Global Filament Presets
Understanding and using pre-configured filament data
What Are Global Presets?
Global presets are pre-configured filament entries with common brands and typical pricing. They serve as starting points so you don't have to manually enter every detail for commonly-used materials.
Key Point: Global presets are visible to all users but don't automatically appear in your calculator dropdowns. You must import them first to use them.
How Global Presets Work
Visibility vs. Availability
There's an important distinction:
- Visible: You can see all global presets in the "Global Presets" table on the Filaments page
- Available: Only imported filaments appear in your calculator's filament dropdown
The Import Process
1. Browse the "Global Presets" table
2. Find a filament that matches what you use
3. Click the "Import" button
4. The filament copies to your personal library
5. Edit the imported entry if needed (adjust costs, brand variations)
After importing, the filament becomes yours to edit and will appear in all dropdown menus.
What Happens When You Import
Example: Importing Hatchbox PLA
Global Preset Data:
- • Type: PLA
- • Brand: Hatchbox
- • Spool Cost: $22.99
- • Spool Weight: 1000g
- • Source: Global
Your Imported Copy:
- • Type: PLA (same)
- • Brand: Hatchbox (same)
- • Spool Cost: $22.99 (editable)
- • Spool Weight: 1000g (editable)
- • Source: User (now yours)
The imported copy is independent. Changes you make don't affect the global preset.
Customizing After Import
After importing, you should customize the entry to match your actual purchase:
Update Costs
Change the spool cost to what you actually paid. Global presets use approximate market prices.
Adjust Spool Size
If you bought a different spool size (500g, 2kg), update the spool weight field.
Refine Brand Names
Add specific variants like "Hatchbox Pro" or "PolyLite Premium" if needed.
Managing Global Presets (Admins Only)
If you have administrator privileges, you'll see additional controls for global presets:
- Add New Presets: Create new global filaments for all users
- Edit Existing: Update preset data (costs, brands, types)
- Delete Presets: Remove outdated or duplicate entries
Admin Note: Changes to global presets don't affect existing user imports. Only new imports will use the updated data.
When to Use Global Presets
Good Use Cases
- You use a common brand
- Starting your library quickly
- Need approximate costs fast
- Testing the calculator
When to Add Manually
- Using uncommon/local brands
- Special promotional pricing
- Custom blended materials
- Need exact cost tracking
Best Practices
Import Selectively: Don't import every global preset. Only import materials you actually use or plan to use.
Update After Import: Always review and update the imported entry to match your actual costs and spool sizes.
Check for Duplicates: Before adding a filament manually, check if a similar global preset exists that you can import instead.