Underside Support Surfaces

Futz34 · February 14

Does anyone have recommendations on the Cura support material settings that affect the underside surfaces it touches? This is basic PLA on the .4 tip on .15 layer settings. I know that this surface won't be perfect but I know I can get it better than this. After a few YouTube videos, I've only played with the Support Z distance which was set at 0.2. I'm thinking maybe that's too much? Thank you in advance.

Edited February 14 by Futz34

geert_2 · February 14

Try a couple of these custom supports? They might work for your model. But don't expect miracles, it will allways be ugly. The ribs allow to make the gap smaller, without the support totally fusing with the model. If you provide enough methods for removing the support later (separate parts, holes for hooks and pliers, handles to wiggle things loose,...) you can also reduce the gaps. Making the support extend a bit (see bottom right in first pic) lets the model adhere better.

The bridge in the last two pictures uses a separate support-bridge, so the supports don't go all the way down and don't destroy the text. It also has ribs for smaller vertical gaps.

Maybe the same results can be achieved with standard supports in Cura nowadays. But I prefer to design my own custom supports, due to my often small or specialised models.