Orientation (SLM)

Orient the part in relation to the printing bed.

There are several orientation methods available:

  • Optimize Orientation: Optimize the orientation of the print part to minimize print time, supports, and/or deformation.
  • Max Build Height: Maximize the build height for efficient printing and cooling.
  • Min Build Height: Minimize the build height to achieve the shortest printing time.
  • Surface: Orient the print part in relation to a surface on the part.

Optimize Orientation

Optimize the orientation of the print part to minimize print time, supports, and/or deformation. You can also orient the part based on a weighted average of all three factors.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
    The part which was previously selected for printing is displayed in red and the Orientation Optimization window and Orientation table open.
    The Average heatmap shows optimal orientations for the print part based on weighted averages of fastest print time, fewest supports needed, and least amount of part deformation. The Time, Support, and Deform heatmaps show optimal orientations for each factor, respectively.


  2. Optimize the print part orientation using one of the following methods:
    • Click one of the Min buttons to orient the part for optimal print time, support, or deformation.

    • Use the slider bars to give higher or lower priority to each factor in the Average heatmap. For example, if deformation is most important, support is slightly less important, and time is not important at all, you would set the Deform. slider to 100, the Support slider to 90, and the Time slider to 0. The Average heatmap will change based on the priorities you assign to each factor.

    • Click a point on one of the heatmaps to view possible orientations in the modeling window.

  3. Enter a Distance in the Orientation table to configure the distance between the part and printing bed. The minimum distance is 0.002 m.
  4. Optional: In the Orientation table, click the Save icon to save the orientation.
  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Maximize or Minimize Build Height

Maximize the build height for efficient printing and cooling, or minimize the build height to achieve the shortest printing time.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Select an orientation method.
    • Click the Max Build Height icon to maximize the build height for efficient printing and cooling. This orientation protects the part from cooling deformations, ensuring that the part prints according to design and build dimensions.
    • Click the Min Build Height icon to minimize the build height to achieve the shortest printing time.
  3. Enter a Distance in the Orientation table to configure the distance between the part and printing bed. The minimum distance is 0.002 m.
  4. Optional: In the Orientation table, click the Save icon to save the orientation.
  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Orient the Print Part to a Surface

Orient the print part in relation to a surface on the part.

  1. Click the Orientation icon.
    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Click the Surface icon and then select a surface on the part. The selected surface will be rotated to face the printing bed with its normal oriented toward gravity.
  3. Enter a Distance in the Orientation table to configure the distance between the part and printing bed. The minimum distance is 0.002 m.
  4. Optional: In the Orientation table, click the Save icon to save the orientation.
  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Save an Orientation

Use the Orientation table to save the orientation of the print part.

  1. Select the Orientation icon.
    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
    The Orientation table is displayed next to the printer bed,
  2. Use one of the Orientation tools to orient the print part.
  3. Click the Save icon on the Orientation table to save the orientation.
Tip:
  • For surfaces on the part with angles of less than 45 degrees, support is required. These areas are shown in yellow and update automatically as the part is rotated using the Move tool.
  • If the part accidentally extends outside of the printing bed, select the Move Inside option on the Orientation table to place it inside of the printing bed.
  • By default, undercuts are only shown in yellow when the Orientation tool is active. Enabling the Retain Undercuts option on the Orientation table makes the undercuts visible when using other tools. This is useful when you are modifying the geometry and want to see how the undercuts change as a result.
  • If you rotate the part or create new orientations, the Current orientation values at the bottom of the table update automatically. Select a row in the Orientation table to restore that orientation.