Client device with slicer for three-dimensional printing and methods for use therewith

A client device comprising:

• a communication interface configured to communicate with a three-dimensional (3D) printer;
• at least one user interface device configured to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) that presents display data a display device and that receives input data in response to user interactions;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing operational instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the client device to perform operations that include:
• receiving model data corresponding to an object to be printed via the 3D printer, wherein the object includes a planar surface;
• generating a display of the model data via the GUI;
• receiving, via the GUI, angle data corresponding to a print angle for the object, the print angle establishing an angular deviation of the planar surface from a vertical axis;
• automatically generating fin support data based on the print angle, the fin support data corresponding to at least one fin support configured to support the object during printing via the 3D printer, the at least one fin support including a vertical triangular fin element having a leading edge corresponding to the angular deviation of the planar surface from a vertical axis and a horizontal base element;
• generating updated model data by updating the model data to correspond to the print angle, to include the fin support data and further to include sprue data corresponding to a plurality of sprues that couple the leading edge of the vertical triangular fin element to the planar surface at multiple points, wherein the plurality of sprues facilitate separation of the at least one fin support from the object after printing via the 3D printer;
• generating 3D printer commands based on the model data;
• and
• sending, via the communications interface, the 3D printer commands to the 3D printer to facilitate 3D printing of the object, the at least one fin support and the plurality of sprues.