I think they should add a warning style “enter contest” button, stating that by clicking this button, you acknowledge this model complies with contest theme and/or rules.
If model is found in violation of the contest then(insert punishments here). If repeated violations continue then you will be inelegible for contest entry for 3 months.
I have just looked at the puzzle contest today and found one user flooding it with hueforge, 2 or 3 others with random stuff like “shark comb” etc… I think people need this warning in their faces so they can take accountability for abusing the contests
Sure it is. It’s a brain teaser, making us all puzzled as to why it was even submitted.
Actually, not a very good brain taser in that construct, given we know it was submitted to get attention for points. Not the best puzzle, I guess you’d say.
I learned this was my first contest and my last. I can say I participated in one and can be done with it. If anything it shows how some can’t or won’t read, and have no regard for what the contest is. Discouraging for those that actually give some time and think about the contest and enter accordingly.
I thought that with one of the previous contest I entered. They can feel frustrating in a few ways. I think the best way to think/approach it is if you just happen to be working on something that fits one of the contest. The later two contest I entered, that’s how it went. I made that cat wheel because I just had a wild desire too. When I was printing it, it was like “Oh! Pet contest!” The other contest I entered, the school supply contest, I didn’t even get an honorable mention But the model was just something I happen to do that fit the theme. I just got some crazy pens and wanted a case for them.
I have entered a few, gained one of those honourable mentions (in your face @Josh-3D), won each and every other one.
By ‘win each and every other one’, I mean that is how I like to remember things, others may believe other realities, who am I to argue.
The one I gained the honourable thingy for was an entry that I never thought would win.
Contests are a strange beast, unless you enter on day one you get very few downloads, reducing quickly over the next few days, the moment another contest begins, the one you entered is mostly forgotten.
Contest, not just bambu ones were always a problem for most (honest) users.
And people seem to forget how these contests work and what their purpose it.
Bambu does not do contests to give you free filament rolls, vouchers or such.
They do it for the money and to create a fast growing user base.
One goes in line with other.
The benefit for Bambu is way higher than for the user or the winning contest entires.
Those ads, the clickbait and trackers following are like real money these days - every click counts…
Not to mention that is a genius way to get well working print profiles you turn into the provided defaults in future updates for Studio…
An average price pool of $2000 for the average contest running time translates to about 8 times that in earnings of one sort or another for Bambu.
And in almost all cases those vouchers are based in list prices everyone else and that include the profit margins.
So a a voucher for 5 rolls of filament costs Bambu around $120 bucks including shipping…
As long as both hosters and those entering contests do this to make money or gain benefits contests will never be clean, nor fair
Especially if the organisers can’t be bothered to keep them clean by only listing once an actual human confirmed the entry meets requirements…
IMHO your model did fit “costume prop” part of theme. You could do a better job of showing that via photos and description, but other than that it was IMHO fitting.
Point here is - you honestly tried participating with an item that could (and imho should) be interpreted as matching the theme. That’s ok. What’s not ok is adding things to contests that do not fit the theme regardless of how much you stretch the interpretation of the theme.
Had a chat last night with a nice creator who needed some (video chat) help to replace that blown stereo he had in the car.
While he was dealing with all the plastic parts and screw we talked a bit about contests and why he only offers his work through his own website.
The kids just turned 19 and tried creating things on the computer for the first time 3 years ago at school…
The teacher listed some of the students creations (in their name of course) on a hosting site and also entered some in contests.
Both teacher and this kid had to learn that the best models were abused and faced what so many creators face.
Like having the most views and likes in a contest to then be booted out by last minute entries from people who stole models.
Already back then the kid decided that neither contests nor hosting sites are the right option for him.
And judging by him still only doing this as a hobby while now trying to make it all the way to a commercial helicopter license he knows what he is doing…
The more I talk to those creators I support by downloading basically directly from them and paying them directly the more I have to wonder why our hosters are so reluctant to do things right or at least much better.
Sure the pure volume and clicks make sure the profits never run out - but the creators eventually will.
Get stung once and you call it a lesson learned, get stung twice and you start to wonder, after that the smart ones look for alternatives.
There is quite old forum dedicated to CNC machining, laser works, model creations and all that, not just 3D printing stuff as the how to is not part of the site.
Have a look at Cgpersia and see the flood of models and what else they have…
Then work out why this site keeps attracting so many creators for so many years…
And that without those faked contests or prices…
Just saying…
I honestly don’t think much of the contests and even less to @MakerWorld ability to moderate them fairly. They’re a great exploit to grab attention and a few extra days exposure though. Punishment has never been the strong point on makerworld, reporting only works for small noname uploads and going higher only gets you condescending replies and little else.
Smart kid. I’d choose helicopter pilot over 3d printing every day.
But the model was just something I happen to do that fit the theme. I just got some crazy pens and wanted a case for them.