I’m just wondering if from your experience would it be possible to earn enough points to buy one or two of the $55 gift cards without owning a printer. I use to have access to a 3d printer so i have a few of my models printed out but all the ones I make from here on out I will not be able to print so is it still realistic to try earn like 500-1000 points in around a year that way I would be able to buy a new printer for a discount and feel good about it cause I’m saving some money and my passion of creating models actually helped me.
i think yes. It is possible to do it in one month, with the right/good models. 
I don’t think so, mainly because the guidelines strictly require a photo of the printed models. You can try uploading them without real photos, but once they gain attention (and points), they will likely be taken down due to the lack of a real picture.
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You missed it by a few months. Michaelm is correct and Bambu recently reiterated this with requirements for photos in print profiles.
There was a flood of people here posting tons of models (frequently stolen but many cubes, letters, rectangles, and other junk) with only renders. Bambu wants photos to prove models are printable and to give users confidence that they can print it too. Plus that photo barrier excludes those who can’t be bothered to print.
Unfortunately that makes bootstrapping the hobby harder for others. If you can hook up with others with printers, they can print and photograph for you, though.
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It’s not clear to me if it’s also require to have a real picture of the printed model inside the image gallery on the model page or only on the print profile.
Because if you only read the guidelines published on MW, the only mention of that requirement is for models published under a CC0 license.
But on the other hand, I know there are some MW statements on this forum that says otherwise. It’s super confusing to be honest ^^`
@MakerWorld, could you clarify this, please?
And update the guidelines on MW website if it’s also a requirement for the model page itself and not only for the print profile. Thank you 
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IF the real image requirement is only applicable to print profiles. It’s doable to make some points. But it will be a slower process without published print profiles.
Because 1 successful print (from a print profile) counts for 2 downloads for the reward system. So you can gain points 2x faster.
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My understanding is you’ve ticked the box stating there is printed evidence uploaded, this has been there for quite a while and needs to be ticked before publishing the model.
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If you are really good with CAD and you don’t need to iterate, prototype and test multiple times, I guess you can print your model at your local fablab (or however is called in your area) and complete the profile. I don’t think the print has to come from your printer 
That said if you can save a little, with 250 bucks you can have a A1 mini shipped with some filament spool and that is more than enough to bootstrap your little enterprise.
EDIT: I don’t want to sell anything, but as someone who tried those i3 clones 10 years ago, this little baby is a beast. 
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Oooooh i wanna see what Malc has to say. 
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I guess he can suggest some alternatives 
I do not have the option to check that off when I just upload an stl with no print profile. But overall I think I am gonna start getting my models printed through a service my school offers.
Only print profiles for BL printers qualify for points.
Give me a minute, I’m winding up to full strength.
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Your question.
Can you realistically earn points without a printer?
Answer
Yes
Reason
Some people here have commented that you MUST provide photo evidence that your print was successful. Those that said it for print profiles are correct, those who said it is true for models are incorrect.
It is a requirement that if you provide a print profile, you MUST include photographic evidence that your model as shown in the print profile does print perfectly.
As I already stated above, the only way to obtain points though, is if the print came from a BL printer.
There was a requirement (past tense) to provide photo evidence that a model could be printed, this has unfortunately been removed. For reasons only drunk monkeys might understand.
Now anyone can upload any model irrespective of its ability to be printed. If you honk that is stupid, you are correct, it is massively stupid and the quality bar had started to go down because of it. Idiotic random models with no photos and no print profiles litter NW and are increasingly being added.
Back to the question.
Can you realistically earn points without a printer?
Qualified answer.
If you create a model and upload it and do NOT upload a print profile (because you can’t provide evidence), you will gain points from anyone downloading the model and making their own print profile.
If someone likes your model, they could create, print and upload the profile with photo evidence.
They will gain the profile points, but, you will gain because someone made it easier to print for all those who find it difficult to create their own profile, are too lazy to bother or, only use Bambu Handy (BH).
You will gain points because people use that profile.
Tips
- Design things people want or need
- Perform searches to see popular things
- Never copy someone else’s work
- Do not expect immediate success
- You said you have access to a printer, ALWAYS make sure it prints
Quality is your friend.
I design, print, test, refine, repeat my models.
Later today (hopefully) I will upload a model I have created many prototypes of as it has many interconnected parts, I wanted each to fit perfectly with each other, that took time to perfect. Even when printed, parts fit, but, protruded too much, I revised and reprinted until the real world model all worked well together.
Have fun or you will give up.
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ahahhaah!
Other than the laugh, all correct what you wrote!
I remember there is a guy that uploads tons of cute animal models without uploading a print profile and it seems to me that he’s getting some good reward points!
I don’t recall the name now and it’s not important
Why you gotta knock lazy like that…
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Someone has to stand up against those laying down.
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In situations like this, I like to advise people to reach out to 3d printing communities to help test and print their models to verify them. I think one can engage the system and it be fruitful, without having to be dodgy.
For that matter, one could reach out with help on getting print profiles added too. I’ve setup print profiles for people before!
There’s a lot of people that enjoy 3d printing and all of this, so I think there would be a lot of people that’d be happy to help out just for the excuse to get to use their printers more!
The key, the big thing, the most important thing, is to show respect for the community. These are the people that are going to help you reach your goals, after all.
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I published my first two designs using a work printer after hours and overnight and the points from those models was enough to cover the cost of getting my own printer and filament.