Consistent perimeter direction?
I've tried searching for an answer to this, and haven't found one (which doesn't mean it's not out there, just that I didn't find it). I'm printing with a dual-color filament - think of it as two half cylinders of different colors that mate to form the 1.75mm filament. One of the bits of advice that came with the filament was to make sure all the external perimeters in the part being printed are printed in the same direction - either clockwise or anti/counter-clockwise. If the direction changes, the color transition is adversely affected. That brings me to my question for the experts here...does PrusaSlicer always print external perimeters of a single part in the same (consistent) direction? A follow-up question would be whether there is a setting that controls this, but I'll settle for an authoritative answer to the first one.
(As an example, I'm attaching a photo of one thing I've printed using this filament. It appears to have come out fine, so it's for example purposes only.)
RE: Consistent perimeter direction?
@andye
question (1). No! <== I added the ! to make it more authoritative. 😉
follow-up question (2). Also no.
It's based on the shape your trying to print. Some models, Phil-a-ment for example, will print in a continuous direction, models printed in spiral vase will maintain a direction.
However if you try to print something like this shape, you will see the direction change.
Note the difference in texture in the rear corner of the box.
This was caused by a change in print direction as the features of the box changed.
While it would be nice to have control over the Print head direction, (so we could at least decide for ourselves, shy of Hand editing our G-code) in many cases direction changes would still be unavoidable.
Regards
Swiss_Cheese
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Consistent perimeter direction?
While it would be nice to have control over the Print head direction, (so we could at least decide for ourselves, shy of Hand editing our G-code) in many cases direction changes would still be unavoidable.
And would sometimes add two seams.
RE: Consistent perimeter direction?
I'm still digging on this one. Chatted with Prusa online yesterday, and their rep said he found something in an internal forum that indicated the external perimeters were always printed in a counter-clockwise direction (if you're looking down at the build plate). I did a spot check of a couple of sliced models I've got, and that seems to be true, but I'll freely admit that I did not check all 200+ layers of any model.
I'm curious about the comments that have been left so far. I don't understand why a direction change would be unavoidable or could result in two seams. I'd like to learn more, so if @swiss_cheese or @towlerg care to elaborate, I'm interested. Thank you both for contributing to the conversation!
RE:
Hes correct, they are, however the inside of the box shown is also is also external perimeters, and they are printed in a counter clock wise direction as the shape of the box shifts, and coincidentally a user in the mini forums posted an image of exactly this same thing happening.
You will see it in the texture of the cylinder hes printed. you have your answer, I didn't have to look it up in a forum post, I've been dealing with it for years. it's fairly common I can even explain how it happens and why, but whats the point? you just need to avoid it when using the color-blend PLA's and if it's a problem you can correct it by editing your G-code manually. It really would be nice if there was a button for this though or a modifier to change the direction, although there are many other simple things I'd rather see in Slicer first.
Regards
Swiss_Cheese
The Filament Whisperer