Cura- concentric first and last layer only?

[lampmaker 0]

I like the concentric infill on top/bottom layers from an aesthetic point-of-view, but don't like them from a strength point-of view.

Would it be possible to choose a regular infill for top/bottom layers, but select concentric for only the very first and last layer?

[kmanstudios 1,120]

Not sure what you are asking. Here is a screen shot where you can choose the top and bottom layers (concentric and lines, etc) but the infill is different.

Edited May 14, 2017 by Guest

[DaHai8 74]

I think he's wanting just the first and last layer to be Concentric, not all the top/bottom layers:

1: Concentric

2: Lines

3: Lines

4: Infill

5: Infill

6: Lines

7: Lines

8: Concentric

Because concentric looks like but provides less strength than Lines.

[lampmaker 0]

Exactly what I meant.

use concentric for only two layers (very top and very bottom). Regular line infill otherwise.

[kmanstudios 1,120]

Well, as you can see in the pic I posted, you can at least choose the bottom layer only for that (Bottom Pattern Initial Layer). Just not the top.

Would be a nice thing to do though as I do prefer the way the concentric patterns look opposed to the other choices as well.

[theQuicker1 0]

I agree! This is exactly what I am trying to do. I guess it is not possible unless Cura has been updated to include such a capability.

[gr5 2,172]

I'm pretty sure you can do it.

 

First read this and practice changing infill: https://support.makerbot.com/s/article/1667417981430

 

Then realize:

Top and bottom layers are not infill.  They are skin.  I don't think you can change the skin pattern but...

 

Make a mesh modifier for where you want it be concentric (so one for the top and one for the bottom and more for other areas of your part if you want):

 

In the mesh modifier (and probably also for the entire part),  get rid of the top and bottom "skin" layers.  Then set the wall thickness to 1 meter (any value bigger than your part size will work).

 

That should do it.  It depends what your part looks like.  If it's a sphere this won't work well.  If it's a cube, then: easy.

 

 

 

 

[GregValiant 1,251]

Yes.  As @gr5 explained:

1. Bring in a Support Blocker configured to "Modify Settings for Overlaps" and as a "Cutting Mesh".
2. Select the setting "Top/Bottom Pattern" and set it to "Concentric".
3. Set the blocker size to the build plate size in the X Y and "Initial Layer Height" thick.  Move it to 0,0,0.
4. Slice.

Here is the first layer.  My Initial Layer Height is 0.2 and so that is how thick I've made the blocker.

 

Here is the second layer back to "Lines".

 

Top layers are a bit tougher because the Z height of the blocker needs to be just right.