Photon Workshop: Support Contact Point Comparison for Resin 3D Printing
Now that you know how to add supports in Photon Workshop, let's dive into something more specific: support tip settings and how they affect your print success and post-processing. We ran some comparison tests and want to share what we learned to help you get cleaner prints that are easier to finish. 🔧
Support Contact Types: Default Contact vs. Ball Contact
The Photon Workshop slicer gives you two options for how supports connect to your model: Default Contact and Ball Contact. Here's how they differ:
Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Default Contact
Default Contact is the standard setting and, while effective, it does have some drawbacks. When you remove supports, you may be left with small pits or holes on the model's surface. The larger the 'Top Width' or 'Distance in Model' value, the more noticeable the mark. If this happens, you'll need to use filler or putty to smooth the surface — which takes extra time and patience. 😓
Ball Contact
Ball Contact, on the other hand, leaves small bumps on the surface — but these are much easier to sand down. While you may notice slight marks or craters, adjusting the 'Top Width' or 'Ball Diameter' can help minimize these imperfections. It's a great option if you want to keep post-processing straightforward and hassle-free.
Pro tip: If your supports aren't making good contact with the model, try reducing the 'Top Width' or increasing the 'Ball Diameter'. ⚙️
Break Points: Easier Support Removal
Photon Workshop 3.0 introduces the Break Point feature. What does it do? Simply put, it lets you control exactly where the support separates from the model, making support removal much cleaner and easier. No more supports that feel fused to your print! 🙌
Break Point Settings
Here you can configure:
- Break Point Height: The distance from the top contact point.
- Break Point Width: The thickness of the breakaway area.
- Top and Bottom Length: The length from the break point toward the lower or upper support.
These settings allow you to achieve nearly effortless support removal without damaging your print.
Comparing Light, Medium and Heavy Supports with Different Contact Types
The most noticeable difference between the three support types — Light, Medium and Heavy — is that heavier supports hold the model more securely, improving print success rates. However, these supports tend to leave more visible marks or bumps on the surface after removal, making post-processing more difficult.
Test Results for Default Contact
- Ease of support removal: Light > Medium > Heavy
- Difficulty sanding: Heavy > Medium > Light
- Surface quality after sanding: Light > Medium > Heavy
- Print success rate: Heavy > Medium > Light
Test Results for Ball Contact
- Ease of support removal: Light > Medium > Heavy
- Difficulty sanding: Light > Medium > Heavy
- Surface quality after sanding: Light > Medium > Heavy
- Print success rate: Heavy > Medium > Light
Break Point Comparison Across Different Contact Types
Let's use a spherical model as an example, testing different contact types and Break Point settings. We'll run print tests, remove the supports, and sand down the results.
1. Default Contact, without Break Point
2. Default Contact, with Break Point
3. Ball Contact, without Break Point
4. Ball Contact, with Break Point
Test Results:
- Easiest support removal: Break Point enabled
- Easiest sanding: Ball Contact + Break Point or Default Contact + Break Point
- Best surface quality after sanding: Ball Contact + Break Point or Default Contact + Break Point
- Highest print success rate: Break Point disabled, or Default Contact + Break Point, or Ball Contact + Break Point
Notes:
- For large or heavy models, enabling Break Point may increase the risk of print failure.
- If surface quality isn't a priority, reduce Top Width and Distance in Model.
- For a smooth, clean finish, use Ball Contact, adjust the Ball Diameter, and enable Break Point to make post-processing easier.
Remember — if you want cleaner, smoother prints, the secret is all in the details of your support settings!
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
If your priority is easy post-processing, go with the Ball Contact tip using the right 'Top Width' and 'Ball Diameter' settings. If you're after precision and don't mind a bit of extra sanding, Standard Contact is also a solid choice.
Bookmark this article and don't forget to join our Telegram group for more tips and updates on Photon Workshop. See you in the community! 👾
Credits to the original Anycubic article