File Manager¶

Browse, download, and manage files in your local Bambuddy library.

Overview¶

The File Manager lets you:

• Browse files in your local library
• Upload files including ZIP archives
• Download files to your computer
• Rename files and folders
• Delete unwanted files
• View file details and metadata
• Print directly to any printer with full configuration
• Add to Queue sliced files for later printing
• Link folders to projects or archives

Accessing File Manager¶

1. Click File Manager in the sidebar
2. Or navigate to /file-manager in the URL

File Browser¶

Library Structure¶

Your library contains uploaded and archived files:

• Folders for organizing files
• 3MF and sliced gcode files
• Linked folders connected to projects/archives

File Information¶

Each file shows:

• Filename
• Size
• Modified date
• File type icon
• Print count (if printed before)
• Uploaded by (when authentication is enabled)

Navigation¶

Browsing¶

• Click folders to enter
• Click ← to go back
• Click root to return home

Sorting¶

Sort files by:

• Name (A-Z, Z-A)
• Size (largest/smallest)
• Date (newest/oldest)

Filtering¶

Filter by file type:

• All files
• 3MF only
• Videos only

Downloading Files¶

Single File¶

1. Find the file
2. Click Download
3. File saves to your computer

Multiple Files¶

1. Select files (checkbox)
2. Click Download Selected
3. Files download (may be zipped)

ZIP File Uploads¶

Upload ZIP archives to automatically extract their contents into your library.

Uploading a ZIP File¶

1. Click the Upload button in the toolbar
2. Select a .zip file from your computer
3. The upload modal will detect it's a ZIP file
4. Choose whether to preserve folder structure from the ZIP
5. Click Extract to upload and extract

Extraction Options¶

What Gets Extracted¶

• 3MF files with thumbnail and metadata extraction
• Gcode files with print time and filament detection
• Other supported file types

Progress Indicator¶

During extraction:

• Progress shows number of files extracted
• Thumbnails and metadata are generated for each file
• Errors are reported if any files fail to extract

STL Thumbnail Generation¶

Generate preview thumbnails for STL files to make them easier to identify in your library.

Automatic Generation on Upload¶

When uploading STL files:

1. Click the Upload button
2. Select your STL file(s)
3. Check Generate thumbnails for STL files option
4. Click Upload

Thumbnails are generated automatically during the upload process.

Generate for Existing STL Files¶

For STL files already in your library:

1. Click Generate Thumbnails button in the toolbar
2. Select which files to process:
   • All missing - Only STL files without thumbnails
   • Selected files - Only checked files
   • Entire folder - All STL files in current folder
3. Click Generate
4. Thumbnails appear as they're created

Single File Generation¶

Generate a thumbnail for one file:

1. Find the STL file
2. Click the three-dot menu ()
3. Select Generate Thumbnail
4. The thumbnail updates automatically when done

ZIP Extraction with Thumbnails¶

When extracting ZIP files containing STL files:

1. Upload a ZIP file
2. Check Generate thumbnails for STL files
3. Thumbnails are created for all STL files in the archive

Technical Details¶

Print Directly¶

Print files directly from File Manager with full configuration options.

Starting a Print¶

1. Find a sliced file (.gcode or .gcode.3mf)
2. Click the printer icon or right-click for context menu
3. Select Print
4. The print modal opens with:
5. Printer selection - Choose one or more printers
6. Plate selection - For multi-plate 3MF files, select which plate to print
7. Filament mapping - Map required filaments to loaded AMS slots
8. Print options - Bed levelling, flow calibration, timelapse, etc.
9. Click Print to start immediately

Multi-Printer Printing¶

Select multiple printers to send the same file to all of them at once—ideal for print farms.

Add to Queue¶

Queue sliced files for later printing without creating archives upfront.

How It Works¶

When you add a file to the queue:

1. The queue item references the library file directly
2. No archive is created until the print actually starts
3. This keeps your Archives clean—only files that were actually printed appear there

Single File¶

1. Find a sliced file (.gcode or .gcode.3mf)
2. Click the printer icon or right-click for context menu
3. Select Add to Queue
4. Configure:
5. Printer - Select target printer(s)
6. Plate - For multi-plate files
7. Filament mapping - AMS slot configuration
8. Schedule - ASAP, scheduled time, or manual start
9. Print options - All print settings
10. Click Add to Queue

Multiple Files¶

1. Select multiple sliced files (checkbox)
2. Click Add to Queue in the toolbar
3. Choose a printer
4. All files are queued

Deleting Files¶

Single File¶

1. Find the file
2. Click the delete icon
3. Confirm deletion

Multiple Files¶

1. Select files (checkbox)
2. Click Delete Selected
3. Confirm deletion

Renaming Files & Folders¶

Rename files and folders directly in the File Manager.

Renaming a File¶

Grid View:

1. Hover over the file card
2. Click the three-dot menu ()
3. Select Rename
4. Enter the new name
5. Click Rename to save

List View:

1. Find the file in the list
2. Click the pencil icon () in the actions column
3. Enter the new name
4. Click Rename to save

Renaming a Folder¶

1. Hover over the folder in the sidebar
2. Click the three-dot menu ()
3. Select Rename
4. Enter the new name
5. Click Rename to save

Linking Folders¶

Link folders to projects or archives for organization:

Creating Links¶

1. Hover over an unlinked folder
2. Click the link icon that appears
3. Choose to link to a Project or Archive
4. Select the target from the dropdown
5. Folder shows a colored badge when linked

Managing Links¶

• Click the badge on a linked folder to change/remove the link
• Or use the context menu (right-click)

Link Benefits¶

• Quick navigation to related projects
• Visual organization with color-coded badges
• Group related files together

Refreshing¶

Manual Refresh¶

Click Refresh to reload the file list.

Auto-Refresh¶

File list updates when:

• You navigate directories
• After delete operations
• After adding files to queue

Safety¶

Before Deleting¶

• Ensure files aren't needed for queued prints
• Download backups of important files first
• Deleted files cannot be recovered

API Access¶

Access library files programmatically:

# List files
GET /api/v1/library/files

# Get file details
GET /api/v1/library/files/{id}

# Upload file
POST /api/v1/library/files/upload

# Extract ZIP file
POST /api/v1/library/files/extract-zip

# Add to queue
POST /api/v1/library/files/add-to-queue

# Delete file
DELETE /api/v1/library/files/{id}

See API Reference for details.

Mobile & PWA Support¶

The File Manager is optimized for touch devices and the PWA (Progressive Web App).

Touch-Friendly Interface¶

• Action buttons are always visible on mobile (no hover required)
• Selection checkboxes appear on all file cards for easy multi-select
• Context menus accessible via the three-dot button on each card
• Responsive grid adjusts columns based on screen size

PWA Tips¶

• Add Bambuddy to your home screen for a native app experience
• File Manager works offline for browsing cached files
• Swipe gestures work naturally on touch devices

Tips¶