I make a lot of custom 1:18 scale heads for action figures and when I first started the quality was excellent. The last few months there has been a drop off and I've noticed distinctly that the detail and texture is extremely rough in the lower sections. I assume this has to do with the alignment. Basically my question is, what would be the preferred alignment of the below item to get the best detail and smoother finish for the face. I can live with other portions being rough.
Is this being printed in FUD? Try to make the back of the head the 'bottom'. You can't specify print orientation so some of the time you're going to get rough faces.
Areas with overhang are usually what end up being the most coarse / flawed due to the need for supports. So "face up" or roughly in that direction according to the features would be great. Unfortunately, as GWMT mentioned, you can't specify print orientation. This has been a commonly requested feature, so maybe in the future. Here's the feedback thread for it, go there to vote: https://feedback.shapeways.com/forums/111989-shapeways-feedba ck/suggestions/2543810-specify-print-orientation