Hi, I wonder if anyone can explain why some people insist on downloading the .stl file?
The reason I am asking is that I have a fairly successful model with around 8K prints, but it absolutely has to be printed with Wall Gerator set to Arachne. If it isn’t set correctly then it completely misses out an important mesh from some of the objects as the lines are too fine using the “Normal” setting.
The first line of the description says “Important - if you are using the .stl file, please read the instructions at the bottom.” - but you guessed it - I’ve had 50+ people saying that my model is rubbish because the lids don’t have the mesh! I have told them why it happens, and most admit that they didn’t read the instructions, but it all works out well for them in the end. I know that if I was about to start a 16+ hour print, I’d read the instructions.
I have asked every single person why they didn’t use the .3mf file, and not had a single reply. If I had the choice I would remove the .stl download option completely and at least then I’d have happy users.
I rarely if ever download something just to print it. I’m usually looking to create something for myself, and rather than reinvent the wheel, if there’s something reasonably close that someone else has already gone through all the trouble to model, I will download the STL (or STEP if available) so I can take it apart in CAD and leverage the parts I want for my project… So I would say that 99.9% of my model downloads are STLs and not 3MFs.
I only provide 3mfs and don’t upload STLs for a number of reasons. Many of my files contain a lot of different parts and 3mfs helps me keep them organized. I also tend to use assemblies for positioning of meshes in order to control how the slicer assigns colours. Lastly, like you, I have certain settings that I feel are necessary for the best result.
By only providing 3mfs, I reduce my time spent on admin and user support. Most of my users just want the thing to print right the first time. If someone really wants the STLs, they can still pull them out. It’s an extra step for them, sure, but also it’s a free model. I also figure that if they are pulling out the STLs, they know what they’re doing anyways and will be able to make sense of how the meshes are meant to go together.
Caveat: all my models are released under a Standard Digital License so my additional reasoning is that there’s no real need for the average user to want to take something of mine apart. If I made something that lent itself to remixing or was open source, then I would release source files like STLs, STEPs, SCADs, etc.
I think you missed the point of the information shared.
Your skills or longevity were not in question.
The topic ratholing was.
Only read if you wish to be informed.
Because STL files are the equivalent of a cake.
STEP files are the equivalent of the recipe and ingredients of a cake.
Editing an STL is not an intended action for the format as originally conceived, at least not to correct something several stages back. This is why STEP is seen as better.
It is worth remembering that because STEP files are instructions, they are very dependent on the quality of the software creating them, and using them.
Except they’re not. It’s literally just a solid model. There’s no creation history. It’s not an IPT, F3D, SLDPRT, etc. You can’t go edit specific features. It is, however, a SOLID model that you can edit however you wish or even reverse engineer much easier than an STL. I don’t want the cake, that’s my point.
I usually go straight to the model geometry because bambu/makerworlds’s 3mfs generate tons of warnings in other vendors slicers that usually result in me annihilating all the settings anyways. Not everyone only uses bambu. Put it in the description and your intelligent users will still find the instructions. Can’t save em all.
Having everything prepared ala 3mf is not really much of a disadvantage as you can still change the settings to your hearts content. Its more of a good starting place for me.
I always find it strange that an edited print profile can be rated.
If you are rating the print profile, rate the one supplied, not the one you changed, those changes are not reflective of the designers determination of what works best.
There was a way marked as a solution in the linked thread below. So potentially one can upload only one small part of the whole model as the STL file and that stops every other parts in the 3MF file from auto download. I am not sure if doing this will comply with the uploading rule though because the photo (which is required now) will only show that part, not the whole modle.
Potentially one can even upload a simple cube as the STL unrelated to the model but this will most likely breaks the rule.
Added: Just noticed another post above the one that was marked as the solution. I think this method may work and comply with the rule on MakerWorld.