How to generate supports for a miniature for resin printer owners

Learn how to prepare a miniature model, add supports, review the result and compare tools for resin printer support work.

By TexHouse · 2026-10-12

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

To generate supports for a miniature, prepare the model, choose an angle, add supports, review unsupported areas and check layers before printing.

Option	What it does	Cost information
LunarWerx 3D Print	LunarWerx 3D Print is a set of browser tools that work out ironing settings for your printer, check a part for injection moulding and design 3D-printable foam inserts. ^[1]	The tools are free to use. ^[1]
Support preparation tool	Check whether the tool can add supports, show the model and help review the prepared print.	Cost information is not published.
Model preparation tool	Check whether the tool provides the file checks and model review features needed for the miniature.	Cost information is not published.

What you need before you start

Before generating supports for a miniature, have the model file ready in a format that the chosen support tool can open. Check the model shape before adding supports and fix file issues that could affect preparation.

Have information about the printer build area ready so the miniature stays within the available space. Decide the model orientation before placing supports because support locations depend on which parts face the build plate. Keep the miniature shape, resin and print settings in mind when choosing support placement.

Have a tool ready that can place supports and show the model before printing. A preview can help check whether small parts and details have enough support before the print begins. LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. ^[1] The tools are free to use. ^[1]

Step by step

Open the miniature model in a support preparation tool. Import the model file and check that the shape appears correctly before making changes.

Choose the model angle. Tilt the miniature so large flat areas are not facing the build plate directly. Look at fine details such as weapons, thin parts and raised features that may need support underneath.

Find unsupported areas. Check for parts that begin printing without a connection below them. These areas need support so layers have a surface to attach to.

Add supports if the tool provides support generation. Review the result instead of assuming every needed support has been placed.

Add manual supports where needed. Place supports under small details, overhangs and isolated parts that still need a connection.

Review the support contact points. Make sure supports touch suitable areas of the model and avoid placing them on important visible details when possible.

Check the model again after adding supports. Use the layer view to look for unsupported sections and confirm that the prepared miniature matches the intended shape.

Save the prepared file and continue with the printing workflow. Follow the printer and resin guidance for final print settings.

Tools that can do it

LunarWerx 3D Print is made by the team that publishes this site. ^[1]

LunarWerx 3D Print is a set of browser tools that work out ironing settings for your printer, check a part for injection moulding and design 3D-printable foam inserts. ^[1]

For miniature support work, check what each tool does before choosing one. A tool that helps with support preparation should match the steps needed for the model and printer workflow.

LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. ^[1] It is used on its website, which is hosted on Cloudflare. ^[1]

LunarWerx 3D Print can open an STL file with faces turned backwards, turn them right side out and say how many it fixed. ^[1]

LunarWerx 3D Print can create a 9-pad or 16-pad test plate around settings, and each pad can be marked as worked or not. ^[1]

LunarWerx 3D Print can help with selected flat top surfaces by adding a modifier part over each picked surface during export. ^[1]

When comparing tools, check whether the tool provides the support features, file handling and review steps needed for the miniature.

Common mistakes to avoid

Placing a miniature flat against the build plate can create support problems because large areas may need more careful handling. Check the orientation before adding supports.

Relying only on automatic supports can leave unsupported details. Review the model after support generation and add manual supports where needed.

Placing supports on visible details can leave marks after removal. Choose support locations carefully and consider which surfaces will be seen on the finished miniature.

Skipping the layer preview can hide problems before printing. Review the layers and look for parts that appear without enough support.

Changing the model shape after supports are added can require support work again. Make major model adjustments before the final support pass.

Frequently asked questions

How do resin printer owners generate supports for a miniature?

Start with a prepared model file and open it in a tool that can help place supports. Choose the miniature angle, find areas without enough support, add supports, review the contact points and inspect the layers before printing. The final support layout should match the miniature shape and the printer workflow.

Why do miniatures need supports for resin printing?

Miniatures often include small details, overhangs and parts that begin away from the main body. Supports give these areas a connection during printing. Reviewing the model angle and support locations before printing helps identify areas that may need more attention before the resin is used.

Can automatic support generation prepare a miniature for printing?

Automatic support generation can provide a starting point for a miniature, but the result still needs review. Check unsupported areas, visible surfaces and small details before printing. Manual changes can help when the automatic placement does not match the model shape or the intended result.

What should be checked before printing a supported miniature?

Review the miniature orientation, support placement and layer view before sending the file to the printer. Look for unsupported parts, supports touching important details and model changes that could affect the final print. A final review can help catch preparation issues before resin is used.

Can LunarWerx 3D Print fix backward-facing STL faces?

LunarWerx 3D Print turns STL faces that are turned backwards right side out and says how many it fixed. ^[1] The tool runs in a web browser and is used on its website. ^[1] ^[1]

The tools are free to use. ^[1]

Try LunarWerx 3D Print

Sources

LunarWerx 3D Print's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)