Improve support generation by adding a max_support_line_length setting for rectilinear support patterns #1262

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MrUnknownDE · 2026-04-05T17:07:38+02:00

MrUnknownDE commented

2026-04-05 17:07:38 +02:00

Originally created by @JuanR3D on 12/26/2025

Is there an existing issue for this feature request?

I have searched the existing issues

When using rectilinear support patterns for normal supports on large-format parts, typically above 500 mm, the generated support lines become excessively long, these long continuous lines tend to bend or sag during printing, lose dimensional stability and end up becoming ineffective as supports. This issue is significantly worse when printing with technical materials such as ABS, ASA, PA or PC, where heat accumulation, warping and material shrinkage cause the long support lines to deform even more, often making the supports useless before they even reach the interface. As a result, rectilinear supports, which are otherwise fast and material-efficient, become unreliable for large-format industrial prints.

Which printers will be beneficial to this feature?

All

Describe the solution you'd like

I propose adding a setting such as max_support_line_length that limits the maximum continuous length of rectilinear support lines. Once the specified length is reached, for example every 100 mm, the line would be segmented and stitched to adjacent lines, creating small transversal connections so the pattern remains rectilinear but long lines are broken into shorter sections with periodic connections that significantly increase rigidity and thermal stability. This would improve mechanical stability of supports, reliability in large-format prints and performance with warping-prone materials, while keeping the speed and material efficiency advantages of standard rectilinear supports.

Describe alternatives you've considered

I have tested honeycomb or similar patterns, which are structurally reliable but significantly slower and consume much more material, and also rectilinear grid patterns, which in practice do not work well at all for large-format supports and fail structurally without solving the bending issue. As a workaround, I currently manually block supports by painting thin support-blocking lines at specific locations, forcing the slicer to temporarily cut the support lines in those areas. While this works, it is a manual, time-consuming and error-prone solution, and something that should ideally be handled automatically by the slicer itself.

Additional context

This is what i refer to with large lines:

Maybe in a square geometry, changing the angle of pattern is enough, but for example in a circular part, this is impossible:

This is how i temporaly solve it (blocking the support in certain areas):

*Originally created by @JuanR3D on 12/26/2025* ### Is there an existing issue for this feature request? - [x] I have searched the existing issues ### Is your feature request related to a problem? When using rectilinear support patterns for normal supports on large-format parts, typically above 500 mm, the generated support lines become excessively long, these long continuous lines tend to bend or sag during printing, lose dimensional stability and end up becoming ineffective as supports. This issue is significantly worse when printing with technical materials such as ABS, ASA, PA or PC, where heat accumulation, warping and material shrinkage cause the long support lines to deform even more, often making the supports useless before they even reach the interface. As a result, rectilinear supports, which are otherwise fast and material-efficient, become unreliable for large-format industrial prints. ### Which printers will be beneficial to this feature? All ### Describe the solution you'd like I propose adding a setting such as max_support_line_length that limits the maximum continuous length of rectilinear support lines. Once the specified length is reached, for example every 100 mm, the line would be segmented and stitched to adjacent lines, creating small transversal connections so the pattern remains rectilinear but long lines are broken into shorter sections with periodic connections that significantly increase rigidity and thermal stability. This would improve mechanical stability of supports, reliability in large-format prints and performance with warping-prone materials, while keeping the speed and material efficiency advantages of standard rectilinear supports. ### Describe alternatives you've considered I have tested honeycomb or similar patterns, which are structurally reliable but significantly slower and consume much more material, and also rectilinear grid patterns, which in practice do not work well at all for large-format supports and fail structurally without solving the bending issue. As a workaround, I currently manually block supports by painting thin support-blocking lines at specific locations, forcing the slicer to temporarily cut the support lines in those areas. While this works, it is a manual, time-consuming and error-prone solution, and something that should ideally be handled automatically by the slicer itself. ### Additional context This is what i refer to with large lines: Maybe in a square geometry, changing the angle of pattern is enough, but for example in a circular part, this is impossible: <img width="460" height="926" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3c746a5f-935d-46c9-a1ac-77cc2e0e4a49" /> <img width="398" height="912" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/27595693-4c94-42ff-9937-2d39f9eb78eb" /> This is how i temporaly solve it (blocking the support in certain areas): <img width="758" height="428" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/167b1855-3a87-495d-87a8-d85613563029" /> <img width="485" height="537" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/69103319-203f-4e66-9bfa-46164f868d9b" />

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Reference: github/OrcaSlicer#1262