3D printing has revolutionized product design and manufacturing by allowing for quick iteration and complex geometries. However, one of the challenges of 3D printing is supporting overhanging structures and complex designs. Traditional support structures can be difficult to remove and often leave behind marks or scars on the printed part.
Tree supports aim to solve this problem by providing support that is easier to remove and leaves less trace. Tree supports have become a popular option in slicing software like Cura, PrusaSlicer, and Simplify3D. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tree supports – what they are, how they work, and how to use them to take your 3D prints to the next level.
What Are Tree Supports?
Tree supports are a specialized type of support structure that branches out in a tree-like pattern to support overhangs and complex geometries. This provides support while using less material and allowing for easier removal compared to traditional blocky support structures.
The tree support branches are thinner and taper towards the ends, almost mimicking the natural branching pattern of a tree. This allows the supports to be broken away more easily without damaging the print. The thinner branches also use less material than block supports, saving on filament.
Tree supports also generate support branches organically based on the geometry of the model, rather than using a fixed grid pattern. This strategic placement provides ample support while minimizing material use.
Overall, tree supports provide the key benefits of:
- Easier removal from the printed part
- Less chance of scarring or marking the part
- Reduced material use and faster print times
- Organic, natural-looking support structures
How Do Tree Supports Work?
Tree supports work by using an algorithm to analytically place branches where they are needed to support overhangs and intersections in the model geometry. The algorithm calculates angles, overhangs, bridges, and islands to determine optimal support placement.
The branches extend diagonally from a thicker “trunk” that connects to the build plate. The algorithm tapers the branches as they extend further from the base. This mimics trees in nature and makes the supports easier to remove after printing.
Tree supports also generate an interface layer between the support branches and the model. This is a dense grid that provides a buffer to make sure the print is supported while avoiding leaving marks on the surface.
The interface helps “cushion” the surface from the supports while keeping the main branches thinner and easier to break away. Some slicing programs also allow you to specify a small air gap between the supports and print which further reduces surface scarring.
Compared to blocky support structures, tree supports use less material, print faster, and are easier to remove cleanly after the print is finished. The organic aesthetic can also add visual interest to the printing process.
Benefits of Using Tree Supports
Here are some of the major benefits of using tree supports for your 3D prints:
Easier Removal
The tapered tree branches snap away cleanly without much force. This reduces the chances of damaging or scarring the surface of the printed part during support removal.
Minimized Surface Marks
The interface layers and air gap settings allow tree supports to “hover” right over the print surface. This greatly reduces abrasions and visible support marks on the part.
Material Savings
Tree supports use less material than block or line supports, saving on filament costs. The strategic placement also minimizes material waste.
Faster Print Times
Thinner tree branches print quicker than bulky supports. Strategic placement also minimizes material use, reducing printing time overall.
Superior Overhangs
Tree supports excel at providing overhead support, even for extreme angles. The custom supports conform well even to tiny protrusions.
Aesthetic Appeal
For display models, the organic tree-like supports can add visual interest to the print. It showcases the 3D printing process.
Easy Implementation
Tree supports are built into common slicers like Cura, so they are easy to use. Simply select “tree supports” and tune the settings as needed.
How to Use Tree Supports
Using tree supports is easy with the right 3D slicer software. Here are the basic steps:
- Open Your Model
- Import your 3D model file into your slicer. STL and OBJ files are commonly used.
- Choose Tree Supports
- Locate the “support” section in your slicer settings. Choose “tree” for the support type.
- Adjust Support Settings
- Tweak settings like the angle threshold, distance from build plate, branch diameter, interface layers, and density.
- Position Model
- Orient your model vertically to minimize support material needed.
- Slice and Save Gcode
- Slice your model to generate the gcode toolpath file with supports.
- Load Gcode
- Transfer the gcode to your printer via SD card, USB, or wireless.
- Print Model
- Start your 3D print! Monitor the first layers to ensure proper bed adhesion.
- Remove Supports
- Once cooled, carefully twist and break away tree supports to reveal your print. Enjoy!
Most slicers like Cura and PrusaSlicer have tree supports built-in. Simply select the “tree” support type and adjust settings like overhang angle, branch diameter, distance from build plate, and interface layers to dial-in your supports. Take care removing supports so as not to damage your model. Enjoy easier support removal and cleaner prints!
Tuning Tree Support Settings
One of the advantages of tree supports is that they offer several settings you can tweak to get the perfect supports for your model. Here are some of the key settings to adjust:
- Overhang Angle – Controls the angle at which supports will be generated. Lower for more supports, higher for less. Try 45-60 degrees.
- Support Distance – Vertical distance between supports and model. Larger distances reduce surface scarring. 0.2mm is a good starting point.
- Branch Diameter – Sets the thickness of support branches. Larger is sturdier, smaller uses less material. Try 1-2mm.
- Interface Layers – Number of dense layers between supports and print for better bed adhesion. 2-3 layers is usually sufficient.
- Interface Pattern – Pattern of the interface layer like grids, lines, or zig-zag. Grid and concentric patterns work best.
- Breakaway Supports – Choose whether supports snap away cleanly or anchor more firmly. Easy breakaway is preferable.
Start with a baseline profile for your printer, and then tweak settings through test prints to dial in the optimal overhang angles, branch size, interface layers, and breakaway properties. Tree supports excel at minimizing material use while maximizing print success.
Tree Supports vs. Normal Supports
Compared to traditional block-like support structures, tree supports have some major advantages:
- Less Material Used – Tree branches use less filament than dense blocks. This saves material costs.
- Faster Print Times – Thinner branches print quicker than thick blocks. Strategic placement also minimizes material needs.
- Cleaner Surface Finish – The interface layers prevent scarring. Trees also taper away, leaving no marks.
- Easier Removal – Tree branches snap away easily. Blocks require force and can damage surfaces.
- Superior Overhangs – Tree branches excel at bridging and extreme angles. Blocks can fail more easily.
- Aesthetic Appeal – Organic tree shapes are visually appealing. Blocks are an eyesore.
The main disadvantage of tree supports is that they can be less robust for high strength applications like functional prototypes. However, for most display models and rapid prototyping, tree supports provide superior performance.
Tree supports do require some fine tuning for optimal results. Factors like model orientation, branch diameter, interface layers, and print speeds can impact results. But once properly dialed in, tree supports produce excellent quality prints with faster print times.
Troubleshooting Tree Supports
While tree supports make 3D printing easier, you may still run into a few issues:
- Stringing – Lots of wispy filament strands. Increase retraction, lower temperature.
- Poor Bed Adhesion – Supports not sticking to build plate. Use interface layers, clean/level bed.
- Support Failure – Supports collapsing or dropping model. Increase number of interface layers, branch diameter.
- Overhand Limitations – Supports not reaching some overhangs. Lower overhang angle threshold.
- Scarring – Visible marks from supports on surface. Increase vertical distance, use air gap.
- Hard to Remove – Supports sticking too firmly to model. Reduce interface layers, increase distance.
Proper support settings go a long way towards avoiding these issues. Take the time to dial in settings like overhang angle, interface pattern, branch diameter, and breakaway distance based on your specific model geometry and filament properties. Test various orientations to minimize supports. Tree supports make perfect overhangs easily achievable with a bit of fine tuning.
Alternative Support Options
While tree supports are extremely popular, they aren’t the only game in town. Here are some other support strategies to consider:
- Normal Supports – Classic block-like rectangular support structures. Simple to use but hard to remove.
- Multi-Material Dissolvable Supports – Special filaments that dissolve away after printing. Great results but added cost.
- Sparse Supports – Minimal supports only where absolutely needed. Requires less material but may compromise print quality.
- Raft Layers – A flat base layer under the print acting as a “raft” to prevent warping.
- Bridging – Printing thin walled shells to bridge gaps instead of using supports. Requires careful orientation.
- Custom Supports – Manually placing supports with modeling software. Gives full control but takes more time.
Tree supports strike an excellent balance of ease of use, great print quality, and faster printing. Don’t be afraid to also experiment with alternate support approaches like sparse supports or dissolving filaments for comparison. Tree supports remain a go-to option for quality prints.
Key Takeaways on Tree Supports
Tree supports have revolutionized 3D printing support strategies thanks to key advantages:
- Organic, natural branching uses less material and prints faster
- Tapered branches snap away cleanly for easy, non-destructive removal
- Strategic placement generates ample supports while minimizing material
- Interface layers prevent surface scarring and improve first layer adhesion
- Visual appeal from the organic, plant-like aesthetic
- Easier implementation compared to manual support placement
With the right orientation and settings, tree supports make printing complex geometries, bridging, and extreme overhangs far more accessible. Their ability to peel away cleanly saves post-processing time and prevents surface marring. While requiring some configuration tuning, tree supports enable consistently excellent print quality. Take your 3D printing skills to the next level with tree supports!
