This is what the file looks like on the computer (above left) and the printed item looks nothing like it!
Its OK though – what happens is that if you have bits on the object to be printed that overhang, you tell the printer to add supports to hold it in place, which you then remove when its printed. You can see that the elephants trunk has supports, as does the body of the clock to support the overhang of the plinth the elephant is standing on.
You can also add a ‘raft’ which increases the footprint of the printed item making it less likely to detach while printing and cause endless stress and heartache to the person printing it! Prints detaching are still the bane of my (printing) life – its always when you need it least to happen!
I will add follow up pictures in my next post as this is a live piece that I am making for a commission.