Holiday Clears

These models were designed to make the best use of transparent/translucent filaments. The idea is to emphasize color, transparency and reflection. To maximize visual features print them in Vase/Spiral Mode. All modern slicers offer this option in settings. This is a great project to try vase mode. 

Vase Mode print bottom layers,  a single side wall, no inside fill or top layers.  And, rather than printing in layers moving up as you go, Vase Mode prints a single continuous spiral layer from the bottom to the top.

A key visual feature of Vase Mode is that the prints have no seams.  For 3D models that are round or smooth with no corners, edges on the sides and can be printed one wall wide then Vase Mode is a good thing. Because all Holiday Clear Ornament models are 3D solids, they can be printed in Vase Mode. Two models have smooth sides, Ornament 1 and Ornament 3 have no side edges or corners where you can hide seams. Smooth sides benefit from the no seams feature Vase Mode. 

To get best the best out of vase mode or any single wall prints it's best to jump from the standard .4mm nozzle to a bigger nozzle.  A .6mm or better yet, a .8mm nozzle. Larger nozzles give you a wider and fatter line that dramatically improves the structural strength of single wall prints.  If you only have a .4 mm nozzle try vase mode, squeeze the print to see if it's strong enough to work for you.  With some exceptions using vase mode you can only print one item at a time.

Print Slow

I've found that vase mode and single wall prints print best at slow speeds. Most slicer default vase mode settings print first layers at 30-40 mm. I set all my other speed settings to the same speed. Another benefit of slow speed is transparent filaments print more transparent at slower speeds. 

Single Wall Alternative to Vase Mode. Works well for Models 2, 4, 5 and 6

Don't want to use vase mode?  Here's another way to print these: In your slicer, choose 4 bottom layers, one wall, no fill and no top layer. The visual detail you don't want is the seam as each layer is completed. I've designed in a solution. Models 2, 4, 5, 6 have ribs that dramatically improve the ornament's strength and conveniently provide locations to hide seams.  Select seam position to nearest and the seam will hide on the inside edge of the model's rib.  However, models 1 & 3 are smooth on the sides and have no ribs and unless you print in vase mode there will be a vertical seam. Another benefit of printing single wall iis you can print several copies at a time. 

Double Wall Alternative if You Only Have a .4mm Nozzle

For more strength, do everything as you would for single wall prints but setup your print for two walls. AgaiAgain, print slowly. This enhances transparency. 

Filaments

There are many fine translucent/transparent filaments available in PLA or PETG. These models work great with either. The included 3MF files are for PLA filament. If printing in PETG change filament settings accordingly. 

Other Filaments

What if you don't have translucent /transparent filaments? If you prefer silks or color changing filaments, these will look great, too. Use what you got. 

Post Processing

Once you 3D print these the models you can choose to use them as a hangable tree ornament or free standing holiday decorations for a fireplace mantle, shelf, or table.

Hanging Ornaments

To hang these on a tree you need add a loop of string, cord, or twine. To use these as ornaments, you need to add a knotted loop of string or cord through the top of the ornament. The models are printed upside down so the top is the printed bottom. What I do is drill a 3mm hole on top of the ornament. Create a long loop in hanging cord or twine and push the loop through the hole. Pull the loop out the bottom and tie a knot. Pull the double line up to catch at the hole at the top. Tie a loop and trim the cord to a length that works for you. 

Free Standing Decorations

All these models work great displayed on a table, mantel or shelf. If you print these in transparent or translucent filaments then try adding LED wheat lights inside the ornament. These are tiny lights strung on thin copper wire. You can group several ornaments together and use a long string or a for a single ornament try short battery powered light strings. I use one or two meter battery powered strings and it works great. To get all that wire and lights inside an ornament I wind the wire around a pencil. The result is you've created a narrow spring that you can push up to the top of the ornament that won't hit internal obstructions as you push the light string in. The issue is the batteries only last about 72 hours before they need replacement. So, keep spare batteries around and don't forget to turn the lights off at night. 

Scale Up or Down

Scaling: These model was designed to be scaled up or down. You can also vary and distort X and Y dimensions. But not by much. If you make the tree too wide you'll end up with close to horizontal areas that do not print well in vase mode. Shallow sides result in layers separating and holes in your prints. Again, in most vase mode projects, translucent, silky or dual color filaments work particularly well. 

For model 1,  rotate the model so you print it upside down keeping the narrow part at the bottom. That's printing with top down. Model 1B is already rotated this way.

Brims are Good

All these models have a small bottom surface area and are relatively tall so I suggest printing them slow and use a 5 or 10 mm outer brim.