Configure Support Parameters
Click to switch to the support view.
Z Lift Height
The height distance between the lowest point of the model and the platform. The default value is 5mm.
Support Settings
Here you can import, export, and reset support settings.
CHITUBOX Provides 3 default support settings: Light, Medium, and Heavy. You can also create customized support settings and export them for future use.
Basic Settings
Tip Upper Diameter
Diameter for the tip of supports.
Raft Shape
Available options: Skate, Cross grid.
Touch Tip Distance
Touch Tip Distance is the distance between the tips of supports, controlling the density of supports.
Support Angle
The maximum angle (degrees) between the model surface (tangent plane) and the platform for auto-support to generate.
Advanced Settings
Advanced settings contain settings for four segments: Top, Middle, Bottom, and Raft.
Top
- Tip Segment
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Shape | Shape of the support's contact point on the model surface. | N/A |
| Contact Diameter | Diameter of the support's contact point on the model surface. |  |
| Contact Depth | Depth of the support tip contacting the model surface. |  |
- Top Segment
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Shape | Shape of the top segment. |  |
| Upper Diameter | Upper end diameter of the top segment. |  |
| Lower Diameter | Lower end diameter of the top segment. |  |
| Connection Length | Length of the top segment. |  |
Middle
The middle segment contains settings for three types of structures: Regular, Small Pillar, and Cross.
- Regular
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Shape of supports' main pillars. |  |
| Diameter | Diamter of supports' main pillars. |  |
| Angle | The maximum angle between the extension line of the middle segment and the top segment. |  |
- Small Pillar
Small Pillar is used to support small spaces, with both ends of the small pillar connected to model surfaces.
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Small Pillar Contact Shape | Shape of the small pillar's contact tips. |  |
| Diameter | Diameter of the small pillar. |  |
| Upper Depth | Depth of the small pillar's upper end contacting model surface. |  |
| Lower Depth | Depth of the small pillar's lower end contacting model surface. |  |
- Cross Bracing
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Spacing of Cross Structure | The maximum spacing between two supports for cross bracing to be successfully generated. |  |
| Cross Start Height | The minimum height of support cross bracing. |  |
Bottom
Bottom contains settings for the Platform and the support's Main segment.
- Platform
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Shape | Shape of the support platform. |  |
| Platform Diameter | Diameter of the Support platform. |  |
| Platform Thickness | Thickness of the support platform. |  |
- Main Segment
The following settings apply to the bottom of supports generated on models, with both ends of the supports touching the model. This type of supports are not available in the "Edit" mode. Switch to the "Add" mode to use them.
Raft
| Parameters | Description | Illustration |
|---|---|---|
| Raft Shape | Shape of the raft. |  |
| Raft Area Ratio(%) | Ratio for the area of the raft to the projected area of the model. |  |
| Raft Thickness | Thickness of the raft. |  |
| Raft Height | Overall height of the raft. |  |
| Raft Slope(°) | Slope of the raft's wall. |  |
Auto Support
There are 2 modes for auto support: +All and +Platform.
+All allows supports to be generated based on all model surfaces, while +Platform only allows supports to be generated on the platform.
Manual Support Operation
Manual Support Operation allows: Add, Delete, and Edit of supports, with corresponding shortcut keys "A", "D", and "E". Hold down the Ctrl key and drag the mouse to select all supports within the frame and batch Add, Delete and Edit supports.
Add
Click the model to add supports.
There are two modes for adding supports: Regular (default) and Connection.
The Connection mode allows you to add supports between models and existing support trunks, when complying to the following rules:
- After first clicking on a model surface, you can click and attach the other end of the support on the same model's surface or an existing support trunk.
- After first clicking on a support trunk, you can click and attach the other side of the support on another existing support trunk.
In order to use Connection model, pop out the support mode panel first:
Then select Connection mode on the panel:
Delete
Click supports to highlight target supports in red, and then click the button again or press Delete key to delete selected supports.
Edit
Click supports to highlight target supports in green, or hold down Ctrl key to select multiple supports. You can then adjust parameters of the selected supports. You can also drag supports to adjust their positions.
Under Edit mode, double click a support node to generate support segments originated from the note (press Esc to exit).
Clear All
Delete all supports by clicking this button.