Transparent PLA & PETG Filament Test Model

Introduction

This test model may help you tune transparent PLA & PETG filament material settings.

I do not make any claims that this is perfect, glass-like, see-through, that would require magic.

Scale

The model includes a scale of layers from 0.2mm to 2.0mm in 0.2mm increments, ten in total.

When you hold the model in front of something, the closer you move, the clearer it becomes.

Build plate

I used a smooth build plate.  If you use a textured plate - you will be diffusing light through the textured base your print will generate.

PLA vs PETG

As you can see in the photos I provided, PLA came out better by allowing far more clarity of the item below the block through without distortion. It was possible to see the colour and black & white items below from 0.2mm to 2.0mm. Whereas, PETG stopped being clear before the 2.0mm layer.

Important Information

Transparent filaments are NOT transparent, they are translucent, this is an important distinction not usually made by the filament brands themselves.

The process of manufacturing the filament and then printing using it through a hot end onto a surface and printing in unknown directions means the quality of the outcome is dependent on HOW you use it and basic physics.

Profile Settings

All of the profile settings I configured can be found in the respective profiles and as all changes are shown in a different colour, they are easy to spot in Bambu Studio.

The important settings fall into the following groups:

• Remove surfaces & walls
• Max out infill
• Change infill type
• Reduce printing speed
• Turn off the fan while printing

It's your turn to tune

When you use this information for your benefit, you will likely need to compromise if your model isn't entirely made up of transparent material.

Removing walls and surfaces is easy for a solid block, but, not for hollow models (as an example). So, work out how to incorporate what you learn from this into your design.

Artwork used in the photos

I think I should be applauded for using a Mcdonald's receipt and a Sloppy Joe's mix pack (particularly as I'm from the U.K. and Sloppy Joe's isn't common here).