Getting StartedFile ManagementCollectionsSearchingImporting MetadataUpdatesSupport

Getting Started

What is Modelist?

Modelist is a desktop application that helps you organize and manage your 3D printing files. Think of it as a smart gallery for your STL and 3MF files - it shows previews, extracts information, and makes everything searchable.

How it works
  • You tell Modelist which folders contain your 3D printing files
  • It scans these folders and generates previews from your STL files
  • You can view and rotate 3D models (STL) directly in the app
  • Modelist extracts metadata from files (like number of plates, images, description, etc.)
  • For files from popular sites (like Printables or Makerworld), it can import descriptions and images
  • Everything is indexed locally on your computer for fast searching
  • You can open any file directly in your default slicer
Modelist runs entirely on your computer - your files and data stay private and local.
Installation

Download the appropriate version for your operating system:

  • Windows (x64, ARM)
  • macOS (Intel, Apple Silicon)
  • Linux (x64, ARM)
Detecting your system...
The free version is limited to 50 files but includes all features.

File Management

Adding Files

Modelist doesn't store or copy your files - it only keeps track of their locations. You can have Modelist monitor multiple folders:

  1. Click "Add Folder" in the sidebar
  2. Select a folder containing your STL/3MF files
  3. Set the name of folder and wait a bit
  4. Modelist will start processing the files and extracting metadata and images in background
Modelist only scans the folder you added, it does not modify your original files.
Pro tip: While you can add your entire drive as a watched folder, having many levels of subfolders might slow down the initial scan. However, this only affects startup time - once indexed, the app will run smoothly regardless of folder structure.
What happens when I delete a file?

When a file is deleted from your drive, Modelist handles it gracefully:

  • The file is automatically removed from Modelist's index
  • Its preview and metadata are cleaned up from the app's cache after grace period
  • The file's entry remains in database but is marked as unavailable
Note: If you move a file to a different watched folder, Modelist will detect this and update its location without losing any metadata or notes you've added.
If you accidentally deleted a file, restore it from your system's trash/recycle bin to its original location, and Modelist will automatically reconnect it with its metadata.
What if my network drive becomes unavailable?

When a network drive or share becomes temporarily unavailable:

  • The entire watched folder will be marked as unavailable in the sidebar
  • Files remain in the database but are marked as unavailable
  • Modelist continues to work normally with other folders
  • Once the network connection is restored, files become available again automatically
  • No re-scanning is needed - all metadata and previews are preserved
Note: You'll see a clear indication in the sidebar when a watched folder becomes inaccessible. You can continue using Modelist with other folders while fixing the connection issue.
When does Modelist check for file changes?

Modelist synchronizes with your folders in two ways:

  • Automatically when you start the application
  • Manually when you click the sync button
Why this approach? While real-time monitoring is possible, we've chosen this method to:
  • Minimize system resource usage
  • Avoid constant disk access on network drives
  • Prevent performance issues with large file collections
Coming soon: We're working on optional real-time monitoring that you'll be able to enable per folder. While real-time monitoring solutions exist, they often cause issues with network drives and can lead to performance problems. We want to implement this feature in a way that won't compromise stability or responsiveness.
What happens if I rename or move a watched folder?

When you rename or move a watched folder:

  • The folder will be marked as unavailable in the sidebar
  • You'll need to remove it and add it again with its new name/location
  • Modelist will need to re-scan and re-process the files in the new location
  • Any imported metadata (like descriptions or notes) will be lost
Coming soon: We're adding the ability to update a folder's location directly in Modelist. This will allow you to rename or move watched folders without losing any metadata or notes.

Collections

What are Collections?

Collections are a powerful organizational feature in Modelist that allow you to create custom groups of 3D models. Unlike watched folders (which are based on your file system), Collections exist only within Modelist and give you the freedom to organize models across different folders.

Collections don't change your file system - they're virtual groupings that exist only in Modelist.
Creating and Using Collections

Creating a new Collection:

  1. Look for the Collections section in the sidebar
  2. Click the "+" icon next to "Collections"
  3. Enter a name for your new Collection
  4. Press Enter to create it

Adding models to Collections:

  1. Browse your models in the main view
  2. Click and hold on any model you want to add
  3. Drag it to the desired Collection in the sidebar
  4. Release to add the model to that Collection

Working with Collections:

  • Click on a Collection in the sidebar to view only the models in that Collection
  • When viewing a Collection, the search function will only search within that Collection
  • You can add the same model to multiple Collections without creating duplicate files
Pro tip: Collections are perfect for organizing models by project, printer type, material, or creating a "to print" queue without moving files around on your computer.
Collections vs. Watched Folders
CollectionsWatched Folders
Virtual groupings that exist only in ModelistActual folders on your computer's file system
Can contain models from multiple foldersOnly contain files from that specific folder path
Created and managed within ModelistBased on existing folders on your computer
Models can belong to multiple CollectionsA file exists in only one folder location
Best practice: Use Collections to organize your models by logical groups (projects, themes), while using watched folders to monitor your actual file system locations.

Searching

How does search work in Modelist?

Modelist uses advanced local search technology:

  • All searching happens on your computer - no data is sent anywhere
  • Files are indexed for instant results as you type
  • Fuzzy matching helps find files even with typos
  • Search covers filenames, descriptions, and imported metadata
Search Features
  • Real-time results as you type
  • Filter by file type, date, rating and sort by whats important to you
  • Search within specific watched folders
  • Results show previews and key information

Importing Metadata

How does metadata import work?

When Modelist finds a 3D model from a supported site, it can import additional information:

  • Description and details from the original post
  • Images showing the printed model
Supported Sites
  • Printables.com
  • Makerworld.com
  • More to come...
Note: Metadata import does not happen automatically. You need to trigger it manually, and it will grab the requested information from the web.

Updates

How do updates work?

Modelist checks for updates automatically and keeps your app current:

  • Updates are checked when the app starts
  • You'll see a notification when an update is available
  • Updates download with your full controll and install on next restart
  • Your settings and data are preserved during updates
Finding Your Version

To check your current version:

  1. Click the menu icon in the top-right corner
  2. Select "About Modelist"
  3. You'll see the version number and build information
  4. You can also check the version in the settings menu
Note: While updates are automatic, you can always check for updates manually through the menu.

Support

Need help with Modelist?

We're here to help! Contact us at support@modelist.app if you:

  • Have questions about using the app
  • Found a bug or unexpected behavior
  • Want to suggest a new feature
  • Need help with your specific setup
When reporting an issue, please include:
  • Your operating system
  • Modelist version
  • Steps to reproduce the problem