Chamfers and Supports

Another way to eliminate the need for 3D printing support structures is Chamfers. Chamfers are a neat way of turning otherwise nasty overhangs into innocuous overhangs with angles less than 45 degrees.

For example, if you have a gently sloping or curved edge, you can replace it with an angular edge that requires no support. Such an angular design is called a Chamfer.

Similarly, if you have a hole in the model, you can convert it into a chamfered hole in the shape of a teardrop. Most of the time, this will not affect the overall aesthetics of the model. But it will help you reduce the 3D printing support structures required to print a model.

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