Elephant foot compensation
Shrinks the outline of the first layer a little so it doesn't stick out. Without it, the bottom of the part ends up wider than the rest, like an elephant's foot.
How it works
The first layer is squished against a hot plate with the weight of all the other layers on top, so it spreads outward. On decorative parts it doesn't matter; on parts that fit together, that lip keeps them from going in.
With this value, the slicer draws the first layer a little smaller than the model says. As it gets squished, it grows to its real size. The A1 profile comes with 0.075 mm; other printers' profiles, 0.15 mm.
When to change it
- A box with a lid, or parts that fit together right at the bottom: measure and calibrate.
- To calibrate: print a block and measure it at the top (where there's no foot) and at the bottom, in the middle of each side; the difference divided by two is your value. Bambu publishes a test block for this.
- A hole that goes all the way to the bottom and the screw won't go in from below: raise the value a little.
Typical values
| Value | What for |
|---|---|
| 0 | No correction |
| 0.075 | Default on the A1default |
| 0.15 | Default on X1 and P1; PLA on the textured plate |
| 0.25 | Smooth plates or very runny filaments |
Watch out for
- If you overdo it, the first layer ends up narrower than the rest and the part loses support. In the preview you'll also see the brim separated from the part: that's normal, the preview doesn't simulate the squish.
- The value depends on the plate: if you switch plates, measure again.
- First, clean the plate and check the first layer: a first layer squished too much (the nozzle too close to the plate) is the most common cause of elephant foot.
Goes well with
What Bambu Studio saysits help card, quoted
What Bambu Studio says
Shrink the initial layer on build plate to compensate for elephant foot effect
Bambu Studio tooltip for this setting · AGPL-3.0
Read more at the official source
In your profile0.20mm Standard @BBL A1 · 0.075 mm
In Bambu Studio, the profile 0.20mm Standard @BBL A1 sets it to0.075 mm
Helps with
In other slicers
- Orca Slicer
- Elephant foot compensationQuality › Precision
- PrusaSlicer
- Elephant foot compensationAdvanced › Slicing
- Cura
- Initial Layer Horizontal ExpansionWallsIt's entered as a negative number: 0.2 mm in Bambu is −0.2 mm in Cura.
Names taken from each program's code (Orca Slicer 2.4.2, PrusaSlicer 2.9.6, Cura 5.13.0). Credits