Hi DLC,
RoboDLC wrote:
I realize that "it is different than it used to be" is a poor complaint. But those two settings are a bit non-intuitive for a model that doesn't have a top layer and merging all outlines into a single model usually creates a solid model without any holes. That said, combining the "no top layer" and merge outlines to single model almost makes sense, working backwards from the answer.
I have to say it's exactly the behaviour I'd expect from S3D. The vase inside your factory file isn't just a simple solid and has multipe dimensions the slicer has to take care of: Bottom thickness, inner diameter, outer diameter, height. So wall thickness is an important factor here (to keep the inner/outer diameter).
Given this Dougs answer makes perfect sense. It'll change the object to a solid volume so vase mode-settings can be applied. This way you're able to define wall width by setting extrusion width and there's no "inner diameter" S3D has to watch out for. And it's the reason why you have to disable top layers in this case (try enabling infill and 1 or 2 top layers to see how the object forms a solid volume in preview).
Another "bonus" of doing it this way: You can define as many bottom layers as you want while printing. The vase as it is would only allow you the already specified thickness of the models bottom (or thinner by reducing top/bottom layers).
Most vases I've seen so far are published as a solid already. When designing own parts there's quite a lot of ways to print things seemingly "impossible" using corkscrew/vase mode...
bye,
Daniel