Can I cantilever a support from a wall?

[kaltorak]

I’m building some pieces to hold my laptop and docking station and other computery things vertically.
It’s basically two parallel rectangular walls with some rectangular “beams” running between them, plus some trapezoids on the outer surfaces of the walls so I can slide-mate multiple related pieces together.

I cannot figure how to print this thing without just tons of support, and it sure feels like there’s got to be a better way. Is there a way to configure the slicer to cantilever some support arches out from the walls themselves? I know it’s legal to cantilever layers at least a little bit; there’s some overhang angle that’s allowable. Seems like it’d be printable, if only the slicer would try.

As it is, the best slice I can get looks like this.
I’m spending all sorts of support plastic and print time on my handy slide-mating bits, and not much less on support for the “beams”.
And if my cantilever idea’s a non-starter, is there even something I could tweak to make the trunks of my tree supports narrower? I’m not holding up huge masses here; I’m not sure what I’ve got dialed such that they end up so thick.

Thanks!

[jorm]

I feel like the best approach here would be to redesign it so the side is attachable with some pins for alignment, and printing it in 2 parts.

[Olias]

You don’t mention why but I am curious why you are using tree supports. Tree supports are best suited for organic structures, yours is not. When making geometric shapes, normal supports are best suited for this purpose because they break away so cleanly. The only hint I might offer which has worked out well for me for years is to change the X/Y distance to a number greater than the default of 0.35. I tend to prefer 0.70. This ensures that you will have sufficient space from the surrounding vertical walls to make snapping off easier or to get a tool in between the vertical supports.