Quality levels affect the visibility of layer lines and print time, with higher quality settings reducing layer lines but increasing print duration.
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FDM Printing:
At any quality level, FDM prints will show visible layer lines. Higher quality settings produce finer lines, which are less noticeable and easier to smooth out with post-processing, though this increases print time. -
SLA Printing:
SLA prints have fewer visible layer lines than FDM prints. At higher quality settings, parts appear with virtually no layer lines, giving them a smooth finish. However, like FDM, SLA takes longer to print at higher quality levels.
Choosing a quality level depends on your project’s needs—higher quality for smoother finishes or standard quality for faster turnaround.