In this article we're going to be talking about the fuzzy skin setting in Cura and how you can use it to apply textures to your 3d prints.
What is Fuzzy Skin?
The fuzzy skin setting in Cura will cause the outer perimeter of your 3d print to have a slightly jagged effect by adding a wave to it, that can vary depending on the thickness you select. Selecting a larger thickness will create a larger offset for the outer perimeter. The larger the offset, the more pronounced the effect of the fuzzy skin setting becomes. If we go in for a closer look at the toolpath, we can see this offset very clearly.
Now let's print out a few files and look at some practical applications. You can visualize the fuzzy effect here is the extruder deposits the outer perimeter and wiggles back and forth. Before printing you can also visualize the effect the fuzzy skin will have on the print by looking at the G-code.
Using the toolpath visualization preview in Cura, we're able to go through and trace the toolpaths and visualize the outer layer which is the fuzzy skin. We can see exactly how pronounced of an effective we'll have on our finished part.
Fuzzy Skin Thickness & Density
Fuzzy skin thickness refers to the extent to which it is permitted to deviate from its original measurement. The smaller the number is, the smoother your prints will be, and the bigger the number, the thicker or rougher your print fuzzy skin will be. Fuzzy Skin Test model is available on Cults3D to download that you could have a clear comparison of various fuzzy skin setting results.
These models were printed with fuzzy skin disabled, 0.1mm, and 0.3mm thicknesses.Source: YT - Andrew Sink
The control model had a little bit of banding, but has a fairly clean vertical surface. The 0.1mm thickness setting didn't look textured as much as it looked like a printer with some extrusion issues. The 0.3mm model has a much clearer texture and it almost looks like a piece of textured Kydex to a textured thermoplastic known for its grip. Overall, the surface is very uniform and it has the appearance of a quality texture.
I also wanted to experiment applying the fuzzy skin texture to a non-uniform surface. This model of a bear I found on Thingiverse was a perfect fit, as it had some texturing built into the model, and it didn't have a whole lot of perfectly vertical surfaces. To activate fuzzy skin, type in fuzzy into the cura settings, and you'll get a few different drop-down options. The key setting here is fuzzy skin distance, which determines the offset of the outer perimeter.
Cura does an excellent job of visualizing a texture before you send it off to print. and you can scroll through the model and visualize that fuzzy external perimeter before printing the model.
Just out of curiosity, I repeated the experiment, but changed the fuzzy skin thickness to 0.1mm, instead of 0.3mm. This had a much less pronounced effect when visualized using the cura preview mode.
Here are the three models side by side. And just like with the pyramids my biggest takeaway was the 0.1mm. Fuzzy skin thickness didn't really look like a texture, it just looked like a printer that wasn't performing very well, maybe it was out of calibration or maybe was using wet filament. To me the clear winner is the 0.3mm thickness.
Fuzzy skin isn't something you use all the time, but it does have its moments. In certain scenarios like printing terrain for tabletop games, where the model lacks intricate details such as rocks or grassy hills, applying fuzzy skin can enhance the texture significantly. This extra texture not only adds depth but also facilitates better painting results, especially when employing techniques like dry brushing. Also some people treat fuzzy skin print as a trick to hide 3d printing lines.
For consumer products, such as electronics, a finer texture may be desirable to achieve a matte surface. This fine texture, characterized by closely spaced and minute fuzziness, mimics the appearance of surfaces like laptop casings or computer mouse exteriors. Conversely, in automotive applications, where coarser textures are common, such as on dashboards, a thicker layer with greater spacing can better replicate the desired surface texture. For instance, a thermal-formed panel with a coarse texture would benefit from a fuzzy skin that matches its roughness. This approach ensures consistency in texture and appearance across different materials and surfaces.
There are certainly practical scenarios where the utilization of fuzzy skin proves beneficial, alongside instances where its application may not be advisable. For example, when precision and exact measurements are paramount, such as requiring a component to be precisely 20mm wide, fuzzy skin may not be suitable. This is because the inherent nature of fuzzy skin introduces a degree of randomness in thickness, which can compromise the accuracy of measurements. Thus, in scenarios where dead set accuracy is imperative, it's advisable to avoid the application of fuzzy skin altogether.
Fuzzy Skin Advantages
Fuzzy skin presents several opportunities to enhance the final quality of 3D printed parts. Primarily, it aids in disguising the layered appearance inherent in 3D printing by hiding layer lines. This effect allows for the use of larger layer heights, significantly reducing print time without compromising the finished appearance. Furthermore, fuzzy skin effectively camouflages the Z seam, seamlessly integrating it into the part's surface. This feature contributes to a cleaner, more polished finish, especially around sharp corners, where ghosting is typically more pronounced.
Additionally, fuzzy skin can serve a functional purpose by providing tactile grip, making it ideal for parts requiring manual handling. The textural surface it creates enhances grip and prevents slippage, offering added utility to objects like tool handles or handheld devices. However, users should exercise caution when printing long straight walls, as inconsistencies in fuzzy skin application may occur. Adjusting the orientation of the part can rectify this issue.
Overall, the fuzzy skin setting in Cura is a great way to add texture to a 3d printed part. Integrating fuzzy skin into the 3D printing process yields significant improvements in part aesthetics and functionality, elevating the overall quality of printed objects and enhancing their professional appearance.
