I’m looking to add NFC tags in the box of my Board Game models so that users can download a PDF file of the board game rules. I was thinking of putting a URL on the NFC tag, directly linking and opening a PDF file. Where would I store these PDF files so that they are permanently available? I’m not looking to host a site or use my own storage. I have upload the PDF files in the instructions area with my model but I don’t think this MakerWorld file download has an URL to link to. I could link to the model site, but then there is the extra step to find the PDF download. Looking for any simply solutions? Thanks
Do you mean files associated with each model being stored with each model for the users benefit?
If so, put them in the documentation section and mention them in the description.
Two places – 1) where Malc said, and I would NOT use that as a permalink. Makerworld likely does not give you permalink/redirect guarantees.
- You can use the QR code services websites to help get a permalink. NFC and QR are basically the same thing in your problem domain - its a physical immutable object that is just text of a link. Beware, most of those qr sites are a bit shady. I dont have one to recommend, but maybe someone else does. When you find one to use, you can get a link from them, and point it to the makerworld hosted pdf. If makerworld ever changes their URL scheme, you can just update it in the QR service to redirect your permalink to the new location.
I have never had a file in the documentation section renamed.
That doesn’t mean they won’t, but doesn’t mean they will.
The restrictions placed by the OP means there are few other choices. This one keeps things together.
Nothing is ideal, not even hosting your own files like I did for decades.
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And to be clear, you’d leave the “master” copy on makerworld project documentation. The QR code service redirect is just a thing standing in the middle that has an assurance that it will NEVER EVER CHANGE [until that company goes out of business] to match how the physical object [your NFC/QR code] will never ever change 
I already have the PDF files of the rules in the download section. I’m looking to link the file directly either from MakerWorld or from another site. Ideally the PDF file would open and not have to go through additional steps to find it.
I understood the request.
- You add the additional file to that section.
- You click on the link from the model page
- Copy the link from the url bar
That is your link to the PDF file.
I tried the link on one of the PDF downloads. The start of the link began with “blob:https:” and the message was “Your file couldn’t be accessed”. I tried removing the “blob” portion and got a 404 error. It appears that I can not use the MakerWorld URL. The example that I tried is on this model:
FOCUS BOARD GAME - Bookcase Edition by Ritz MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models.
Just my luck, they have changed how they deliver the files.
My idea is dead.
Using MakerWorld’s download link would have worked ideal. I’ll need a second solution. Anybody got experience with NFC tags that can give some advise?
I used to host my own servers in my server farm.
Other NFC tags held data for custom solutions.
What about a free GitHub site?
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Personally, I would always make something like a programmed NFC tag or a printed QR code link to a domain I had full control over, as you can change the server side down the road, but changing something that is more or less static out in the world is a little tricky.
You can do Github pages with your own domain, which (at least for now and I think the foreseeable future) is free, except for the cost of the domain.
In regards to NFC tags, remember to NDEF format them and use a single URL record for good compatibility with different phones. Especially iPhones are a bit picky in that regard.
Any suggestions on a free NFC writer, I have an Android Samsung phone. Are the NFC tags not already set up to be programed, why the formating? I’m totally new to NFC tags, that’s the reason for all the questions.
There are different apps, like eg. “NFC Tools” and NXP also have “Tag writer”, which I have used as the tags I was writing to was NXP parts.
NDEF is sort of a standard on how to place data on the tag, and if an iPhone should be able to read it, it must be NDEF. There are different record typed in the NDEF system, but the plain URL is the one that iPhones handles most easily, and Android devices do that too.
When a tag is NDEF formatted, you can write it from either Android or iOS, but if it’s a plain new card, in my experience, you will need an Android device to format it first.
You can also lock down a card and protect it, though many of the cheaper types have had the security broken, so don’t use it to protect something super important.
I have heard good things about NFC Tools.
I’ve used NFC tools a ton on iOS and it’s rock solid.
UPDATE: I set up a new google drive with a new email address specifically for my board games. Uploaded the PDF or PNG board game rule files to google drive. Then downloaded the NFC Tools app on my Android phone, copied the specifiec URL from google drive and used the write option on NFC Tools for programing of the tags. I put the NFC tags on the back-inside of the spine of my bookcase edition box. Worrks great. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. Even an old dog can be taught a new trick.
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Good stuff. Just file this episode away in the back of your mind if these links ever stop working:
- Do not “delete” that document ever. Edit it, overwrite it, etc. If you delete and recreate it, there will be a new link, assigned via the file’s UUID, not its name or anything under your control.
- If google drive changes their link formatting, you might be 404.