Adaptive Layers

[curasurf 5]

After I get enough understanding of exactly how Adaptive Layers works, it became almost immediately indispensable for me --- only this one funcionality is enough to make Cura the ONLY slicer for FDM.

 

It seems to be odd that there are very few discussions about adaptive layers and it's still put in the experimental section.

 

I wonder how many people use adaptive layers in their daily printing jobs. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[CarloK 204]

I like the feature too, but with mixed emotions. It can reduce printing time a lot, but I always have to compare to the default settings since it can increase the printing time too.

 

Since you use it often, what do you think of the default settings for the Adaptive Layers?
For others to learn, how do you use this feature? Are you tweaking settings? If yes, how do you do this?

[curasurf 5]

7 hours ago, CarloK said:

Since you use it often, what do you think of the default settings for the Adaptive Layers?

 

In my understanding, 

 

1. Layer Height ± Maximum Variation

The range of layer height need to be defiine according to the overhang condition of a model

 

2. Variation Step Size

This is only for the transition of different layer heights. It can simply be set at the default value.

 

3. Topography Size

This is the key setting. It means the distance at which every two neighboring layers are shifted from each other in the X/Y plane.  It determines the quality of all the overhang walls. The smaller Topography Size, the better quality, the smaller layer height, the longer printing time. 

Edited March 18, 2021 by curasurf

[CarloK 204]

Thanks for the explanation of what all settings do, but for Ultimaker to move this feature out of the experimental section they'd like to hear how good it is working. Do you have to adapt the default settings often? And when you change them, what's your motivation for deviating?

[curasurf 5]

10 minutes ago, CarloK said:

Do you have to adapt the default settings often? And when you change them, what's your motivation for deviating?

 

Topography Size is adjusted often. The smaller Topography Size, the better quality, the smaller layer height, the longer printing time.