I love 3d printing and this idea of sharing and everything that we do. You’re right though, it does cost us to make things, to design things, and all of that. In the world of Bambu too, the importance on making a fuller more realized product adds in a lot of extra work. There’s just a lot of little things to do, to even get something published.
I like Makerworld though in the sense that I can still embrace those aspects I love, of the free sharing nature of it all, but also have my time compensated in a way that helps ease the burden of taking on that work.
It can certainly still be a lot though, especially as ideas get more complex. There’s a number of things I’d love to get into, but I just don’t have the time available because that time needs to be spent doing actual work which is way more lucrative.
I’d like to see Makeworld expand into some ideas/ventures that would see more direct compensation for the effort/time put into things. Perhaps the Maker Supply creator’s incentive will do that.
I feel a certain level of interest in the platform that makes me want to invest my time and efforts. That interest covers a number of areas of the platform. From the points system, to the print profile system, to the maker supply system. I want to see these systems fortified, expanded upon.
I did not suggest they should cut the rewards, nor that it doesn’t take time to make models. That’s all in your head Kidding aside, I know where you are coming from and I agree.
I’ll take any and all rewards that I’m offered until the end of time. And once the rewards stop, I’ll honestly have little to no incentive to put in this amount of work to make sure it works for the ‘public’, has clear pictures, descriptions, uploads, updates, etc… I tend to design simple things, because I prefer simple, and it’s still really time/energy consuming.
I don’t believe in ‘internet points’ or karma and the fun part of 3d printing for me isn’t necessarily tied to sharing my designs. Although it is very fun to see people print and use the things I created, it also would not be enough incentive for me. I love how many of my designs have 4+ ratings and it does give me a sense of pride, but I’m old, I have many other things to find pride in, so I don’t necessarily NEED this outlet.
Honestly, the lack of rewards is largely why I don’t bother posting to other sites anymore.
So thank you MW! Please don’t stop!
Yeah I read it as making a general point that we need to change how we talk about points/rewards. We need to do more to highlight the value it brings, and how that could be lost, if Makerworld lowers the earning rates, or whatever other adjustments. Makerworld set itself up in a way that helps further the goals of the community to create awesome free stuff, while also helping designer’s time be compensated.
We might consider the rewards “generous” vs printables, but from a working artist perspective, that can change the perception of things.
Oh no, I know you weren’t. My post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. I absolutely understood what you meant. I’ve had my share of artistic pursuit over the years and it’s always the same story. “We can’t pay you very much but you’ll get a lot of exposure”
Order of operations for me was
-Printer without AMS
-Most the basic colors of filament
-AMS
-Get the non basic colors
-Save for another printer and spare parts
I’m currently in the AMS part of this phase. I’ll reach it before the sale ends.
Filament is so tricky because 1 spool isn’t that costly, but having THE spool or 3 on hand to create what you want to create can be crucial to a jaw dropping print. Especially if you plan to upload the files to try and earn rewards. I think once you become filament rich it opens up what you can design and how well it is received by people.
To encourage designers to post up their models to Makerworld Bambu provides a point rewards system. The more models the better the site, the more traffic driven to it, the more Ad revenue generated by Bambu. So everyone in this scenario is benefitting in some way, In the last 12 years I’ve posted all my models up for free at thingiverse.com and never received any type of compensation for the hours of design and prototyping that goes into every single design. The fact that I can now post up to a website that offers me just a bit of compensation for my work is a nice. I used my points recently and purchased a A1-Combo to accompany my P1S that I have. I hope that Bambu continues the point system and I hope other companies are taking note.
It has given me the chance to do an art project focused build. I think a lot about going beyond the print plate. How to make bigger things, and how to make them feel like they weren’t just sliced up to fit on the build plate.
I’ve been getting bolder with my ideas and what I’ll try since I don’t have to penny pinch filament as much.
Agree its a trivial task, but to take your statement 1 step further… IMHO the lack of print-job consistency when an AMS runs-out is not a trivial matter. Also 1) why do we have to defend a personal preference for BL colours… like we’re just too stupid to calibrate an alternative supplier, or 2) be flamed by the fan club if we express frustration at the regular lack of BL stock?
Thank you everyone. When originally posted you convinced me to hold on to my points until I could get a second printer. The order was placed this morning. Should arrive later this week. I’m excited about being able to use a printer for very long or repeated prototypes and still be able to print on the second one.
Had a couple of hit models and earned enough for my first P1S. Then used them mostly for filaments until I had enough for my first AMS. Eventually I had a few more models that were popular and the points were coming in fast. I bought a second P1S-AMS combo just before MW changed the points system and derailed the fun for awhile. I was truly miffed and didn’t design much. Once they added the boost system in that helped bring things back up again. Not as crazy as it was but still worthwhile. I stopped sulking and came back around and started designing more. Keep plugging away and creating and you will find those home run designs that get you points.
I wanted to get the filament swatch kits and was excited to have accumulated enough point fort the 99% discount. I claimed the points but then found the product is no longer available. So much for that! LOL Live and learn.
i used a chunk to buy my A1, but mostly I used them to buy filament to replace the filament I spent testing my models before I uploaded them to Makerworld.
Because I don’t upload as much here now, I don’t get that many points so I spend them on new sheets for the cool plate or Makers Kits.
After using all points on hand for the anniversary sale, I’ve set this next goal towards the new release or new rewards whichever comes first. What’s nice about the system is this had been passive instead of having to stick to a certain schedule. It’s currently taking forever for me to finish a current project for the creators program but I might have sudden time off come September that’ll allow me extra time, we’ll see.
Best advice just hold onto it unless you want to buy something. The points will come and go.
At first, I spent my points on printer hardware: Highly essential spare parts such as complete hotends, extra filament cutter blades, nozzle wipers etc. and two bed plates (an extra golden textured PEI and the smooth PEI).
After I got all these things, I’m spending my points on filaments. Mainly PLA (and exciting varieties such as Sparkling and Galaxy) and PETG-HF.
As a result, currently I have quite a lot of unopened filament spools - so now I’m trying to save up for an AMS. I’ll probably end up getting impatient (as it takes a whole lot of points to get that many gift cards) and buy some more filament spools though…
I’m going to save mine for an AMS first then probably another printer X1 most likely, currently have a P1P. After that spares and filament though I already have quite a few spares as I’m approaching 2000 printing hours and only really replaced the PTFE tubing and upgraded the gears and hot ends so I could print all filaments.
Kidding aside, I know where you are coming from and I agree.
. If it’s shown that way at your end, it could be that you are the OP of this thread.
So much for that! LOL Live and learn.