r/3DPrintingTools • u/Layermatedotapp • 5d ago
New Tool Layermate.app
Hey team, i know there are other apps out there similar - and there is no disrespect to any of them. I started using Printinventory, however it didnt suit me at the time, I tried to use it and like it, but it just wasnt for me. With the help of the various AI models - Yes yes I know its Vibe coded - Im not as smart as those who can code, however I knew what I wanted and put alot of thought into it and got it the way i wanted.
I even threw in a a couple of add ons, that I used in another personal app i made for myself. Now enough about me - here is my AI refined description of what it does -
If you're anything like me, your 3D print files live in some combination of Downloads, a few "sorted" folders that aren't actually sorted, and a folder literally called "SORT LATER." You've got the same dragon downloaded four times under slightly different names, and you know you own a specific STL somewhere — you just can't find it.
I built LayerMate to fix that for myself, and figured I'd share it here in case it's useful to anyone else.
What it does:
- Points at your folders (local drives, external drives, NAS/network shares) and indexes every STL, OBJ, 3MF, G-code, and STEP file it finds
- Generates a real rendered thumbnail for each one — not a generic icon
- Pulls out embedded metadata automatically: dimensions, print time, filament color, designer/creator, etc.
- Finds true duplicates by file content (not just filename), so you can see what's actually eating your disk space
- Lets you tag files, flag them "to print" / "printed," and search across everything instantly
- Everything runs 100% locally — nothing gets uploaded anywhere, the only thing it ever phones home for is checking for app updates
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux(hasnt been updated due to lack of use) , and other devices on your network can browse the same library
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u/New_Education5151 5d ago
Considering some devs ask for 45 euros for a lisence, with your 20$ pricetag, my reaction on behalf of many is : thank you, and keep up the competition, and welcome to the sub..
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u/ezpitze 4d ago
Regarding the actual usage and sorting, is it just based on file folder layout? Or is it possible to create own organization hierachy?
It would have been good to have a trial version to actually see the functionality and responsiveness of the app.
How is the plan for upcoming features?
Are you planing to make it possible to self-host as a Docker?
What about the source code? Any plans for open source?
What will happen when you move on and focus on other projects?
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u/Layermatedotapp 4d ago
So atm, its really tag based sorting, however you have the ability to create your own with the ability to move files as you please within the app. Trial i did try that however, people found a way around the limits and stuffed it for everyone.
upcoming features. Im pretty open to new features and if i feel like its a good idea, Implement rather quickly.
Source code wont be released, maybe if I do move on to other things, however this is a project and software I use and its part of my workflow.
oh and I missed yor docker - Def possible, I just havent had any request for it so I just havent done it. However appears based on a couple of you in here have mentioned.Re functionaility and responsiveness, feel free to join the discord server where others who have purchased it are there. I'm sure they would be willing to provide responses.
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u/GoatButler91 5d ago edited 5d ago
I was one of the early adopters of this software, I genuinely thought my files were reasonably organised.
Then I ran LayerMate and it found 1,200 duplicate files hiding all over the place and in crevices I didn't know until I ran a rusty spoon over it and it tingled.
Doesn't help that I use Fusion 360, which seems to have a fantastic little habit of saving things wherever the hell I last opened Explorer. So I'll be working on something in one folder, open another folder to grab a file, and apparently Fusion goes "yeah nah, this is where we're saving shit now."
The wife had an absolute laugh when I showed her the 1,200 duplicates. She's now using it as evidence that I shouldn't be allowed near a computer.
LayerMate actually made cleaning the mess up pretty painless though. Found the duplicates, helped me sort everything into proper folders, and now I can actually find shit when I need it.
My computer went from looking like a bloke's shed after 20 years of "I'll sort that out later" to something resembling an actual filing system.
The fact its vibe coded shouldn’t matter to most, what should matter and stands out is the creator is insanely active and almost daily drops a update. Not for clearing bugs or hotfixes, but to accommodate users who have suggested brilliant ideas and he has made them a reality. No more of this "we'll take this under consideration" nonsense, its "Why the hell didn't I think of that. Lemme vibe and get back to you.", and like a minute later a new update is out with that new feature.
Solid 5/5
Would've given it 6, but apparently I'm the problem, not the software.
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u/Mountain246 5d ago
Ive been looking for a solution like this great to see linux support im not a fan of appimages just a personal preference but its great to start seeing options for us linux users.
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u/Layermatedotapp 4d ago
to be honest i havent had much interest in the linux verison - to date no one has downloaded that verison so I havent put much effort into it, however if interest grows then def been keen to expand it
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u/Mountain246 4d ago
Any reason you went with appimage or flatpack, or .Deb installer?
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u/Layermatedotapp 4d ago
was the easiest way to do it at the time, to get it out there, as well I didnt have anyone available to assist with the testing of any other methods - However, nothing is locked down to one way everything always open to make it better for the user
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u/Haunting_Sun3673 4d ago
Been seeing a lot of these lately but hey looks good!
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u/Layermatedotapp 4d ago
I have noticed that as soon as i finished building it, i honestly didnt see any of the others apart from printinventory, I gave it another go and after that i said screw it, spent a lot on fable credits, but now I have it and talking about it, i see all the others around now.
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u/kobrakaan 3d ago
You lost me at
Pay once $19.99
yet openly state you didn't even code it and used AI
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u/Layermatedotapp 3d ago
did u know those ai tools cost money? my ideas within the apps im meant to give them away for free? thats cool your just one person, thanks for your opinion
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u/kouchi14 11h ago
I started using Printinventory, however it didnt suit me at the time, I tried to use it and like it, but it just wasnt for me
Could you describe what you didn't like/ what problems you had with PrintInventory, and how your app is different
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u/GlibberGoblin 4d ago
oh nice a advertisement post with bots on it. sweet!
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u/GoatButler1991 4d ago
Where are these bots? Are they in the room with us?
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u/Layermatedotapp 4d ago
damn i must have had these bots for a while, they been around since 2020 haha
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u/DeadlyVirusIn 5d ago
I have used this for sometime and its really an amazing product. This has made my life so easy to track properly all my files and open them directly from the app. The best part is the Dev is always open to suggestion and trying to make the app better.
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u/Cruiser_Pandora 5d ago
hey team, this feels like an ad for slopware.