Help dialing in settings please! (MK3, fixed links inside)
 
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DMNat20
(@dmnat20)
New Member
Help dialing in settings please! (MK3, fixed links inside)

I just graduated from a Flashforge Finder, and Slic3r is amazing, but I don't understand a lot of the settings. Prusa Control wasn't getting me quality prints, so I'm trying to learn. Unfortunately, going through some information overload googling, so hopefully it's cool to ask for specific help. I'm print miniatures for DND, this example is a mini that my Finder printed better, but the Prusa easily prints things sturdier and more detailed, so I'm trying to dial in my settings before I print more models.

Google drive link to the stl file and gcode I used to print the model: (Does gcode allow you to upload to Slic3r and view the settings used to print the model?)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jsQCXWa56T6w7lsViSsXek0kSu2-sabx

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1osjUiadN0t6woNGCNHVMEeTacbzJ8521

Model is pictured here:

https://imgur.com/3vQnFQi

https://imgur.com/Ns0iCl4

https://imgur.com/fJrpAW5

https://imgur.com/KrAfpG4

The supports were absolute hell to remove and left so many artifacts. The tail did not print properly, but the details look very good.

My main goal with this post is to print the easiest to remove supports that leave as few artifacts as possible, and set up my settings to suit the needs of DND miniature printing appropriately. (If relevant, my settings are different than the ones used in the gcode above)

I read something about using meshmixer for supports, if that does solve my issue with support hell, how do you uh... do that? Do I import the stl into meshmixer first, generate supports, then take that file, plug it into Slic3r and print? Do I have to change any settings in Slic3r if I use Meshmixer? What things do I have to do within Slic3r if I use an outside program to do things, such as generate supports? I have to apologize for asking so many questions, but my brain is melting after spending a week getting the kit to even function lol.

Posted : 30/01/2019 8:45 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Re: Help dialing in settings please! (MK3, fixed links inside)


[...] Does gcode allow you to upload to Slic3r and view the settings used to print the model?)
Conditionally, yes. If the gcode was generate by Slic3r (specifically, has the Slic3r parameters included as comments), you can open it as a config file and recover the settings used.

[...] The supports were absolute hell to remove and left so many artifacts. The tail did not print properly, but the details look very good. I found a 0.25mm Z clearance for supports worked well, though I don't print many miniatures. You might try Chris Warkocki's Slic3rPE profile settings.

My main goal with this post is to print the easiest to remove supports that leave as few artifacts as possible, and set up my settings to suit the needs of DND miniature printing appropriately. (If relevant, my settings are different than the ones used in the gcode above)Did you print the model standing up vertically? Sometimes tilting it back 45 degrees will require far less support.

I read something about using meshmixer for supports, if that does solve my issue with support hell, how do you uh... do that? There are some good tutorials on YouTube. Its pretty simple. MeshMixer uses tree-like supports.

Do I import the stl into meshmixer first, generate supports, then take that file, plug it into Slic3r and print?More or less, yes. The bonus with MeshMixer is that you can export the model with supports as an STL (most slicers won't save the supports) and do the actual final slicing with another slicer. MeshMixer will also help with tilting the model to minimize supports.

Do I have to change any settings in Slic3r if I use Meshmixer? What things do I have to do within Slic3r if I use an outside program to do things, such as generate supports?MeshMixer will add the supports and tilt the model as necessary. You'll still need to select layer heights, extrusion widths and all the good stuff (except supports) in Slic3r. You might find a smaller nozzle helpful for picking out small details in the horizontal (XY) plane Layer height will impact detail in the vertical (Z) plane. I found a 0.25mm nozzle is fine enough for miniatures. Any smaller and parts can be fragile.

I have to apologize for asking so many questions, but my brain is melting after spending a week getting the kit to even function lol.
No worries, this is a great community. You might want to check out the miniatures printing group on Reddit as well.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 31/01/2019 3:20 am
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