5 Best Combing Mode Settings for Travel

You’ll achieve superior 3D printing results by selecting the right combing mode for your specific needs. Use “Off Mode” when speed matters most, though expect surface blobbing. “All Mode” keeps your nozzle within printed areas for excellent quality and reduced stringing. “Not in Skin Mode” protects outer surfaces from unsightly marks, while “Within Infill Mode” confines travel to interior spaces. Combine any mode with optimized retraction and Z-hop settings to release professional-grade print quality and discover advanced techniques.

Off Mode for Direct Travel Paths

While combing mode OFF delivers the fastest travel paths by allowing your nozzle to move directly through empty spaces, it comes with significant drawbacks that can compromise your print quality.

This setting disables the combing feature entirely, letting your nozzle take the shortest possible routes without avoiding obstacles. You’ll experience excessive blobbing on printed parts since the nozzle travels over open areas where filament can ooze and string.

Surface imperfections become more noticeable, making this mode unsuitable for detailed or aesthetic projects. Although you might gain some initial speed benefits, the trade-off typically results in lower overall quality.

Consider this setting only when speed matters more than appearance.

All Mode for Complete Nozzle Containment

When you select All Mode, your nozzle stays confined within already-printed areas during travel moves, creating the most protective path possible for maintaining print quality.

This combing mode excels at preventing stringing and blobbing on complex geometries by avoiding open spaces entirely.

All Mode delivers exceptional results for intricate models through three key mechanisms:

1. Reduced retractions – Your nozzle stays within printed boundaries, minimizing retraction frequency and improving surface finishes.
2. Enhanced empty space handling – Internal cavities won’t cause travel defects since the nozzle avoids crossing them completely.
3. Faster print times – Fewer retraction moves mean quicker overall printing with better quality outcomes.

You’ll notice significant visual improvements when using All Mode, especially on parts with internal structures where traditional travel paths would prevent stringing effectively.

Not in Skin Mode for Surface Quality Protection

Not in Skin Mode prioritizes your print’s visual appearance by steering the nozzle away from outer surfaces during travel moves, effectively eliminating unsightly blobs and marks that would otherwise mar your model’s finish.

This setting prevents nozzle movement around the outer skin, dramatically enhancing wall aesthetics and surface quality.

You’ll find Not in Skin mode particularly valuable when printing complex geometries where appearance matters most. It reduces defects caused by exposed area travel, delivering smoother finishes on high-visibility components.

The mode excels with intricate details and delicate features, where traditional travel paths might create visible imperfections.

When surface quality takes priority over complete nozzle containment, this mode strikes the perfect balance between travel efficiency and visual excellence for your printed objects.

Within Infill Mode for Interior Travel Control

By confining nozzle movement to infill areas, Within Infill mode strategically routes travel paths through your print’s interior spaces rather than across visible surfaces. This approach reduces stringing and enhances surface quality by keeping the nozzle within printed regions whenever possible.

Within Infill mode proves especially valuable for complex geometries containing significant internal empty spaces, where traditional travel paths might create visible defects on exterior surfaces.

Key optimization strategies include:

1. Combine with retraction adjustments – Fine-tune retraction parameters alongside Within Infill mode for maximum effectiveness.
2. Monitor print outcomes – Track results to identify inconsistencies and prompt necessary setting modifications.
3. Test with complex designs – Experiment particularly with prints featuring intricate internal structures where travel control matters most.

You’ll find mixed results depending on your specific design and printer configuration, making experimentation essential.

Optimizing Combing With Retraction and Z-Hop Settings

While combing mode provides excellent travel path control, combining it with properly configured retraction and Z-hop settings creates a thorough solution for eliminating stringing and surface defects.

Combining combing mode with optimized retraction and Z-hop settings delivers a comprehensive approach to preventing stringing and surface imperfections.

You’ll want to fine-tune your retraction distance between 1-6 mm depending on your filament type and printer setup. Faster retraction speeds complement combing by quickly pulling filament back before travel moves.

Enabling Z-Hop when retracted adds another layer of protection. Set your Z-hop height between 0.5-2 mm to lift the nozzle during travels, preventing collisions with printed parts while avoiding excessive print time delays.

This combination prevents unwanted oozing and surface contact. Test different combinations through small calibration prints. Start with moderate settings, then adjust based on your specific results to achieve ideal print quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Enable Combing Mode?

You should enable combing mode since it reduces stringing and surface defects by keeping your nozzle within printed areas. It’ll decrease retractions, speed up prints, and improve quality.

What Should My Retraction Minimum Travel Be?

You should start with 1.5mm for retraction minimum travel. Test different values between 1-3mm depending on your filament type. Lower values prevent stringing on short moves, while higher values reduce unnecessary retractions.

Is Travel Speed the Same as Print Speed?

No, travel speed isn’t the same as print speed. You’ll set travel speed higher since it’s when your print head moves without extruding filament, while print speed controls actual filament extrusion during printing.

What Is the Best Initial Layer Travel Speed?

You’ll want to set your initial layer travel speed between 20-30 mm/s for ideal bed adhesion. Twenty-five mm/s works well for PLA, preventing warping while maintaining proper filament flow control.