I’m working on some models and have found that if I add an SVG modifier, Orca slices it beautifully. But I’d rather have the SVG’s “baked” in the model so it’s easier for others to download and freely share the STLs and print without a 3mf.
The problem is that if I put SVG image in Fusion and then export the model, when Orca renders the G-code, the quality is poor to bad. The same SVG added in Orca looks great.
STL with decal built into the STL geometry in Orca:
STL in Orca after “Preview” so you can see the layer lines:
The same file but applying the SVG as a modifier instead of it being part of the imported STL.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could get an STL to have the same quality as using a modifier? Or maybe a way to go backwards from gcode to STL so that I can share the higher quality version that Orca creates?
Yeah the decal is cut out from the model and then the intersection part becomes the decal. I also tried raising it .2 from the surface because I’m using a .2 layer height. I’ll try raising it higher.
I just learned there’s a 3d print option in fusion so I can keep the objects set when saving as stl. I’ll try that too.
@Blue_Morpho I usually save as 3mf. 3mf supports objects with parts.
@Blue_Morpho I usually make decals 3 layers thick. That puts some color behind the surface color, and it helps. With a layer height of 0.2, I’d extrude the decal into the object 0.6mm deep.
Oh cool! You’ve done decals? Have you ever seen the same issue where Orca’s SVG modifiers create perfect filament paths compared to the gcode it creates for STL/Step file geometry?
@Blue_Morpho I don’t use Orca; I use PrusaSlicer. I haven’t really compared the two ways to decal, no. I haven’t had problems with bad slicing.
You can also try exporting a .STEP file from Fusion. .STEP retains even more information about your intent than .3mf.
.stl: just triangle meshes
.3mf: triangles + assembly
.STEP: BREP (solids, faces, edges, etc.)