Bambu users… I get that when I upload prints most people have no regard to the fact that selling models you print isn’t very ethical. But most people aren’t ethical. But when they make a request cause their “customer” wants it. What can you do but laugh. This is the second time.
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At least they asked! You could tell them no. I had someone ask me once, and I said it wasn’t up to me as I made it a MakerWorld exclusive. If someone asked me if they could print a one-off print for someone for compensation? Sure. Why not. I would probably just say “I put it on my Makerworld page for people to print it. Go ahead and print it.
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I was recently reading a thread on the Ebay forum that was discussing what makes sellers block people. One person said they block anyone who sends them a message that ends in “god bless” lol.
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“god bless” is one of those scam keywords. Another good one is “kindly”.
Its like seeing someone holding a sign on a exit ramp that says “anything helps, god bless” then turn around and buy illicit items.
There is nothing wrong with the phrase, just odd that it gets put into that context all the time.
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I see the word kindly a lot in messages that start off with “Hello dear”. They’re usually messages that tell me I won something but I have to pay the shipping up front.
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I’d love to program an add-on for MakerWorld that blocks such users for everyone using the add-on. Then those users would only see a half-empty MakerWorld.
Block him immediately and he won’t be able to access your 3D models anymore. Of course, he could still log out and access them, but most people don’t realise that.
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I didn’t know this. Thanks!
IDK, he can sell a 3D print service.. Would it be very different if the client downloaded the model and asked printerdude to make it? Is it important that the person who would like the object you shared own a printer, rather than using someone elses printer?
I’ve set my models (thingiverse still) to all use accepted because I can’t enforce anything and the dishonest people will just do whatever they want anyway, while usage restriction will only punish the honest people who respect it or ask..
As a person who is (trying to be) rather honest and well behaving I’m tired of being last in the queue while all the cheaters push ahead; so my 3D shares are my tiny contribution to levelling the field.
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I often get asked by strangers to make models for them.
They often provide their story.
Most of the time it is fidget spinner variations to help specific physical or psychological aspects of the designated recipient.
Keychains and coasters are also a common request. These are normally to add another in an existing theme I launched. Flags and app icons normally.
I will generally help based on answers to follow up questions and warnings about selling them. This help is generally based on my medical condition, I haven’t uploaded in four months and have a backlog of models to upload and to complete, they will have to wait until I am capable of restarting.
If I trust the person (as much as anyone could be) I make it. I love my various fidgets as they help people as well as entertain, so I am often more easily swayed.
If they say they are going to sell them or I suspect they will, I tell them to sign up to my Patreon and provide their email to confirm.
I do not mind giving away almost 900 models for people to enjoy my efforts, but if people think they should make money off of my efforts without the tiny monthly subscription - absolutely not.
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Making me feel horrible.
There, I feel better.
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You can always tell them you will design one for a fee. I assume this person reached out because you have a football bank.
Anyway, I don’t publish any of my designs as most of them are parts of enclosures for electronics I design. But I do have some prints that are stand alone products and I do some design work for others. Although to be honest, my design work is nowhere near as good as most of the stuff on MakerWorld, so really nobody is missing anything. But, even still, I get emails quite often through my store with people requesting my STL files so they can print my product, because you know, they have a 3d printer and seem to think that anything that can be 3d printed is free.
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The difference is that one involves providing a service, while the other involves the traditional sale of a product. When providing a service, you print the object for the customer. When selling, the goal is to sell the object yourself.
For customers ≠ For selling yourself
There is actually no risk of confusion. Apart from the fact that with a service, the customer must provide the file. That is why most 3D printing services include this exact phrase in their terms of service:
“For 3D printing orders where you provide us with print data (e.g. STL files), you confirm that you have the necessary copyright and usage rights. You will also indemnify us against any claims by third parties for infringement of copyright, trademark rights or other industrial property rights arising from our use of the data you have transmitted.”
Furthermore, a reputable 3D printing service will ask you, when you order large quantities, whether you can send a copy of the permission or license. Obviously not all of them, but reputable companies will. Or even say no when it is clear that it is a violation.
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But OP said “But when they make a request cause their “customer” wants it.”. To me that sounds like printerdude got a request from a customer to print out a specific model (as a print service) and wanted to check with the creator.
The case where printerdude acts like a factory for his own shop is different yes, IMO mostly because it cuts out creators credit page. Other than that client gets an object they wanted and printerdude get paid for printing.
In that case I (my shares) accept to let them do it in order to not not limit the more honest printerdude in favor of the less honest one.
For those who don’t want printing for shops: As it’s pretty much impossible to keep dishonest printerdude from printing, one could brand the object in some difficult to remove way (like on an unevenly curved surface). Could be a QR code to creator page for limited spaces for example.. At least it would stick some creator credit / message to the item.
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We’re not big, mostly face to face, but I won’t do print as a service. I guess the closest thing is if asked to produce something like that I will just purchase the license and build that cost in if I don’t intend to make another for sale. As you’ve probably gathered I’m not one for complexity in a sale.
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Just so we’re on the same page, based on the information available, none of us can make that judgement. That’s why I kept my comment neutral and generic.
So what is the problem? Lack of information. When writing to someone, it is important to include all the necessary information in your message and to avoid spelling mistakes. Your sentences should also be straightforward and easy to understand.
All of this is missing from the message, which already lacks any spark of professionalism. You can overlook it if a newcomer writes to you like this and wants something for private use - but not if someone wants it for their customers as part of a commercial order.
I immediately delete requests like this, which I receive time and time again, when they are written like this. It’s not because I demand correct spelling; it’s because I know that the rest of the communication leading up to solving the problem will be a mess.
Back then, I used to do that regularly, but in the field of 3D modelling/Unity. There were two options: either they would show the me the licence, or I would buy it for the customers. It was actually a fairly relaxed collaboration. Nobody ever tried to get around it.
However, it’s easier to track down black sheep. If someone uses something in Unity without a licence with the intention of publishing it, it’s immediately noticeable and will have serious consequences.
It’s just easier to track than with 3D printing. Of course, they’re two completely different worlds. But theoretically, if someone had thought about it back then, a 3MF is just an archive like a zip file. Theoretically, it would have been possible to add a function to store license information.
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He has a customer - who is going to pay him. Your time as someone who can create a printable version of a team-logo football (at least he believes you can) is worth vastly more than his time as someone who can print such a model. I do a little very simple designing myself, and my opinion is based on that experience. He’d need to pay a multiple of his full retail price for the single item to compensate you fairly for your time.
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I don’t understand what all the conversation is about. It’s pretty simple. Let’s think about it a different way.
A home scanner/print can be had for cheap. Can I go the library check out a book, scan, print it, and sell it as my own? And what would you think of someone who did?
There is a term we all know for that. It’s the same thing. It’s plagiarizing.
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In all honesty, I’ve printed at least a good thirty fidget spinners. When I get tired of them, I let them go for half a dollar each at a craft show when I am selling my other REAL product I make… Cheese. It gets folks to the table and talking about both cheese and 3d printing. Is that not unreasonable? I am not mass producing them for a profit, just covering filament (barely if that or just simply to get them out of my house).
Now what burns me the heck up is to go to these craft shows and see folks charging upwards of +$50 USD for the miniature articulated dragons that come out of an egg (60mm^3). Folks pay willingly these absurd prices. If they sell one, they cover both their filament to print 15. Yes I know stuff like that takes a big amount of time, but really? I’m willing to bet they didnt exactly ask for permission either.
I mean I don’t personally have any problem with someone printing and giving away things, or in your case giving away at cost of filament.
No one is going to change the mind of people who think 3d printing is the craft of creating the object. So I’m not going to try.
We should all face this fact too: Bambu lab has created awesomely printers and they’d likely have a lot less customers if it wasn’t for people thinking they could make money by buying the machine and printing free objects.
I’m enjoying this discussion. Maybe some readings are looking at things in a different light. But the “Jim” that sent me this original message probably isn’t on the forum.
Good Bless Kindly Dear