<p>Layer lines are failure lines.</p>
<p>Sometimes I choose to print a part in a weird or sub-optimal orientation just to minimise the load across layer lines when in use.</p>
<p>That may mean more support material and longer print time, but a completed part that fails is no use at all.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-22T03:06:09.067Z
2022-05-22T03:06:09.067Z
Criggie
<p>The orientation of the part in the STL file depends on the Software that creates the file. I had a software that would export the parts standing upright instead of laying flat. Depending on the CAD software it can be beneficial for the creator of the model to create in in a different orientation as the one you want to use for printing. Also not all CAD Engineers know (or care) about the best orientation for printing a part.</p>

<p>So my guess is that this is an issue of file export/ STL file creation.</p>

<p>It is totally normal to rotate the parts into a position that is best for printing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T04:25:41.893Z
i see 2 other possible reasons (both intentional)

1. parts were oriented to be printet together so such position conservers space

2. printer for which these file were created had the bed oriented in such position (rot45deg)
darth pixel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T13:15:13.133Z
@darthpixel: Seeing that the TO wrote 'simply rotated the part so it would lay flat', both of these options do not seem reasonable to me.
kamuro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-07T04:50:15.730Z
@kamuro: that was just an option as it could be potential asnwer, that's all :)
darth pixel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-08T18:40:16.693Z
Actually @darthpixel might not be wrong.  My print bed is 200x200 and if I lay the hexagonal tube parts flat and rotate 45 degrees on z-axis, it will JUST fit the bed.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard I've tried, the points closest to the edge curl up.  Today I am testing leaving the hexagonal part at 45 degrees (fits the entire space way better) and using supports.
zkent
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-09T06:20:57.053Z
@zkent i want to add offtopic comment. It seems your bed's not warm enough. I don't know what's your printer but maybe you can add a coat underneath something [similar to this](https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pl&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=pl&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fallegro.pl%2Fmata-termoizolacyjna-5mm-izolacja-termiczna-m2-i6107340159.html&edit-text=). This will warm up your bed quicker and heat distribution will be better.
darth pixel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-12T03:02:56.117Z
@darthpixel, I will give that a try.  I am using a RepRap Prusa i3 variant but I know these PCB heat beds are hit-and-miss on distribution.  I have also thought of enclosing the entire printer in a box to keep the temperature up.  The parts, when laid flat can be over an inch thick, so that doesn't help either.
zkent
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-12T05:18:10.783Z
@zkent enclosing whole printer seems to be sophisticated ;) and harder to do and it can have influence on parts dimensions and can eventually harm your printed parts (if you have some in your prusa). Coat is quite easy to install and has great effect. You can even try to create your own coat with 2..3 layers of your old white 100% cotton T-shirt, aluminium foil and some cardboard. Stick it with kapton tape and voila :)
darth pixel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-05T20:18:02.190Z
2016-04-05T20:18:02.190Z
Lars Pötter
<p>I began printing the parts for the Ultrascope DIY telescope designed by the Open Space Agency.  See <a href="http://www.openspaceagency.com/ultrascope" rel="noreferrer">http://www.openspaceagency.com/ultrascope</a>.</p>

<p>All of the STL files for the 3D printable parts are canted 45 degrees.  Brackets, tubes, everything I have seen so far.  Is there a reason for this?  I printed one part last night and simply rotated the part so it would lay flat because I didn't want to deal with supports.  I am relatively new to 3D printing -- Am I missing something I should know?  Is this a thing?</p>

<3d-design>
Why are the STL files for the Ultrascope telescope at 45 degree angle?
zkent
# Why are the STL files for the Ultrascope telescope at 45 degree angle?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-05)

I began printing the parts for the Ultrascope DIY telescope designed by the Open Space Agency. See <http://www.openspaceagency.com/ultrascope>.

All of the STL files for the 3D printable parts are canted 45 degrees. Brackets, tubes, everything I have seen so far. Is there a reason for this? I printed one part last night and simply rotated the part so it would lay flat because I didn't want to deal with supports. I am relatively new to 3D printing -- Am I missing something I should know? Is this a thing?

**Tags:** 3d-design

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-05. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The orientation of the part in the STL file depends on the Software that creates the file. I had a software that would export the parts standing upright instead of laying flat. Depending on the CAD software it can be beneficial for the creator of the model to create in in a different orientation as the one you want to use for printing. Also not all CAD Engineers know (or care) about the best orientation for printing a part.

So my guess is that this is an issue of file export/ STL file creation.

It is totally normal to rotate the parts into a position that is best for printing.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: i see 2 other possible reasons (both intentional)  1. parts were oriented to be printet together so such position conservers space  2. printer for which these file were created had the bed oriented in such position (rot45deg)  
> **username_4**: @darthpixel: Seeing that the TO wrote 'simply rotated the part so it would lay flat', both of these options do not seem reasonable to me.  
> **username_3**: @kamuro: that was just an option as it could be potential asnwer, that's all :)  
> **username_0**: Actually @darthpixel might not be wrong.  My print bed is 200x200 and if I lay the hexagonal tube parts flat and rotate 45 degrees on z-axis, it will JUST fit the bed.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard I've tried, the points closest to the edge curl up.  Today I am testing leaving the hexagonal part at 45 degrees (fits the entire space way better) and using supports.  
> **username_3**: @zkent i want to add offtopic comment. It seems your bed's not warm enough. I don't know what's your printer but maybe you can add a coat underneath something [similar to this](https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=pl&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=pl&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fallegro.pl%2Fmata-termoizolacyjna-5mm-izolacja-termiczna-m2-i6107340159.html&edit-text=). This will warm up your bed quicker and heat distribution will be better.  
> **username_0**: @darthpixel, I will give that a try.  I am using a RepRap Prusa i3 variant but I know these PCB heat beds are hit-and-miss on distribution.  I have also thought of enclosing the entire printer in a box to keep the temperature up.  The parts, when laid flat can be over an inch thick, so that doesn't help either.  
> **username_3**: @zkent enclosing whole printer seems to be sophisticated ;) and harder to do and it can have influence on parts dimensions and can eventually harm your printed parts (if you have some in your prusa). Coat is quite easy to install and has great effect. You can even try to create your own coat with 2..3 layers of your old white 100% cotton T-shirt, aluminium foil and some cardboard. Stick it with kapton tape and voila :)  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2022-05-22. Score: 0

Layer lines are failure lines.

Sometimes I choose to print a part in a weird or sub-optimal orientation just to minimise the load across layer lines when in use.

That may mean more support material and longer print time, but a completed part that fails is no use at all.


---

