<p>You probably have the "Combing Mode" option under the "Travel" options enabled for each layer (<code>All</code>). Combing reduces print time by leaving out the retraction, but leads to ugly first and top layers by leaving <em>"scars"</em> on the surface. It can be disabled by excluding the bottom and top layer by changing the setting to <code>Not in Skin</code> or for all layers by choosing <code>Off</code>. The latter will increase printing time drastically! </p>

<hr>

<p>Please note that as of version 3.5 of Ultimaker Cura the options of the combing setting have an additional setting. As of Ultimaker Cure 3.5.0 the options are named:</p>

<ul>
<li><code>Off</code></li>
<li><code>All</code></li>
<li><code>Not in Skin</code> (used to be <code>No Skin</code> a few versions ago)</li>
<li><code>Within Infill</code> (new setting)</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-22T01:31:03.153Z
Well, the setting was hidden, but after unhiding it, it seems you were indeed correct :)
You'reAGitForNotUsingGit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-22T01:31:31.477Z
Also, is there a way to make it comb only if it has to move, say, less than 5mm?
You'reAGitForNotUsingGit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-22T12:50:46.043Z
@AndroidDev No, but there is an option if needs to retract if it is larger than 5 mm, that would make more sense (only retract on larger than x mm travels). That option is called `Max Comb Distance With No Retract`.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-21T21:16:19.267Z
2018-10-22T12:47:08.350Z
2018-10-22T12:47:08.350Z
0scar
<p>I'm having a problem with Ultimaker Cura (v3.4.0) where it doesn't always tell the extruder to retract when performing a travel, which causes the hotend to leave a "trail" as it's moving and not start printing again right away when the travel is over.</p>

<p>For example, the extruder does not retract when performing this travel (blue):</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/bTK4f.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/bTK4f.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>And yes, I do have "retract before outer wall" enabled....</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2yTOh.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2yTOh.png" alt="enter image description here"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/08oeA.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/08oeA.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Any ideas how to solve this?</p>

<ultimaker-cura><slicing><retraction>
Ultimaker Cura not always telling extruder to retract when traveling
You'reAGitForNotUsingGit
# Ultimaker Cura not always telling extruder to retract when traveling

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-21)

I'm having a problem with Ultimaker Cura (v3.4.0) where it doesn't always tell the extruder to retract when performing a travel, which causes the hotend to leave a "trail" as it's moving and not start printing again right away when the travel is over.

For example, the extruder does not retract when performing this travel (blue):

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/bTK4f.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/bTK4f.png)

And yes, I do have "retract before outer wall" enabled....

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2yTOh.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/2yTOh.png)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/08oeA.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/08oeA.png)

Any ideas how to solve this?

**Tags:** ultimaker-cura, slicing, retraction

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-10-21. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

You probably have the "Combing Mode" option under the "Travel" options enabled for each layer (`All`). Combing reduces print time by leaving out the retraction, but leads to ugly first and top layers by leaving *"scars"* on the surface. It can be disabled by excluding the bottom and top layer by changing the setting to `Not in Skin` or for all layers by choosing `Off`. The latter will increase printing time drastically!

---

Please note that as of version 3.5 of Ultimaker Cura the options of the combing setting have an additional setting. As of Ultimaker Cure 3.5.0 the options are named:

* `Off`
* `All`
* `Not in Skin` (used to be `No Skin` a few versions ago)
* `Within Infill` (new setting)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Well, the setting was hidden, but after unhiding it, it seems you were indeed correct :)  
> **username_0**: Also, is there a way to make it comb only if it has to move, say, less than 5mm?  
> **username_1**: @AndroidDev No, but there is an option if needs to retract if it is larger than 5 mm, that would make more sense (only retract on larger than x mm travels). That option is called `Max Comb Distance With No Retract`.  

---

