Cute Mini Octopus

intermediate

A small octopus figurine with curving tentacles. The model page offers a version with built-in tree supports — practice enabling, generating, and removing supports.

supports figurine support removal

Get the STL on Printables →

Opens the author's page on printables.com. Free download; some sources may ask you to sign in.

Author: McGybeer
License: CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0 Non-commercial only
Print time: ~1h 30m
Layer height: 0.2 mm
Supports: Required
Filament: PLA

Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom · double-click to reset. Preview only — download the print-quality STL via the link above.

Why print this

Supports are unavoidable once you move beyond simple geometry. This model teaches you how to enable them, let the slicer generate them, and remove them cleanly. The before/after is satisfying: a model covered in scaffolding becomes a smooth figurine.

Before you slice

The model page provides two STL variants:

with-supports.stl — built-in supports integrated into the geometry.
without-supports.stl — clean model; you generate supports in the slicer.

For this learning exercise, use the without-supports STL and generate tree supports in the slicer. This teaches you the slicer workflow, not just the physical result.

Settings: 0.2 mm layer height, 15% infill, tree supports enabled, support contact distance 0.2 mm.

What to expect

Import the without-supports STL.
Enable tree supports in the slicer. In PrusaSlicer: Support material → “For support enforcer only” → change to “Everywhere”; set support style to “Tree”.
Preview the supports in the layer view. They should branch up under the tentacle tips.
Print time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
After printing and cooling, remove the tree supports by hand. Start at the contact points and peel downward. They should snap off cleanly.
Use needle-nose pliers or flush cutters for tight spots. Don’t force — snap at the contact point.

If it goes wrong

Tentacle tips drooping or failing — supports are too sparse. Increase support density or reduce maximum overhang angle.
Supports fused to the model surface — support contact distance too small (or zero). Set Z contact distance to 0.2 mm and reprint.
Supports won’t remove cleanly — printed in ABS or PETG without adjusting contact distance. These materials bond more aggressively to supports.
Body looks fine but tips are rough — this is normal for supported surfaces. A light sanding with 400-grit sandpaper cleans up support marks.

Recommended slicer settings

Paste into PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer — adjust to taste.

slicer profile (plain text)

layer_height:   0.2 mm
infill:         15%
perimeters:     3
supports:       yes
filament:       PLA
nozzle_temp:    200°C
bed_temp:       60°C
speed_print:    50 mm/s