<p>I see this:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I had to make a small prototype and it requires an enclosure</p>
</blockquote>

<p>and this:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>yes, it is hollow inside</p>
</blockquote>

<p>How do you intend to get your item inside the result? This part really needs to be <em>two pieces</em> with <em>two separate prints</em>. Basically, a box and the lid, where you leave space for screws, include tabs, or plan for glue connections.</p>

<p>Finish that alteration, and the support issue suddenly becomes <strong>much</strong> easier. Most slicers have options to generate support for you, including limiting support to spaces between the model and build plate. Now you can rotate the angle at the which the part is printed in order to minimize your support needs, or so that most of the connection points for the support will not be visible in the finished product.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-17T23:46:34.203Z
Hi Joel, I have an second file which I use for the lid, just a flat surface, I believe it is not a big deal and I am going to glue that into this one.
Kirito-kun
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-17T23:48:01.567Z
What Slicer would you recommend to me?, the Slicers have a function for auto supports if it is required?
Kirito-kun
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-18T04:15:54.930Z
@Kirito-kun Slic3r and Ultimaker Cura are popular and free slicers, both have options for adding support structures.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T20:56:32.400Z
2019-09-13T20:56:32.400Z
Joel Coehoorn
<p>It is my first time for 3D printing, I read some tips for forms, minimal thickness, angles, round or flat, but I am still not sure if I am going to do all well for the first time.</p>

<p>For my college final project, I had to make a small prototype and it requires an enclosure.</p>

<p>My concerns are:</p>

<ul>
<li>I am not sure if my design will require supports</li>
<li>Overhangs </li>
<li>Printing Orientation</li>
</ul>

<p>Here part of my design:</p>

<ul>
<li>Most walls are 2&nbsp;mm+ thick</li>
<li>The lid is a separate file, but it is really simple just a flat rectangle, I believe it is going well the first time</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LmdU1.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Screenshot of 3D model"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LmdU1.png" alt="Screenshot of 3D model" title="Screenshot of 3D model"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/6Dxue.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Wireframe"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6Dxue.png" alt="Wireframe" title="Wireframe"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T15:46:40.540Z
Is this hollow? You would need support to hold up the top middle bit. You may get away with no supports if you flip the model upside down.
BG100
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T15:53:27.220Z
So run it through a slicer and see if supports are generated
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T16:00:13.560Z
yes, it is hollow inside. @CarlWitthoft I am designing with AutoCad not sure if it has that tool btw I have 3 days using it I am pretty noob :)
Kirito-kun
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T17:02:14.360Z
Are you asking for slicing recommendations?
Davo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T17:36:31.963Z
Export from AutoCad in STL format, try Slic3r with some settings (or use Prusa Slicer that has many profiles already there) and then come back here with more specific questions. Right now it's too broad.
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-13T19:54:10.347Z
Why are these concerns? The slicer will take care of putting in supports when instructed. It shouldn't matter if support is used unless you want a near perfect smooth inner side. Which side needs to the most aesthetic side?
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-14T13:40:04.713Z
The lid will probably print better upside down.
Perry Webb
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-16T08:06:24.550Z
What do you need that huge rectangular slab for?
If you replaced your fillets with chamfers, this would print perfectly fine "upside down" without that slab, which you could print seperately.
You shouldn't require supports for things you've designed yourself in 99% of the cases.
towe
<support-structures>
My first 3D printing - I need some advice or tips
Kirito-kun
# My first 3D printing - I need some advice or tips

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-09-13)

It is my first time for 3D printing, I read some tips for forms, minimal thickness, angles, round or flat, but I am still not sure if I am going to do all well for the first time.

For my college final project, I had to make a small prototype and it requires an enclosure.

My concerns are:

* I am not sure if my design will require supports
* Overhangs
* Printing Orientation

Here part of my design:

* Most walls are 2 mm+ thick
* The lid is a separate file, but it is really simple just a flat rectangle, I believe it is going well the first time

[![Screenshot of 3D model](https://i.sstatic.net/LmdU1.png "Screenshot of 3D model")](https://i.sstatic.net/LmdU1.png "Screenshot of 3D model")

[![Wireframe](https://i.sstatic.net/6Dxue.png "Wireframe")](https://i.sstatic.net/6Dxue.png "Wireframe")

**Tags:** support-structures
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is this hollow? You would need support to hold up the top middle bit. You may get away with no supports if you flip the model upside down.  
> **username_2**: So run it through a slicer and see if supports are generated  
> **username_0**: yes, it is hollow inside. @CarlWitthoft I am designing with AutoCad not sure if it has that tool btw I have 3 days using it I am pretty noob :)  
> **username_3**: Are you asking for slicing recommendations?  
> **username_4**: Export from AutoCad in STL format, try Slic3r with some settings (or use Prusa Slicer that has many profiles already there) and then come back here with more specific questions. Right now it's too broad.  
> **username_5**: Why are these concerns? The slicer will take care of putting in supports when instructed. It shouldn't matter if support is used unless you want a near perfect smooth inner side. Which side needs to the most aesthetic side?  
> **username_6**: The lid will probably print better upside down.  
> **username_7**: What do you need that huge rectangular slab for? If you replaced your fillets with chamfers, this would print perfectly fine "upside down" without that slab, which you could print seperately. You shouldn't require supports for things you've designed yourself in 99% of the cases.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_8 on 2019-09-13. Score: 1

I see this:

> I had to make a small prototype and it requires an enclosure

and this:

> yes, it is hollow inside

How do you intend to get your item inside the result? This part really needs to be *two pieces* with *two separate prints*. Basically, a box and the lid, where you leave space for screws, include tabs, or plan for glue connections.

Finish that alteration, and the support issue suddenly becomes **much** easier. Most slicers have options to generate support for you, including limiting support to spaces between the model and build plate. Now you can rotate the angle at the which the part is printed in order to minimize your support needs, or so that most of the connection points for the support will not be visible in the finished product.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Hi Joel, I have an second file which I use for the lid, just a flat surface, I believe it is not a big deal and I am going to glue that into this one.  
> **username_0**: What Slicer would you recommend to me?, the Slicers have a function for auto supports if it is required?  
> **username_5**: @Kirito-kun Slic3r and Ultimaker Cura are popular and free slicers, both have options for adding support structures.  

---

