Free isn’t a long-term solution. I believe designers need to be paid.
3 Likes
Are we not currently on some level. I’ve only created stupid Roblox models for my kids, but I’m earning roughly $40/week. This covers all my filament costs right now and I plan to save them up for the new 6 head printer.
Since I’m only using TinkerCad (just learned 3 months ago) and not a fancier software, these models take a lot of time, so I’m probably making only a few bucks an hour. But my kids are happy and so am I that all my future needs 3D printing purchases will hopefully continue to be paid for.
2 Likes
Go to “3D Models > Newest” and you’ll see that it should probably the other way around.
7 Likes
Recently, I uploaded 8 models to MW, spending a ton of time and effort. Unfortunately, I got no benefit from it—not even enough for a coffee. ! 
This is a bit demotivating, as creating quality models takes hours of work, creativity, and technical skills.I think if we want platforms to keep getting awesome models, we need to support creators more. Even a small reward or recognition could inspire us to keep making content. Without it, the desire to upload new work slowly fades ! 
5 Likes
I hope there are paid and free options when uploading models to MW
There are currently quite a few “economic” models 3d model repository sites work:
- “Thingiverse” - no paid models, no incentivization for creators
- Creator subscription “Patreon”. Users can chose to pay specific creator flat fee for access to creators premium models
- Pay per model - User pay for specific model. “Cults3d”
- Point system - creators rewarded by site owner based on downloads/prints generated with assumption that those prints generated revenue for site by guiding consumable/printer purchase towards site owner. MakerWorld and all the clones of it
There are currently multiple sites offering 3d models and most of them operate using one or mix of above methods. Its down to you as creator to choose where you want to publish your creations.
3 Likes
i understand where are you coming from, and i also understand that for some users and me seeking to get paid for motivation, time and filament compensation etc…
I’ve mentioned before in another post that if they initiate a paid model system that i will be the 1st one putting my high end designs for sale, just because it is high end and spent time/effort on it, the platform already starting being favorable towards specific group of designers, and leaving everyone else in the SEO pit of doom.
but then after deep thinking, i would not recommend putting paid model because a lot of users will be putting a price on models that not necessarily should be priced, for example simple designs such as a holder or a phone stand, or might somethin excessively priced for no reason, and not to forget AI hoggers, exploiters, badly designed…etc., the fact of that i would 100% bail on the platform, i am already on my last string on to bail on the platform because i am not getting the recognition needed as a creator.
to conclude…every upload has become a hit or miss if you are lucky enough a moderator notices your hard worked design to put it on the main page, if not…well good luck with SEO.
note: i am only speaking about this because i had a great start here but not recognized at all, but on the purple website 90% of my High-end uploads are being featured.
the 16th of june platform update was the killer…
I know of some paid sites, but they have no connection to 3D printing manufacturers. Bambu has its own printing ecosystem, which is great. Those model sites are not available in some areas.
There are currently 4 different ways for creators to be compensated on MW.
3 Likes
- Commercial Membership
- Crowdfunding
- Contests
- Models
…I assume? Or do you count differently?
Available to anybody from day one are 3 and 4 only though. For “4. Models” there are then a) model rewards, b) print profile rewards, and c) boosts. Optionally, with 20% extra by joining the Exclusive Program once you reach 100 prints. I think the Commercial Membership requires 200 followers, if I’m not mistaken. Not sure about Crowdfunding… I think at the moment it’s still only by invitation.
But yes, there are all those different ways of getting compensated already.
1 Like
I didn’t even think about contests. I was counting gift cards, direct payout, memberships and crowdfunding… so with contests you could say 5 ways.
1 Like
VPNs are always available
I feel like this would ruin the platform. The same people that point farm would be spamming models onto the site.
You also have to look at the audience that MW has put together. They tend to be a little younger. Some of them don’t have access to daddy’s credit card.
1 Like
I think we should take a step forward ， MW needs more people to be responsible for review.
1 Like
I’d say that of all the sites - thingiverse is still the best if you’re looking for highly specific models of functional parts or accessories. I think that’s in no small part because the site doesn’t focus on ways for a designer to “get paid” for making what’s offered there.
So many things get designed because the person doing the design has a personal need for them. If you own an older car, for example, and some plastic latch or fastener breaks? You may well find it’s out of production and impossible to obtain, so you design and print your own. You probably know practically nobody else who needs that same small part… and surely, demand isn’t enough so you’d make anything much trying to sell the print.
So it’s best to just share it and let people find it if and when they need it. It’s just a way to give back to others who have the same need, because you already saved money and time by designing it and making it for yourself.
This situation does exist, but it doesn’t affect the site’s ability to add a paid model.
They are currently facing issues of plagarism, AI and abusive users. With these still affecting the platform, the idea I think you are envisioning cannot exist. I do think they have found a decent medium for the time being though
I make things I either need or enjoy. If i think others will find it useful i throw it up on makerworld.
If you want to be paid; license your model to a manufacturer and work a royalty deal. If you don’t feel it is worthy of that; the model likely doesn’t have much intrinsic economic value.
2 Likes