Grouping Models

Grouping and Organizing Models

Overview

3D Model Muncher provides two powerful ways to organize and group multiple model files together:

1. Related Files - Link multiple files together as a single logical model
2. Collections - Create custom groups of models for easy filtering and organization

Related Files

Related Files allow you to link multiple model files (.3mf, .stl, .gcode, etc.) together as a single logical model. This is perfect for multi-part prints, model variants, or associating G-code files with their source models.

When to Use Related Files

• Multi-part models - Link all parts of a model that prints in multiple pieces
• Model variants - Connect different versions or sizes of the same design
• Associated files - Link G-code files, documentation, or alternate formats to a model
• Single-card view - Present related files as one unified model in the grid/list view

Adding Related Files (Single Model Method)

1. Open a model's details by clicking on it
2. Scroll to the bottom of the drawer to find the Related Files section
3. Click the Add button
4. Enter the filepath in the input field (relative to the models/ directory)
5. Click Verify to confirm the file exists
6. Click Save to complete

Example filepath: subfolder/related-part.stl

Adding Related Files (Bulk Method)

For adding multiple models as related files at once:

1. Click Select from the grid/list view to enter selection mode
2. Select all models you want to link together
3. Click Edit to open the bulk edit drawer
4. Expand the Related Files section
5. Configure options:
   • Set Primary Model - Choose which model serves as the main file
   • Hide Non-Primary Models - Optionally hide related files from the main grid view
6. Click Save to apply changes

Related Files Features

• Unified Preview - View and switch between all related files in the 3D viewer
• Individual Downloads - Each related file has its own download button for easy access
• Metadata Preservation - Each file maintains its own metadata while being logically grouped
• Flexible Organization - Related files can be added or removed at any time

Primary vs. Non-Primary Files

When using related files:

• Primary model - The main model card shown in the grid/list view
• Non-primary models - Can be optionally hidden from the main view (accessible via the primary model's details)
• All metadata, tags, and print settings are preserved for each individual file

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Collections

Collections are custom groups that let you organize models by project, material, category, or any criteria you choose. Unlike related files, collections don't modify individual models—they create virtual groupings that automatically hide models from the main grid to reduce clutter.

When to Use Collections

• Project organization - Group all models for a specific project
• Material grouping - Organize models by filament type (PETG, PLA, TPU)
• Thematic sets - Create seasonal, event, or gift collections
• Custom workflows - Organize by complexity, print queue, or any custom criteria
• Curation - Hide models from the main view while keeping them accessible in collection views

Key Collection Features

• Auto-hiding - Models added to collections are automatically hidden from the main grid
• Multiple collections - Models can belong to multiple collections
• Collection views - Hidden models are always visible when viewing a collection
• Auto-reconciliation - Removing a model from all collections automatically unhides it

Quick Start

1. Enter Select mode and select models
2. Click the Collection button
3. Create a new collection or add to existing
4. Models are added and hidden from main views

For complete documentation on creating, managing, and working with collections, see the Collections Wiki.

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Choosing Between Related Files and Collections

Feature	Related Files	Collections
Purpose	Physically link files as one model	Logically group models for organization
Visibility	Optional: hide non-primary files	Auto-hide all models in collection
Grid Display	Shows as single card (optional)	Models hidden from main grid by default
Use Case	Multi-part prints, variants	Projects, categories, status tracking
File Relationship	Permanent linkage between files	Flexible grouping without modification
Download	Individual downloads per file	Individual downloads
Metadata	Per-file metadata preserved	No metadata changes
Access	Via primary model's details	Via collection view

Example Workflow

Scenario: You have a multi-part desk organizer with 3 STL files and want to organize your prints by project.

Solution:

1. Use Related Files to link the 3 STL parts together so they appear as one model card
2. Add that linked model to a Collection called "Desk Accessories"
3. Also add it to an "Office Organization" collection for broader categorization

The related files feature groups the parts into a single model, while collections organize that model (and others) into project-based groups that stay hidden until you need them.

Note: For tracking print status, use the built-in Print Status filter in the sidebar rather than creating collections.

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FAQ

Can I combine STL files into a single 3MF file?

Not directly in 3D Model Muncher. However, you can:

• Use Related Files to group them for viewing and downloading together
• Use your slicer software (like BambuStudio or PrusaSlicer) to combine STLs into a single 3MF project file

What's the difference between hiding related files and using collections?

• Hiding related files - Manual option in bulk edit to hide non-primary models from the grid
• Collections - Automatically hide models when added to keep main grid uncluttered; models visible in collection views

Can related files be in different folders?

Yes! Related files can reference models in any subfolder within your models/ directory. Use relative paths like subfolder/part2.stl.

Can I use both features together?

Absolutely! Related Files and Collections serve different purposes and work great together. Link multi-part models with Related Files, then organize those models (and others) into Collections.

Why can't I find my model in the main grid?

If a model is part of a collection, it's automatically hidden from the main grid to reduce clutter. Open the collection view to see it, or remove it from all collections to make it visible in the main grid again.