Frequently Asked Questions

Future layers can also be affected by the extra plastic on this layer,
which creates several oversized layers at the bottom of the part. So
before you spend too much time trying to perfect the dimensional
accuracy of your prints, you need to verify that your measurements
are not being affected by the first layer position. One common way
to do this is by printing a model with 50-100 layers and then only
measuring the top 20 or so layers. These top layers are far away
from the very first layer that was printed on the bed, so it
minimizes the impact of nozzle positioning. Before proceeding to
the sections below, make sure that your measurements follow
these guidelines.
(2) Under or over-Extrusion
Now that you know you are using accurate measurements that
are not affected by the first layer position, the next setting you
want to verify is your extrusion multiplier. This setting affects the
flow rate for the entire print. If the extrusion multiplier is too low,
you may start to see gaps between perimeters, holes in your top
surfaces, and parts that are smaller than their intended size. If your
extrusion multiplier is too high, you may notice top layers that
tend to bulge upwards and parts that are larger than intended. So
again, before proceeding to the sections below you will want to
verify that your extrusion multiplier is properly calibrated. For
more advice on these topics, please see theUnder-Extrusion and
Over-Extrusion sections.
(3) Constant Dimensional Error
If you have completed the steps above and the prints are still
not sized correctly, Simplify3D offers the ability to precisely