Supports are one of the most important concepts in 3D printing.
Students often create objects that look fine on the screen but fail when printed because part of the model is hanging in the air.
This guide explains:
What supports are
Why they are needed
When to use them
When to avoid them
How to add supports in ElegooSlicer
How to remove supports safely
Supports are temporary structures that the printer creates underneath parts of a model that would otherwise print in midair.
Think of them like scaffolding on a building.
The printer can only print one layer on top of another layer.
If part of the object is hanging out with nothing underneath it, the filament has nowhere to go and may sag, droop, or fail.
Supports hold up those areas while the object prints.
After the print is finished, the supports are removed.
Without supports, you may see:
Sagging plastic
Messy overhangs
Drooping bridges
Failed prints
Parts that break off
Supports help the printer create:
Overhangs
Curved surfaces
Holes
Arms, wings, and other floating parts
A good rule is:
If part of the model extends more than about 45 degrees from vertical, it may need support.
Examples that often need support:
A letter T standing upright
A figure with arms sticking out
A shelf or ledge
A horizontal hole
A model with something floating above the base
Examples that usually do not need support:
A flat name tag
A simple keychain
A cube
Text raised on a flat surface
Usually does not need support.
The text sits on top of a flat plate.
Usually does not need support if printed upright.
Often needs support under:
Arms
Hair
Weapons
Capes
Usually does not need support.
May need support under the middle section.
The best support is the support you do not need.
Whenever possible, rotate or redesign the object so it prints flat.
Example:
Instead of printing a letter T standing up, lay it flat.
Instead of printing a figure standing straight up, turn it so the large flat side is on the build plate.
Benefits of avoiding supports:
Faster prints
Less wasted filament
Better surface quality
Easier cleanup
Teacher Tip:
Ask students:
"Can this object be turned so the largest side is flat on the bed?"
That one question often solves support problems.
ElegooSlicer gives you several support options.
The most common are:
Normal supports
Tree supports
Normal supports look like straight columns.
Best for:
Large flat overhangs
Mechanical parts
Boxes or shelves
Advantages:
Strong
Reliable
Disadvantages:
Use more filament
Harder to remove
Can leave marks on the print
Tree supports branch upward like a tree.
Best for:
Figurines
Organic shapes
Curved objects
Advantages:
Use less filament
Easier to remove
Touch less of the print
Disadvantages:
May not support large flat surfaces as well
For most classroom projects, Tree supports are usually the easiest and cleanest choice.
Select the model.
Open the Support tab.
Turn on Enable Support.
Choose a support type.
For beginners, start with:
Type: Tree
Style: Auto
On Build Plate Only: On
These settings work well for most student projects.
When On Build Plate Only is turned on, the slicer will only create supports that start from the print bed.
Why teachers like this:
Easier to remove
Cleaner prints
Less chance of damaging the object
When to leave it on:
Most classroom projects
Name tags
Keychains
Small figurines
When to turn it off:
If a support needs to start from another part of the model
If the slicer misses an overhang
The Support Threshold Angle controls when supports appear.
Lower number:
More supports
Safer print
More cleanup
Higher number:
Fewer supports
Faster print
Greater risk of failure
Typical settings:
45° = Good starting point
30° = More aggressive support
60° = Less support
For most teachers and beginners, 45° is a good default.
The Top Z Distance and Bottom Z Distance control the tiny gap between the support and the model.
This matters because:
Too close = Hard to remove
Too far = Poor print quality
Good beginner settings:
Top Z Distance: 0.08 mm
Bottom Z Distance: 0.1 mm
These are the default settings in ElegooSlicer and work well for PLA.
Always preview supports before printing.
In the slicer:
Slice the model.
Switch to Preview mode.
Look for support areas.
Ask:
Are all the floating parts supported?
Are there supports in places that do not need them?
Will supports be easy to remove?
Teacher Tip:
If the slicer creates too many supports, try rotating the model first before changing lots of settings.
Sometimes the automatic supports are not perfect.
You can manually add or block supports.
Use manual supports when:
The slicer misses a small overhang
A support appears in a place you do not want
You only want support in one area
Examples:
Add support under a figurine's arm
Block support under a flat section that will print fine
After the print is done:
Let the print cool.
Gently pull supports away.
Use small pliers or flush cutters if needed.
Teacher Tip:
Have students remove supports slowly.
Pulling too hard can break thin parts.
For younger students, adults may need to help remove supports safely.
You may have too many supports if:
The print takes much longer than expected
The support uses more filament than the object
The model is difficult to clean up
The object has rough marks everywhere
If that happens:
Rotate the model
Increase the support angle
Use tree supports
Turn on Build Plate Only
You may need more supports if:
Parts sag or droop
Bridges collapse
The print fails in midair
Overhangs look messy
If that happens:
Lower the support angle
Add manual supports
Turn off Build Plate Only
For most PLA classroom projects on the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2:
Enable Support: On
Type: Tree
Threshold Angle: 45°
On Build Plate Only: On
Top Z Distance: 0.08 mm
Bottom Z Distance: 0.1 mm
These settings are a good starting point for:
Figurines
Small models
Decorative objects
Before slicing every project, ask students these three questions:
Is there anything floating in the air?
Can I rotate this object to avoid supports?
If I need supports, where do they belong?
Those three questions will prevent most support problems before the print even starts.