C&D, why at an angle? I find this is when my layer lines are most visible like when I print a sphere and you can see the layer offset. I find printing verticle with small height and slow speed is the best orientation to seriously reduce visual lines. Also i didn't realize smoothing reduces the shine. Thanks for that info. Now I have to go reprint something,lol.
 
Darthmagpie printing at an angle and printing a sphere is two separate things.

Angles IMHO is where it’s at. Always on an angle if possible for me. Straight up and down sure works great depending on the part but it can’t have any overhangs.

This medal has many overhangs so the print wouldn’t be crisp and it would present other issues. If this medal was printed straight up and down for example the top (same issue with a sphere by the way) is where the layering would be most noticeable. If I have to print anything with a domish shape and there is no way around it (talking about FDM printing only by the way) I will use the smallest hotend which is the .2mm for the BL and print at the lowest and slowest it will go to reduce those lines as much as possible. You can see an example below of my Luke DC. The dome top is printed this way..
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Looks amazing but its takes FOREVER so if I was to print this medal straight up and down it would probably take easily 20hrs with that small hotend and again there’s overhangs so it simply wouldn’t work smoothly and cause other issues.

If u haven’t payed with angles you definitely should. It’s a game changer for FDM printing. I print everything I can on angles but I also do my own CAD work so I can add supports exactly where I need within the file which honestly goes hand and hand with angle printing. If you can not do that it will makes angles on some designs pretty much impossible unfortunately. Unless u use support filament which is also great but also time consuming and doesn’t always leave that specific part it’s attached to smooth. You can’t print in mid air right. One day probably but certainly not today.

Please share a pic of something you printed vertical. Honestly I’m always open to seeing and learning something new so maybe I’ve missed something along the way. I’m still learning myself. Always and forever . Would love to see an example of ur work if possible :)
 
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my results are similar to the silver cylinder on your caller but I am not nearly as good as your dome. That's incredible.
Once you mentioned the overhangs, it makes a lot more sense to me. I will experiment with angles more. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
 
my results are similar to the silver cylinder on your caller but I am not nearly as good as your dome. That's incredible.
Once you mentioned the overhangs, it makes a lot more sense to me. I will experiment with angles more. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
Of course! If I can help in any way please let me know. 3D printing is the best thing to happen for us within this hobby. Truly a game changer in the best possible way.
 
I’m sure the filament dryer didn’t hurt but I don’t think that was what really made the difference.

I played with the print settings from thickening the outside layers, to slowing some print setting down to 1/3 the speed, to lowering the temp and even upping the fan. End result is I believe I finally have a print I’d be proud to sell. Is it perfect no but it’s pretty darn close I think. Also tweaked the design a little bit for these last prints. If you study the film prop and this replica you should start to see it as well if you haven’t already..

First these are all going into the bin. There was even a few more of these test prints along the way as well.
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Took a lot of trial and error but this is the end result..


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I’m sure the filament dryer didn’t hurt but I don’t think that was what really made the difference.

I played with the print settings from thickening the outside layers, to slowing some print setting down to 1/3 the speed, to lowering the temp and even upping the fan. End result is I believe I finally have a print I’d be proud to sell. Is it perfect no but it’s pretty darn close I think. Also tweaked the design a little bit for these last prints. If you study the film prop and this replica you should start to see it as well if you haven’t already..

First these are all going into the bin. There was even a few more of these test prints along the way as well. View attachment 1914544


Took a lot of trial and error but this is the end result..


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WOW. They look amazing. The last picture of the 5 hanging from the ribbons look like plated metal. You sir are a print master.
I am also astonished by all the color variations of your test prints. You mentioned you LOWERED the temp. May I ask what temp you used? We should create a junkyard sub form for failed/ test prints, bet someone would have a use for them. Wish the recycle machines would come down in price. Tremendous job C&D!
 
WOW. They look amazing. The last picture of the 5 hanging from the ribbons look like plated metal. You sir are a print master.
I am also astonished by all the color variations of your test prints. You mentioned you LOWERED the temp. May I ask what temp you used? We should create a junkyard sub form for failed/ test prints, bet someone would have a use for them. Wish the recycle machines would come down in price. Tremendous job C&D!
Thanks dude. They actually have a nice subtle weight to them as well because of the pennies so they surprisingly actually hang pretty nice as well.

I’m going to offer the test prints up for free on my Instagram page if interested. Just cover the shipping. There is 2 that have already Pennie’s glued into them.. 6 that will come with backs and 3 that are full prints (without pennies). Quality differs from each and keep in mind they are my rejects for one reason or another. I’m sure some will shake their head in confusion as a couple of these are actually pretty nice. Since I started I’ve changed the face design ever so slightly so that has put a few into the rejected pile.

@BeYourOwnScoundrel - Instagram if interested

The nozzle temp is 215 I believe and when printing the outside on an angle I have the speed lowered to 70. I’ve gone lower and higher. Lower than 70 work as well but the lower you go (default is 200 I think) the slower the print time is. And it increases a LOT the lower you go fyi.

It’s not just them temp though. It’s a combination of so many little things that it can drive u a little nuts :)
 
This was shared with me by timothyk and it’s way to beautiful of a display not to pass it forward..

Still tweaking this design ever so slightly so that medallion will eventually be replaced. But damn T great work on putting that together!

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You do all the heavy lifting, my friend! I just show off your artwork. Still adjusting the display...
Btw, I'm honored to be the first to get this incarnation.
 
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I’m sure the filament dryer didn’t hurt but I don’t think that was what really made the difference.

I played with the print settings from thickening the outside layers, to slowing some print setting down to 1/3 the speed, to lowering the temp and even upping the fan. End result is I believe I finally have a print I’d be proud to sell. Is it perfect no but it’s pretty darn close I think. Also tweaked the design a little bit for these last prints. If you study the film prop and this replica you should start to see it as well if you haven’t already..

First these are all going into the bin. There was even a few more of these test prints along the way as well. View attachment 1914544


Took a lot of trial and error but this is the end result..


View attachment 1914545View attachment 1914546View attachment 1914547View attachment 1914548View attachment 1914549
What's the orientation in your slicer?
 
Recently revisited my OB SWC saber. Added some real screws, updated some details to improved it’s subtly overall. Cosmetically it’s pretty much the exact same but the inside has been hallowed out to add some weight. Now it’s pretty hefty at just under a pound.

May not sound like much but she’s got it where it counts kid!
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Here is the finished version for my Medal of Yavin Replica. I added some subtle weight within the model itself so it hangs with some oomph.

I did two version as I do see it both ways depending on the reference pic of the day..


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Lordy, nice work!
 
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