Supports

Also known as: Support Structures, Support Material

beginner Slicer Settings ⚙️ Slicer Setting

Temporary structures printed to hold up overhangs and bridges that would otherwise fail.

Supports are temporary scaffolding printed underneath overhangs to prevent them from drooping or failing. They’re removed after printing.

When You Need Supports

The 45° Rule

Most printers can handle overhangs up to 45° from vertical without support. Beyond that, you’ll likely need supports.

Common Cases

  • Overhangs greater than 45°
  • Horizontal arms or protrusions
  • Floating parts of the model
  • Very long bridges (>50mm)

Support Types

Normal/Linear

  • Grid or line pattern
  • Easy to generate
  • Can be hard to remove
  • May leave marks

Tree Supports

  • Branch-like structures
  • Uses less material
  • Easier to remove
  • Better surface finish
  • Slower to slice

Organic Supports

  • Similar to tree, more natural paths
  • Good for complex geometry
  • Cura, PrusaSlicer offer these

Support Settings

  • Support Density: 15-20% typical
  • Z Distance: Gap between support and model (0.2mm typical)
  • Support Interface: Dense layers where support meets model
  • Support Angle: Threshold for auto-generating supports

Tips

  • Orient model to minimize supports
  • Use support blockers for specific areas
  • Support interface layers improve surface quality
  • Soluble supports (PVA, HIPS) for perfect finish