For future Cura 3.5 ideas

[DDDmaker 1]

All of us need some kind of measurement tool.  Currently, the only way to measure is based on the build plate/s two-color squares (10mm).  But, when we need to measure ABOVE the build plate, from one part of the build to another (same layer) part, we have to either guess or take the file to a CAD program.  What an inconvenience!  

 

Another idea: To save filament, how about support structures that taper (conical) up to a smaller point.  

 

My 2¢

[Brulti 177]

Conical support structures exist and are currently listed under the Experimental tab in CURA: 'Enable Conical Support'. Then you can chose the angle of the support and it's minimum width.

 

I'm not too sure why you would want to measure the distance between two parts of the same object in CURA and not measure it beforehand in whatever CAD program you're using? I'm not even sure why you want to measure anything in CURA, except maybe to check if the part will print at the right size? Though it's usually obvious when CURA translates measurements in millimeters because your part is reduced to a tiny group of pixels on the plate and you just need to scale it to 1000% to get the real size.

 

 

[DDDmaker 1]

Brulti, thank you for your response.  Thanks to you, I now know that I can create a "conical support."

 

As for the measurement tool.  Yes, you're right there also, but on the Cura build plate, if I have to re-size in all or only x, y, or z axis, it then throws off any distance anywhere off the build plate.  Going back and forth between Cura and a CAD program is insufficient in time and trouble.  Having a Cura tool handy after changing sizing would be so helpful.

[Brulti 177]

You're welcome. ?

 

I'm of the opinion that resizing that is not constant in all three axis should be done in a CAD program. Resizing all will change distances indeed, but I'm not sure how that's a problem when printing one part. And if printing several parts, CURA has a built-in feature to make sure all the pieces are kept apart. You have to fiddle a bit with placement but it isn't impossible to do.

 

Besides, FDM printers being what they are, I think it's best to print one part at a time anyway, except for maybe very small parts.

[rosebrain 0]

I notice flaws when a print has a long layer (surface) followed by a quick layer (wall) or vice versa. Every benchy I've ever made from 5 different printers has a "step" in the hull at about the same layer as the bottom deck. I believe its due to a rapid jump in layer time. A feature request would be something like "gradual layer time" or "layer time gradient" to smooth over X amount of layers. and maybe a layer time indicator in the layer view.