Going in the trash....

[Sumner]

I got the snow plow and tender prints where I want them, at least for now and determined there was no use keeping the ones above anymore as they are all earlier prints or the print has a flaw in it.

That represents quantity of resin that had to be bought just to get the print to the poin where it can be put up on the internet for others to use 'free'.  When downloading a print from the internet keep the above picture in mind and maybe think about tipping the designer or at least hit the like button .  That means something to me and I'll bet others also who share their designs.

As an example ....



.... the freight transfer building shown above has been a popular download from my thingiverse and Cults accounts.  On thingiverse alone it has been viewed 6,330 times and downloaded 3,378 times but only been liked 246 times in the all most 6 years that it has been up.  I find it a little strange that someone can download something and not like it?

OK, pet peeve for the day over

Sumner

[CR4100]

A lot of people think that you just press a button and out comes a perfect 3D print. Nope! Lots of testing and refinement before a project is "complete."

Here's my print graveyard from my first locomotive shell. (Katy GP39-2)

edit: Getting close is easy. Getting everything correct is much more difficult.

[John]

I never get a first print to work right .. at least 3 or 4 tries before I am even close to happy ..

I for one appreciate all the effort you guys put in to make these designs ..

[Scottl]

Most of my well cars were 5-9 versions.  Design, supports, final ride height and coupler height. 

[garethashenden]

Yes the design process is iterative, but the biggest problem I have with 3d printing is that the unsatisfactory prints can only go in the landfill. With other processes mistakes can, at least in theory, be recycled.

[John]

Depending on the part/model, they can become junk yard fill, background models, or parts for other projects.

[peteski]

If you have regrets about offering your designs for free, just don't  do it. After all, it is your hobby and your time.

As for the likes, I'm sure most people do like the designs, but just simply don't go back to leave positive feedback.  In life most people are more likely to leave negative feedbacks, so if you don't see any feedback, I can almost guarantee that the people who downloaded your designs liked them.

[fcnrwy23]

Q.
Can the Resin being used for these "Printing" be recycled??
Or are they a one-time use/creation??

Jerry

[peteski]

UV-cured resin cannot be liquefied/reused like for example polystyrene resin which can be melted down and reused.  The curing process is permanent.

[Chris333]

The good news is they cost pennies to print.

[robert3985]

When I find an stl to download, I am not assured just by the description, illustrations or photos of the finished product, just exactly what its qualities are, and whether (or not) it is going to be usable.

I've had several downloads be totally unusable, my slicer not being able to "repair" them before supporting, slicing and then me printing them.

So, if the download is free, I make it a practice to go back and tip the designer/creator after I've got a successful print in my hands.

Other creators who I have become familiar with, charge a nominal fee to download some of their stl's, the best creators offering several variations in their downloads, such as unsupported, supported, individual parts, complete set of parts...which allows me to arrange the complete raft to fit my build plate, print individual parts if I break some, or modify individual parts to suit my preferences and needs.

I will assume that Sumner's time is worth something, and, if Sumner is confident his downloads are reliable/trouble-free and without problems, then, if I were him, I would charge a nominal fee for the download...like $4.00 or $5.00 for the complicated ones, and offer the simpler ones for free...or maybe charge only $1.00 to download...which is hardly unaffordable.

IF Sumner had charged a modest $4.00 per download for his popular Freight Transfer Building file/s...which I would have been happy to pay if I wanted that structure on my layout (and I am FAR from well-off)...if 100% of the free downloaders had paid him for their 3,378 downloads, that would have generated $13,512.  If the downloads declined by 50%, that's still $6,756.

Keeping up the quality of your downloads will generate repeat paying customers who know they're going to get an stl that works, and looks great on their layout.

And, there's absolutely NOTHING WRONG with being paid for your efforts, especially when it's such a small, niggling amount per download. At this point, the "likes" become nearly irrelevant, other than to assure new buyers that your stl is a quality download.

Truth is, both the process of creating 3D models and offering them to people who have 3D printers, AND offering finished 3D printed parts and models is a quite efficient way to justifiably earn a bit money from your efforts.

And, I do not see any justification for giving away your efforts for just a hoped-for "like".

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[John]

I understand completely the frustration, especially when you see something you put online for free ends up being hijacked eBay sellers charging an outrageous amount for somebody else’s work. I know they have to print these things, but not a one of them has ever offered any credit for the work that I and others did. This little 20 foot office trailer was a remix from other people’s work on thingy verse which I reposted on thingy verse with appropriate credit as required by the license terms. I know I’ve talked about this before and it’s really minor but it’s still pisses me off to no end that someone would steal somebody else’s work and try to profit from it.

[Sumner]

IF Sumner had charged a modest $4.00 per download for his popular Freight Transfer Building file/s.................Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Thanks for the thoughts Bob and the rest of you guys.  At 82 I'm not interested in another business and if I did charge then I'd have to pay $500-$700 a year to use Fusion.  If I was 30 years younger if might be a different story but I'm not.

I guess I didn't do a very good job of relaying my thoughts on this.  I'm self-motivated so would be happy creating and using my designs without putting them out there for others.  But being a past teacher I enjoy documenting and sharing.  I guess the point I'm trying to make, and I'm guilty of this myself, is if we appreciate someones posts, information, 3D prints or other take a second to hit the like button.  They don't have to do something world shattering to get a like.  I don't look at it so much as a 'like' but more of a 'thanks' for contributing and giving me something to read.

I notice the forums where this happens often are generally also the forums with the most going on. 

Sumner

[Scottl]

Personally, if someone posts modeling of any kind that is actually modeling, I like it.  You hit this in many ways and I really appreciate your posting and sharing of printing, electronics, trackwork and scenery.  Prolific is the word that comes to mind.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This thread demonstrates exactly the reason I bought my backdrop printer instead of just getting them done.

I'm only upset at the decision when I have to clean around it.