Edit supports manually to reduce the impact on the model

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In Netfabb, you have the option to automatically generate supports using customizable support scripts.

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In some instances, prior to the manufacture process,

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these supports require further manual optimization to reduce their impact on your model.

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In this example, an SLM Support script was applied to the part shown,

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and then customized with additional support actions to create a stable support structure.

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In some cases, you can apply and customize a support script with no additional action required.

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However, in this example, notice that there are areas of the support structure that connect to the part twice,

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and are therefore growing out of the part.

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Performing the printing process now would result in unplanned post-processing steps.

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You can avoid this by manually optimizing the support structure prior to manufacture.

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First, identify the areas of support that need to be removed or modified to reduce their impact on the part.

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Every support that is assigned to a part is displayed on the List tab in the context view.

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You can find each support within its group, identified by its cluster, and you have the option to modify each support individually.

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Select a bar or volume in the model, and the corresponding cluster appears highlighted in the List.

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In this example, delete the unwanted bar supports first.

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Select each bar that spans between the two areas of the part shown,

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and then press Delete to remove it.

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Next, select the volume support that spans between the two areas of the part, then right-click and select Edit entity.

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The Entity volume dialog displays, where you can edit the same properties as in the support script, but for only the selected support.

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In this case, a solution is to assign the angled support characteristic,

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so that you can bend it around the part and still maintain the needed support characteristics extend to the platform.

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To enable angling the support, set the Angled block support to Yes, then click OK.

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The angle control gizmo appears, which you can click and drag to angle the support in the desired direction.

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From the context view, you can use the Clip Planes to adjust your Y Axis to view the support more clearly.

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Continue adjusting the support to prevent contact with the internal or lower portions of the part,

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and when you are finished, on the ribbon, click Apply to Part.

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Now you know how to manually adjust supports that were automatically generated using a support script

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to reduce the impact of the supports on your part.