Option to add a 'hat' to the top of vertical-ish holes so they print circular #1400

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MrUnknownDE · 2026-04-05T17:35:44+02:00

MrUnknownDE commented

2026-04-05 17:35:44 +02:00

Originally created by @yoyo42 on 12/8/2025

Is there an existing issue for this feature request?

I have searched the existing issues

When printing a hole that is vertical or at an upright angle the top tends to flatten out as it gets bridged over. My solution to this is to add a 'hat' at the top of the hole to compensate for this effect and end up with an actually circular hole. I first saw this on a Slant3D Youtube video. They applied the hat in CAD but this will only work at that scale and orientation so it would be much better applied as a final step while generating layers, with knowledge of layer heights and other geometry.

Which printers will be beneficial to this feature?

All

Describe the solution you'd like

It would need to find all holes with a vertical component that ends with an arc at the top. This arc tends to flatten out to a varying degree as it gets bridged across when the layer reached the top of the arc. A pointed triangle formed from two short tangential lines would be extended up from the top of this arc and the hole extended up into it.

When printed the end result should be to all intents and purposes the same shape as the designed hole was this process effectively cancels out the artefacts caused by FDM printing.

Describe alternatives you've considered

The usual way to do this for now is to design the 'hat' into the model, but that doesn't allow for rescaling or especially reorienting the model in the slicer.

Additional context

I plan to print some experimental holes to explore the difference made by the verticality of the hole, wall thickness, size of hole etc. and will post the results of that here shortly.

https://youtu.be/Bd7Yyn61XWQ?t=56 shows the Slant3D description of the technique.

*Originally created by @yoyo42 on 12/8/2025* ### 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 printing a hole that is vertical or at an upright angle the top tends to flatten out as it gets bridged over. My solution to this is to add a 'hat' at the top of the hole to compensate for this effect and end up with an actually circular hole. I first saw this on a Slant3D Youtube video. They applied the hat in CAD but this will only work at that scale and orientation so it would be much better applied as a final step while generating layers, with knowledge of layer heights and other geometry. ### Which printers will be beneficial to this feature? All ### Describe the solution you'd like It would need to find all holes with a vertical component that ends with an arc at the top. This arc tends to flatten out to a varying degree as it gets bridged across when the layer reached the top of the arc. A pointed triangle formed from two short tangential lines would be extended up from the top of this arc and the hole extended up into it. When printed the end result should be to all intents and purposes the same shape as the designed hole was this process effectively cancels out the artefacts caused by FDM printing. ### Describe alternatives you've considered The usual way to do this for now is to design the 'hat' into the model, but that doesn't allow for rescaling or especially reorienting the model in the slicer. ### Additional context I plan to print some experimental holes to explore the difference made by the verticality of the hole, wall thickness, size of hole etc. and will post the results of that here shortly. https://youtu.be/Bd7Yyn61XWQ?t=56 shows the Slant3D description of the technique.

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Reference: github/OrcaSlicer#1400