<p>Yes. Set &quot;Top Surface Skin Layers&quot; (roofing layers) to at least 1 and &quot;Top Surface Skin Line Directions&quot; to 0 or 90 as appropriate (instead of 45 and 135).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T15:48:47.290Z
Which version did this feature appear in?
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T16:09:10.637Z
@Trish: Looks like 2.7, commit `26ac70d2bd` adds the config item to `fdmprinter.def.json`. This was in 2017, well before I used Cura or even a 3D printer.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T17:18:36.033Z
@Trish: It's part of the general "roofing" feature of Cura, whose purpose is to let you use more visually appealing (or, if you're pushing the limits of your printer on top layers to the point that there are structural gaps, more structurally sound) speed, acceleration, line width, etc. settings for the last layer ot two at the top, without imposing that cost on however many top layers you need (typically 4-5 in my experience, maybe more with some combinations of layer height etc.)
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T17:19:56.513Z
Found it! it is a setting you need to enable first
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T15:46:06.770Z
2021-12-27T15:46:06.770Z
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
<h2>Yes with a few tricks:</h2>
<p>You could turn the item by 45°, then all layers are turned to follow the local X and Y-axis of the body itself, but not the global X and Y of the printer - there'll be a 45° conversion between the items local coordinates and the printers global ones.</p>
<p>Or you could choose a different upper layer pattern, for example concentric, for the upper and lowermost layer.</p>
<p>If you want to define a specific zig-zag direction, you need to go advanced mode, click the gear and enable &quot;Top/Bottom Line Direction&quot;. This now allows altering the direction by setting an angle different from 45°/135°. The setting however is ignored if you don't use Lines or ZigZag</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/6P3X2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6P3X2.png" alt="the 4.8 setting that needs to be enabled" /></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hk8Rm.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hk8Rm.png" alt="4.8 look" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T11:26:41.460Z
2021-12-27T17:19:33.653Z
2021-12-27T17:19:33.653Z
Trish
<p>Based on the comment in Trish's answer, a custom solution might be possible using g-code, but would likely be quite tedious. I have a (retired) client whose career spanned more years than I've been alive. He traversed his development from manual machining through punched cards/paper tape and through CAD/CAM, but always created the g-code from the ground up.</p>
<p>One could, for example, locate a CAM program with which one is comfortable and set about defining tool paths and related configurations. Fusion 360 may have a slicer feature in the non-free portion; I've not pursued that aspect of the software.</p>
<p>One could also examine the g-code generated for a specific layer and make appropriate adjustments to the direction of travel, extrusion commands, speed, etc.</p>
<p>An <a href="https://www.instructables.com/Manual-Gcode-for-3d-Stamp-Create-Square/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Instructable</a> exists which describes a method to create a hollow cube for 3D printing, but it's severely limited in scope, in my opinion. It has triggered another thought, to use the g-code generated for laser cutting/engraving as a foundation for the above noted manual creation.</p>
<p>For example, a g-code based laser (i.e., GRBL) could be commanded to cut lines spaced apart by the filament width when placed by the printer, often 0.4 mm approximately. LightBurn software (multi-platform, 30-day free trial, supports GRBL) would allow you to experiment creating the initial code, which would then require manual editing for temperatures and extrusion rates.</p>
<p>This would require substantial experimentation and substantial time and effort.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-27T15:29:49.737Z
2021-12-27T15:29:49.737Z
fred_dot_u
<p>In Cura Slicer, is it possible to change the direction that the filament is laid down when making the top layer?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/6AIdx.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6AIdx.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>For example, in the above picture the filiment is laid down at about 45 degrees to the X\Y axis. Can I make it 90 degrees?</p>

<ultimaker-cura>
Is it possible to change the orientation that filament is laid down for the top layer in Cura Slicer?
Aaargh Zombies
# Is it possible to change the orientation that filament is laid down for the top layer in Cura Slicer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-12-27)

In Cura Slicer, is it possible to change the direction that the filament is laid down when making the top layer?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/6AIdx.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/6AIdx.png)

For example, in the above picture the filiment is laid down at about 45 degrees to the X\Y axis. Can I make it 90 degrees?

**Tags:** ultimaker-cura


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-12-27. Score: 3

Yes. Set "Top Surface Skin Layers" (roofing layers) to at least 1 and "Top Surface Skin Line Directions" to 0 or 90 as appropriate (instead of 45 and 135).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Which version did this feature appear in?  
> **username_1**: @username_2: Looks like 2.7, commit `26ac70d2bd` adds the config item to `fdmprinter.def.json`. This was in 2017, well before I used Cura or even a 3D printer.  
> **username_1**: @username_2: It's part of the general "roofing" feature of Cura, whose purpose is to let you use more visually appealing (or, if you're pushing the limits of your printer on top layers to the point that there are structural gaps, more structurally sound) speed, acceleration, line width, etc. settings for the last layer ot two at the top, without imposing that cost on however many top layers you need (typically 4-5 in my experience, maybe more with some combinations of layer height etc.)  
> **username_2**: Found it! it is a setting you need to enable first  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-12-27. Score: 1

Based on the comment in username_2's answer, a custom solution might be possible using g-code, but would likely be quite tedious. I have a (retired) client whose career spanned more years than I've been alive. He traversed his development from manual machining through punched cards/paper tape and through CAD/CAM, but always created the g-code from the ground up.

One could, for example, locate a CAM program with which one is comfortable and set about defining tool paths and related configurations. Fusion 360 may have a slicer feature in the non-free portion; I've not pursued that aspect of the software.

One could also examine the g-code generated for a specific layer and make appropriate adjustments to the direction of travel, extrusion commands, speed, etc.

An [Instructable](https://www.instructables.com/Manual-Gcode-for-3d-Stamp-Create-Square/) exists which describes a method to create a hollow cube for 3D printing, but it's severely limited in scope, in my opinion. It has triggered another thought, to use the g-code generated for laser cutting/engraving as a foundation for the above noted manual creation.

For example, a g-code based laser (i.e., GRBL) could be commanded to cut lines spaced apart by the filament width when placed by the printer, often 0.4 mm approximately. LightBurn software (multi-platform, 30-day free trial, supports GRBL) would allow you to experiment creating the initial code, which would then require manual editing for temperatures and extrusion rates.

This would require substantial experimentation and substantial time and effort.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-12-27. Score: 0

## Yes with a few tricks:

You could turn the item by 45°, then all layers are turned to follow the local X and Y-axis of the body itself, but not the global X and Y of the printer - there'll be a 45° conversion between the items local coordinates and the printers global ones.

Or you could choose a different upper layer pattern, for example concentric, for the upper and lowermost layer.

If you want to define a specific zig-zag direction, you need to go advanced mode, click the gear and enable "Top/Bottom Line Direction". This now allows altering the direction by setting an angle different from 45°/135°. The setting however is ignored if you don't use Lines or ZigZag

[![the 4.8 setting that needs to be enabled](https://i.sstatic.net/6P3X2.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/6P3X2.png)
[![4.8 look](https://i.sstatic.net/hk8Rm.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hk8Rm.png)


---

