A rough or uneven top surface is one of the most noticeable cosmetic issues in 3D printing. Instead of a smooth, solid finish, the top layer may show lines, gaps, or rough textures. This usually happens when there isn’t enough support under the top layers or extrusion is inconsistent.
Symptoms:
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Rough or uneven top surface.
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Visible gaps or lines on last few layers.
Causes:
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Too few solid top layers.
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Low infill % under top surface.
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Inconsistent extrusion or poor cooling.
Troubleshooting Steps:
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Increase top solid layers (≥5 for 0.2 mm layer height).
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Raise infill % to support top skin.
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Enable ironing (if slicer supports).
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Verify extrusion calibration.
Prevention Tips:
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Match top layers with infill density (e.g., 20% infill needs at least 5–6 top layers).
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Keep filament dry for consistent extrusion.
