Printer & Resin

• Printer: Elegoo Mars 4 DLP
• Resin: Standard / ABS-like (grey recommended for detail)

Layer & Exposure Settings

• Layer Height: 0.05 mm
  (Use 0.03 mm only if you want extreme detail and accept longer print times)
• Bottom Layers: 6
• Bottom Exposure Time: 30–35 s
  (DLP is powerful; don’t overdo this or you’ll get elephant foot)
• Normal Exposure Time: 2.2 – 2.5 s
  Start at 2.3 s. Increase only if details look soft or layers don’t bond.
• Light-off Delay: 0.5 – 1 s
  Helps resin settle, improves consistency.

Lift & Speed

• Bottom Lift Distance: 5 mm
• Lifting Distance: 5 mm
• Bottom Lift Speed: 60 mm/min
• Lift Speed: 80 mm/min
• Retract Speed: 150 mm/min

(Too fast = suction failures. These values are safe.)

Orientation (VERY important)

• Tilt the model 30–45°
• Never print flat on the build plate
• Head slightly higher than the body
• Tail angled so it doesn’t form a suction cup

This reduces:

• Layer lines on the face
• Suction forces
• Failed spikes or claws

Supports

• Type: Medium supports
• Density: 60–70%
• Contact Size: 0.35–0.4 mm
• Tip Length: 0.6 mm

Where to place them:

• Under chin, belly, tail base
• Under spikes and claws
• Avoid placing supports on visible face details

Add a few light supports manually on thin spikes.

Anti-aliasing (if available)

• Anti-aliasing: ON
• AA Level: 2–4
• Blur: LOW

This helps smooth curves without killing detail.

Post-Processing

1. Wash in IPA 30–60 seconds (don’t overwash)
2. Dry completely
3. Cure 2–3 minutes per side
4. Remove supports after wash, before full cure

Common Problems & Fixes

• Soft details → Increase exposure by +0.2 s
• Elephant foot → Reduce bottom exposure or bottom layers
• Broken spikes → More supports + slower lift speed
• Layer separation → Increase normal exposure slightly