UltiMaker uses functional, analytical and tracking cookies. Tracking cookies enhance your experience on our website and may also collect your personal data outside of Ultimaker websites. If you agree with the use of tracking cookies, click “I agree, continue browsing”. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do not consent with the use of tracking cookies, click “Refuse”. You can find more information about cookies on our Privacy and Cookie Policy page.
Why does Cura create this turquoise support structure?
Posted
· Why does Cura create this turquoise support structure?
That is called a brim and it has three functions.
Help hold smallish parts down so they don't break loose from the bed.
Provide additional hold down stiction so corners and long thin sections don't lift off the bed.
Get the flow going smoothly through the nozzle so any burps or bubbles are in an area that gets thrown out.
In Cura turn on the Custom button to get the advanced control settings. There is a "Settings Search" box and to the right of that box is a Setting Visibility button with three lines on it. Click on it and set the Setting Visibility to "All".
Go down to the Bed Adhesion section. You can change the brim to "Skirt" or "Raft" or "None". I generally use a Skirt 3 loops wide and 3mm from the model. It's enough to get the plastic flowing and doesn't need to be removed from the part.
For models that need a brim (and some absolutely do) you can set the Brim Distance to a small number like 0.1mm. That will make it easier to break the brim off the print.
Your print has enough surface area on the bed that you should be able to get by with a skirt.
Posted
· Why does Cura create this turquoise support structure?
I missed a question.."Why does it mark the outside in red?"
The color in the preview tells you the type of line. Red is "Outer Wall", green is "Inner Wall", etc.. If there was an error in the model it would show in the Prepare stage. It can be stripes (the model is outside the buildplate), polkadots (the model has internal errors), or red. Red in the Prepare stage can mean "Overhang" that needs support or sometimes it will be an indication of problems on the exterior of the model. Red "model errors" generally mean that the surface was created inside-out and Cura won't be able to figure it out. Flipped Normals are generally facing upward where a good surface that would simply require support would be facing the build plate.
Link to post
Share on other sites
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
🚀 Help Shape the Future of Cura and Digital Factory – Join Our Power User Research Program!
We’re looking for active users of Cura and Digital Factory — across professional and educational use cases — to help us improve the next generation of our tools.
Our Power User Research Program kicks off with a quick 15-minute interview to learn about your setup and workflows. If selected, you’ll be invited into a small group of users who get early access to features and help us shape the future of 3D printing software.
🧪 What to Expect:
A short 15-minute kickoff interview to help us get to know you If selected, bi-monthly research sessions (15–30 minutes) where we’ll test features, review workflows, or gather feedback Occasional invites to try out early prototypes or vote on upcoming improvements
🎁 What You’ll Get:
Selected participants receive a free 1-year Studio or Classroom license Early access to new features and tools A direct voice in what we build next
👉 Interested? Please fill out this quick form
Your feedback helps us make Cura Cloud more powerful, more intuitive, and more aligned with how you actually print and manage your workflow.
Thanks for being part of the community,
The full stable release of Cura 5.10 has arrived, and it brings support for the new Ultimaker S8, as well as new materials and profiles for previously supported UltiMaker printers. Additionally, you can now control your models in Cura using a 3D SpaceMouse and more!
Recommended Posts
GregValiant 1,488
That is called a brim and it has three functions.
In Cura turn on the Custom button to get the advanced control settings. There is a "Settings Search" box and to the right of that box is a Setting Visibility button with three lines on it. Click on it and set the Setting Visibility to "All".
Go down to the Bed Adhesion section. You can change the brim to "Skirt" or "Raft" or "None". I generally use a Skirt 3 loops wide and 3mm from the model. It's enough to get the plastic flowing and doesn't need to be removed from the part.
For models that need a brim (and some absolutely do) you can set the Brim Distance to a small number like 0.1mm. That will make it easier to break the brim off the print.
Your print has enough surface area on the bed that you should be able to get by with a skirt.
Link to post
Share on other sites
obewan 37
To me it looks like your model is sitting above the bed and so cura is generating a support under it.
On the left side of cura there is a option to 'drop model to bed' , make sure that is selected.
Link to post
Share on other sites
GregValiant 1,488
I missed a question.."Why does it mark the outside in red?"
The color in the preview tells you the type of line. Red is "Outer Wall", green is "Inner Wall", etc.. If there was an error in the model it would show in the Prepare stage. It can be stripes (the model is outside the buildplate), polkadots (the model has internal errors), or red. Red in the Prepare stage can mean "Overhang" that needs support or sometimes it will be an indication of problems on the exterior of the model. Red "model errors" generally mean that the surface was created inside-out and Cura won't be able to figure it out. Flipped Normals are generally facing upward where a good surface that would simply require support would be facing the build plate.
Link to post
Share on other sites