Hi, I am quite new to MakerWorld and quite used to work with STLs so not fully understanding some of the aspects of 3MF files.
Well I understand the benefits of the files and it is quite nice to have print settings included. Especially if some special settings are needed.
But then I see that when I import into Bambu Studio it gives me all sorts of material settings too. And not quite understand why… because default material settings are very good and some for other filaments there is a huge chance I don’t have those or would use different settings anyways.
So is there a way to not import material settings when loading the 3MF files?
Even more annoying is when I get AMS setup imported into my studio when I don’t even have one. As well as printer settings for a printer I don’t have…
Or I don’t understand that part? Would be nice if there was a way to only import certain data from the file.
Then when I create something on MakerWorld what should I supply?
I uploaded a design that has multiple optional parts and people can choose which ones to use depending on their needs.
So am I supposed to make multiple 3MF files for each of the optional parts? That would just be a copies with only the STL file exchanged. Or should I put the other parts on different build plates so people can choose which one they want to print? But then how do I add infos on what the part is intended for which I usually put into the filename of the STL?
I have some designs that I wanted to upload that basically have a huge amount of variants and people who want to use them should choose the part they need. But the parts have several parameters to make that decision. Also have some variants for different materials in there. So making 3MF files for every or adding a build plate for each part would be a ton of work and would make if way too complicated for someone who wants to print it to choose which variant they need.
So would it be better in this case to initially only upload the STL files and add some example print profiles? Do people understand that the provided print profiles are examples for some variants but there are way more to choose from?
In the context of MW, the 3MF files (print profiles) offers a quick way for users to get printing with settings recommended (and presumably tested) by the model’s creator. For example, part orientations, support or strength settings.
Users can also choose to use the provided print profile as a starting point, and alter some of the settings to suit their preference, machines, and materials.
You can just supply the STL files, but then you’re counting that the users will know how to orientate the parts and set up the slicing options. Might work for simpler models but for complex models, it can lead to frustrated users.
As for the 2nd part of your post, if you have a huge amount of variants, you might want to evaluate if OpenSCAD + MW’s Parametric Model Maker will be suitable:
You can use plates to present different options in print profiles too, but note that there’s a 36 plate limit.
I usually use the plates to present single/multi colour options, optional parts, or size variants. For example, here’s my pill organizer model with 3 different box sizes sharing the same pill containers:
Well the variants already exist so porting them to another CAD program would be quite a lot of work that I put into these designs over the years already. Plus depending one some parameters the template needs to be changed which I think OpenSCAD can’t do. At least when I last checked it out it was not suitable for some of my designs.
As for supplying STL files and counting on users to know what to do… well I thought that was basic 3d printing knowledge… but then again I started years ago with self build printer, doing lot of stuff by hand and all that. So maybe that has changed.
I can suggest testing the water with a few variants, evaluate the outcomes and proceed from there. Now I’m certainly intrigued by these designs, please do post back here when you’ve uploaded. Good luck!
Have started uploading a few of the designs.
More to come, but going over them currently to get good example images and check if orientations of stl files are right (CAD I use often exports stls with wrong “down” direction). Flashlight adapters Acrylic tool caps
If you have any suggestions on improving the uploads and description I am happy to hear them.
Wow! One learns something new everyday. I didn’t know there’s a field called lightpainting using flashlights - very cool!
I think you’re on the right track to have separate Adapters and Tool Caps models, since the former is the starting point of your lightpainting system, and the latter are attachments to the Adapters.
Inside each model’s print profile, you can then offer the most common or popular sizes/types of Adapters and Tool Caps respectively. For example a range of common sizes for the Adapters, one size per plate.
In case you’re not aware, you can name the print plates (the green ‘pencil’ icon at the top left corner).
Having said this, I reckon lightpainting is quite a specialised area for 3D printing (especially with TPU parts), so you’ll have some work ahead to make your field and designs known!
Well it is quite a niche form of art but it i getting some more interest recently.
Basically it is handcrafted digital art and in times where a lot gets flooded with mediocre ai generated stuff people seem to value handcrafted real images even more.
And if you get some artwork from a good lightpainter you can be sure that it is all done manually. Usually the photos we create don’t even come near photoshop, everything is done with light tricks and is real.
About the models, yes I have plenty other tool caps so I did not want to mix them all together so people can find those they want/need more easily.
And it does not really need TPU it is just better to do the adapter in TPU.
Also not really after getting as many downloads as possible with them. These are tools for a specialized artform and people looking for them will find them Just want to provide the system I designed to people looking to get these tools. More on a common interest for the art basis.
Probably NOT what you are after but you can list entire collections on Makerworld and other sites in a quite well organised fashion.
I did that for a while on Thingiverse and other sites for my models.
Like having a collection for metric screws where I had singles, groups and entire sets of threads, nuts and bolts listed.
When people were looking for nuts and bolts they often found my collection and from there the parts they needed.
I did not provide print profiles, just the STL files and basic instructions to get them printed properly.
One thing to note is that the orientation the part has in the CAD program will be the one it is imported with.
So if you have something done in the assembled form it does pay off to copy to parts and to manually get them into the correct print orientation before exporting as STL or such.
Just want to provide the system I designed to people looking to get these tools. More on a common interest for the art basis.