Is there a way to specify in Bambu Studio where a circular pattern should be centered? I like to use Archimedean Chords and Octagram Spiral as decorative top patterns. They work fine on prints that are symmetrical but can look weird if the top surface is an unusual shape. It seems to choose a random somewhat central place that might not make sense aesthetically. I’m looking for a way to say where the center point of the pattern should be, but haven’t found a setting to control that. Does it exist?
At first I was going to say that the answer is; no, you can’t control where the pattern is centered. But then I got to thinking and perhaps there is a way to fake the algorithm into doing it your way. I’m not sure if this is what your looking for but adding a modifier in the shape of a circle or any other pattern you want and then changing the top layer does allow one to have the slicer treat that section of the model with individual patterns. The algorithm will find the center of the shape of the modifier and apply the pattern to the rest of the model.
Then you simply select Objects and then navigate to that modifier and change the parameters. Only those items inside the modifier will be affected.
I would also love to able to do this!
@Olias Unfortunately your solution only works on single surfaces. If you have multiple surfaces in the same layer, each will still produce an independent pattern…
Welcome to the community.
Your description is unclear. Can you clarify what you mean by “multiple surfaces in the same layer”? An example would help.
Did you know that using modifiers doesn’t confine you to geometric shapes? You can use the model itself to create an overlay or “ghost” image, either over or inside the model, allowing for granular control. This technique requires problem-solving skills akin to those used in solving a Burr puzzle—a skill not everyone has, but it’s achievable.
In the example above, I kept the demonstration simple to avoid overwhelming the OP. However, they seem to have disappeared after posting, so we can only guess they either found their answer, abandoned the quest, or got distracted by something else. One significant challenge in 3D printing, particularly in a world with short attention spans, is maintaining focus over time. Educators in the US have often remarked on shrinking attention spans over the years, and social media has only added to the issue—hence the term “TL;DR,” which is unfortunate because that skill is necessary to solve some of these slicer challenges.
Speaking of challenges, CAD students often receive an exercise to design a single die (as in singular dice) in as few steps as possible. I saw a YouTube creator complete it in under 12 steps, which was incredible. While I lack this particular skill , it’s a fun and rewarding game to play, especially when working with 3D printing slicers.
In the example I provided, you see three legs, with a circle in the middle with sparse infill.
Since the circle completely obstructs the connection between the three legs, Bambu Studio then considers as separate top surfaces and generate individual Archimedean Chords patterns with center in the middle of each of them instead of in the middle of the part.
I could also cut the part in two and make the bottom section use the pattern as top surface, but the slicer still finds the middle point of the section (not the whole part) and starts from there. It is the same with a modifier object.
Here’s an example with a cut, as you can see, the Archimedean pattern doesn’t align with the center circle:
So, yeah, we really need an additional setting to provide the center of the pattern, not half measures.
Also, I noticed some UI differences in your screenshots. Maybe you’re using Orca Slicer instead of Bambu Studio and that’s why you have better results than me.