3D models for a fee

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1

Hallo Friends!

On Makerworld the rewards are limited, downloads and prints are less worthwhile as the number of downloads increases. And although I can see that models are still relatively popular, but sometimes hardly get any boosts, I ask myself the following question. What do you think about only offering 3D models for a fee after a while, if the other rewards have decreased significantly?

Please don’t have a fundamental discussion about whether models should be paid or only free. I am also an advocate of simply sharing models and I have not yet published a single one anywhere for a fee.

The question arises when we carve models every day just to upload them to some platform for free, whether the “hobby” is not too expensive. I’ve been working on a model for a few days now that should have been finished long ago. But many an obstacle in the modeling brings such results:

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The requirement to deliver a fully functional model in all facets leads to a lot of time and waste. It remains to be seen whether the model will be sufficiently visible afterwards. A certain pressure on the platforms to have a certain number of followers and models and the quick invisibility (if you haven’t just been selected for the front page and almost every one of my models appears there anyway) somehow leads to the creation of several new models every week if possible.

Kind regards

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2

it could be interesting to use the points for paying for models :stuck_out_tongue: but as is, makerworld is pretty sweet in terms of rewards for me. Without much effort you get constant free filament and spares

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3

Care to elaborate on your statement about Makerworld rewards system (respectively: filament and spares)?

4

This is why I favour the likes of Cults3D and Printables; they offer the option (option being the important word here) of providing models for free, or for a fee.

The only problem this has caused is that sites like Makerworld, which don’t have any form of model-for-a-fee option, give you no way of informing your followers that you’re still uploading stuff.
My Makerworld account seems inactive, but that’s because I am making far more complex models now, and like you highlighted, the amount of time and waste going into making said files just does not warrant me uploading them for free, especially to Makerworld.

I haven’t had a single one of my files hit the front page on this site, but have on Cults3D several times. Uploading multiple files a week, just to be seen on Makerworld, is a rat-race I don’t want to be a part of anymore; the rewards are not worth the time and effort for me.

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5

The problem that people either want to just share their creations or that they want to see rewards.
For both there is plenty of existing options out there, including hosting your own little website for cheap.

I am sick and tired of seeing the always same where I go…
So rather than trying hosters I use very specific search terms and conditions in my favourite search engine.
Not that I do this often as I prefer to make my own models.
Some things I just can’t do, like fancy looking figurines or such - these I download…

For me a 3D printer is a tool, nothing more.
While I probably could make some side money trying to sell my models or prints I try to avoid this as long as I can afford to have this hobby.
People would not upload one model after the other if there is nothing to gain.
And fame won’t pay bills.
If you ask me the 3d model (hosting) world is already perverted enough :frowning:

Makerworld tries to provide WORKING and PRINTABLE models.
On other sites you have no issues downloading a great looking model that is so full of errors that the slicers goes nuts.
And with the included print settings and all the claim is that everyone can just print them to get the same great results every time.
Offering models for a fee comes with downfalls.
Someone has to take the responsibility about the finances…
Especially is someone would provide a paid model that was stolen or such…
If one wants to make money from their 3D models there is plenty of sites like Etsy or Cults3D out there…
Just saying…

6

Isn’t it still a possibility to upload things to Makerworld or other sites and when the “product life cycle” is finished there, to remove the affected models and publish them on other sites for a fee? I mean, Makerworld has no interest in tens of millions of uploads that won’t be seen in the end anyway.

I’ve been thinking for a few days about putting my own website online again, where I can also offer my models. Normally I also work on rather complex, technical models, which sometimes take months of development time to reach final maturity. This also includes electronics and software. Some ideas are only now becoming feasible thanks to new printing materials. I can’t complete one of my models here because the necessary components are missing from Makers Supply. Apart from that, the model is a few years old and I would redesign it with new printing materials.

I had expected more from the AMS story. But these multi-material stories deprive the models of the opportunity to develop freely on all platforms and be accessible to everyone. Instead of a liberation in 3D printing, they are sometimes a disability. They produce tons of waste and often do not produce the desired result due to filament contamination. In addition, not all materials can be processed with it. And if so, the machines for this are rather niche products.

7

Isn’t it still a possibility to upload things to Makerworld or other sites and when the “product life cycle” is finished there, to remove the affected models and publish them on other sites for a fee?

This sadly requires people to be honest, or respectful of your wishes as the model creator, both of which there will be those who won’t do either.

Once a model is moved from “public” spaces for free, to paid for, you can absolutely guarantee someone out there will reupload the model for free to farm points or use the model to increase their traffic. I know this because people have already done it with my work; the moment you put something up for free, people will steal it.
Now I am not saying putting things behind a paywall completely protects them from theft because it doesn’t; I see paid-for designs with “no distribution” in the license, constantly being reuploaded on Makerworld. However, it does add one layer of protection, even if it is small.

Theft, however, isn’t the only gripe I have with sharing models on this site; I used to be very open to Makerworld, but the longer I have been here, the more I dislike it. So many things are far more problematic than Cults3D or Printables and, to be honest, I’m not sure why I keep coming to the Makerworld forum. Maybe I’m delusional and think it will get better, who knows?

8

Just my 2 cents.

If I need a specific model for something and I cannot find it free, I will pay a price for it.
I’ve also paid for Patreons for folks that create stuff I like and I want to support them.

My problem with paid is as soon as anyone can do it, everyone wants to do it. Sounds good right?

Come to Makerworld and see 1000 of the current fad all asking 99 cents. No thanks. 2000 useless “add ons” for the printer (looking at you poop shute cover thingy) all for $2.99. No longer a hobby that’s fun, it’s becomes a needless overflow of me too and ■■■■ to cash in on the latest vortex, or nose picker or whatever is popular.

My opinion, start a patreon. Go to Gambody. I’ll give ya $25 for a good Star Wars ship model, that I don’t have.

Sorry (kinda not) I just grow so tired of hobbies turning into cash grabs.

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9

Exchange coins for gift cards = free filament and spares

10

Thank you for your statement! And what if the revenue stops or becomes so low that you receive a gift card every 2 years? What do you consider doing then?

11

As you see by the quote, I was answering @drakko

I wont do anything really, Im not doing designs for the gift cards.

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12

Well, there are people who don’t care what happens to their models. I also have models elsewhere, but I’m not interested in them either. Every now and then I have a look to see how they are developing, but that’s it. However, I am thinking about creating technical models that I would like to publish specifically. That’s why I’m currently interested in finding out how, when and where I can do what with models and what can and can’t be useful.

13

I think that’s fine, but I’m unsure if the effect is worth the effort. It could very well be, but I have no prior experience with that.

I will say though, that while I’m willing to pay for a 3D model / STL and have done so on a few occasions, I am not willing to pay for a subscription - such as Patreon, STLFlix etc. - and I believe more and more people will come to feel this way, and avoid subscriptions wherever possible… but I can’t provide any statistics or meaningful insight to this, so this statement is merely a guesstimate (or weak indicator) at best.

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14

Yeah, not a subscription/patreon guy either… I rather buy the model I like or I’m interested in, than paying for a bunch of uninteresting, or simply generated to fill the expected “monthly quota” of stl’s. I don’t need or want to become a “milked cow” for some ppl out there. Simply put, if i come across something i like and want to have, and if I deem the price right, I buy… if I find the price to high, I walk and never return. There are plenty of makers out there with much more reasonable prices, waiting for buyers… and I can afford to wait until I find what I’m looking for.

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15

Thank you for your opinions! I’m sure I’m not the only one asking myself these and similar questions. That’s why it’s good to get to know such perspectives from different users.

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16

I think about this a bit. I have my patreon, but it’s geared more towards those that want to use my stuff commercially. I’ve thought about doing a more general tier for non commercial users, and what that would mean. How could I even provide a consistent value?

I don’t want to get stuck down those roads of quotas either. It’s a tough question, as I want to be able to dedicate more time to designing for 3d printing, but I need to balance that out with life needs too.

I’ve been toying with the idea of it be kind of a backroom access, where subscribing gets the user access to all the non-released stuff and associated source files. Like bonus content that didn’t make it to release for some reason, but giving all the stuff needed to complete it, or mod it into something different. I don’t know that it would provide enough for a long term subscription, but maybe it’d be enough for people to sign up for a month, and could provide extra value to the commercial users.

I’m hoping in the coming years here we see more avenues open up that allows us to capitalize on our skills as designers while still being able to provide back to the community without putting a price tag on everything.

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17

Well, I’d pay for that.

My patreon memberships were for things like big lego star wars figures and related stuff because who doesn’t want that? I subbed to the creator because his files were spot on, easy to print, and looked really good when put together. There are quite a few free ones but I was willing to pay for the quality and support the guy. Till Lego had a fit.

I would definately pay for unreleased or preferred release stuff. I even have a sub that I’ve never downloaded anything from, just thought the maker was a good person.

I think if you have a fee, then you best be delivering for that fee.

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18

I was thinking about that too.

If you’re lucky, you’ll show up regularly on MW’s front page, I don’t begrudge you or anyone else. But if not, we need to think about something else. It’s too costly to chase after any placement. Takes up too much time and financial resources.

You have to have at least 150 followers on Printables to open your own “club”. Or submit an application, the outcome of which is uncertain.

At the moment, this is where I stand with my thoughts:

I now prepare my new models so that I can publish them everywhere. This means no more AMS multi-color printing, each filament can be printed individually. You can of course do this via AMS if you have one.

The second step is that I no longer optimize print profiles down to the last detail. I’m even considering offering only STLs on MW. But well, if I’m already doing a test print (and we are), then I also want to upload these settings for printing as 3MF. But somehow the effort has to be reduced. For this reason, I stopped creating models for the competitions a long time ago. If I happen to have a model, it is still in good hands there.

I am also considering offering 3MF for other printers. This means loading the model into Cura, making the settings where the model can be printed and saving this project as 3MF. Unfortunately, the GCodes that Bambu Studio generates are not always that good for other printers. It seems to me that there are often even errors in them. It works better with Cura. In addition to 3MF, I then offer the STLs, with the print settings in the description, which is basically what matters.

Overall, I should be more broadly positioned and can use all the different platforms on the net in the same way.

I keep coming back to the idea of having my own website and want to create one in the foreseeable future. Then I can do whatever I want, including paid access, updates and many other interesting things, such as technically complex models with software. I can also integrate a forum if I think it’s necessary (this is unlikely). You can then process the payment method yourself via known service providers (so the majority of the revenue should stay where it belongs: with the person who does the work).

I continue to offer free things that I create on the side for fun on all platforms. It’s always a good thing to see how things are received or what’s currently trending. Keeping your finger on the pulse is never wrong, which is why I will never leave this forum, there are always new things to discuss that are interesting for you and other users.

In the end, the really professionally prepared things will be available on my website. For example, if the slicer generates GCode that leads to irregularities on the printed object, I can optimize this via the STLs or redesign the model to trick the slicer and get the quality I want printed.

Best regards!

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20

I know it is a bit off topic for the problem of ‘just’ 3D printing but there is already very dedicated sites for other things.
Check CGPERSIA for example, lots of stuff for laser/CNC engraving, reliefs and such…
Very well looked after as well compared to our 3D sites.
You can even contact the creators and make requests - not always honoured but still.

The big difference is that those sites are mainly a forum, not a marketplace.
With that comes a basically fully controlled platform, controlled by users/makers and the team of moderators.
You can’t just go there, register and upload your stuff either - you need to qualify first.
Certainly a hurdle for all those copycats and money greedy ‘modifiers’.

When I started with 3D so many years ago there were no real hosting sites providing meaningful models.
All this came much later but with that also the big breakthrough for 3D printing on a hobby level.
Like so many pointed out here: If YOU can’t create what you need, then you ARE willing to pay someone to do it.
For example, I found someone great at ‘organic’ modelling, something I really struggle with as I am more of a technical nature.
Needed a custom part for my motorbike and asked the guy if he could do it - based on pics and a crude drawing of what I wanted.
“Sure, no problem, just give me proper measurements for the mounts and shapes…”
A DAY after supplying this I got a crude model to try - for the shape fitment on the bike - was almost spot on and only required minor modifications I marked with the texter.
Within 5 days of my request I had a proper, good looking and well designed part I was happy to pay the 28 bucks for.
Know what’s hilarious about this?
Found out he is actually a she and turned 14 just a few weeks ago…

When I look around the hosting world though I see the always same and everyone wants a few quick bucks.
So seriously: WHY are we not creating our own little forum for makers?
A little server to host does not cost much either.
WE would be in control.
Not just about the rules but also in terms how to deal with offenders.
Only registered users get meaningful access to downloads and posting things.
So IF someone would offer those models elsewhere the guesswork in terms of who that user is would be greatly reduced.
Those great creators that want and deserve a bit of money for their creations could do this in the most direct form possible - like by using a QR code for their PayID or Paypal account.
With that I think it is already doubtful that some copycat would provide their actual details and pay just so they will be caught quickly and discredited…
How many here got stung too often, how many downloaded models that created headaches ?
We could stop the whining and complaining and DIY for a change - just saying…

21

I’m surprised that you wrote that. I had the same thoughts and didn’t write them down. :slight_smile:

I have already thought about a suggestion like the one you made. As I already have inexpensive web space, I would have to register a second domain, as the first one would not necessarily be suitable for the purpose. I currently have a forum running on it that I will no longer use. However, years ago (since 2011) I built my own web application with a JavaScript framework designed specifically for it. It was never fully developed, but basically everything works, it just produces somewhat large HTML codes because it is not optimized (that was the last step, which I never implemented due to time constraints). With today’s download speeds, it’s no longer such a big problem. I’m currently still using this in an adapted form for microcontroller applications over a network. That’s why I thought of simply using it for my website, which I can put together relatively quickly.

Now I’m going on vacation for a few days, about 420km to 850km by bike, to relax without having to go anywhere.

Best regards!