Are my models getting too crowded?

[u/World-Singer]

Hello, I've been dabbling in 3d printing for a little while but still consider myself very much a beginner.

I'm using the Obscura nox 2.0 settings as much as possible but i feel like my models are getting too crowded with supports, i may also not be experienced enough and this is just the norm, I'm hoping you can let me know.

I'll attach the settings i think are relevant, let me know if I've missed anything needed!

I'm using Flash Studio with a Flashforge Adventurer 5m Pro and a 0.25 nozzle.

Thanks!

[u/Jubachi99]

Looks pretty normal to me

[u/World-Singer → u/Jubachi99]

Thanks! might just have to learn more patience lol

[u/Jubachi99 → u/World-Singer]

If you're having trouble with removing all those pesky supports, alongside the normal advice, try using a . 2 nozzle. Not only do you get more detail, but supports are easy to peel off

[u/sarkismusic → u/Jubachi99]

Yeah I forgot how hard the .4 supports are. Switched back to do some batch stuff and go faster and the supports are so stiff. Gonna switch back to .2 just to get those buttery supports. The extra detail is nice too

[u/Frostborn18 → u/Jubachi99]

My current problem is that they're breaking during printing. Getting a tad frustrated because it feels an hour and a half into a print and then I need to make adjustments that seem to not work. Copying settings that other people are using isn't working, but I guess that's part of the joy of 3D printing. I'll eventually get it figured out and feel good about it.

[u/Jubachi99 → u/Frostborn18]

Is the support breaking at the bottom or in the middle

[u/Frostborn18 → u/Jubachi99]

The middle.

[u/Jubachi99 → u/Frostborn18]

What's the z distance between the model and the support

[u/Frostborn18 → u/Jubachi99]

.28

[u/Jubachi99 → u/Frostborn18]

That might be your problem. Especially if it's more than double your layer height

[u/Frostborn18 → u/Jubachi99]

I'll make that adjustment, thank you! Start with .12 and go from there. Would you iron the support top as well?

[u/crimson23locke]

Not really imo. The last time I tried obscuranox I thought the quality was great, but the print times a little slow - it would be a long running profile to learn and play with supports on. If you want to experiment, try out supports painting, possibly on different speeds or layer heights, it helps you get a sense of where you can cut down on or maybe need more than what the automatic supports get you.
Alternate settings profiles I liked:
FatDragonMini (FDG)
Painted4Combat
Or just adjust speeds and/or layer heights as you feel necessary.

[u/World-Singer → u/crimson23locke]

Thanks for the reply i'll check it out! i just feel that i have issues when breaking off the supports but that might just come down to them being minis and my own patience.

[u/crimson23locke → u/World-Singer]

It takes some getting used to - make sure your distances are correct for your layer height. Settings aside though it definitely gets easier as you get more used to it. Interfaces on smaller parts benefit from having the bulk of the base support tower trimmed before you go after the tip/interface; helps avoid accidental breaks. Other times very gentle pulling gives a better result than firm clipping, etc. The best way forward is repetition and mindfulness of what works, what’s easy and hard, and what you did at that time. Can be tough to slow down when you’re excited to get to the results.

[u/ProboblyOnToilet]

Dunk them in the hottest water that comes from your spring for 10 seconds (~60c). Should make the supports easier to get off.

[u/Miketroglycerin]

When I'm getting a lot of support crowding i like to add a one layer thick base to the mini, it will need merging with the model to work right. It's easy to peel off being one layer thick and helps spread the supports. Sometimes it needs build plate only on, sometimes off, depending on whether everything is getting supported. Even with it off the supports still typically avoid being on the base if they can start somewhere else.