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Glossary
A list of commonly used terms in Formfactories and what they mean.
A
attachment
General supporting materials, like PDFs, drawings, spec sheets, certifications, etc.
C
checkout
The mechanism used to finalize a project and prepare it for billing, fulfillment, or delivery. Checkout becomes available once a project reaches quoted status.
cleaning time
The estimated or manually assigned amount of labor required to post-process a model. Cleaning time can be set per model and directly affects pricing when applicable.
client
Any non-staff user of the platform. These are the people your factory serves. Also called 'customers'.
client email
The email address associated with a client. This is the only required field when creating a new client in the system.
client help bubble
A floating help bubble available to clients while they build a project. It can include a material guide tied to your materials and capabilities, or it can be fully customized using workspaces. Guides allow clients to access helpful information without leaving the project page.
counted
A status indicating that models have been successfully printed and accounted for.
customer
Any non-staff user of the platform. These are the people your factory serves. Also called 'clients'.
D
due date
The completion date for a project, generally based on the lead time and the date a project enters production. Used to prioritize scheduling and production.
E
e-mails
E-mails can be sent manually or automated to notify clients of project updates, shipments, or anything else.
G
guide
Legacy term for the Client Help Bubble — a floating help panel available to clients while they build a project. Though still used in some parts of the interface or settings, the preferred term is now Client Help Bubble.
I
input form
The interface clients or staff use to submit models and details that create a new project. This form can be customized or you can use the default one provided.
instant price
A price that is automatically shown to the client without staff review. Enables instant checkout and streamlines order placement, but may increase risk for complex or unexpected jobs.
invoice
The final stage of a project from the accounting team’s perspective, typically generated once the work is complete and payment is due.
J
job file
more →A file that gets sent to a machine to make a model (like a .3MF, .gcode, etc.).
L
lead time
The amount of time required to complete a project. Lead time is typically used for quoting or planning purposes before a project is approved for production, when a final due date may not yet be set.
M
machine
A device used to produce models, such as a 3D printer. Machines are configured in the Machines and Capabilities section under Settings.
manual price
A price reviewed and approved by staff before it is shown to the client. Used for complex or custom work that cannot be reliably auto-quoted.
material
The physical material used to create a model (PLA, ABS, resin, etc.).
material guide
A client-facing reference panel shown within the Client Help Bubble. It displays materials, technologies, use cases, visual comparisons, and performance stats to help clients choose the best material for their needs.
materials and capabilities
The list of technologies, materials, and properties offered by your organization. It’s managed under Settings > Materials and Capabilities.
model
A digital representation of the physical object that will be created (STL, STP, etc.).
O
order
A project that has entered production. Often used by operations or manufacturing teams to indicate work is underway.
organization
A group that multiple clients can belong to — such as a company, department, or classroom. Useful for managing related users and their projects.
P
pricing
The calculated or assigned cost for producing parts within a project.
project
A collection of parts, quantities, materials, job files, client information, and pricing (if applicable).
project information
The top section of a project where general context is entered, such as client email, organization, due date, lead time, project notes, checkout, and shipping information. The more you fill in, the more Formfactories can help streamline your operation.
project notes
A private space for internal notes from staff. If a client includes comments while submitting the input form, those will also appear here.
project number
A unique identifier assigned to each project. Used to locate the project via quick search, and displayed on all paperwork such as quotes, packing slips, and invoices.
property
Anything about a model that isn't the technology or material (layer height, infill, post processing, etc.).
Q
QR code
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.
quick search
A tool in the header, handy for finding almost anything. It can be filtered to show results for Projects, Users, Organizations, or Workspaces.
quote
An early version of a project shared with a client before production begins. It typically outlines estimated pricing, materials, and timelines.
S
sharable URL
A universal link that gives anyone access to the correct version of a project based on their role. Clients and staff members see different views, but use the same link.
shipping information
Details about how the finished parts will be delivered or picked up — including shipment tracking, delivery method, and pickup records.
slicing
The process of creating the file that gets sent to a machine to create a model. This file is often referred to as a 'job file'.
spacebar trick
A shortcut that lets staff preview a project in a pop-up window by pressing the spacebar. Holding the spacebar keeps the preview open until released. This allows for quick inspections or edits without fully opening the project.
staff member
Any user with staff permissions in the platform (set in the Staff and Teams section of Settings). These are the people who manage the factory and its operations.
staff only model
A model that is hidden from clients and excluded from client-facing pricing and views. These models are visible only to staff members and are commonly used for internal parts like jigs, test pieces, or setup aids. Models added to a project in in the production status are automatically marked as staff only.
status: Completed
Marks the project as finished. It is no longer in production, though all records and files remain available.
status: New
The default status when a project is first created. Clients see limited information in this stage. Manual pricing and checkout options are hidden, though any instantly quoted parts will still display their prices.
status: Production
Indicates that the project is a work in progress. Formfactories’ production features are now unlocked.
status: Quoted / In Preparation
Used when a project is awaiting approval. If pricing is enabled, the status appears as Quoted; if not, it appears as In Preparation. Clients can view pricing (if applicable) and perform a checkout at this stage.
T
tag
A customizable label used to organize projects and models. Tags can be applied at the project or model level and may include additional functionality, such as counters for tracking progress.
task
An older term used in the platform to describe what is now called a workspace. Tasks were originally used to manage to-do items, and while the feature has since expanded, some parts of the UI or documentation may still refer to them as tasks.
technology
The process used by a machine (FDM, SLA, laser cutting, etc.) to create models.
to-do item
An item created within a workspace or project to track actions that need to be completed. To-do items can include comments, links, files, and priorities, making them interactive and contextual tools for team coordination.
U
user
A user is an individual who interacts with the Formfactories platform. Each user is uniquely identified by their email address. The term most commonly refers to clients of the platform, but it can also include staff members.
W
workspace
A space that combines structured task management with freeform collaboration. A workspace can be a standalone feature, but they are also included within each project.
Every Part of a Project
Project
├── Customer / Client
│ ├── Name
│ ├── Email
│ ├── Phone
│ ├── Organization
│ ├── Other Contact Info
│ ├── Billing Info
│ ├── Shipping Info
│ ├── Tax Info
│ ├── Quick E-mail
│ ├── Quick Ship
│ ├── Automatic Updates
│ ├── Due Dates
│ └── More / Customized
├── Models
│ ├── All CAD and File Revisions
│ ├── Parameters
│ ├── Quantities / Counts
│ ├── Pricing (if applicable)
│ ├── Live Production Status
│ └── Staff Chatbox
├── Job Files
│ ├── Associated Machine
│ ├── Associated Parts and Quantities
│ ├── Material Usage
│ ├── Time Required
│ ├── Quick "Mark as Printing / Counted" Buttons
│ └── More / Customized
├── Communication
│ ├── Staff Comments
│ ├── Customer Comments
│ └── Notes
├── Staff Roles and Assignments
│ ├── Sales
│ ├── Customer Service
│ ├── Production
│ └── More / Customized
├── Live Production Status
│ ├── Parts Printing
│ ├── Parts Counted
│ ├── Post Production Stages
│ ├── QC
│ └── More / Customized
├── Paperwork
│ ├── Quotes
│ ├── Invoices
│ ├── Packing Slips
│ └── More / Customized
├── Utilities
│ ├── Email Customer
│ ├── Duplicate Project
│ ├── Apply Discount
│ ├── Edit Permissions
│ ├── Copy Project Link
│ └── Get QR Code
├── Location
│ ├── San Diego Factory
│ ├── Chicago Factory
│ ├── New Jersey Factory
│ ├── Austin Factory
│ └── Atlanta Factory
├── Project Status
│ ├── Quoted
│ ├── Under Review
│ ├── In Production
│ ├── Complete
│ └── Archived
├── Attachments
│ ├── Any Format
│ └── Link Directly to Models
│ ├── Certifications
│ ├── Drawings
│ └── Anything
├── Additional Items / Services
│ ├── Store Products
│ ├── Hardware
│ ├── Design Work
│ └── More / Customized
└── Bookkeeping
├── Automated Quotes
├── Online Payments / Checkouts
├── Automated Invoices
└── QuickBooks Syncing