How to print this with out support lines.  

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Maybe split it in half then glue the two pieces together after printing?

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

I'm not really sure about what I'm looking at and the orientation of the model. But I suspect you're not going to get much better results. As Chris said, if possible you could cut the model to avoid overhangs. Or print it so that the uneven surface is out of sight. Or postprocess it by sanding.

@steverd

Please post a Zipped up .3mf project file exported from PrusaSlicer, and I'll take a look and see if I can help. The .3mf file should be setup as you would when trying to print the part and will allow us to see all the settings as they pertain to the model in your project.

Note if you do not Zip the file the forum server will not allow it to be posted.

Regards

Swiss_Cheese

RE:

One thing to try that wasn't suggested is to use PrusaSlicer 2.4 which could possibly enhance the supported area's appearance due to the new "Thick Layer Bridges" setting that is set to OFF by default (it was the equivalent of ON before, when there wasn't a setting for this). To be 100% clear, you must keep this OFF to get the new, enhanced behaviour.

"[...] required the 1st layer objects being printed thicker than the other layers, leading to ugly object undersides. [...] Starting with this release, PrusaSlicer newly offers printing bridges and 1st object layers over supports with the default layer thickness."

Take a look at PS 2.4 Alpha 1's release notes, specifically the "Bottom layers bridges" section for more details. I'd be interested in knowing what results you get with this setting, as I didn't try it myself yet.

RE:

@fortinmike

we did know that the OP was already using 2.4, the new bridging math works well for shorter "supported" bridging.

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

@swiss_cheese True. Missed the mention of snug supports in the original post. Still, might not hurt to make sure this setting is still OFF.

As suggested by @chris-laudermilk, to obtain a perfect surface I'd personally cut it in two and print flat, then glue both halves together. I think it would look alright for a shape like this.

A zipped 3mf might help figuring out a nicer way to print this as a single piece, too.

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

@fortinmike

I agree, I think your right, I was going to try that, and a couple other things if the OP ever posts a .3mf, not cutting but a different orientation.

I think more then just changing the bridging will help this print, different support setting as you know might also be the answer.

Regards

Swiss_Cheese

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Here is the .3mf of the heart printed standing upright. But still the lower part has defects see these photos.

Hearts supports 3h16m 

THANK YOU to everyone that posted suggestions !

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

OK, I tried the cut in half idea? NOT sure if it's cut in the exact middle. Can someone check or play around this this file? THANK YOU

Hearts cut in half

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

For this type of shape, you can cut in half and then flip one half over so that the flat side is against the bed for both halves. No supports needed, nice clean surfaces, you only need to glue the halves together after printing. 

RE:

@steverd

Here's my opinion on the subject.

Paint on your supports

use the settings in the .3mf I posted and slice.

Then print.

And admire your work.

If your into that sort of thing 🤨 

Project File

HS_Swiss_ 1h32m.Zip

If you decide to use the .3mf file I made, when you open it and it asks if you want to enable "Detect bridging perimeters" select NO.

Poke around in the .3mf it my show you somethings you were unaware of.

Good Luck to you.

Swiss_Cheese

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Thank you Swiss_Cheese,

I am printing out now on two of my Mini's right now.
I hope it doesn't make much differences from your MK3 to Mini in Prusaslicer.

 I noticed a bunch of custom G-Codes, Do you think that affect the mini much?

Thank you again, I will post an update after these print.

Fingers cross that they do not break loose 🙂

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

@steverd

I Don't own a mini, the G codes were to do with my printer, the important ones should have changed when you selected Mini as the printer to export your G code.

No special G-code was used to get the results. the important part was the support placement and and distances, infill matters also.

you can farther improve the quality of this print by tuning the it in several areas, there is no reason it shouldn't print perfectly.

I look at many users files and I adjust the dependencies and G codes to my need at the time of testing, you can just set them back if they don't work for you, the Prusa printers seem to play fairly nice together between the different models, so far.

Please let us know how things go, we love seeing results, we all learn from them.

Regards

Swiss_Cheese

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Good news is that it printed on my mini's, but the bad news is the tip broke off both when I remove the supports - see photo.

So I will try to "unpaint" a little bit of supports around the tip and try again, I do have a MK3S+ and will print one off on that machine also.

Thank you for all of the help and getting this dialed in. I need to make a basket full of hearts for Valentine Day 🙂

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

It printed very nicely on my MK3S+. The supports were easy to pull off with my fingers. 

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Nice Sylvia, thanks for trying, and showing.

Steve you at least have a way now, I have no idea how your printers are tuned, but that can make a difference.

Mine just pulled right off also.

Regards

Swiss_Cheese

RE: How to print this with out support lines.

Turned out very nice!

Posted by: @sylviatrilling

It printed very nicely on my MK3S+. The supports were easy to pull off with my fingers.