What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?  

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

It sounds simplistic, but simply working through the process a few times is your best way to master it.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Posted by: @peter-c20

My printer always makes a thick line of filament on the front at the beginning of the calibration and printing. Why this line is always thick (more filament extruded?) than the rest?

What is the best source to learn about First Layer Calibration? 

The comments in the stock gcode call this the 'intro line' and I've heard people call this the 'prime line' as well.  I've always assumed it's to prime the extruder and get it flowing and stable, as the flow on this line does not always start in the same location.

I agree that the only way of learning the first layer calibration is doing it.  I use that 3x3 square pattern and I'll do it as a sanity check if I ever suspect things may be off a bit.  Surprisingly, once I got things dialed in it's been very consistent.  When I added the MMU2S it did not change at all, even though there was some major surgery on the extruder.  Ditto with changing the fan shroud a couple of weeks ago.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Thanks. Few weeks ago I posted a thread about ugly bottom. Somebody mentioned that the first layer calibration was not good. I tried to calibrate for a few times but same thing. Now I got another model. As you can see, the lines on the top half of the model seem to merge better than the bottom half. If the first level calibration were bad, why not the entire bottom looks bad?

Also, is there any way that I can set the perimeter of holes independently from other parts of the models. Here both the edge of the model and the holes have perimeter 5. I would prefer to have smooth looking bottom.

The model was made using Prusament PLA and textured sheet.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Posted by: @peter-c20

Thanks. Few weeks ago I posted a thread about ugly bottom.

That is very close. You want to close up those small gaps between extrusion lines. Lower (make more negative) your Live-Z by 0.04mm to start (using Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" print) and lower it by 0.02mm until they close up.

The rough edge at left looks to be caused at least partially by a fillet, a curved surface. On undersides, these print as severe overhangs for the 1st few layers which can cause rough finish. Troubleshoot that problem separately.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Thanks. How can I make the top surface looks smooth? Like some kind of top cover to hide the internals.  As you see, there are ugly looking lines and some gaps on the top surface. I had Horizontal shells->Solid layers->Top set to 7 already.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

It seems that PrusaSlicer does not make a cover to hide the internals automatically. Is there a way to make it print a top cover to hide those ugly lines?

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Posted by: @peter-c20

Thanks. How can I make the top surface looks smooth? Like some kind of top cover to hide the internals.  As you see, there are ugly looking lines and some gaps on the top surface. I had Horizontal shells->Solid layers->Top set to 7 already.

Using something besides concentric infill may help.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

@bobstro

I have: 

Fill pattern: Gyroid 30%

Top and Bottom fill pattern: Rectilinear

Do you have any good suggestion?

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

There are so many perimeters on that part that there is no room for infill So it doesn’t matter what infill pattern is selected.  It’s basically solid and in that orientation it will always be like that. 

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

@neophyl

Thanks. Actually what does "Horizontal shells->Solid layers->Top" do? I thought it were to set the number of layers to make the top cover to cover up the internals but obviously I am wrong.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

It does create the top infill, however it creates the top infill in between the perimeters. If there perimeters take up all the area then it can’t create it. Just as an experiment reduce your perimeters to 1 and reslice then check the preview. You should then start to see the top infill (and actual infill inside your part). Then increase the perimeter count by 1 and slice again and again check the preview. You will see what it’s doing then. 

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

Try reducing your external perimeter count to 2 and see how it looks.

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

I only see one perimeter setting under Layer and Perimeters->Vertical Shells->Perimeters

Is there one for external and possibly another one for internal perimeters?

RE: What is the best way to learn about first level calibration?

That's it. Sorry for the confusion. You just want 2 "shells" with some infill in between to compare.