Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
I am trying to 3D print a topographic map of the Galapagos Islands. (I exported the .stl file from http://jthatch.com/Terrain2STL/). I've tried printing the file as is (in a blue transparent PLA and then switching to green pla) but I want to force a monotonic solid layer right before the islands start so there's a smooth, uniform "water". Is this possible? I updated the solid infill every X layer which created a solid layer but it left solid patches where the islands are going. Could this be changed into a monotonic solid layer?
Please see the attached .3mf file. I'd be happy to supply the .stl file as well.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
No attached 3mf file. You did zip it up right ?
The forum only accepts a limited number of file formats, 3mf and stl not being on the list so must be zipped into an archive to attach them.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
Just a suggestion.
Create the smooth blue layer using Fusion 360 or some other CAD program. Import the blue layer into PrusaSlicer, then place the island topo stl on the blue layer.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
@neophyl thanks for the tip! I didn't zip it. Please take a look at this file.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
Ok I downloaded that project. However there's some very weird things going on when I open it.
I'm using PS beta 3 on my work pc currently. It opens and the Printer selected is the Mini, which seems reasonable seeing as this post is in the min forum.
The filament type is Prusament PLA (Modified) , so looks like you have a few changes to the basic but still ok.
The problem for me is that the Print profile its listing is the 0.15 Quality @Mk3. Now its a mini selected so it shouldn't be possible for the mk3 ones to show up in that list. The print profile is also showing the top infill selected as Rectilinear, not Monotonic. So for me its not even trying to do Monotonic. If I change the infill type to monotonic then it applies it to your sea level top layers anyway so it would print like that. There shouldnt be any need to force the sea level to monotonic as its a top layer so should already be doing that. It is for me when I change the infill type.
Why its showing as a MK3 bed with a mini selected I have no idea. The model is also 203mm square so wouldnt fit on a mini bed in the first place anyway. This is why I'm a bit confused as to what's going on.
Some other general observations about the projects contents/settings -
You have a filament/colour change that spans layers below 'sea level' to several layers above. I assume this is desired and that you want the coastline of your islands to also be blue ?
The actual model. Frankly its insane. It is so dense detail wise. It has far far more detail than your printer could ever print. Far more than even Sl1 resin printer could output. Its like watching an 8k movie on an old 800x400 computer monitor. Its just pointless. I tried to reduce the detail level using my normal modelling software but it locked up my work pc so much that the mouse wouldn't even move. I had to reset the power to kill it. I might give it a go on my home machine this evening. Basically there's millions of vertices and even the flat 'sea' is made up of a mind boggling number when there's no need. This is going to slow the slicer down too.
Essentially I can't really work with it here and so will have to wait till I get home - sorry.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
@neophyl
It could be, because your using a BETA and the OP is using PS 2.2 many folks don't like using BETA ver. because of having to deal with potential problems. I've been having the opposite problem, folks asking for help and sending me .3MF files from the 2.3 BETA which don't open in PS 2.2 which is what I use, perhaps you should direct the OP to the Layer Height adjustment method you added in a previous post. It's a valid method for PS 2.2
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
@koala
If your using PS 2.2
https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/prusaslicer/sign-project-seeking-clean-background-true-100-infill/
previously posted By neophyl
Cause I know hes working and I'm being Lazy today 😉
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
If they are using monotonic then by definition they have to be using either an alpha or a beta at the moment as it isn't available in PS 2.2 🙂
To be honest I'm really impressed that slicer is actually slicing that model anyway. It absolutely destroyed my work PC when I tried to even go into edit it, which admittedly isn't the best machine anyway lol but I imported the model into Blender on my home PC and tried to do a limited dissolve to get the vertices/faces down to a reasonable working amount. That was around 7pm on the Wednesday. When I got back this evening it was still trying 24 hours later. At that point I gave up and shut Blender down. Windows 10 3dBuilder did manage to reduce it though, although it does say that part of the model is damaged (but doesnt say how).
The way monotonic works it should be applying it to the sea level anyway without forcing anything as its a top layer. The fact the project when opened on 2 different machines is set to use rectilinear infill could explain why the original poster is having trouble making it use monotonic though. But yeah if they want an unbroken layer under the islands then that work around you linked to should work.
Anyway I need to get back to modelling up my Mandalorian gauntlets 🙂 Got to get this armour done sometime this year lol.
RE: Trying to force monotonic solid layer. Topographic map print
If they are using monotonic then by definition they have to be using either an alpha or a beta at the moment as it isn't available in PS 2.2 🙂
That's not entirely true, I've been producing monotonic type fills in Slicer since Slic3r PE 1.41.0 their wasn't a button for it, but it could be done & fairly simply as I shown in Joh's post, and then there is the way you shown in 2.2 (that I wasn't aware of) also shown in Joh's post, and also falls under the definition of monotonic, once again no button for it, (Note: both these methods are shape dependent) But its the same effect, and only now 3 yrs later has it been added as a feature to the up coming Slicer. Now theirs a button, 🤩 and yes the new feature is actually better then the two aforementioned methods because it will still work even if the surface turns back in on itself, a cloud shape for example.
Anyway not an argument, just wanted to point out that it's not exclusive to 2.3 BETA by definition.
It is the way 🙂
Can't wait to see the Armor, I've been looking for a filament that closely resembles Beskar for a print I'm doing for my son for X-mass.
The Filament Whisperer