Change extrusion multiplier by layer

[mechaMecha]

I've been very impressed with Simplify3D. It seems to give you control over just about every print setting you could want. However, it would be incredibly useful to me if there was a panel where the extrusion multiplier could be changed by layer, similar to how you can control extruder and bed heater temps and cooling fan speeds. I've found that it's often necessary (with my Ultimaker 2) to increase the extrusion multiplier when sections of a print contain lots of retractions or as the cooling fan kicks into higher speeds.

I understand that I can created multiple processes to accomplish this, but it's tedious to do if you need to change the extrusion multiplier several times during a print, plus you run into problems with adding unnecessary top/bottom solid layers, which can really increase print time and waste filament.

I did a quick search, but didn't find anyone else requesting this feature. I find it hard to believe that nobody else would find it useful...?

[CompoundCarl]

It's pretty easy to setup a few processes if you need different extrusion multipliers for specific sections. You can also use process grouping to easily adjust any other settings that should be the same (they have a good video explaining this if you're new to it).

There's also a real-time override for the extrusion amount in the machine control panel. I frequently use that if I need to make changes for only a small section, or if I'm not certain where the change is needed until I start printing. But of course, this means your firmware has to support this feature. Most of the open-source firmwares already do (Marlin, sprinter, etc)

[mechaMecha]

Thanks for your suggestions. I do currently set up multiple processes to change the extrusion multiplier, but this approach often wastes considerable time and material inserting top and bottom solid layers unnecessarily spanning the entire cross section of a model (for example, printing something like stairs). I also sometimes manually increase this setting on my printer during a print, but that requires careful monitoring of the printing process.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that this feature could easily be implemented in Simplify3D, would make it dead simple to change the extrusion multiplier during a print, and would completely eliminate the problems I mentioned. And I'd imagine that it would prove to be a very useful feature for many users.

[CompoundCarl]

I find that the solid layers help the multiple processes bond together better. For example, if I changed the infill % for the top process, it's unlikely to bond well to the bottom one unless I add a solid layer. However, you can of course disable the solid layers at the intersection if you want. For example, set the top process to have zero bottom solid layers if you don't want a floor to be added between them.