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In this example, the distance between the top of the support material and the bottom of the model is 0.2 mm.}}
=== Further details ===
==== Animation ====
Here's an animation which will hopefully demonstrate a little better how the air gap works. As you can see, the first layer of the part is lifted up for the air gap, but then for the second layer it moves back down to where it would have been otherwise. In other words, the air gap does not shift the entire object up, only the first layer. This ensures that the first layer is loosely connected to the support, but subsequent layers are printed normally.
[[File:Air Gap Animation.gif]]
==== Exaggerated for clarity ====
In this example we have set the air gap to 1mm (much larger than it should be) to illustrate how air gap works.
[[File:Air Gap-ss-ex2.png]]
The layer lines that are sitting on support material are printed with an offset of the air gap height (1mm). The parts that are not connected or touching the support material are printed at their normal layer height.
[[File:Air Gap-ss-ex3.png]]
The next layer (the one on top of support) is printed at its normal position, with no consideration of air gap at all. In this case (with the air gap sent to a very high value) actually below the air gapped sections. This is to ensure that support considerations do not actually change the geometry of the printed part. They are designed to only effect (attempt to affect) the adhesion of the material printed on top of support.
We recommend an air gap somewhere between .25 - .35 for a .35 - .5 nozzle.
[[File:Air Gap-ss-ex4.png]]