📚 Help & Documentation

Learn how to create customizers and manage orders

Quick Links

🚀 Getting Started

Configura helps you create interactive 3D customizers for your products. Here's the basic workflow:

Upload Your 3D Model
Go to "Create New Customizer" and upload an STL or 3MF file. The model will appear in the 3D viewer.
Set the Product Orientation
Use the rotation controls to position your model how customers should see it. This becomes the default view.
Identify Customizable Regions
Use the Region Identifier tool to mark which parts of your model customers can customize with different colors.
Set Up Colors
Define the color palette available for each region. You can use your saved Color Library.
Publish & Share
Click Publish to create your customizer. You'll get a link to share with customers or embed in your Etsy listing.

🔄 Orienting Your Model

Properly orienting your 3D model is crucial for a great customer experience. The orientation you set in the generator becomes the default view for your buyers.

Why Orientation Matters

When customers open your customizer, they should immediately see your product from its most recognizable angle. A figurine should stand upright, a mug should show its front design, and a phone case should display as if lying on a table.

💡 Key Principle
The view customers see first should answer the question: "What am I looking at?" in under a second.

The Coordinate System

Configura uses a standard 3D coordinate system:

  • Y-axis (Green) — Points UP. This should align with the top of your product.
  • X-axis (Red) — Points RIGHT. This is the horizontal left-right direction.
  • Z-axis (Blue) — Points toward the CAMERA. The front of your product should face this direction.

How to Orient

Identify the "Up" Direction
Look at your model and decide which way is up. For most products, this is intuitive—the top of a vase, the head of a figurine, etc.
Align Y (Green) to Up
Use the rotation buttons to rotate your model until the green Y-axis arrow points toward the top of your product.
Position the Front
Rotate around the Y-axis until the most important face of your product faces the camera. This is what customers see first.
Verify in Preview
After publishing, check your customizer to confirm the initial view looks correct. You can always re-edit if needed.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Many CAD programs export models with Z pointing up (CAD convention) instead of Y (screen convention). If your model appears sideways or upside down, try rotating it 90° around the X-axis first.

🎨 Region Identifier Tool

The Region Identifier lets you mark which parts of your 3D model can be customized. Think of it like painting zones on your product.

🎬
Video tutorial coming soon!

How to Use

Create a Region
Click "+ Add Region" and give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Body", "Handle", "Accent Stripe").
Select the Region
Click on a region in the list to make it active. The region color will show in the preview.
Paint on the Model
Click and drag on the 3D model to paint triangles with the selected region. Hold Shift and paint to erase.
Adjust Brush Size
Use the brush size slider to paint larger or smaller areas at once.
💡 Pro Tip
If you export your model from PrusaSlicer or Bambu Studio as 3MF with multiple colors, Configura will automatically detect the regions for you!

📁 STL vs 3MF File Formats

Configura supports both STL and 3MF files. Here's when to use each:

Feature STL 3MF
File Size Larger (text or binary) Smaller (compressed)
Auto Region Detection ❌ Manual painting required ✓ Automatic from slicer colors
Color Information ❌ Not supported ✓ Preserves slicer colors
Compatibility ✓ Universal Newer slicers only
Best For Simple models, legacy files Multi-color prints, faster setup
📌 Recommendation
If you use PrusaSlicer or Bambu Studio, export as 3MF to save time. The slicer's color assignments become your customizable regions automatically.

🔗 Embedding in Etsy Listings

Once you publish a customizer, you'll get a unique URL. Here's how to use it with Etsy:

Copy Your Customizer Link
From your Dashboard, click the copy icon next to your customizer to copy the URL.
Add to Your Etsy Description
In your Etsy listing description, add something like: "🎨 Customize your colors here: [paste link]"
Explain the Process
Tell customers to use the customizer, then include their 6-character code in the "Personalization" or "Notes to Seller" field when ordering.
⚠️ Important
Etsy doesn't allow embedding iframes, so you'll need to link to your customizer rather than embed it directly. Make sure to clearly explain how the customization process works in your listing.

🔑 Understanding Order Codes

When customers finalize their design, they receive a unique 6-character code (e.g., AB12CD). This code contains all their color selections.

How Order Codes Work

Customer Customizes
The customer uses your customizer to select colors for each region.
Code Generated
When they click "Save Design", a unique code is generated and saved to our database.
Customer Orders
Customer places their order on Etsy and includes the code in their order notes.
You Decode
Use the Order Viewer to enter the code and see exactly what colors to print.

🔧 Troubleshooting

Model Won't Load

If your 3D model doesn't appear:

  • Check the file format is STL or 3MF
  • Ensure the file isn't corrupted (try opening in your slicer)
  • Very large files (50MB+) may take longer to load
  • Try a different browser if issues persist

Order Code Not Found

If an order code doesn't work:

  • Double-check for typos (codes are case-insensitive)
  • Ensure the code is exactly 6 characters
  • The customer may have given you a partial code
  • Ask the customer to re-save their design and send a new code

Colors Look Different

If colors in the customizer don't match your prints:

  • Screen colors vs printed colors always vary slightly
  • Use the exact hex codes from your filament manufacturer
  • Consider adding a disclaimer about color variations
  • Test print a color swatch to share with customers

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many customizers can I create? ▼

Free accounts can create 1 customizer. Pro ($19/mo) allows up to 10 customizers, and Business ($49/mo) offers unlimited customizers.

Is there a limit on customer orders? ▼

No! All plans include unlimited customer orders. You only pay based on how many customizers you need.

Can customers save multiple designs? ▼

Yes, customers can save as many designs as they want. Each save generates a new unique code.

Do order codes expire? ▼

No, order codes never expire. You can look up codes from months or years ago.

Can I update a customizer after publishing? ▼

Yes, you can edit and re-publish customizers at any time. The URL stays the same, and existing order codes remain valid.

What happens to my customizers if I cancel? ▼

Your customizers will remain accessible to customers, but you won't be able to create new ones or edit existing ones until you resubscribe.

Can I use custom fonts or logos? ▼

Currently, customizers focus on color selection. Custom branding options are on our roadmap for future updates.

💬 Still Need Help?

Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out to us:

📧 Email: support@configurastudio.com