I printed this model on my Anycubic Kobra 2 in white PLA with 0.2mm layer height without supports, 3 walls and 7% adaptive cubic infill. Scaled it to 130% which was the largest I could fit on my bed (220x220), it took 8 hours to print.
I had some issues with curved overhangs (especially around the cheek bones) but otherwise it printed in pretty decent quality, not the best but acceptable I would say. I would probably add organic supports for the cheekbones if I print another.
What is the purpose of the line printed around the skull but not touching the skull?
Mostly purge and to make sure the bed is level. I don’t bother with it personally. I will use a brim on occasion is i’m printing something significantly taller than it is wide
I find skirts useful to make sure I’ve got consistent flow before it starts printing the object.
This way there isn’t oozing or a delay from a previous retraction. A good purge, as you say, to get primed and ready to go.
Mostly it just gives me a chance to change the z-offset before it starts printing the model. 9/10 times I don’t have to change anything though. I purge and prime the nozzle before this.
Gotcha. So you watch the first layer go down and use this to see if it needs to be adjusted.
It prints the skirt first, but yes.
and how mich did that cost you?
Something like $4USD in filament and a few cents in electricity
$3 or less at a guess