We introduce Curvy-an interactive design tool to generate varying density support structures for 3D printing. Support structures are essential for printing models with extreme overhangs. Yet, they often cause defects on contact areas, resulting in poor surface quality. Low-level design of support structures may alleviate such negative effects. However, it is tedious and unintuitive for novice users as it is hard to predict the impact of changes to the support structure on the final printed part. Curvy allows users to define their high-level preferences on the surface quality directly on the target object rather than explicitly designing the supports. These preferences are then automatically translated into low-level design parameters to generate the support structure. Underlying novel curvy zigzag toolpathing algorithm uses these instructions to generate varying density supports by altering the spacing between individual paths in order to achieve prescribed quality. Combined with the build orientation optimization, Curvy provides a practical solution to the design of support structures with minimal perceptual or functional impact on the target part to be printed.

中文翻译：

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弯曲的：用于改变密度支撑结构的交互式设计工具

我们引入了Curvy（一种交互式设计工具）来生成3D打印的不同密度支撑结构。支撑结构对于打印极端悬垂的模型至关重要。然而，它们经常在接触区域上引起缺陷，从而导致不良的表面质量。支撑结构的低层设计可以减轻这种负面影响。但是，对于新手用户而言，这很繁琐且不直观，因为很难预测更改支撑结构对最终印刷零件的影响。弯曲允许用户直接在目标对象上定义其对表面质量的高级偏好，而不必明确设计支撑。然后，这些首选项会自动转换为低级设计参数，以生成支持结构。潜在的新颖弯曲锯齿形刀具路径算法使用这些指令通过更改各个路径之间的间距来生成变化的密度支撑，以达到规定的质量。与构建方向优化相结合，Curvy为支撑结构的设计提供了一种实用的解决方案，同时对要打印的目标零件的感知或功能影响最小。