Getting better,
one update at a time.

A guided start.
A collection that’s easier to find and protect.

New tools for tagging models, finding them by their details and keeping a backup of your collection database.

Getting started and organising

• Six-step Setup Guide. Introduces folders, browsing, printer conversion and optional model tools. It appears on first use, can be skipped and can be reopened from the Help menu.
• Editable model tags. Add tags manually or generate suggestions with on-device AI. Review, edit or remove suggestions before saving. Existing tags are kept when generating more suggestions, and the model file is unchanged.
• Tag indicators and filtering. See which models have saved tags in grid and list view, edit them from the inspector, and combine tag filters with favourites, print status and file-type tabs.

Finding models

• Search across your collection details. Filenames, paths, notes, tags, saved descriptions and recorded authors are searchable. Each word must match the same model, across any of these fields, in any order. Matching ignores case and accents.
• Background author indexing. Read available author and descriptive metadata from all scanned 3MF files, including models you have not scrolled to. Progress is shown while details are being read.
• Prepare AI Search. Optionally generate missing descriptions across all formats in the current folder scan, including filtered-out models. Review and edit each description, choose which to save, or stop after the current model. Existing descriptions are preserved.
• Reusable search terms. Enter a library search description manually or save reviewed terms from Find Similar Online. A query such as “red starfish” uses these saved words without running AI as you type.
• Clearer duplicate checking. The review screen now explains that SHA-256 hashes are generated from file contents, including OBJ materials and textures. Filenames do not decide matches. Only exact copies in the same format qualify; you choose a protected copy and select individual extras for Trash.

Backup and restore

• File → Back Up & Restore. Export notes, favourites, print status, tags and saved AI descriptions for all folders recorded in the database to a JSON backup.
• Review before replacement. Check a backup’s date and entry count before restoring. Invalid or unsupported backups are rejected. Restoring replaces the database rather than merging its contents.
• Automatic safety copy. Before replacing an existing database, preserve its exact previous contents. If the copy cannot be saved, restore stops. Show in Finder reveals the copy, which can be restored to undo the change.
• Clear backup scope. Model files, printer presets, preferences and caches are excluded. Details reconnect to the same original files at their existing paths; this is not a migration tool for copied models on another Mac.

Help and privacy

• Expanded in-app help for tags, library search, AI descriptions and backup/restore.
• Updated privacy details for local tags, reviewed search descriptions, exported backups and automatic safety copies.

AI suggestions require macOS 27 or later and a supported Mac with Apple Intelligence enabled and its model ready. Manual tags, descriptions, search, setup and collection backups remain available without AI.

Make your collection your own.

Mark favourite models, keep track of what you want to print and save personal printing notes.

Added

• Favourites and print status. Star models in grid or list view, and mark them To Print or Printed using My Collection or the file menu.
• Personal notes. Save material choices, settings and printing results separately from the model. Notes are included in library searches.
• Collection filters. Combine favourites and print status with the existing file-type tabs and search.

Details stay on your Mac and follow renames made inside ModelShelf. Copies and replacement files start unmarked; external moves may break the association.

Help when you need it.
Updates when you ask.

Search the bundled help without an internet connection and check for new releases from the app menu.

Added

• Offline ModelShelf Help. Searchable guides cover browsing, single and bulk conversion, Full Spectrum, Smart Supports, renaming, AI, duplicates and Trash, with practical compatibility limits.
• Manual Check for Updates. See your installed version and build, check the published release and review its macOS requirement. Available downloads open in your browser for manual installation.
• Feedback and release links. The Help menu provides email feedback, the website, changelog and privacy statement.

Update checks contact modelshelf.app only when requested. No model files or personal identifier are sent. The privacy statement now describes this connection.

A tidier inspector.
More room for your models.

This update focuses on clearer controls, a calmer preview panel and keeping your place while you work.

Improved

• Compact model actions. A single primary Open in Slicer button, aligned tool buttons and a smaller file-actions row keep conversion, Smart Supports, Full Spectrum, AI Rename and online search within reach.
• Cleaner previews and details. A smaller filename header, a subtle source label and picture-proportioned previews reduce empty space. Technical format information and the file location can be expanded when needed.
• Quieter author links. Website names and shorter paths make saved links easier to scan; the full destination remains available on hover.
• Less clutter in the selection bar. Batch rename, conversion and Trash controls appear when files are selected, with a compact menu when space is limited.

Fixed in the development build

• Keeping your place in the gallery. Folder refreshes after closing Smart Supports, Full Spectrum or conversion no longer recreate the entire gallery. Unchanged file cards retain their loaded information and checkmarks while saved copies are picked up.

Website

• Updated screenshots show the redesigned inspector and model actions.
• Smart Supports now has a prominent explanation that it is experimental and will not work with every file, alongside a successful analysis example.
• Added this changelog, linked from the homepage and privacy page.