To use the "Set 3D Print Orientation" tool, go to My Models to find your model in the list, then click the three gray dots on the right, then "Open in 3D tools." Next, choose one of the two options under "Fine Detail Plastic" in the "3D Tools for" dropdown menu. You will see a "Set 3D printing orientation" button appear to the right of the menu.
The "Set 3D Printing Orientation" tool will show you a render of your model with lines superimposed on the surface, this shows how the printer will build your model. Chose the direction that your model will face in the printer, keeping in mind that any surface facing up towards the top of the image will have a smoother surface and anything facing downward towards the bottom will have a rougher surface. This is due to how the wax support material used during printing supports your model.
Use the arrows at the bottom left of the window to change the direction of the orientated part. When you’re happy with the orientation of the part you can save. Once you save, each time you print this specific product, we’ll keep the orientation of the part consistent with previous prints.
To check your work you can reload the model in 3D tools for Fine Detail Plastic and look at the support material visualization.
Why choose orientation for a product?
For Fine Detail Plastic, the printer will add a wax support material to temporarily hold up any overhanging geometry and protect it from gravity while the material cures. Once the product is finished printing, we will melt away the support material, but under close observation, you may see traces of where it was. The surfaces of the plastic model that had been attached to the support material will have a different, slightly rougher texture and be more opaque than the surfaces that did not need to be supported. By choosing which side of the model faces upwards during printing, you can directly control which surfaces of the product are smoother.
Left: oriented laying flat, facing up / Right: oriented standing upright