Object Manipulation

Step 1 Introduction

This tutorial is an introduction to object manipulation within the slicer software Superslicer.
Because there are many factors that are in need of consideration, this is not a step-by-step tutorial, rather it is informational. Frequently the optimal orientation is up to the user and their preferences.
Further questions can be directed toward the Lab Director.

The object manipulation tools are found on the left side of the window. These include the following tools in order starting from the top: Move, Scale, Rotate, Place on Face, Cut, Paint-on Supports and Seam Painting.
There are additional tools which are located above the object. These tools may become useful in certain circumstances.
All tool names will appear when you hover the cursor over each tool button.
To use each tool:
Left click on the object highlighting it green.
Left click on the tool intended for use.
Deselecting the object can be accomplished by clicking an area where the object does not exist.

All objects on the build plate should generally be positioned in the center of the bed without intersecting any other objects.
To move an object around the build plate, simply left click and drag the object.
When moving the object along an individual axis, use the first tool "Move" as shown in the image.
To use this tool, click and drag the boxes that appear around the object.
For more precise control, you can type in a value within a text box. This is located near the bottom right side of the window in the section"Object manipulation".
An automatic arrangement tool can also be found on the top of the viewing window.

The second tool "Scale" is used to scale the object either uniformly or along a chosen axis.
Usually, scaling is not needed. If the object is not the size that is expected, go back to the CAD program (i.e. Onshape), and export the stl file in mm.
The "Scale" tool can be used by clicking and dragging the squares around the object.
The corner squares scale the object uniformly whereas the squares along each axis scales the object along that axis.
To reset scaling or provide more precise scaling, use the object manipulation section found near the bottom right of the window.

The 4th tool "Place on Face", is used to align a face with the build plate.
To use this tool, select the highlighted regions that appear on the object.
There are some considerations when choosing a face. These include:
support material, speed, surface texture, etc.
In most cases minimizing support material is the reason for choosing a certain face.
A discussion on what support material is and why it is needed can be found in the Support Material tutorial.

The 3rd tool "Rotate" is used when a particular angle orientation is needed rather than a particular face.
Note that using this tool will likely generate more support material as discussed in the Support Material tutorial.
To use this tool, click and drag one of the boxes appearing around the object to rotate the object around a desired axis.
As before, if an exact degree is needed, typing in the value into the corresponding text box within the Object Manipulation section will work as well.

The "Cut" tool shown in the image is used to split the object in a chosen cross sectional z axis position.
To use this tool, click and drag the box for a visual location or type in a z axis position in the text box appearing next to the tool button.
Using this tool creates two objects that can then be manipulated separately.
This is useful when gluing the separate pieces together after the print is complete reducing the support material.

Normally, Superslicer automatically generates support material where its needed. Why support material is needed is discussed in the Support Material tutorial.
To control if and how automatic support material is generated, a drop down selection is found near the top right of the window just below the printer selection.
The tool "Paint-on Supports" can be useful if additional customization to support material is needed.
There are many options within this tool including manually painting on a surface "brush" or selecting a surface "Smart fill".
Left clicking highlights a surface in blue which indicates that surface should have support material.
In contrast, right clicking highlights a surface in red indicating that the surface should not have support material.

The tool "Seam Painting" is used to further refine surface imperfections.
On the outermost wall of each cross sectional layer the nozzle has a stopping and starting location. In this location a slight imperfection is created called a seam.
The seam location can be controlled using this tool.
Usually, the location for the seam is chosen on the back of an object where it is less likely to be seen or easily noticed.