Adding Filaments
Learn how to add custom filaments and use global filament presets
Overview
The Filaments page allows you to create and manage your personal filament library with accurate cost settings for different materials and brands. You can also access pre-configured global filament presets for common filament types, which you can import and customize.
Understanding how to add and configure filaments correctly ensures accurate material cost calculations in the print cost calculator.
Adding Custom Filaments
Your Custom Filaments
Custom filaments are personal filament profiles that only you can see and use. These allow you to configure exact cost settings based on the specific filaments you purchase and their pricing.
How to Add a Custom Filament
- Navigate to the Filaments page from the dashboard sidebar
- Look for the "Your Custom Filaments" section at the top
- Click the "Add Filament" button (purple button with plus icon)
- Fill in the required filament information in the modal
- Click "Add Filament" to save
Required Information
When adding a custom filament, you need to provide the following information:
Filament Type *
The material type of your filament (PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, etc.).
Brand *
The manufacturer or brand name of the filament.
Spool Cost *
The price you paid for one spool of this filament in your selected currency. This is used to calculate the cost per gram.
Spool Weight *
The weight of filament on the spool in grams. This is the net weight of the filament material, not including the spool itself.
Cost per kg & Cost per g (Auto-calculated)
These fields are automatically calculated based on your spool cost and spool weight inputs. You cannot edit these fields directly.
Cost per gram = Spool Cost ÷ Spool Weight
Cost per kg = Cost per gram × 1000
Tip: All prices are stored in USD internally but displayed in your preferred currency. When you change your currency preference, all filament costs automatically convert to show in the new currency.
Global Filament Presets
What are Global Presets?
Global presets are pre-configured filament profiles for popular brands and materials. These are created by administrators and available to all users. They include typical pricing and weight information based on standard market prices.
Global presets are displayed in the "Global Presets" section below your custom filaments on the Filaments page.
Importing Global Presets
You can import any global preset to your personal filament library, which creates a copy that you can customize with your actual cost and weight information.
How to Import a Global Preset
- Scroll to the "Global Presets" section on the Filaments page
- Find the filament you want to import
- Click the green "Import" button on the right side of the filament row
- The filament is immediately added to your custom filaments with the same settings
- You can now edit it to adjust the cost, weight, or other details
Note: Importing a global preset creates an independent copy in your library. Changes you make to your copy will not affect the global preset, and updates to the global preset will not affect your imported copy.
Editing and Deleting Filaments
Editing Your Custom Filaments
You can edit any filament in your custom library to update its specifications or cost settings.
How to Edit a Filament
- Find the filament in your "Your Custom Filaments" table
- Click the blue edit icon (pencil) in the Actions column
- The Edit Filament modal opens with current values pre-filled
- Update any fields you want to change
- Click "Save Changes" to apply your updates
Deleting Filaments
You can permanently delete any filament from your custom library.
How to Delete a Filament
- Find the filament in your "Your Custom Filaments" table
- Click the red delete icon (trash can) in the Actions column
- A confirmation modal appears to prevent accidental deletion
- Click "Delete" to confirm and permanently remove the filament
Warning: Deleting a filament is permanent and cannot be undone. If you delete a filament that is being used in saved calculator presets, those presets may not function correctly.
Admin Features (Global Filaments)
Managing Global Presets
If you have administrator privileges, you can add, edit, and delete global filament presets that are available to all users.
Adding Global Filaments
Admins see an additional "Add Global Filament" button in the Global Presets section (green button). This opens the same modal as adding a custom filament, but the filament is saved as a global preset.
Editing Global Filaments
Admins can click the edit icon on global filaments to update their specifications. Non-admin users cannot edit global presets and will see a permission denied message if they try.
Deleting Global Filaments
Admins can delete global filaments using the delete icon. This removes the preset for all users. Non-admin users cannot delete global presets.
Best Practices
Tips for Managing Your Filament Library
Be Specific with Types: Use standard filament type abbreviations (PLA, ABS, PETG) rather than full names. This makes searching and filtering more effective.
Include Variants in Brand Name: If you use special variants (PLA+, Silk PLA, Matte PLA), include that in the brand field (e.g., "eSun PLA+" or "Hatchbox Silk PLA") to distinguish them.
Use Actual Purchase Prices: Always enter the actual price you paid, including any discounts or bulk purchase savings, for accurate cost calculations.
Verify Spool Weight: Check the product listing or spool label for the exact filament weight. Common weights are 1000g, 750g, and 500g, but some specialty filaments come in different amounts.
Start with Global Presets: Before creating a custom filament, check if a global preset exists for your brand and type. Import it and adjust the cost to save time.
Update When Prices Change: If you buy the same filament again at a different price, update your filament entry to reflect the new cost for accurate future calculations.
Related Articles
Filament Types & Properties
Understanding different filament materials and their uses
Understanding Filament Costs
How filament costs are calculated and used
Managing Your Filament Library
Search, filter, and organize your filaments
Using Filaments in the Calculator
How to select and use filaments for cost calculations