Modifying the default Bambu Lab filament profiles based on calibration results
Today I learned how to manually update the default Bambu Lab filament profiles with my calibration results (i.e., without having to use custom profiles). I've seen a lot of frustrated posts here and on other sites about not being able to change the default Bambu Lab filament settings in Bambu Studio, so I thought I would share.
Before I go into the process, please note that this requires some basic technical skills (i.e., understanding JSON) and backups should be made before modifying any files.
Situation: You want to use the default Bambu Lab filament profiles, but want to change the default nozzle or bed temperature, fan speed, retraction, etc. You cannot presently make these changes through the Bambu Studio interface (it will only let you save any changes as a user preset). This is a problem if you want to use the RFID tags with the AMS or you have to remember to later select those filament profiles.
Solution: You can manually edit the JSON files for each filament preset in the application's configuration. What follows is a summary of how to do this on a Mac, but presumably you can find the same files on the PC and Linux versions as well.
Step 1: Open the Configuration Folder
Go to the "Help" menu and choose "Show Configuration Folder". These are also accessible under Library > Application Support > BambuStudio
Step 2: Navigate to the filament presets.
These are located under system > BBL > filament.
Quick overview of how the filament profiles are saved: The filaments are JSON objects that can be edited using TextEdit or any coding software. The files themselves use a system of inheritance.
- The base class is fdm_filament_common.
-- Then there are instantiations of the base class for each filament type (e.g., fdm_filament_pla).
--- The filament base class is then instantiated for each manufacturer (e.g., Bambu PLA Basic @ base, SUNLU PLA Matte @ base).
---- Then the manufacturer filament base is instantiated for each printer (e.g., Bambu PLA Basic @ BBL A1)
----- Finally, if there is a nozzle, specific profile (e.g., 0.2mm nozzle), then there will be yet another file (e.g., Bambu PLA Basic @ BBL A1 0.2 nozzle).
Step 3: Modify the JSON.
Each files contains set parameters (e.g., manufacturer, what it is inheriting from) and which printers it is compatible with (e.g., "Bambu Lab A1 0.4 nozzle", "Bambu Lab A1 0.6 nozzle". Any and all other parameters can also be set by adding them to the JSON (e.g., textured_plate_temp_initial_layer). The parameter names can be found by hovering your mouse over most input fields.
For example, I updated the base Bambu Lab PLA Basic profile to use lower temperatures because I am getting overextrusion.
Before making any changes, I recommend saving a copy of the profile in that same folder. This way you can quickly revert back if something goes wrong. Also, please note that updating Bambu Studio will overwrite any changes you make so you might want to save backups of your edited profiles.
Step 4: Confirm that it worked!
To see if the changes were successful, you can click on the three dots next to the filament to and choose "Edit".
You should then see the updated settings showing in the filament profile (see the lower PEI Plate and nozzle temperatures for PLA Basic).
Potential Use Cases
- Changing basic settings such as the bed plate temperature, nozzle temperature, flow rate, or fan speed for the first layer and for all other layers.
- Updating the cost information if you live in another country
- Reusing RFID tags (untested) with third-party filament.