Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
height will generally result in a better look-
ing, smoother part, but it will also take longer
to print. Anywhere between 0.2 and 0.3 mm
is probably a good place to start.
on every layer (
Figure 5-5
). I've found that
two is usually a good place to start, but three-
perimeter prints are common as well.
Many machines on the market today will
handle a layer height of 100 microns (0.1
mm) without a problem.
A print with a layer height 0.1 mm
will have twice as many layers as a
print with a 0.2 mm layer height,
and will therefore take twice as
long to slice and print.
Figure 5-4.
Setting perimeters
Figure 5-3.
Setting the layer height
Figure 5-5.
The effect of perimeters
The first layer height specifies the height to
use for the first layer you print. It can be en-
tered in mm or % (a first layer height of 200%
will be twice the standard layer height). You
can use a thicker first layer to make sure your
print has a stronger base for all successive
layers.
Randomizing the starting point of perime-
ters will prevent a visual indentation from
appearing on the side of your part, so I'd rec-
ommend keeping that box checked. Allow-
ing Slic3r to generate extra perimeters when
needed is also a good idea.
Solid layers are completely filled in with plas-
tic (
Figure 5-6
), which is why it's usually smart
to have a few of them on the bottom and top
of your part. I'd recommend doing at least
two solid layers on the bottom, and stick with
at least one on the top.
Perimeters and Solid Layers
Perimeters (or shells) are also important
(
Figure 5-4
) in that they add to the strength
of your print. A perimeter value of two speci-
fies that the printer will draw two solid out-
lines around the edge of the part it's printing,
