Note: This article is based on Anycubic Slicer Next version 1.3.5.3. There may be slight differences if using other versions of the software.
¶ Function Introduction:
Models often have overhangs that require support structures. Support structures are crucial during printing. The support parameters in the slicing software are shown in the figure below:
¶ Support Type and Style:
There are two types of supports: Normal and Tree-like.
● Tree (Automatic): The software will automatically generate tree supports.
● Tree (Manual): The software will only generate supports on designated support enforcement surfaces.
For normal supports, projecting support onto a regular grid provides more stability, while compact supports save material.
For tree supports, Slim and Organic styles more aggressively merge branches to save material. The Mixed style creates support structures similar to normal supports under large flat overhangs.
As shown in the figure, normal supports include two styles:
● Grid: Support areas are expanded and normalized into rectangles. This is the default style for normal support, as shown by the green support on the left model.
● Touching: Support areas are not expanded and closely follow the overhang contours. Useful when expanded supports might negatively affect the model, as shown on the right model.
Tree supports include four styles:
● Slim Tree: Uses aggressive branch merging, producing smaller volumes without sacrificing strength by increasing wall count and smoothing branches.
● Thick Tree: The older style with strong branches but harder to remove.
● Mixed Tree: A hybrid of thick tree and normal grid support. Normal supports appear under large flat overhangs; thick trees elsewhere.
● Organic Tree: A variation of tree support and the current default. It saves more material and is easier to remove.
¶
¶ Threshold Angle:
This angle defines the maximum inclination of a model’s surface relative to the build plate. Surfaces exceeding this angle are considered overhangs needing support.
In simple terms, it sets the standard for "how steep a slope needs support." The software will generate supports for surfaces below this angle. The default threshold angle is 40 degrees.
The optimal value should be adjusted based on printer performance, material properties, model geometry, and surface quality requirements, verified via preview and test printing. Proper configuration balances printability with minimal support usage (saving time, material, and easing removal).
¶ Raft:
Raft is a type of support generated under the model to raise it off the build plate. It's typically used for materials prone to warping, like ABS.
● Z Distance: Distance between the top of the raft and the model.
● Initial Layer Density: Density of the first raft and support layers.
● Initial Layer Expansion: Expands the first layer's area to enhance bed adhesion.
¶ Filament for Supports:
Supports consist of two parts: Support Body and Support Interface.
● The interface touches the model, while the rest is the body. You can use different materials for these parts.Default means the current filament is used without specifying a material.
● Select “Do not use interface material for body” to prevent using interface material for the support body.
¶ Other Parameters:
● On build plate only: Supports only originate from the build plate, not model surfaces.
● Remove small overhangs: Removes minor overhangs that don’t need support. Enabled by default to save material.
● Enforce support for the first n layers: Forces support generation for the first N layers from the bottom regardless of angle or material, useful for better adhesion of thin or small base models.
¶ Advanced Support Parameters:
● Top Z distance:
○ Z gap between support top and model.Larger gap → easier to remove, but lower contact quality
○ Smaller gap → better quality, but harder to remove
Note: Remove supports within 2 hours after printing to prevent softening due to moisture.
● Support/object xy distance:
Horizontal gap between the support and model. Default is 0.35 mm.
● Bottom Z distance:
Z gap between the support and model when support is generated on model surfaces.
● Base pattern:
There are 5 pattern options:
○ Lines: Most common and default for normal supports, oriented in two directions.
○ Line Grid: Alternating directions each layer; stronger but harder to remove.
○ Honeycomb: Balances strength and stability for taller supports.
○ Lightning: Sparse tree-like pattern that saves time and material; lower strength.
○ Hollow: Default for tree supports, with no internal fill.
● Base pattern spacing:
Spacing between lines in line/grid patterns; in honeycomb, it's the radius of each cell.
● Pattern angle:
Rotation angle of the pattern on the XY plane. Default is 0°.
● Top interface layers:
More layers improve overhang quality but increase material usage. Default is 2.
● Interface pattern:
○ Lines: Suitable for most cases.
○ Concentric: Stronger on uneven surfaces and better when using soluble supports.
○ Default: Non-soluble supports default to lines; soluble supports to concentric.
● Top/Bottom interface spacing:
Line spacing for contact surfaces. 0 means solid fill. Default is 0.5 mm.
● Normal support expansion:
Expands or contracts normal supports horizontally.
● Don't support bridges:
Avoids generating support for entire bridges. For short bridges, this can be enabled to print without support.
¶ Tree Support Parameters:
● Tip Diameter: Diameter of the tip of an organic tree branch.
● Tree support branch distance: Distance between adjacent branch nodes. Smaller values give better surface quality but are harder to remove.
● Branch Density: Density of structures formed at the branch tips. Higher values improve overhang quality but increase removal difficulty.
● Tree support branch diameter: Starting diameter of tree support branches. Larger values create stronger supports but make removal harder.
● Branch Diameter Angle: Determines how thick branches get toward the bottom. If set to 0, branches remain uniform in thickness.
● Tree support branch angle: Maximum allowable overhang angle for tree branches. Increasing allows branches to reach further.
● Preferred Branch Angle: Branch angle when unobstructed. Smaller angles → more vertical/stable; larger angles → faster merging.
● Branch Diameter with double walls: If the resulting circular area exceeds this, dual walls are printed for stability. Set to 0 to disable.