It’s been almost a year since I got my first 3D printer and I continue to be amazed at how model design, print settings and filaments can come together to create such a variety of functional and often beautiful art. My latest series of pieces (available with print profiles on my page) are a result of experimentation with design, slicer settings, and some new tricolor matte filaments- and tweaks to two slicer settings in particular have really opened up a new world of creative design possibilities. Today I’ll be focusing on the first of those two- working with top surface settings!
Did you know that you can add some really cool aesthetic/decorative elements to many models with flat surfaces just by tweaking a few top surface-related settings and combining them with colorful dual or tri color filaments? Models with flat surfaces (like the pictured decorative bowls, vases, trays, etc.) are a perfect opportunity to kick it up a notch and unleash your creativity- and it’s easier than you may think!
NOTE: This post covers the basic steps for this technique and is meant for those who are somewhat familiar with 3D printing and working with slicers, etc., but I am planning to put together a more in-depth how-to video with additional techniques later on. In the meantime if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask- if I don’t know the answer I’m sure that someone else in the community does!
STEP 1: Import Your Model
Import the model that you want to add a surface pattern to. If the model is fully flat on top (such as a solid cube), skip to step 3. In Step 2 we cut your model into “parts” so that the slicer can recognize the surface we want the pattern printed on as a “top surface.” If we don’t do this, the slicer will apply the pattern to all flat top surfaces which may not achieve the look we are going for. If you don’t mind the pattern being printed on multiple flat surfaces on your model, then you can also skip to Step 3.
STEP 2: Cut Model To Parts
Navigate to the Cut tool on the toolbar. Check the “Cut to parts” box just above Perform Cut. Drag the cut plane so that it sits one layer above the surface you want to add a top surface pattern to and then click Perform Cut. Your object should now be in two parts, each with its own individual top surface. Don’t worry- as long as you don’t move either part or use the “Split to Objects” function, everything will still print in one piece.
STEP 3: Switch to Object Settings
Go to the Objects tab next to Process. Under the appropriate plate, click on the part that has the surface you want to add a top surface pattern to. In our example, this is Change Tray Template.stl_B.
STEP 4: Choose a Surface Pattern
Go to Objects/Strength/Top/Bottom Shells/Top Surface Pattern and select the pattern you want to use. I used Octagram Spiral in this example and in my finished model pictures but some of the others can have nice effects with some tweaks.
STEP 5: Slice It!
Assign your desired color(s) to the different parts (if applicable)- and keep in mind that you’ll want to choose bright dual or tri-color filaments to make the most of these patterns/effects.Then click Slice Plate in the upper right!
NOTE: The Octagram Spiral pattern in sliced view will differ from the resulting physical print which should have a full 8 sided star shape.
STEP 6: Experiment with Line Widths (Optional)
Experiment with Line Widths under Quality/Line Width/Top Surface. The larger the number, the more noticeable the surface pattern will be. For normal usage, line widths shouldn’t exceed one and half times larger than the diameter of your nozzle to ensure a smoother and stronger top layer. HOWEVER- we are altering the line widths for decorative purposes and purposefully making the line width even larger actually helps better distinguish the separate lines and therefore the top surface pattern- see the Top Surface Line Width Comparison Image below for a couple of examples.
Ok, that’s the basic run down on spicing up your model’s top surface- keep an eye out for my next guide working with some sparse infill hacks!
Happy experimenting and printing- and again, let me know if you have questions!
OminousFyxen3D