{
 "lastChecked": "2026-10-14",
 "howToContribute": "Append an object with the same fields; status must be 'sourced' with at least one source URL before text is shown as guidance.",
 "techniques": [
  {
   "id": "ironing",
   "name": "Ironing",
   "category": "Surface finish",
   "whatItDoes": "A second, low-flow pass over flat top layers with the hot nozzle to flatten and fill them.",
   "whenToUse": "Flat tops: nameplates, logos, badges, lids, box tops; faces you'll glue together.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Round/organic shapes or tops not parallel to the bed (adds time, no benefit). Watch for heat creep with PLA on big areas.",
   "keySettings": [
    "Type: all top surfaces / topmost only",
    "Flow % (low)",
    "Spacing smaller than nozzle diameter",
    "Slow speed",
    "Pair with monotonic top infill"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/ironing_177488"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "fuzzy-skin",
   "name": "Fuzzy skin",
   "category": "Surface finish",
   "whatItDoes": "Randomly perturbs the wall path to give a deliberately rough, matte texture.",
   "whenToUse": "Grip surfaces, decorative textures, hiding surface imperfections/layer lines.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Parts needing dimensional accuracy or full wall strength; increases print time.",
   "keySettings": [
    "Mode: contour / hole / painted only / all walls",
    "Generator: displacement / extrusion / combined",
    "Noise type (classic, Perlin, Voronoi, ripple\u2026)",
    "Point distance",
    "Skin thickness (keep near outer wall line width)"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer/wiki/others_settings_fuzzy_skin"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "tree-supports",
   "name": "Supports / organic (tree) supports",
   "category": "Structure",
   "whatItDoes": "Tree-like branching supports that touch the model at fewer points than grid supports.",
   "whenToUse": "Overhangs on figures and organic shapes; when grid supports waste filament or scar surfaces.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Large flat overhangs may support better with grid/snug supports (Prusa CS suggests snug for small flat areas).",
   "keySettings": [
    "Max / preferred branch angle",
    "Branch diameter & tip diameter",
    "Branch distance and density",
    "Top interface layers",
    "Paint-on supports to enforce/block"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/organic-supports_480131"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "brim",
   "name": "Brim",
   "category": "Bed adhesion",
   "whatItDoes": "Extra first-layer loops around the part to increase bed contact area.",
   "whenToUse": "Tall objects with a small base; many small objects at once; warp-prone parts.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Parts with large flat bases that already stick well (extra cleanup).",
   "keySettings": [
    "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": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/skirt-and-brim_133969"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "seam",
   "name": "Seam placement",
   "category": "Surface finish",
   "whatItDoes": "Controls where each perimeter loop starts/ends, which leaves a visible vertical seam.",
   "whenToUse": "Aligned/Nearest to hide seams in corners; Rear for display pieces; Random only on round parts; scarf joint for smooth curved surfaces.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Random on parts with sharp corners (adds scattered zits).",
   "keySettings": [
    "Seam position: nearest / aligned / random / rear",
    "Seam painting",
    "Scarf joint placement & length",
    "Staggered inner seams (strength)",
    "Calibrate extrusion multiplier/linear advance"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/seam-position_151069"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "variable-layer-height",
   "name": "Variable / adaptive layer height",
   "category": "Quality vs speed",
   "whatItDoes": "Prints different regions of a model at different layer heights with smooth transitions (adaptive mode computes it from a Quality/Speed slider).",
   "whenToUse": "Models with both flat/vertical areas (thick layers, fast) and curved or detailed areas (thin layers) \u2014 big time savings with minimal quality loss.",
   "whenNotToUse": "",
   "keySettings": [
    "Adaptive + Quality/Speed slider",
    "Smooth radius",
    "Keep min",
    "Height range modifier for simple fixed ranges"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/variable-layer-height-function_1750"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "modifiers",
   "name": "Modifiers (height range / mesh)",
   "category": "Workflow",
   "whatItDoes": "Apply different settings (e.g. ironing, infill) to only part of a model.",
   "whenToUse": "When one region needs different settings, e.g. ironing only a top plaque.",
   "whenNotToUse": "",
   "keySettings": [
    "Height range modifier",
    "Modifier mesh (box/cylinder/custom)"
   ],
   "sources": [
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/ironing_177488"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  },
  {
   "id": "multicolor-purge",
   "name": "Multicolor purge (prime tower / flush into infill/object)",
   "category": "Multicolor",
   "whatItDoes": "On color changes the printer flushes old filament and primes on a prime/wipe tower; flush volume depends on from\u2192to color.",
   "whenToUse": "Any multicolor print. Flush into infill/support/an extra object to cut waste.",
   "whenNotToUse": "Flush into infill on translucent or thin-walled parts (mixed colors can show).",
   "keySettings": [
    "Flushing volumes (dark\u2192light 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": [
    "https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-studio/reduce-wasting-during-filament-change",
    "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/wipe-tower_125010"
   ],
   "status": "sourced",
   "contributor": "MakerDial"
  }
 ]
}