normally use the App OctoPod on my iPhone/iPad for monitoring prints on the go. The App has most of the features that the WebInterface has and is structured very well in my opinion. The App even sends me a notification, when the print is at 50% and when it finishes.

Plugins
Octoprint has hundreds of plugins that are developed by the huge OctoPrint community. Currently, I use the plugin The Spaghetti Detective, which is there to detect failed prints and stop printing automatically. Since it has happened to me several times that prints have slipped, I can recommend this plugin to everyone.

Final thoughts
All in all, I think OctoPrint is a must-have for anyone who owns a 3D printer. Especially if you print overnight, which happens often, it’s important to always know if the print is going correctly.