Our 3D printing instructions for Vanish will get you started in no time. Try out our specially designed Vanish Rover to test how well the supports work in different situations. Vanish is not like any other material – but it is easy once you know how.

Download
Download the 3d printing instructions for our Vanish Rover to get you started.
Watch
Watch our video showing how to set up Simplify3D software settings for Vanish.
Step by Step 3D Printing instructions for Vanish
These instructions are designed to be used with the Simplify3D software using Vanish on the LEFT extruder and PLA on the right extruder. You should find the equivalent settings on whatever package you use. We will periodically add instructions for other slicer packages.
Step 1 - Download your model and set up the extruders
Open the Simplify3D software and click on “Import” to open your model. At the bottom left, click on “add” to open the dialogue box. Here you can adjust the settings starting with the top section where you choose your 3D printer and quality.
Make sure you use both extruders and check the “generate supports” box.
Step 2 - Change the Settings
The following DEFAULT settings work very well with all 3D printers we have tested. If you use these settings you can start printing with Vanish and obtain a good result.
We have provided some addional tips and advice for Vanish dissolvable support material here – once you have mastered the basics, you might want to experiment and will find this useful.
Please click on the thumbnail images to see larger pictures and remember to click the bottom right X to close the image!
Bed Stickiness
For best results, immerse some Vanish in water so it becomes sticky and rub it over the bed. You could use an old Prime Pillar. The bed can be cool or hot but will dry quicker if it is hot. Do this before each print. We have found that doing this every time always ensures a good adhesion to the bed, not just for Vanish but any material.
Extruder Settings
- Extrusion Multiplier – 1.0
- Retraction Distance – 1.0 mm
- Retraction Speed – 1200 mm/s
Additions Settings
- Skirt – Yes
- Prime Pillar
- Size – 15mm (minimum)
- Extruder – Left
- Speed Multiplier – 50%
- Ooze Shield
- Ooze shield extruder – Right
- Offset from part – 5mm
- Ooze shield outlines – 2
Click for more information.
Support Settings
- Generate support material: Yes
- Support extruder: Left
- Infill percentage: 30%
- Extra inflation distance: 0.5mm (minimum)
- Dense support layers: 3
- Dense infill percentage: 100%
- Horizontal Offset From Part 0.3mm
- Upper Vertical Separation Layers: 0
- Lower Vertical Separation Layers: 0
- Support pillar resolution: 1mm
Click for more information.
Script Settings
The following script should be copied and pasted into the Script section and then click on the “tool change script” tab as shown on the image.
{IF NEWTOOL=0}M104 S180 T1; turn temperature down when switching from extruder 1*
{IF NEWTOOL=1}G1 X0 Y0 F9000 ; Move to home position away from model**
{IF NEWTOOL=1}M109 S[extruder1_temperature] T1; turn temperature up when switching to extruder 1
*Make sure Vanish is loaded to extruder 1 (Left) or change script
**Change X0 and Y0 to corner position away from the model.
Click for more information.
All other tabs
If you followed these 3D printing instructions, there is no need to change the settings of any of the tabs not mentioned above specifically for Vanish. The default settings can be amended if required and should have no adverse effect on Vanish.
Step 3 - Generate G-Code and Print your Model
Once you are happy with your settings you are now ready to click the “Prepare to Print” button at the bottom left.
You can view your model from various angles and layer by layer. If you need more support, use the simplify3D to generate this. Your model should look something like this image. If it does not, review these 3D printing instructions to make sure you have followed every step. Go to our Tips & Advice page for further information.
When you are happy, you can save to a disk or print directly to the 3D printer.