Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
I was trying to print a small (50 mm) F1 Race Car and was needing supports and wasn't sure the best way to go about it. I have printed alot of things in the last year plus with good results, but have printed anything really small that needed supports.
In Print Settings I "checked" "generate support material" and "Auto generated supports". This puts alot of support material to take off. Seems excessive to me.
I have also tried painting on the support material but I am not sure that is the best option for the small car.
If any of you have suggestions, tips, tricks I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.
RE:
Please post an example project file from Prusa Slicer (File>save project As). This will save a 3mf file. A PS 3mf project file contains the models and ALL the settings, as well as any modifiers etc. It allows us to slice exactly as you are doing. People can then iterate, modify and check the slice previews. Posting back a modified project with their suggested changes. That way you can examine how others would print it.
One thing though, you must ZIP up the 3mf or the forum will not accept it. It allows very limited file types.
The default support settings are not great. Immediate changes would be to never use auto support, use painted on support enforcers to define where you want support (in conjunction with For Support enforcers only), then change to snug support, expansion zero, contact z distance 0.2-0.25 for easier removal etc.
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
This. My only use of auto supports these days is to quickly double-check that I didn't miss any non-obvious overhangs. Otherwise it's paint-on supports or the occasional support modifier.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE:
thanks for the replies. I attached the file. I will probably keep doing paint on supports. I am not very experienced with 3D printing as far as changing settings and manipulating things, but maybe I need to start trying different things. I just retired so I do have more time.
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
No file attached. Did you remember to zip it up ?
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
Thats weird. I zipped it and it is 3.7MB. This one shows it by "attached file:" it says "F1-zipped" which is what I named it.
No file attached. Did you remember to zip it up ?
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
it should show like a zip on the file if its ziped corectly
Please help me out by downloading a model it's free and easy but really helps me out https://www.printables.com/@Hello_474427/models
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
Apparently it will not let me attach a file. Thanks to all who replied. Appreciate it.
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
I would still figure out why you cant attach the file, if only so that the next time its not a problem. Attaching zipped up projects is the primary way of getting help. What was the file extension on the one you tried ?
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
It was a .3MF file that I made into a .zip file
I would still figure out why you cant attach the file, if only so that the next time its not a problem. Attaching zipped up projects is the primary way of getting help. What was the file extension on the one you tried ?
RE: Advice, tips, tricks for using supports on small objects?
Yes but how did you make it into a zip file ? On windows probably the easiest way is to right click the 3mf and use the Send To > Compressed Zip Folder option. That gives a relaible way of getting a zip without 3rd party tools.
Don't know about Mac or Linux.
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Same on Mac. Right click→Compress. Linux, I don't know but I'm sure this is finally the year of the Linux desktop… 🙂 😇
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
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Linux would be like:
sudo apt-get install zip unzip zip archivename.zip filename
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