Snapmaker Canon BLE Timelapse

ESP32-C3 Bluetooth shutter controller for Canon EOS cameras, built for Snapmaker + Klipper timelapse workflows.

The ESP32 connects over USB to your Klipper host. A Python monitor listens to Moonraker events, detects layer-photo markers, and sends trigger commands to the ESP32 over serial. The ESP32 then triggers your Canon camera over BLE.

Basically: the Python script monitors Moonraker for G-code events and triggers the camera through the ESP32 Bluetooth remote.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

• This project is still in active development.
• Current implementation is script-based (host-side Python monitor) and is not a fully native firmware integration.
• Tested on limited hardware combinations; compatibility may vary by printer, firmware, slicer profile, and camera model.
• Not guaranteed production-ready for every setup.
• Use at your own risk: always validate with short test prints before running long jobs.
• Community testing and feedback are highly appreciated, especially from Snapmaker U1 users.

Example Results: AFTER_LAYER_CHANGE.gcode

Source file: examples/gcode/AFTER_LAYER_CHANGE.gcode

Pros:

• Floating tool head with less movement in the pictures

Cons:

• Adds extra toolhead movements and print time

Example Results: Filament Change G-code Trigger

Source file: examples/gcode/changefilament.gcode

Pros:

• Faster trigger flow
• Does not require a separate park command

Cons:

• Can create extra frames if filament changes happen multiple times per layer
• Can miss layers if there are no filament-change events

Sample Setup

Project Structure

• src/, include/ - ESP32 firmware source
• scripts/host/ - host-side monitor/listener/restart scripts
• examples/gcode/ - example trigger G-code snippets
• klipper/ - Klipper macro examples (timelapse_macros.cfg)
• docs/ - user/developer documentation and media

Features

• Bluetooth camera control for Canon EOS over BLE
• Python-based monitor for Moonraker/Klipper print events
• Serial trigger bridge from host to ESP32 (/dev/ttyACM*)
• Works with Snapmaker U1 and other Klipper-based printers
• Orca-focused marker support (Snapmaker Orca and OrcaSlicer)
• Optional ESP32 web UI for manual trigger and connection checks

Hardware Requirements

• ESP32-C3 DevKit - BLE camera trigger device
  • Example board: https://amzn.to/4l1zeoW
• Canon EOS camera with Bluetooth (tested: EOS RP, R5, R6)
• Klipper + Moonraker host - Raspberry Pi or similar
• USB cable - Connect ESP32 to host (typically /dev/ttyACM0)

Important Prerequisite (Snapmaker U1)

• You must have root SSH access (or equivalent admin access) on the printer host to install and run monitor scripts.
• For Snapmaker U1, this usually means running custom firmware that enables root access.
• Recommended project: https://github.com/paxx12/SnapmakerU1-Extended-Firmware

Supported Slicers

• Snapmaker Orca
• OrcaSlicer

Compatibility Snapshot

Component	Status
Canon EOS RP	Tested
Canon EOS R5 / R6	Basic trigger flow tested
Snapmaker U1 + Klipper/Moonraker	Tested
Other BLE camera brands	Planned / not supported yet

Known Limits

• Canon BLE support is the current focus (other BLE camera brands are not implemented yet)
• Trigger pipeline currently relies on host-side monitoring scripts
• Root SSH/admin access on the printer host is required for script/service installation
• Filament-change-trigger strategy can over/under-sample layers depending on print behavior

Quick Start

1. Flash ESP32 Firmware & Connect to Klipper Host

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/snapmaker-canonble-timelapse.git
cd snapmaker-canonble-timelapse
pio run --target upload

Then connect the ESP32 to your Klipper host via USB. It should appear as /dev/ttyACM0 (or another /dev/ttyACM* device).

2. Pair Canon Camera via Bluetooth

1. Turn on your Canon camera (e.g., EOS RP)
2. Go to Menu → Bluetooth Settings → Bluetooth Function → ON
3. Go to Menu → Bluetooth Settings → Pairing → New Device
4. Select "ESP32-Camera-Remote" from the list
5. Confirm pairing on camera
6. Device should show ✓ Connected

3. Install Python Monitor on Klipper Host

# SSH into your printer (Raspberry Pi running Klipper)
ssh pi@printer_ip

# Clone repo and run install script
cd /tmp
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/snapmaker-canonble-timelapse.git
cd snapmaker-canonble-timelapse
sudo ./install_timelapse_monitor.sh

# Start the service
sudo systemctl start timelapse_monitor

4. Add Layer Change Command to Slicer

• Add a layer marker in your slicer output (example):

  ;LAYER_CHANGE

• See GCODE_CONFIG.md for slicer-specific setup details.

5. Start Your Print!

• The Python monitor watches Moonraker output for layer-photo markers
• On match, it sends trigger over USB serial to the ESP32
• The ESP32 sends the BLE shutter command to the Canon camera

Testing Without Web UI (Recommended)

You do not need to access the ESP32 web interface for normal validation.

Manual trigger from host

echo "trigger" > /dev/ttyACM0

Watch ESP32 serial logs

pio device monitor

This is a valid headless test path and matches the host-script workflow used by this project.

Architecture

3D Printer → Klipper/Moonraker (on Raspberry Pi)
                      ↓ monitors G-code via WebSocket
                Python Script
                      ↓ writes "trigger" to /dev/ttyACM0
                   ESP32-C3 (connected via USB)
                      ↓ sends BLE command
                  Canon Camera

The Python monitor subscribes to Moonraker WebSocket events, detects configured markers, and writes trigger to the ESP32 serial device. The ESP32 acts as a dedicated BLE remote for the camera shutter.

Configuration

ESP32 (Optional)

Access web interface at http://192.168.4.1:

• Optional manual camera trigger
• Optional connection/status checks
• Optional stabilization tuning

Python Script

Edit /opt/timelapse_monitor/timelapse_monitor.py:

• Set Moonraker WebSocket URL
• Configure layer detection patterns (Orca / Snapmaker Orca)
• Adjust trigger timing

See INSTALLATION.md for detailed configuration options.

Documentation

• 📦 Installation Guide - Complete step-by-step setup
• 📷 Camera Pairing - Pair your Canon camera via Bluetooth
• ⚙️ G-code Configuration - Configure your 3D printer slicer
• 🔧 Development Guide - For developers and contributors
• 🔌 Hardware Wiring - USB-C host connection (no GPIO required)
• 📋 Advanced Setup - Deeper configuration and troubleshooting reference

Quick Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
WiFi AP not visible	Check serial monitor for boot errors
Camera won't pair	See Camera Pairing Guide
Photos not triggering	Verify marker output in print console and monitor config
USB serial not working	Rebuild firmware with pio run --target upload

See INSTALLATION.md for complete troubleshooting guide.

Support

• 📖 Check the documentation links above
• 🐛 Report issues on GitHub
• 💬 Discussions in project repository

License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details