Overview of the User Interface

This page provides a quick orientation to the user interface elements of Formfactories.

Header (top bar)

In the top bar you'll find the Logo, Quick Search, QR Scanner, Create New Project icon, Machines Quickview, Guide, Notifications, Workspaces, and Profile Settings.

Some of the lesser used items can be hidden in Settings > General > Navigation

Let's dive into each of them next.

Your Logo

The logo can be edited under Settings > General > Themes. Clicking the logo will return you to the dashboard.

Quick Search

The quick search tool in the header is handy for finding almost anything. It can be filtered to show results for Projects, Users, Organizations, or Workspaces (formerally Tasks).

Pro Tip

If you can remember anything at all about a project, like the customer name, part of a file name, the material, a PO number, etc., the quick search should get you there.

QR Scanner

QR codes are automatically generated for nearly all major items in the platform such as machines, projects, workspaces, chats, and paperwork. The QR Scanner in the header will ask permission to access your camera and then provide ultra-fast navigation.

Pro Tip

Print out QR codes for each machine and then scan them to quickly log issues/events.

Create New Project

The create new project button is generally the first step in most workflows. A project can start out as a quote/request, wait for for approval, make its way into production, and ultimatly get completed. A project contains everything you would expect like client info, models with quantities and specifications, job files, attachments, and notes.

Key terms:

Model: The line item or thing you're making (usually a 3D file)

Job File: A file that gets sent to a machine to make a model (like a .3MF for .gcode)

Machines Quick View

The Machines Quick View in the header shows a summary of key items from the main Machines page found in the left sidebar. The button displays the number of operational machines as a fraction of your total machines.

Clicking the button reveals all your machine types, along with a breakdown of how many units of each type are currently operational.

Each machine type includes a dropdown. From there, you’ll see a link to each individual machine instance. A machine instance refers to a single, specific machine. Clicking on an instance will open its corresponding Machine Dashboard.

Pro Tip

Use the Hide Operational button to quickly find machines that require immediate attention.

Finally, if you have an external system outside of Formfactories that's used for running machines, you can add a button to the Machines Quick View to take you there. This can be done in Settings > General > Machines.

Guide

The guide is a more advanced feature that allows you to create your own instruction manual or employee handbook specific to your staff using the Workspaces feature.

Notifications

Click the bell icon to access all system notifications. Star notifications to move them to the Favorites tab for easy access

Sending Notifications

From any chat, use the @ symbol to mention a user or a team.

Pro Tip

Use the most specific chatroom possible to direct your audience to that exact item. For example, if you want to notify a user about an issue with a specific model, use the chatroom for that model instead of the more general project chatroom.

Workspaces Quick View

The Workspaces Quick View in the header shows a summary of key items from the main Workspaces page found in the left sidebar.

Workspaces are commonly used for to-do lists, but they can be much more powerful collaborative tools, functioning as a whiteboard with a variety of features. A workspace can be tought of as a Project, but with a more flexible structure.

Profile & Settings

The icon in the top right corner opens your profile and settings menu, which includes:

Profile Settings
Upload a profile picture, manage your basic information, and access your 3D model library.

Themes & Modes
Choose from a variety of themes, each with both day and night modes.

Swift Mode
Enables thumbnail previews instead of live 3D model rotation. Performance usually remains smooth even with Swift Mode disabled.

Report a bug
Quickly report bugs. This opens a new chat room with the maintainers of Formfactories, where you can share details about the issue you're having.

Changelog Access View recent Formfactories software updates.

Drawer (side bar)

The left sidebar contains the main navigation elements of Formfactories, including:

• Dashboard - Your main overview page for projects and their statuses.
  • Projects - View projects ordered by customers.
  • Models - View models submitted as part of active projects.
  • Jobs - View pending print jobs.
• Workspaces - Collaborative spaces for tasks and projects.
• Clients - Manage customer information.
• Machines - Overview and management of your machines.
• Inventory - Track materials and supplies.
• Analytics - View performance metrics and reports.
• Settings - Configure Formfactories to suit your needs.

Dashboard

The dashboard shows your Projects along with their status. Visable details include items like customer name, materials used, rendered models, due date proximity, and the status of produced parts.

• Color Coding:
  • Green: All parts fully produced and counted.
  • Yellow: Partial progress—some parts produced/counting started.
  • Red: No parts produced or counted yet.

There are many Dashboard Views available, each of which can take advantage of Dashboard Filters, and you can create your own Custom Dashboard Views as well.