Simplify3D User Forum

I'm having the hardest time figuring out what s3d is doing. I don't have "start at x" checked and my first layer height is .2 at 100% height. Anyone else encountered this bug before?

I think S3D assumes that Z=0 is the actual bed surface unless "start at x" is configured. The nozzle needs to be above the bed to extrude the first layer, hence the initial Z offset.

I've never had this issue before though, and it's trying to make the print start 1.4mm above the bed. Isn't 1.4mm kind of extreme?

Yes. Double check the layer height specified in the process. Maybe it got messed up somehow.

I'm really afraid I'm going to have to remake the whole profile. I'm thinking it's corrupted somehow

I don't think there's either a bug in S3D or that you have corrupt settings!

I think you'll find you have a vertical lift of 1mm set in the Retraction section of your settings....and after the first layer, the nozzle has lifted by the vertical lift amount...and the Z position is at the height of the layer PLUSW the vertical lift.

Going to be really interested to see if Doug is correct on this one. Never would have thought of that!

That is correct, I do. But wouldn't that make it only z hop as appose to starting that high?
Here's what doesn't make sense. That first layer does start higher than usual. 2nd and 3rd may be fine. then the 4th is the same way, starts about 1mm too high.

I think you're spending far too much time reading gcode and far too little time actually printing!

True, all layers start with the "down" half of the vertical lift...and also the "return" half of retraction. And also true that all layers end with the "up" half of vertical lift...and indeed the first half of retraction. But the print starts with the nozzle parked at its zero point...and there is some pre-first layer stuff.....including priming the nozzle, etc, and then the "up" half of vertical lift...and indeed the first half of retraction....and then moving to the start point for layer one....ie ready to start the process of printing layer one...and I don't mean at the XYZ coordinates where the very first bit of plastic will be squirted out the nozzle!!!

Maybe I am overthinking but I only started to look at gcode after I noticed the print jumped 1mm in z layers and I was unable to figure out why.

More testing and tinkering on my end, maybe I goofed up a setting that I'm overlooking.