3D printing settings by printer

What it does: A second, low-flow pass over flat top layers with the hot nozzle to flatten and fill them.

Use it when: Flat tops: nameplates, logos, badges, lids, box tops; faces you'll glue together.

Avoid it when: Round/organic shapes or tops not parallel to the bed (adds time, no benefit). Watch for heat creep with PLA on big areas.

Key settings: Type: all top surfaces / topmost only · Flow % (low) · Spacing smaller than nozzle diameter · Slow speed · Pair with monotonic top infill

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: Randomly perturbs the wall path to give a deliberately rough, matte texture.

Use it when: Grip surfaces, decorative textures, hiding surface imperfections/layer lines.

Avoid it when: Parts needing dimensional accuracy or full wall strength; increases print time.

Key settings: Mode: contour / hole / painted only / all walls · Generator: displacement / extrusion / combined · Noise type (classic, Perlin, Voronoi, ripple…) · Point distance · Skin thickness (keep near outer wall line width)

Sources: github.com

What it does: Tree-like branching supports that touch the model at fewer points than grid supports.

Use it when: Overhangs on figures and organic shapes; when grid supports waste filament or scar surfaces.

Avoid it when: Large flat overhangs may support better with grid/snug supports (Prusa CS suggests snug for small flat areas).

Key settings: Max / preferred branch angle · Branch diameter & tip diameter · Branch distance and density · Top interface layers · Paint-on supports to enforce/block

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: Extra first-layer loops around the part to increase bed contact area.

Use it when: Tall objects with a small base; many small objects at once; warp-prone parts.

Avoid it when: Parts with large flat bases that already stick well (extra cleanup).

Key settings: Brim type: outer / inner / both · Brim width (Prusa advises at least 3 mm) · Brim separation gap · Per-object brim · Draft shield for ABS/ASA

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: Controls where each perimeter loop starts/ends, which leaves a visible vertical seam.

Use it when: Aligned/Nearest to hide seams in corners; Rear for display pieces; Random only on round parts; scarf joint for smooth curved surfaces.

Avoid it when: Random on parts with sharp corners (adds scattered zits).

Key settings: Seam position: nearest / aligned / random / rear · Seam painting · Scarf joint placement & length · Staggered inner seams (strength) · Calibrate extrusion multiplier/linear advance

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: Prints different regions of a model at different layer heights with smooth transitions (adaptive mode computes it from a Quality/Speed slider).

Use it when: Models with both flat/vertical areas (thick layers, fast) and curved or detailed areas (thin layers) — big time savings with minimal quality loss.

Key settings: Adaptive + Quality/Speed slider · Smooth radius · Keep min · Height range modifier for simple fixed ranges

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: Apply different settings (e.g. ironing, infill) to only part of a model.

Use it when: When one region needs different settings, e.g. ironing only a top plaque.

Key settings: Height range modifier · Modifier mesh (box/cylinder/custom)

Sources: help.prusa3d.com

What it does: On color changes the printer flushes old filament and primes on a prime/wipe tower; flush volume depends on from→to color.

Use it when: Any multicolor print. Flush into infill/support/an extra object to cut waste.

Avoid it when: Flush into infill on translucent or thin-walled parts (mixed colors can show).

Key settings: Flushing volumes (dark→light needs more) · Flush into objects' infill · Flush into objects' support (default on in Bambu Studio) · Keep prime tower enabled · Prusa: Wipe into this object's infill

Sources: wiki.bambulab.com, help.prusa3d.com