Simplify3D User Forum

I'm relatively new to S3D. I have used Cura for a few years not and have decided to try S3D.

In S3D, I have settings for 3 solid bottom layers and top layers. There is a setting to set the extrusion %, width, etc. for the bottom layer adn I typically will jack those up to make sure the print sticks to the bed well. Works great. However, my top layers do not really end up what I would call solid. They have gaps between the perimeter and the rest of the top area (for, say, a flat top). The result is an ugly looking top layer. I have copied the majority of my settings over from my Cura setup and am getting good prints otherwise. However, the top layer is what stands out for my prints at the moment.

Is there a way that I am missing to make sure that your top layer is actually solid with no gaps. I could try to increase the filament output but that affects the rest of the print.

Thanks

I would recommend simply extruding more filament (Extrusion Multiplier on the Extruder tab). If this is low, then any other settings you change may help, but won't solve the underlying issue.

Have a read throught this topic...its on the same subject.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2958

I did come across that other post. However, the response is one that I already tried. One of the first things I did was to increase the extrusion multiplier. That works fine for the first and last layer if I increase it a fair amount. However, other features end up suffering. As an example, I have some parts that I print that have screw holes and holders for some 5mm nuts. The problem is that since these items are inset (not really immediately touching first and last layer) if I increase the multiplier, it fixes the first and last layer issue, but makes it so that any holes / features that are in between becomes larger or in the case of a nut holder, makes it so that I have to ream it out.

I thought it was interesting that there are settings for first layer extrusion but not top layer. Not that other packages have that, but there is some setting that I am missing that, with calibrated extrusion width in place, is still causing the top layer to be pretty bad.

When you say your extrusion width is calibrated. How are you arriving at that conlusion? So what you lay down say a .48mm extrusion it measures .48mm? You could try laying down a wider extrusion and see if that helps. I like using an extrusion width only slightly larger than my extruder tip because I get better detail...but I do end up with some minor issues like yours sometimes if I'm lazy about measurement of filament. Usually an adjustment 3 to 5 pecent will close the gap. But I have used a nice wide extrusion width when I want a nice strong part.

Getting your extrusion multiplier correct is definitely the first thing you need to do. Make sure you aren't calibrating that from how the print looks in the first 10 layers - that can be hugely affected by your bed leveling and nozzle position. Adjust the setting so that the prints looks correctly filled in for layers 11-20, not for layers 1-10.

Once you have that perfect, you may also want to try increasing the infill percentage some or adding more top layers to see if that helps.

I am late to the thread, but for anyone ending up here, yes, there is a function for modifying the top layers properties- use additional processes. Change the advanced tab of your main process to stop at a determined height and add a new process with different parameters to start at the height which your main process stops.