Manual support generation

Call individual support actions, or create or adjust support elements directly

Support generation is typically done automatically: Netfabb calculates areas of downskins ("clusters") in need of support by their overhang angle ("critical/noncritical") and then generates mesh information between those areas and certain areas on platform or other part surfaces. You can do this partly or even fully manually, too.

Why support manually?

Place support elements manually when scripts for automated support generation are inapplicable, unavailable, or insufficient.

Tools for manual support work

Generating

• Critical/non-critical area detection and highlighting: Use these controls in the context view to examine the part for its downskin clusters based on angles you define. You may then use the clusters so found and highlighted immediately to apply supports.
• Manual area definition: Use a brush tool to mark surface areas as requiring support.
• Generate from presets: Cover areas quickly from parameters stored in sets, or manual defaults.
• Generate from scripts:
  • Apply an action from an existing script to a detected cluster. Ignores the cluster detection settings of that action. It must be an action that works on an area, or cluster.
  • Run an action in an existing script individually. Uses that action's cluster detection and ignores the current highlighting.

  Both of these types run the action without clearing the cluster, leaving any existing support elements intact.

• Place support elements manually: Place individual bars, or draw polylines and volume contours along the part surface.

General approach

1. Identify places to support

2. Place support