Dannyelyto

Hello again, everyone! 👋

If you’ve been following my previous posts, you know what a headache the cloak on this figure was giving me. That darn combination of the chain and side clasps was almost impossible to get with a good finish if I tried printing the whole piece in a single orientation.

But after countless tests and a few failed attempts, I’ve finally found the ultimate solution! 💡

The Strategy: Divide and Conquer

The only way to get the chain and clasps to come out decent, clean, and sharp (just look at the result in the photo!) was to cut the cloak into two parts before sending it to print.

Why Did This Solution Work?

• Optimal Orientation for Every Detail: By separating the clasp and chain area from the rest of the cloak, I was able to orient this delicate section in the ideal position. This prevents the links from hanging in mid-air or getting squished against the build plate.
• Zero Problematic Supports on Visible Areas: Since I didn't have to place intrusive supports under the chain, the finest areas kept their perfect geometry without breaking during cleanup.
• Saves Time and Material: No more multi-hour prints ending up in the trash. Splitting the model in the slicer/3D software takes a couple of minutes and guarantees a flawless result on the first try.

The Result:

As you can see in the image, the chain links are perfectly defined, and the clasps show all their details without any blobs or warping. Now all that's left is joining the parts, a little sanding on the seam, and off to painting! 🎨✨

Tip of the day: Don't be afraid to slice up your 3D models if a specific area is giving you trouble. Sometimes, "divide and conquer" is the golden rule in FDM printing.

I hope this trick helps you with your next complex projects! Do you usually split tricky parts too, or do you prefer fighting with supports until the bitter end? Let me know in the comments!