Are PrusaSlicer supports visable  

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

supports only are visible after slicing , as they are generated as part of the slicing operation.

in prusaslicer you have 4 options

• no support
• support from bed only ( no supports starting on the print)
• support everywhere
• support only inside of "support enforcer" objects

then you add "support blocker" objects to inhibit supports within the "support blocker"

and you can adjust the support angle that triggers auto supports ( default from prusa is 55 deg) [ and 0 deg tells the slicer to dynamically determine the angle]

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

Thanks @david-a66, I don't know what I did, but now I can see the supports.  I am in the "Simple" configuration.  Should I be going into the Advanced or Expert mode/configuration to make changes because the directions you gave me I don't see all what you stated (on my screen).

Are the supports printed from the same PLA filament that my part is being printed with?  If so, is it hard to clean/remove the supports?

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

There are a few more variables than that.  You can go into print settings and check the supports screen.  On there you will see generate support material and auto generated support tick boxes at the top.  If you have advanced enabled you will also see overhang threshold.  

If you enable Auto supports then the slicer when slicing will put supports under any part of your models that meets the overhang threshold.  The default is conservative, normally you can get away with more than is set in there.

The previously mentioned options of support on bed and support everywhere determine where support is allowed to start.  as mentioned support blockers can make an area no go for the auto generated support algorithm and can be useful.

Personally I find support enforcers better to use.  To use them you enable support material but turn OFF auto generated support.  You can then place support enforcers under the parts that you want to give support to.  Slice, check what the support looks like and adjust if needed and re-slice.

If you have advanced/expert enabled you can also tune the supports in many ways too.  The one you absolutely want to change is Contact Z distance.  By default its set to 0.1 and I find supports very hard to remove at that setting.  Set it to 0.2 and supports become a lot easier to remove.  You can also play around with the spacing, angle etc as well as xy separation.  Basically just experiment and slice to see what the support settings give you.  Once you have something that looks ik you can try printing.  You soon get a feel for what will be enough.

I find auto is very heavy handed with supports and dont use it much at all.

In answer to your questions, then unless running some MMU setup the supports are the same material as what you are printing.

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

Posted by: canquest

Are the supports printed from the same PLA filament that my part is being printed with?  If so, is it hard to clean/remove the supports?

That mostly depends on what your part looks like and where supports are needed. Clearing large flat areas is pretty easy. Cleaning it out of nooks and crannies can be a PITA. As such, printing your model may be better if you rotate the model along the X/Y/Z axis to either reduce the support needed or to put the support in easier to clean locations.

Since this is new to you I suggest just placing your part and accepting the defaults for supports for now, PS is pretty smart about it. Similarly, try prints without supports (where realistic) to get a feel for what the printer can do. Doing those things will give you a better idea about some of the things the others have mentioned to you for deciding when and where you want support.

Other settings you can play with (I find supports stick a little too good with PETG) is reducing the interface layers and increasing the spacing for the interface layer. That can help make cleanup easier. Again though, get used to what the defaults act like to get a better idea of what you need.

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

Easily overlooked is which display is selected: Editor or Preview?

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

Thanks @neophyl, @gnat, @tim-m30, for the clarifications, advice & suggestions.  Greatly appreciated.

I will be re-reading all the replies till I really "get it".

RE: Are PrusaSlicer supports visable

Piling on the other suggestions,  using supports has two basic modes. From the build plate only, or from everywhere.  If you have an unsupported item, like an ear lobe above a shoulder, supports from the build plate can't support the lobe, so it will fail to print correctly. So allowing support Everywhere allows the slicer to build support from the part, the shoulder, up to the lobe that needs it. 

Supported surfaces are generally not printed at as high a quality as they would be if somehow printed without support. Overhangs and such require printing at different speeds and the extrusion is prone to drooping. And the droop makes contact with the support structure, and causes distortions.  Great design and planning can minimize the effect, but it will take an investment in time for every model you plan to print.  

A great test piece for examining supports, benefits and their pitfalls, is the Triceratops skull that came with the printer samples. It has just about every type of support condition you'll experience.