Kale (seaweed) supports #241

New Issue

MrUnknownDE · 2026-04-05T16:19:15+02:00

MrUnknownDE commented

2026-04-05 16:19:15 +02:00

Originally created by @bobsyouruncle3 on 3/20/2026

Is there an existing issue for this feature request?

I have searched the existing issues

I want to lessen the impact that using supports has by making them take less time and material.

Which printers will be beneficial to this feature?

All

Describe the solution you'd like

A new style of supports. There is already tree, grid and snug that have their strengths in many situations. Kale supports, or seaweed (maybe a better name for an addition to orca), is a pattern of support under the interface layer(s). In most cases it would start out as a circle. A circle (where applicable) would give the best strength to weight ratio combined with the lowest increase of layer time across all kinematics of 3d printer. A column continues as it goes. After reaching a certain point, the cylinder morphs layer by layer until ultimately becoming the base for interface. Layer times gradually get longer and thus avoid a z layer band that can occur when huge changes in layer time happen. I have made two short videos explaining and demonstrating these in action, they can be found here and here. It would have all the settings you'd expect like starting diameter (or "branch angle" borrowed from organic tree style), and final pattern spacing (density).

Describe alternatives you've considered

Use the other types of supports already out there.
Reorient, split, or otherwise redesign the part to be printed without support.

Additional context

The examples: https://www.printables.com/model/1642979-new-support-experiment-kale-supports-or-fractal-su

*Originally created by @bobsyouruncle3 on 3/20/2026* ### Is there an existing issue for this feature request? - [x] I have searched the existing issues ### Is your feature request related to a problem? I want to lessen the impact that using supports has by making them take less time and material. ### Which printers will be beneficial to this feature? All ### Describe the solution you'd like A new style of supports. There is already tree, grid and snug that have their strengths in many situations. Kale supports, or seaweed (maybe a better name for an addition to orca), is a pattern of support under the interface layer(s). In most cases it would start out as a circle. A circle (where applicable) would give the best strength to weight ratio combined with the lowest increase of layer time across all kinematics of 3d printer. A column continues as it goes. After reaching a certain point, the cylinder morphs layer by layer until ultimately becoming the base for interface. Layer times gradually get longer and thus avoid a z layer band that can occur when huge changes in layer time happen. I have made two short videos explaining and demonstrating these in action, they can be found [here](https://youtube.com/shorts/INwfWJkXXao) and [here](https://youtube.com/shorts/eoiKlspl6Ec). It would have all the settings you'd expect like starting diameter (or "branch angle" borrowed from organic tree style), and final pattern spacing (density). ### Describe alternatives you've considered 1. Use the other types of supports already out there. 2. Reorient, split, or otherwise redesign the part to be printed without support. ### Additional context The examples: https://www.printables.com/model/1642979-new-support-experiment-kale-supports-or-fractal-su ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/df6b2f1a-aab9-4ba6-887a-a7380f9b22fa)

MrUnknownDE added the enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement enhancement labels 2026-04-05 16:19:16 +02:00

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Reference: github/OrcaSlicer#241