What is the Library?

In Compfire, a library, also known as an asset library, is a structured collection of items. The asset library is structured by the Catalog. The Library and the Catalog work together as a user-friendly and powerful component database.

While you can use the Finder solely with its in-model view, it is when you start using a custom library that Compfire really starts to shine.

Where can I get a Starter Library?

To get a flying start and familiarize yourself with Compfire, Holygon strongly encourages you to install Holygon's Compfire Starter Library, free of cost. It's easy and fun.

Download and set the latest Starter Library directly from within Compfire, via the button:
Compfire > Settings > Install Starter Library

Compfire's Finder helps you install the latest Starter Library. In Compfire, simply open the Finder. When no library is set, Finder will open the Settings dialog. Here, click the button "Install Starter Library", and set a target location. Compfire will automatically download the latest starter library, unzip it, and set it. Ready, set, compfire!

You can always download the latest Starter Library manually, via webpage:
https://download.holygon.com#download-assetpack

You can always download the latest Starter Library manually, via direct link:
https://download.holygon.com/assets/Compfire-Library-Starter.zip

If you have downloaded the library manually, you first need to unzip it, then manually set it via Compfire Settings.

Why should I use a Starter Library?

The Starter library is an onboarding helper. It is a kind of sample project, which shows some of the powerful ways that the Catalog – with its Tags, Materials, Views, and other item metadata – may be put to use to help you control your Items in detail.

In the starter library, you are free to play around, to edit Items and their Catalog metadata, and see how your edits control Compfire behavior.However, Compfire is built to be general-purpose.

The contents of the starter library has a specific common purpose - landscaping. However, perhaps you work as an interior designer or a scaffold designer. You can still make use of the starter library to grasp the basic concepts. When ready, you can discard the library contents, and apply the same principles when building your own item library, fit for your 3D projects.

Once you are familiar with how a Compfire Library works, you can create a new empty Library from scratch, and add items one by one, or in batch.

How do I Set the Library?

To set a folder as your Library, use:
Compfire -> Settings -> Set Library...

If the target folder is empty, Compfire will automatically set up a basic Library structure and a basic catalog. If the target folder already contains a catalog, Compfire will use the folder's existing contents.

Can the same Library be used by several users?

Yes, Compfire is designed to be multi-user. The library can be accessed from any shared network drive. If you are a single user, you can put the library on a local hard drive.

Can I use multiple Libraries?

Yes and no. Compfire is built to help ensure data integrity across all your component and subcomponent definitions, tags, materials, views and more. By using only one library, Compfire helps you maximize synergy across components, materials, tags, views, and so on.

This explains why Compfire keeps all items in the same folder. This is by design. In Compfire, you do not structure the item hierarchy via different folders. Compfires frees you from this traditional limitation. Instead, you structure the hierarchy of items via the built-in category tree. The category tree is controlled by the Catalog. Categories afford better overview, integrity, and flexibility, compared to traditional folders.

While you may technically switch Library anytime, you can only set one library at any given time. Holygon strongly encourages you to build and use only one library, holding all your items.