MEEN 4323 Summer 2026: Secret Slicer Settings that Matter

What do the advanced slicer settings actually change—and which ones are worth learning? In Lesson 20 of MEEN 4323 Additive Fabrication Methods, Dr. Kelly Crittenden moves beyond layer height, infill percentage, and temperature to examine the less-visible controls that shape FDM toolpaths. The lesson compares terminology across UltiMaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, and OrcaSlicer while emphasizing that similar names do not always mean identical algorithms. The focus is not on collecting “magic” settings. It is on connecting a print symptom to a physical mechanism, checking the generated toolpath, and testing one deliberate change. Topics include: Adaptive and variable layer height Monotonic top surface patterns Ironing for flat top surfaces Arachne versus Classic wall generation Detecting and printing thin walls Inner-first and outer-first wall ordering Seam position and seam painting Bridge speed, flow, direction, and cooling Minimum layer time for small features Combing and avoiding wall crossings Tree and organic supports Support interface layers and contact distance Lightning infill Brim separation gap and mouse ears Fuzzy skin as an intentional surface texture Why coasting, wipe, Pressure Advance, and Linear Advance require careful calibration Students will see how to use slicer Preview as an engineering review tool: confirm that a thin feature receives a toolpath, locate a seam before printing, inspect support contact, compare bridge paths, and evaluate changes in print time and material. Setting names, visibility, and behavior can vary with slicer version, printer profile, and Basic, Advanced, or Expert mode. The cross-reference used in the lesson is a translation guide, not a claim that all slicers generate the same toolpath. This video is part of MEEN 4323: Additive Fabrication Methods at Louisiana Tech University. The course connects engineering fundamentals with practical additive-manufacturing, CAD, and digital-fabrication workflows. More from Dr. Kelly Crittenden: kellycrittenden.com layerlines.substack.com #3DPrinting #Cura #PrusaSlicer #BambuStudio #OrcaSlicer #FDMPrinting #AdditiveManufacturing #EngineeringEducation #MEEN4323