Raft Conflict

[saeed]

Hi all
my third year and honestly very happy using Simplify3D , just i need to ask Dev team to fix this please:
i am setting all below mentioned features for FIRST layer different form all other layers and everything OK until enabling Raft :
-first layer temperature
-first layer fan
-first layer height
-first layer width
-first layer ...
now with enabling raft all those setting will be applied to the first layer OF RAFT instead of first layer of MODEL, i see the "First Layer" work as global but i need to separate first raft layer setting from first model setting.
thanks again for the great app.

[S3D-Jason]

The first layer modifications are generally used to help the print stick to the bed. So if you're using a lower speed, higher flow rate, etc those are all ways to help improve adhesion. If you add a raft, the software knows the first layer of the raft is now the thing being printed on the bed, so the properties are applied to that layer.

If you want to change the properties for the first layer of the model above the raft, those settings are found on the Additions tab. You can change the above raft speed, the separation distance of the part from the raft, and so on.

[saeed]

thanks for reply but my problem is very crystal clear , the raft setting seems very limited but very functional from factory defined until you set first layer setting very different from other layers.

[S3D-Taylor]

Let's say you want to have a first layer of the part to have layer height of 0.3 mm, extrusion width of 0.45 mm, and speed of 20 mm/s.

To do that, you have to do this:
1. Use Tools > Variable Settings Wizard, then select Different Settings for Different Z-ranges, then add a Z-position at your desired first part layer height of 0.3 mm, then press OK.
2. Then, select the process at the lower height (probably labeled Zone 1), and change the Extrusion Width to 0.45 mm, Layer Height to be 0.3 mm, Above Raft Speed (Absolute) to be 20 mm/s. This will change settings for the first layer of the part.
3. If you wish to change the first layer of the raft instead, please use First Layer Settings (Percentage) instead, the formula is Layer Height * 2 * First Layer Height Percentage.

[saeed]

Let's say you want to have a first layer of the part to have layer height of 0.3 mm, extrusion width of 0.45 mm, and speed of 20 mm/s.

thanks for reply i will try absolute , currently we was on percentage and see what will outcome.

[MSchalk]

Just wanted to add to the discussion, as of simplify3d version 4.1.0 there is no longer a way to modify the width of the first layer of the raft without also modifying the line width of the raft top layers and the line width of the first layers of the part printed. In 4.0.1 and earlier this could be accomplished by modifying the "first layer width" setting. They removed this setting which really negatively affected raft bonding to the build plate. They also removed the ability to change the "raft top infill percentage" which made rafts worse as they can now only be printed at 100% infill, but idk what version this was removed in.

[SA_Guy]

Hi all,

I’ve hit a serious wall with the new version. I can no longer properly tune raft settings to get reliable and clean raft removal. The settings that used to make this easy are now missing in v5.1.2.

I’ve tested several setups, including the Variable Settings Wizard, but that just introduces new problems — in many cases, the parts end up embedded in the raft instead of sitting on top of it. That’s not usable.

What I really don’t understand is how an upgrade results in less control. These features were working fine before. If they’ve been moved or renamed, please clarify. But if they’ve been removed entirely, I genuinely don’t see how we’re supposed to work around this.

At this point, if the full manual control over raft behavior isn’t available anymore, I’d like to request a refund. I bought this version expecting improvements, not regression.

Thanks in advance for any clarity or help you can offer.

[S3D-Jason]

I would recommend creating a new thread and explaining what exact issue you're having with the raft. There are many settings including some new ones in V5 that affect the raft, so more detail will help us give good suggestions!