Segmented curves

[TheaQ]

Using Flash Forge Creator Pro. In printing a small part with a gentle curved wall it comes out segmented rather than smooth..... like small brick wall. What causes this? Is it a software problem? Can it be fixed in the setups?

[horst.w]

GCode doesn't use an "arc-"command - this is unknown. That is caused by its history.
But also some CAD-programs don't know this, so e.g. SketchUp. There you can choose the number of segments to build a circle. Other programs use their preferences with the solution step by step: raw- fine- super fine ...

S3D translate only what the STL-file has imported. All faces are segmented into triangles, also circles. Therefore you cant avoid it.

Regards
horst.w
GER

[gregspruce]

GCode doesn't use an "arc-"command - this is unknown.

I mean, GCode does use an arc command http://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#G2_.26_G3 ... d_Arc_Move, but most slicers don't implement it and so some firmwares disable it to save memory. And since some firmwares disable it, most slicers don't implement it. And since most slicers don't implement it, some firmwares disable it. And since some firmwa....

You can see where this is headed.

I've seen some post-processors that interpret moves and replace segmented arcs with arc commands as closely as possible. Mainly to reduce GCode size and help with the whole rate limit over serial connection issues.