Flat, sloping and curved surfaces
A rectangular block makes straight edges and vertical walls easy to inspect. A ramp reveals the steps along an inclined surface. A sphere changes angle continuously, bringing the seam and the layers near the crown into view.
Our revised test design includes a 30 × 30 × 30 mm ramp and a nominal 30 mm sphere on a pad. The sphere has a permanent collar beneath it, so the test does not depend on a complete unsupported lower hemisphere. These are additions to the method, not results from the earlier Copymaster print.
Photograph the result, not the best-looking angle
Use the same lighting, distance and camera settings for each product. Include a side view, a view of the top and a close-up of the seam. Keep an untouched view before removing strings or trimming blemishes.
The comparison uses the same nominal grey colour where available, but the shades are not identical. Colour and gloss can make defects easier or harder to see, so a photograph is best read alongside the geometry and print settings.
What we would call a meaningful difference
Uneven bands, missing material, repeated blobs and a rough seam can affect the finished object. Normal layer texture alone is not a fault: whether it matters depends on the size of the part and how it will be used.
For a display piece, you may accept a longer print to get a finer surface. For a concealed bracket, the same extra time may offer little benefit. The layer-height guide explains that trade-off.