When 3D printing goes wrong, it’s often because of things you can’t see at first glance, like nozzle drag, blobs, or layer shifts caused by improper nozzle movements. This is where Z hop in Orca Slicer becomes a game changer.
It’s a setting that lifts the nozzle during travel moves to prevent it from scraping across previously printed layers. In this guide, we’ll dig deep into Orca Slicer’s Z hop types, how to fine-tune Z offset, when to disable Z hop, and how it stacks up against slicers like Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer.
What is Z Hop in Orca Slicer?
Z-hop refers to the upward movement of the nozzle on the Z-axis during non-print moves. Instead of gliding over printed sections at the same height, the nozzle lifts slightly before repositioning itself. This prevents defects such as
- Scratches on already printed surfaces
- Dislodging delicate parts
- Blobs formed from filament dragging
In Orca Slicer, Z-hop is configurable under travel settings and is often paired with retraction to prevent stringing and oozing.
Z Hop Types in Orca Slicer:
Orca Slicer offers more than a one size fits all approach by allowing different Z hop behaviors tailored to your print needs.
1. Z Hop When Retracted: This type activates only when a retraction is triggered. It’s the most common and balances safety and speed.
2. Only When Crossing Perimeters: Here, Z hop activates only when the nozzle crosses previously printed boundaries. It’s excellent for avoiding perimeter defects without increasing print time too much.
3. Z Hop on All Travels: The most aggressive mode ever non-print move lifts the nozzle. Best used on delicate or highly detailed models.
These modes allow fine control over how Z hop interacts with geometry, giving you the ability to avoid surface defects without excessive movement.
Adjusting Z Hop Height and Offset:
Fine-tuning Z hop means working with two settings:
Z Hop Height
This controls how far the nozzle lifts. Typical values range from 0.2mm to 0.8mm.
- 0.4 mm for standard 0.2 mm layers
- 0.6 mm for PETG or tall, fragile prints
- 0.2 mm for quick, low-profile prints
Z Offset
This affects the nozzle’s base vertical position and becomes critical when dialing in your first layer. If your Z offset is too low, the nozzle scrapes. Too high, and adhesion fails.
Pairing Z hop height with Z offset gives precise vertical control over nozzle movements, especially during retractions or travel moves.
Role of Z Hop in Multi-Part or High-Density Prints:
In multi part or high-density prints where several components are printed simultaneously on the same build plate, Z hop becomes an essential safeguard. The more objects your printer has to navigate between, the higher the chances that the nozzle might accidentally clip or scrape against a previously printed section.
Without Z hop, even slight warping or minor inconsistencies in print height can lead to collisions, dislodging small parts, or damaging surface finishes.
By lifting the nozzle slightly between moves, Z hop ensures smooth transitions across the build plate, reducing the risk of physical interference. This is particularly important for batch printing, where consistency and repeatability are key. A well-configured Z hop setting ensures that each part maintains dimensional accuracy and surface integrity throughout the print.
Additionally, pairing Z hop with optimized travel paths and retraction settings minimizes the formation of strings between parts, leading to cleaner finishes and less post-processing. In multi object scenarios, Z hop isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical feature for preventing failures and maintaining print quality across the entire build area.
How to Configure Z Hop in Orca Slicer?
Setting up Z hop in Orca Slicer is straightforward, but knowing what to enable and how much to tweak matters.
To enable Z hop:
- Go to Print Settings > Travel
- Check Z Hop When Retracted
- Set your desired Z hop height (start with 0.4 mm)
To adjust Z offset:
- Use the set_gcode_offset z 0.03 move 0 command during a test print
- Adjust in small steps (±0.01–0.05 mm) until your first layer adheres smoothly
Make sure your firmware supports real-time Z offset changes, especially if you’re adjusting while printing.
Orca vs Bambu Studio vs PrusaSlicer: Z Hop Comparison
Different slicers treat Z hop differently, and it matters depending on your printer and printing goals.
| Feature | Orca Slicer | Bambu Studio | PrusaSlicer |
| Z Hop Types | Multiple (retraction, perimeter-only, all travels) | Smart Z-hop (adaptive and manual) | Basic “Lift Z” during retraction only |
| Customization Level | High – manual control over triggers and height | Medium – auto and manual available | Low – simple enable/disable option |
| Perimeter-Specific Option | Yes | Yes (via smart pathfinding) | No |
| Ease of Use | Moderate – more settings to configure | High – good defaults, minimal tweaking | Very high – simple and intuitive |
| Best Use Case | Detailed, multi-part, or fragile prints | Fast prints with minimal user input | General printing with fewer variables |
| Performance Optimization | Manual tuning required for optimal results | Adaptive, optimized for Bambu Lab printers | Limited optimization features |
| Z Offset Integration | Built-in fine-tuning tools available | Basic Z offset, external tuning tools | Basic Z offset adjustment |
If you want automation, Bambu Studio excels. For full control, Orca Slicer is unmatched.
When and Why to Disable Z Hop?
Although Z hop is useful, sometimes it does more harm than good.
When to disable:
- During first-layer calibration
- Printing with stiff, low-stringing filaments like PLA
- Simple geometries with no risk of nozzle collision
Why?
Z hop can mislead you during Z offset calibration, especially if the nozzle lifts between travel moves. Also, overuse can add unnecessary print time and increase Z-axis wear.
Disable it by unchecking Z Hop When Retracted under travel settings or setting Z hop height to 0.
Optimizing Z Hop for Better Prints:
Smart Z hop configuration boosts quality without compromising efficiency. Here’s how to tune it further.
Combine Z Hop with Retraction:
- Retraction Speed: 30–45 mm/s
- Retraction Distance: 4–6 mm (for Bowden setups)
- Enable Z hop only when retracted or crossing perimeter.
This setup minimizes oozing and avoids dragging hot filament across your print surface.
Adjust Based on Filament Type:
- PLA: 0.3–0.4 mm Z hop
- PETG: 0.5–0.8 mm Z hop with longer retraction
- TPU: 0.1–0.2 mm to avoid drag, but don’t overdo
Use a test print to dial in the right values. For example, print a multi-part grid to see if the nozzle collides or leaves blobs.
Troubleshooting Common Z Hop Issues:
When something’s not right, Z-hop could be the culprit. Here are a few problems and solutions.
1. Layer Misalignment:
Cause: Z hop height is too high
Fix: Reduce Z hop height in 0.1 mm steps. Check for mechanical looseness in Z-axis components.
2. Longer Print Times:
Cause: Z hop used on all travels unnecessarily
Fix: Use conditional types like “Z hop when retracted” or “only when crossing perimeters”
3. Z Offset Not Working:
Cause: G-code or firmware override
Fix: Ensure no conflicting Z offset commands in start G-code. Test changes one at a time.
Impact of Z Hop on Print Bed Adhesion:
Z-hop primarily influences nozzle movement during travel, but it can also indirectly affect how well your first layer adheres to the bed. When Z hop is not configured properly, especially in combination with an incorrect Z offset, you may notice that the nozzle lifts slightly even during crucial first-layer transitions. This can result in uneven adhesion, gaps in the first layer, or filament that doesn’t stick properly.
For this reason, it’s generally recommended to disable Z hop while calibrating the first layer or running adhesion test prints. Once bed leveling and Z offset are dialed in, Z hop can be re-enabled for travel moves beyond the first layer. Suppose you’re printing with materials like PETG or ABS, which are more sensitive to first-layer conditions.
In that case, extra care should be taken to ensure that Z-hop doesn’t unintentionally reduce nozzle pressure during early layers. Regularly inspecting the initial layer’s consistency helps catch any interference caused by premature nozzle lifts. In essence, Z hop should enhance your print quality, not compromise your foundation, so being mindful of its interaction with bed adhesion is crucial for reliable results.
Conclusion:
Orca Slicer’s Z hop settings offer a robust toolkit for managing one of the subtlest but most impactful parts of 3D printing: nozzle travel. By understanding the different Z hop types, dialing in your Z offset, and optimizing based on filament and model complexity, you can significantly reduce print defects like scratches, blobs, and stringing. Whether you’re working on detailed miniatures or structural prototypes, mastering Z hop is one step toward smoother, cleaner, and more reliable prints.
FAQs:
A good starting point is 0.4 mm for a 0.2 mm layer height. Adjust up or down depending on your material and model.
Yes, especially when applied to all travels. Use it selectively to balance quality with efficiency.
Yes, but keep the hop height low (0.1–0.2 mm) to avoid dragging while maintaining print stability.
You might have conflicting commands in your firmware or G-code. Disable Z hop during testing and ensure consistent Z offset settings.
Look for fewer surface defects, cleaner travel paths, and reduced stringing. Use print previews and test models to fine-tune