I've noticed that some of the 3D cakes I carve end up leaning slightly to one side, sometimes it happens after they settle. Is it something I'm doing to cause this? Any tips to avoid it in the future?? I even use bubble tea straws as support inside the cake!

I don't do carved cakes but here's a hint that might work for you. Ice each tier and insert the straws then let it set over night in the fridge. In the morning - have a good look at the top of the cake - get eye level with it and see if any of the straws need to be re-adjusted. If the cake settles over night then you have a second opportunity to level it before puttin it together.

The first thing that comes to mind is just to make sure you are treating it structurally like a tiered cake: board and dowels for every 4" vertical inches. That, coupled with keeping it chilled while you are working on it should keep it straight up.

Also buy a inexpensive level at the home improvement store and make sure your counter/table are level.

Is it always leaning the same way? Could it be omethng to do with your perspective as left handed or right handed?

It seems to lean towards the back like I'm pushing on it or something and it's usually only the top portion of the cake! the bottom layers seem straight..

Do you put one dowel through the entire thing? Perhaps that would help, in addition to the advice already offered.

Cakemeech,
Any chance you have pics? Seeing what type of designs and where the leaning occurs might help.

This is photo is CakeMeech's cake that shows a bit of the lean. Her laptop is busted so I am posting it for her.

The only thing I can think of is did you add a cake board to on top to support the "roof" piece. The other thing would be next time to use a leveler and see if the square top piece is truly level.