---
title: Tutorial 6 Layers
description: Creating 3D objects by stacking 2D movements.
---

Tutorial 6 Layers

1. Lesson Header

Lesson Number: 6
Level: Intermediate
Title: Layers
Estimated Duration: 25 Minutes
Prerequisites: Lesson 3 (The G1 Command)
What You Will Build: A 5mm tall hollow cube.

2. Concept Introduction

3D Printing is just 2D Printing, Repeated.

A 3D printer is a dumb robot that draws a picture on a flat surface. Then, the bed lowers (or the nozzle raises) by a tiny amount—usually 0.2mm—and it draws the exact same picture again.

If you stack 100 sheets of paper, you get a book. If you stack 100 layers of plastic, you get a solid object.

The magic number is Layer Height.
- Standard: 0.2mm
- Fine: 0.1mm
- Draft: 0.3mm (for 0.4mm nozzle)

3. Machine State Explanation

Z-Axis Precision
The Z-axis is the most precise axis on your machine. It moves very slowly but with immense torque.
- Z-Hop: Lifting the nozzle to move without scratching the print.
- Layer Change: The specific moment Z increases.

4. Command Breakdown

The Z Move (`G1 Z...`)

Just like X and Y, Z is a coordinate. - Syntax: G1 Z0.4 - Meaning: Move the nozzle to height 0.4mm above the bed.

Comments as Structure (`; Layer 1`)

Since G-code files can be millions of lines long, slicers use comments to mark where a new layer begins. - Syntax: ;LAYER:1 - Use: Helps humans (and some plugins) navigate the file.

5. Minimal Working Example

Let's print a square that is 2 layers tall.

; Layer 1 (Z=0.2)
G1 Z0.2
G1 X10 Y10 E1
G1 X20 Y10 E1
G1 X20 Y20 E1
G1 X10 Y20 E1
G1 X10 Y10 E1 ; Close Loop

; Layer 2 (Z=0.4)
G1 Z0.4
G1 X10 Y10 E1
G1 X20 Y10 E1
G1 X20 Y20 E1
G1 X10 Y20 E1
G1 X10 Y10 E1 ; Close Loop

Notice the code block for the square is identical. Only the Z height changed.

6. Visual Representation

Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.

7. Build Exercise

Task: Create a 10mm x 10mm square tower, 3 layers high.
- Layer Height: 0.3mm.
- Start Position: X50 Y50.

...

Solution:

G21
G90
M83
G28

; Layer 1
G1 Z0.3
G1 X50 Y50     ; Move to Start
G1 X60 Y50 E1  ; Right
G1 X60 Y60 E1  ; Back
G1 X50 Y60 E1  ; Left
G1 X50 Y50 E1  ; Close

; Layer 2
G1 Z0.6        ; Move Up 0.3mm
G1 X60 Y50 E1
G1 X60 Y60 E1
G1 X50 Y60 E1
G1 X50 Y50 E1

; Layer 3
G1 Z0.9        ; Move Up 0.3mm
G1 X60 Y50 E1
G1 X60 Y60 E1
G1 X50 Y60 E1
G1 X50 Y50 E1

8. Deep Insight Section

Automation (Why we use Slicers)

Writing 3 layers by hand is annoying. Writing 1000 layers (a 20cm tall object) is impossible.
This is where Variables and Loops come in.
Standard G-code doesn't support loops (it's just a list of commands).
However, Macro G-code (used in Klipper/Duet/Marlin 2.0) or generating scripts (Python/JS) allows us to say:
FOR i in range(0, 100): PrintSquare(Z=i*0.2)

We will cover parametric G-code in Lesson 20. For now, copy-paste is your friend.

9. Common Failure Modes

Z-Fighting / Squish: If you forget to raise Z (e.g., Layer 2 is at Z=0.2 just like Layer 1), the nozzle will plow through the plastic it just laid down. It looks messy and ruins the surface.
Too High: If you raise Z too much (e.g., Z=1.0 for Layer 2), you are printing in mid-air. The plastic will turn into spaghetti.

10. Real-World Application

Vase Mode (Spiralize Outer Contour)

"Vase Mode" is a special slicer setting that turns a 3D object into a single continuous line.
Instead of:
1. Draw Layer.
2. Stop.
3. Move Z up.
4. Draw Layer.

It does:
1. Draw while slowly moving Z up continuously.
G1 X10 Y10 Z0.2 -> G1 X20 Y10 Z0.25 -> ...
It's a true 3D spiral!

11. Final Clean Version

Save this as lesson6.gcode.

; Lesson 6 - The 3-Layer Tower
; Setup
G21
G90
M83
G28

; Heat Nozzle (Manual or M104 S200)

; --- Layer 1 ---
G1 Z0.3 F3000   ; Move to height
G1 X100 Y100    ; Move to Start
G1 F1500        ; Print Speed
G1 X120 Y100 E2 ; Leg 1
G1 X120 Y120 E2 ; Leg 2
G1 X100 Y120 E2 ; Leg 3
G1 X100 Y100 E2 ; Leg 4

; --- Layer 2 ---
G1 Z0.6         ; Move Up
G1 X120 Y100 E2 ; Leg 1
G1 X120 Y120 E2 ; Leg 2
G1 X100 Y120 E2 ; Leg 3
G1 X100 Y100 E2 ; Leg 4

; --- Layer 3 ---
G1 Z0.9         ; Move Up
G1 X120 Y100 E2 ; Leg 1
G1 X120 Y120 E2 ; Leg 2
G1 X100 Y120 E2 ; Leg 3
G1 X100 Y100 E2 ; Leg 4

; Finish
G0 Z10
G0 X0 Y200

12. Stretch Challenge

Challenge: Create a "Pyramid" effect.
- Layer 1: 30x30 square.
- Layer 2: 20x20 square (centered on the first).
- Layer 3: 10x10 square (centered).

Hint: Calculate the center point first (e.g., X100 Y100).

Answer Key:

; Center is 100,100
; L1 (30 wide): 85 to 115
; L2 (20 wide): 90 to 110
; L3 (10 wide): 95 to 105