Nozzle
Near enough the width of one printed line. Walls are made a whole number of these.
File tab
Fits that suit
your printer
A printer profile holds the numbers the tools start from: the nozzle, the layer height and five fits. Keep one for each printer and filament — PLA and PETG want different fits — and the Library, Hole, the connectors, brick studs, Mold’s keys and Keyhole all start from it.
How to use it§ 01
- Click Printer profile on the File tab.
- Pick a profile, or click New to start one as a copy of the one shown.
- Set the nozzle, the layer height and the fits.
- Click Print a test of these... It keeps the numbers and opens the Library’s Printer profile test: every fit on one plate, a few samples either side of each number.
- Print it, see which sample fits as you want, and type that number into the profile.
Every setting§ 02
Layer height
Thin features and print-in-place gaps are rounded to it.
Sliding clearance
For parts that slide or turn: lids, hinges, drawers, shafts, Mold’s keys, Keyhole.
Hole clearance
Added to a round hole so a screw or pin of its size goes in freely: Hole.
Press fit
Added to a hole so a pin pushed in grips and stays: the pins and pegs of Split and Connect. Less than the hole clearance.
Brick fit
How much larger brick studs and what grips them are made. Negative is looser: −0.1 suits most PLA.
Thread clearance
Between a printed thread and its nut: Thread, and the bolts and nuts in the Library.
Good to know§ 03
- One profile for each printer and filament: the same printer wants different fits in PLA and in PETG.
- Delete forgets a profile; New starts one as a copy of the one shown.
- The test prints a few samples either side of each number, so one print tells you which way to move it.
- Split with connectors and Connect objects use the press fit; see Connectors.
More tool guides: Cladding · 3D textures · Windows · Doors · Mold · Voronoi · Connectors · Align to face · Fill up · Pivot · Kit sprue · Repair and Rebuild · Emboss · History and versions · Download 3DFastCraft, free