For printing with new materials custom layer heights are sometimes needed to change how far the hot end nozzle sits above the bed for the first layer of the print. The stock material settings in Matter Control and Simplify 3D already have these offsets set but if you are printing with new materials you can change the first layer height with either of the two methods outlined below.


Matter Control Offsets:


1.  Open Matter control and click on the "Settings and Controls"



2. Make sure you are in the "Settings" tab then select "Printer" and then "Print Area".



3. Now look for the tab that says Z Offset. If you want to print closer to the bed enter in a negative number (ex. -0.1, -0.2) and if you want to print further from the print bed enter in a positive number (ex. 0.1, 0.2).



4. Save the change and whenever you slice an object to print it will automatically compensate and print closer or further from the print bed. You may have to experiment a little bit to find the exact distance needed to work for your particular situation.


Change the Custom G-code


If you are using a software other than Matter Control you can change this to. Somewhere in the settings there should be a Z-Offset function which you can use just like the steps above show. If you can't find it you can change the custom G-code that you copy and pasted into the settings when you set up your Altair. I will show how to do this in Matter Control but the steps should be similar for you as well.


1. Open Matter Control and click on the "Settings and Controls".



2. Make sure are in the "Settings" tab then select "Printer" and then "Custom G-code".



3. Now look for the line in the code that says G30 Z(Some Number). If you want to print closer to the bed enter in a negative number (ex. -0.1, -0.2) and if you want to print further from the print bed enter in a positive number (ex. 0.1, 0.2).



4. Save the change and whenever you slice an object to print it will automatically compensate and print closer or further from the print bed. You may have to experiment a little bit to find the exact distance needed to work for your particular situation.