WHITE PAPER
Formlabs Logo

Working with multiple PreForm versions (Windows)

Working with multiple PreForm versions (Windows)

You may wish to keep an older version of PreForm on your computer while also keeping up with the latest material updates. For this reason, two different versions of PreForm may be installed on a single system: an older version of your choice, and a second version that you continue to update regularly. Rename each version’s shortcut to clearly differentiate between the applications.

Note:

Ensure that your printer’s firmware is compatible with the version of PreForm you are using to prepare Print Jobs.

Downloading an older version of PreForm

You can download recent versions of PreForm from the PreForm downloads and release notes page. Older versions of PreForm from previous years can be found in the legacy archives. Download the version of your choice and rename the shortcut to reflect the version number.

Tip:

Retain the older version of PreForm by declining the update prompts when opening the application.

  1. Open the PreForm downloads and release notes page or the legacy PreForm archives.
  2. Select and download an older version of PreForm. An EXE file appears in your Downloads folder.
  3. Run the EXE file and follow the prompts to install PreForm.
  4. In your taskbar, click Start. The Start menu opens.
  5. Click All apps. The Applications window appears.
  6. Navigate to PreForm.
  7. Right-click on the PreForm application. A dropdown menu appears.
  8. Select More. Another dropdown menu appears.
  9. Click Open File Location. The File Explorer application opens with PreForm selected.
  10. Right-click on the PreForm shortcut in File Explorer. A dropdown menu appears.
  11. Click Rename. The shortcut name is selected.
  12. Enter a descriptive and identifying name as the new shortcut name. For example, if you installed PreForm version 3.21.0, rename the shortcut from PreForm to PreForm 3.21.0.

Downloading the latest version of PreForm

After renaming the old version with the version number to differentiate between the two, you’re ready to download the latest PreForm.

Tip:

Allow this version of PreForm to update by accepting the prompts when new versions are released.

  1. Download the latest PreForm version for your printer from the article PreForm downloads and release notes. An EXE file appears in your Downloads folder.
  2. Run the EXE file and follow the prompts to install PreForm.
  3. In your taskbar, click Start. The Start menu opens.
  4. Click All apps. The Applications window appears.
  5. Navigate to PreForm.
  6. Right-click on the PreForm application. A dropdown menu appears.
  7. Select More. Another dropdown menu appears.
  8. Click Open File Location. The File Explorer application opens with PreForm selected.
  9. Right-click on the PreForm shortcut in File Explorer. A dropdown menu appears.
  10. Click Rename. The shortcut name is selected.
  11. Enter a descriptive name as the new shortcut name to identify this application as the latest version of PreForm.

(Optional) Defining how FORM/STL/OBJ/3MF files open

Double-clicking on a FORM/STL/OBJ/3MF file may cause models to open in a different version of PreForm than intended. If you work consistently in a certain version, consider setting these file types to only open in your preferred application.

Tip:

You can also open a version of PreForm, then click File > Open to open models in a specific instance of PreForm.

  1. Navigate to a FORM/STL/OBJ/3MF file.
  2. Right-click on the file. A dropdown menu appears.
  3. Select Open With…. Another dropdown menu appears.
  4. Click Choose another app. The How do you want to open this file? window appears.
  5. Select the version of PreForm that you wish this file type to open in by default.
  6. Select Always use this app to open future files of this type in your selected version.
  7. Repeat for any additional file types.