Automate custom model supports

[Nicolinux 288]

Hi,

Sometimes Cura creates way more support than a model needs because some overhangs further up the model trigger it. One could play with the "support overhang angle" but that might not always be optimal.

I have this following case:

The image at the top shows the extra support that I don't need.

The second image shows my solution to it - create a box and assign it with "per object settings" the "support mesh" setting. Also enable support for the box and disable support for the main object (the model is the ASP Explorer from the game Elite Dangerous).

The third image shows the layer view where there is only support merged into the main model where the box was before.

This is great and works perfectly. But I was wondering if it could be automated by Cura. Like an option to define the portion of the object where the bottom is located and then cut the model there, duplicate it and enlarge that bottom part and define it as support mesh. Kinde like what I did with the "support box" but with a thickened version of the bottom part of the model.

What do you think?

[neotko 1,417]

Indeed that would 'Simplify' thinks while printing '3D'.

[Nicolinux 288]

Well I think this would even beat S3D's custom supports...