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The Open Filament Database: contributing and using preset data

Written By Albert Møller Nielsen

Last updated 6 months ago

The Open Filament Database: contributing and using preset data

When you add filament in SimplyPrint, you'll notice brand presets with pre-filled temperatures, densities, colors, and spool weights. This data comes from the Open Filament Database - an open source, community-maintained collection of filament information.

What is the Open Filament Database?

The Open Filament Database is a collaborative project hosted by the Open Filament Collective. It contains detailed information about filament brands, their material lines, colors, and technical specifications.

When you select a known brand and product in SimplyPrint's Filament Manager, all this data is automatically filled in:

  • Brand name and logo
  • Material type (PLA, PETG, ABS, etc.)
  • Color name and hex code
  • Nozzle and bed temperatures
  • Material density (for accurate weight calculations)
  • Spool weight (empty spool weight for weighing)

This saves you from manually entering specifications and ensures accurate filament tracking.

Using the database in SimplyPrint

The database is built into SimplyPrint - you don't need to do anything special to use it.

When adding a new spool:

  1. Start typing a brand name in the Brand field
  2. Select from the autocomplete suggestions
  3. Choose the Material line (e.g., "PolyLite", "Galaxy", "Matte")
  4. Select the Color
  5. All technical specifications are filled in automatically

If a brand or material isn't in the database, you can still add it manually - your custom entries are saved for future use.

Contributing to the database

Missing your favorite brand? Found incorrect data? The database is open source and welcomes contributions from the community - whether you're a hobbyist, run a print farm, or represent a filament brand.

You can contribute:

  • New brands - Add manufacturers not yet in the database
  • New materials - Add product lines for existing brands
  • New colors - Expand color options for existing materials
  • Corrections - Fix incorrect temperatures, densities, or other data
  • Logos - Add or improve brand logos

To contribute, visit the GitHub repository:

github.com/OpenFilamentCollective/open-filament-database

The repository README contains full instructions for adding and editing entries. After your contribution is reviewed and merged, it automatically appears in SimplyPrint.

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