Feature Request: No bottom layers touching build plate

[Adam324 13]

I print some big objects that need to be sliced to fit on the build plate and then glued back together.  The infill and outside walls are usually plenty to glue to.  I try to use the no bottom layers feature but that has consequences for other areas of the object if the object has bottom layers further up on the object that need support.  They don't get bottom layers either.

 

It would be great to have an option to not print bottom layers only for parts that touch the build plate.  I could then get no bottom layers on the build plate (infill and walls only) and still get bottom layers up higher that need support and then just glue my parts together.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Adam324

[kmanstudios 1,120]

That would be what your per model settings and modifying type would be.

 

For instance, an object and a modifying cube.

 

Take the main object to be printed and apply all the settings in the slicer.

 

Select the modifying cube and choose per model settings. This would let you make a 'no bottom' on the cube.

 

Then go to model type and choose one of the model choices so that the cube would modify the printing behaviour of the main cube.

 

Then place the modifying cube over the main object where you want no bottom layers.

 

This would be how to do this. It allows for the very bottom of the model to print without any bottom layers without affecting the non overlapped areas.

[Adam324 13]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I have been baffled trying to figure out where to 'Select the modifying cube', I don't see that anywhere in the GUI.  Anyone know a youtube or article describing that?  I am aware of multi-object settings but that is only enabled when there are multiple objects.

[kmanstudios 1,120]

It is not part of the system. You just bring in a cube or box object to use.

 

21 minutes ago, Adam324 said:

I am aware of multi-object settings but that is only enabled when there are multiple objects. 

 It is 'per model' settings and if you have one object selected, no matter how many on the buildplate, you can still get to it.

 

[Adam324 13]

That worked.  Thanks for taking the time to explain that.  Google searching didn't turn up anything.

 

It would be beneficial that if you set an abject to be a modifier of settings for that modifier object to then not snap to the build plate when you move it.  I like the default for objects to snap to the build plate (Automatically drop models to the build plate) so that I don't forget to do that but it really doesn't make sense for modifiers to snap to the build plate in my experience so far.  Right now ever time I move the modifier block it resnaps to the build plate unless I disable that setting.  I have to disable the snap to buildplate when I use a modifier like this so that I can position it where I need and then remember to go back in and re-enable the snap to buildplate.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Adam324

[kmanstudios 1,120]

I always turn off the snap to buildplate.

 

But there is a trick you can use.

 

Select the models and group them. Then hold CTRL and left click on the modifier and it will let you transform the modifying model into the air as you see fit.

 

It is a good idea to group these models anyway to you can transform them as a unit and not have them lose position should need to adjust their position, rotation or scales anyway.