To Retract or not to Retract........

[davidhk129]

I couldn't believe in my own eyes. I still can't.

Same stl file. Spiral Stairs print for a Treehouse.
Same Cura version and settings EXCEPT one print has Retraction disabled and one enabled. And here is the difference...……..

Retraction disabled:
Look at those "spider web" ! Maybe perfect prop for a horror movie ?


Retraction enabled:
Bare minimal amount of "strings"

 

[wafflejock]

Oh yah no retraction at all is bad (generally), some materials you want to reduce the retraction to avoid clogs from hot filament sticking to the PTFE or PEEK tube in the hot end, but in general with regular filaments (PLA, ABS, PETG) retraction is generally good. Only downside aside from potential jams is a small amount of extra time moving the filament up and down between points where it isn't extruding.