TideTrace Vase - Sculpted Contour Flow

TIDETRACE VASE - SCULPTED CONTOUR FLOW

TideTrace is a sculptural one-piece vase inspired by topographic maps, moving water, and the layered marks left by a changing tide. Fifteen continuous contour bands rise and fall as they travel around the body, creating flowing highlights that change from every viewing angle.

Behind the expressive exterior is a smooth, continuous inner vessel with a modeled 2.0 mm minimum wall and a 3.6 mm bottom. Each contour grows gradually from below and returns inward above, allowing the vase to print upright without support material.

FEATURES

• Original flowing contour-band surface
• One-piece, support-free design
• Dimensions: approximately 108.9 × 105.7 × 190 mm
• Fifteen phase-warped contour bands
• Modeled 2.0 mm minimum wall
• Modeled 3.6 mm bottom
• High-resolution manifold STL ready for slicing

Use normal printing mode with 0% infill and 3–4 perimeters. Do not enable Spiral/Vase mode because the wall and bottom are already modeled into the geometry.

Matte PLA gives TideTrace a calm architectural appearance, while Silk PLA emphasizes the moving highlights along each contour. PETG is a good option when improved moisture resistance is useful.

The geometry has been digitally validated as one closed manifold component with no open edges, degenerate triangles, or critical support overhangs. The supplied model has not yet been physically print-tested.

PRINT INSTRUCTIONS

Recommended setup
• Orientation: upright, exactly as supplied
• Nozzle: 0.4 mm
• Layer height: 0.20 mm; use 0.16 mm for finer contour highlights
• Line width: 0.42–0.46 mm
• Walls/perimeters: 4 recommended; 3 minimum
• Top solid layers: 4–5
• Bottom solid layers: 7–9
• Infill: 0%
• Supports: none
• Brim: optional 5–7 mm if bed adhesion is unreliable
• Outer-wall speed: 35–45 mm/s
• First-layer speed: 15–25 mm/s
• Seam: aligned on the least visible side; avoid random placement
• Wall generator: Arachne/variable-width recommended when available

The STL already contains a modeled 2.0 mm minimum wall and a 3.6 mm bottom. Use normal printing mode and do not enable Spiral/Vase mode.

DEVIL DESIGN PET-G STARTING PROFILE

• Nozzle: start at 235 °C and follow the range printed on the spool
• Bed: start at 75 °C
• Part cooling: 30–50% after the first layers
• Retraction: use the calibrated PET-G value for your printer
• Dry the filament if stringing or surface bubbles appear

The underside of every contour is intentionally gradual. Support material is not required.

SCALING

The model is designed for 100% scale. Scaling to 80% reduces the wall to approximately 1.6 mm and is usually reasonable with a 0.4 mm nozzle. Avoid aggressive downscaling because all modeled thicknesses are reduced together.

WATER USE

A watertight STL does not automatically produce a watertight FDM print. Before using fresh flowers, fill the finished vase over a sink and leave it on an absorbent surface for several hours. Additional perimeters, calibrated extrusion, PET-G, a removable liner, or an interior sealant can improve water resistance.

The lifestyle image with flowers is an AI-assisted visualization. The technical product renders show the exact printable geometry.

LICENSE

Standard Digital File License. Redistribution, resale of the digital files and unauthorized commercial use are not permitted. For commercial licensing, contact the creator through the Printables profile.