Recently, I’ve noticed that a subset of users like to download 3MF files immediately and ‘hold’ them until they are ready to begin the project. Unfortunately, this can mean that users end up printing with outdated files. This was discussed in this forum topic and I’ve tried to consider some options to resolve this issue and would like to propose the following for feedback:
Current State:
When users download a 3MF from a print profile, they have no way to know when updates have been made to that print profile.
This can result in them missing important model fixes & updates.
Proposed Future State:
MakerWorld users downloads a 3MF of a model. (existing process)
(new process) User provides consent for receiving in-app notifications (only upon opening the 3MF file to reduce the likelihood of abuse). This would be opted out by default. Please see the illustration below for a rough idea:
The designer later edits the print profile for that model chooses “Yes. Users must be notified about the change”. (this is an existing process but only notifies users who have created print profiles for the model)
The MakerWorld user opens the local 3MF file that they had previously downloaded which is now outdated. (existing process)
(new process) Upon opening the file, the user receives a notification that an update has been published for this model along with a link to view the update. This would only appear if the user had previously opted in to this type of notification when downloading the file as shown in the previous steps. Please see the mockup below:
(new process) Upon clicking “View Updates”, the user is directed to the updated MakerWorld print profile where they can download the updated version and view the change log.
Considerations:
I recognize that this would require a check to the MakerWorld servers when models are opened locally. It may be that some users would prefer to disable this option in their Bambu Studio preferences.
Many designers include notes about model updates in their model descriptions. However, we can’t always be sure that users will read the descriptions. It might be valuable to capture a ‘change log’ of updates within the print profile to make this easier for users to understand.
@MakerWorld I believe that this change could improve the user experience and so I submit it for your consideration and for the feedback of the community.
This could violate GDPR. Users would have to opt-in for that notification. Actually, current implementation where profile creators are prompted is potential gdpr violation too because nowhere in profile upload flow, wiki guidelines or general rules are profile creators informed about possibly being notified…
This is big nono - this needs to be opt-in rather than opt-out. Also - if the user intentionally modified the profile themselves for their own use this could get annoying fast.
Actually, laws like GDPR require such “feature” to be opt-in rather than opt-out.
I don’t want to go over potential security problems, privacy problems or even possibility for abuse… But lets just say: creators were asking for a non-intrusive way to “keep in touch” with people who follow them and who downloaded the files, specifically for those kinds of situtuations. Bambu then came up with “Community” tab as a solution… So… I’m kind of very not on board and instead I’d recommend to use community tab and any/all social media the creator has to communicate updates with users
Good callouts and important considerations for privacy. I’ve amended/modified my post to call these out explicitly. Possibly a non-intrusive, opt-in as part of the 3MF download process could be worth considering and I’ve added an illustration of that as a thought-starter.
I’m not a fan of the bambu studio part, but I certainly would like a notification if a model or profile receives an update. Some of my favorite prints I print over and over again over time. I want to know there’s been an update!
I would like to propose that anyone who downloads the profile get a notification even without opening the profile. The reason is that once a profile has been used to print the model, users may have no reason to open it again unless they are notified that the old profile has some issues that may affect the durability of the model.
The notification can be shown as a direct message from the profile designer when users log into their MW account, or as an email notification similar to those that users receive when designers they followed publish new models.
In the account setting this will show as an opt-in under communication. An additinoal opportunity to opt-in to such messages can also be added to the steps when users download the profile or print using the profile.
This would be great. Just updated some print profiles on my one model to fix an issue and really hoped there would be a way to notify all the users who downloaded it.
