SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (IronMan) — Fri, 16 May 2014 12:54:17 +0000

This may sound pretty basic, but I just keep a Documents folder with a directory tree of each project (i.e. CAD/Repair Parts/Volvo Cup Holder/). Within the folder is the relevant CAD and .STL file(s). I never keep anything else and just re-slice if I need to.

I have hundreds of folders and rarely have a problem finding anything.

As far as actual printed parts; if they are used for prototypes they are usually printed and sent out. If the project is a longer term development I keep boxes shelved and labeled with a sharpie with the project name and containing the relevant printed items / iterations. For repairs around the house...they just get used!

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Fri, 16 May 2014 11:47:47 +0000

I've always said use your OCD to your advantage when ever you can

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (grob) — Fri, 16 May 2014 04:12:46 +0000

I have enough projects on the go that I've always toyed with setting up a part numbering system. Does anyone else do this, or does it look a bit OCD / extreme??

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (3dcad) — Mon, 12 May 2014 21:04:33 +0000

IanJohnson wrote:

Gcode files are small enough that I never bother to delete them.

cckens wrote:

Sharpie is your friend. I usually write the filename on the part

Good ideas ... thanks

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (cckens) — Mon, 12 May 2014 15:45:08 +0000

Sharpie is your friend. I usually write the filename on the part (if it's big enough) and then file the parts to a project in a baggie (ziploc works, but can get expensive so I generally use non-zip bags with wire tie-wraps). Simply write the project name on the bag.

Re: Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (IanJohnson) — Mon, 12 May 2014 15:45:00 +0000

Gcode files are small enough that I never bother to delete them. If I remember approximately when I printed something I can scroll down to that date and find it. For projects in progress sometimes I'll keep a box, and all the bits related to that project go in the box. That way they don't get scattered if I have to clear the bench to do something else.

Organising (system?) for your 3d files? Any ideas?

null@example.com (3dcad) — Mon, 12 May 2014 14:52:38 +0000

Im printing a whole lot of stuff :-) Anyone can share some ideas about how to keep track of all the printed parts? Here are some problems I run into :

-Sometimes I want to print a part again and cant find it in the 200+ stl skp netfabb files or i just deleted it
-Often I have to wait for a non printed part to arrive by the mail to finish building something and it gets lost

Some things I tried:

-Dymo labelwriter sticker with the thingiverse thing number (stickers fall off and i also design half of the stuff myself)
-Ziplocks works ok

Does anyone use the camera trigger (at the bottom of the configuration.h file) to take a picture of every file they printed?

// M240 Triggers a camera by emulating a Canon RC-1 Remote
// Data from: http://www.doc-diy.net/photo/rc-1_hacked/
// #define PHOTOGRAPH_PIN 23

Thanks