Dare To Be Human - "SoulCrafted" movement

RetroSharky · February 27, 2026, 5:31pm

Firstly, I have no strong views on AI. The campaign is run by MyMiniFactory. The topic should be: Can MakerWorld learn from this? This is regardless of the realisation that the current situation will probably never change.

To start with, what is it about? MyMiniFactory has launched a campaign. They take a clear stance against AI, started a movement, build an ecosystem around it and develop an open source slicer.

To keep the topic on track, we don’t need to discuss whether or not a new slicer is necessary. Instead, I want to focus on the bigger picture: how 3D modelling sites are setting themselves apart by opposing AI and supporting ‘human’ creators. It’s not just about the slicer; it’s about protecting and supporting creators from start to finish.

Now, let’s return to Bambu. This introduction was necessary, though. In case anyone missed it, once again: I am neither for nor against AI. I also realise that MakerWorld appeals to a different customer base.

Could Bambu learn from this? Recognise that there is also a market that prefers 3D models created by humans? I would like to see professional MakerWorld competitions in which creators have to prove that they designed their models themselves. With CAD, for example, this can be done using the timeline. I don’t want normal competitions to disappear, but MakerWorld should also more support human creators. There should be a verification requirement for entries to be considered valid in professional competitions.

The same could be said of a badge like the exclusive programme one, whereby creators distinguish themselves by not using AI. Verifying this would be another question. As I said, this is more of an open discussion.

Returning to the big picture, sites like MyMiniFactory are now definitely going on the offensive to appeal to customers who are willing to spend large sums of money on human-made models.

I am well aware that Bambu is currently performing extremely well, but one thing must not be forgotten: success in the mainstream can be temporary. Customers who retain for decades are more valuable, especially if they spend a lot of money.

Source:

https://www.myminifactory.com/blog/introducing-soulcrafted-dare-to-be-human

Bjoern_3D · February 27, 2026, 6:40pm

Isn’t their business model very different from MakerWorld’s though.

RetroSharky · February 27, 2026, 7:26pm

MyMiniFactory has acquires Thingiverse. This means that, in terms of 3D models (not necessarily customers), they cover the same area, or not? - Unless you mean hardware.

Bjoern_3D · February 27, 2026, 8:57pm

I meant the part under your link that says, “When you buy from MyMiniFactory, your money supports a real person’s creative work.” Granted, you can have commercial licenses on MakerWorld, but it’s not really the same business model is it?

RetroSharky · February 27, 2026, 9:40pm

Sorry, I don’t understand your question: You can purchase a commercial license on MakerWorld or MyMinifactory, depending on the creator. In both cases, the fees obviously flow to the respective companies.

Cypherous · February 27, 2026, 9:41pm

Not sure what the slicer has to do with it, bambu studio and orca are already open source so the whole slicer thing makes no real sense as a marketing point, and if people want to pay for what they consider “real” files then go for it, nobody is on MW paying a commercial sub for AI models lol

DWdesigns · February 27, 2026, 11:33pm

I am confused about that too - all the slicers that I know of are open source and free. Maybe MyMiniFactory is trying to provoke Orca users? Kidding aside, let’s get back to the point of AI’s role.

To me, I don’t care if a model is made entirely with AI, partly with AI, or no AI at all. as long as it is printable and the cover image of the upload shows a printed model. People can make bad models without AI and people can make good models with the help of AI.

The only other thing about the use of AI is that such use should be disclosed to users. I think this is sort of the consensus.

Bullocks · February 28, 2026, 12:53am

It’s more the sites that are a problem than the AI. Categorization. If I were king, you know what I’d categorize an AI generated model with a fake rendered screenshot? DELETED. Not "tagged as AI” or downranked or any such half measures. The uploader violated the rules by publishing disingenuous content and gets the BANHAMMER. Has absolutely nothing to do with AI, if they did it with old school with photoshop I’d be just as livid. Don’t waste my filament/money/time for your own selfish internet points* and it is wild to me that the curators of the current repos do not feel the same.

I dont have the answer but it starts with a rigid assertion that the model you are downloading matches the pictures and descriptions shown, or else I don’t trust the site to not waste my time. You would never return to a restaurant that you ordered pizza, but was given a plate of Surströmming. And had to pay for the stinky fish.

* [or in makerworlds case, your own selfish internet points that are convertible to money. Oh dear, motive to spam can be a terrible thing.]

3dEd · February 28, 2026, 12:15pm

You can open up any 3d model file and tell right off if it was created by a designer or if it was created by AI or was scanned. The quality difference is massive. I have heard AI described as allowing those without skills, to have the appearance of having skill.

The purpose of modern AI is to eliminate white collar workers. Who needs a designer when any joe blow can just ask an AI program to make something that looks good enough. By the way it is not artificial intelligence, it is intelligence mimicry. It is not intelligence, it is clever programming.

I worked on one the first real world artificial intelligence projects back in the 1980’s, a fully autonomous vehicle.

Back then the idea was that AI was to be used to add functionality to machines. Nowadays the worse people on the planet are the ones sucking the wealth out of the country and putting it into AI, with dreams of making the rest of us obsolete. Most major manufacturing concerns in America have been looted, their factories closed, their technology spirited out the country, with many brands being reduced to little more than a trademark slapped on a Chinese made product. The reason there is a homeless problem in America is because the American aristocracy has decided that they make more money if workers are replaced with machines, jobs sent elsewhere, and now AI slop.

There is a growing movement in America to eschew corporate products. To buy things made by individuals and small companies. Isn’t that what Etsy is doing? Requiring sellers to be creators, or at least an agent of a creator. There are crafts shows that nowadays include 3D printed products that have requirements that the sellers also be creators, or their associate.

It has long been a desire within the maker community to use 3D printers, and the concept of 3D printers to allow consumers to produce their own products, as opposed the the corporate made products that seem to get smaller and cheaper with each new product cycle. I don’t see a need for a separate slicer. An on-line store that is well advertised and curated and caters specifically to the direct selling from creator to consumer would be more of a benefit. Or even a tag on models on MakerWorld and elsewhere that specifies how a model was created. Perhaps a universally recognized symbol or symbols.

As an example of a good creator designed product as opposed to a corporate product look at Josh-3D’s card shuffler. Compare it to any corporate product on the market and they are noticeably less robust than this one, which anyone can print in whatever colors they desire. All at a much lower cost than what is sold at the local conglomerate owned store