Simplify3D User Forum

Where is the feature in 5.0 that produces angled or overhung support structures that was shown in the 5.0 video? ( look at time: 1:41 in the video) https://youtu.be/vx34QWm4F5U

Very useful feature, but can't find it in the program.

It's definitely a handy feature. We have created some pretty impressive prints in our office that weren't possible before in V4.

For using the feature, you basically just design whatever shape you want for the support structures and then import that STL file into Simplify3D. Many users will choose to do this in CAD, but you could also easily just import something like a standard 20mm cube and then rotate and resize it into position to create the angled structures. After you have the STL file in the correct position then you right click on the part and choose "Change Model Type". Switch the type to a support structure and it will automatically be converted.

Then when you slice the part, that special support structure shape will be automatically filled with the support structure pattern and correctly offset from the part based on your separation settings.

Hope that helps!

S3D-Jason wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 9:17 am It's definitely a handy feature. We have created some pretty impressive prints in our office that weren't possible before in V4.

For using the feature, you basically just design whatever shape you want for the support structures and then import that STL file into Simplify3D. Many users will choose to do this in CAD, but you could also easily just import something like a standard 20mm cube and then rotate and resize it into position to create the angled structures. After you have the STL file in the correct position then you right click on the part and choose "Change Model Type". Switch the type to a support structure and it will automatically be converted.

Then when you slice the part, that special support structure shape will be automatically filled with the support structure pattern and correctly offset from the part based on your separation settings.

Hope that helps!

This isn't new, we've been designing custom supports into our designs for years. Jason, this isn't a feature, it is a recognition of existing efforts. You can get the same thing by doing what we have always done and just assigning the supports to a fixed extruder. Like we have always done.
NEW would be tree supports.

be well,
DLC

RoboDLC wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 1:19 pm

S3D-Jason wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 9:17 am It's definitely a handy feature. We have created some pretty impressive prints in our office that weren't possible before in V4.

For using the feature, you basically just design whatever shape you want for the support structures and then import that STL file into Simplify3D. Many users will choose to do this in CAD, but you could also easily just import something like a standard 20mm cube and then rotate and resize it into position to create the angled structures. After you have the STL file in the correct position then you right click on the part and choose "Change Model Type". Switch the type to a support structure and it will automatically be converted.

Then when you slice the part, that special support structure shape will be automatically filled with the support structure pattern and correctly offset from the part based on your separation settings.

Hope that helps!

This isn't new, we've been designing custom supports into our designs for years. Jason, this isn't a feature, it is a recognition of existing efforts. You can get the same thing by doing what we have always done and just assigning the supports to a fixed extruder. Like we have always done.
NEW would be tree supports.

be well,
DLC

Exactly and tree supports would be great.

If I am going to build supports into a model in CAD then why would I want to go through the extra steps of converting those in S3D?

I think the idea is you can create a very simplistic body in cad, such as a rectangle with a bend and then S3D will print it in the support shape you wish (when you designate it as a support in V5). So you don't have to draw the actual support, just the volume where you want supports to be located.

billyd wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:54 pm I think the idea is you can create a very simplistic body in cad, such as a rectangle with a bend and then S3D will print it in the support shape you wish (when you designate it as a support in V5). So you don't have to draw the actual support, just the volume where you want supports to be located.

Which I can, and do, handle in my CAD design. Done this way, they are not customizable except by scaling in various ways, again, just like I would do in my CAD program, custom to the design. This just isn't a feature. It would come close to a feature if the structures were treated as a support and used the support settings. Hmm, I have not tried that, will do that and see what happens.
<edit>
Which is what it does. The imported model is treated as a support with all of the support settings applying to it. This does make it more like a feature than I thought, however, it is clumsy to use. Once you turn the part into a support, you can not longer copy it or move it, it becomes part of the model. You would spend a LONG time fiddling with it to scale, stretch and set it up. There is value add here, and it would be worthwhile to create all of your custom support models in your CAD package rather than scaling and stretching them. Rotating and scaling them is a bit of an exercise in frustration.

be well,
DLC