3D printer company Bambu Lab has just shared details of its upcoming 3D model platform, MakerWorld, which aims to go beyond being simply a repository of models. By involving model creators, users, 3D printing experts and filament vendors in a multi-way exchange of know-how and user feedback, while being inclusive to non-Bambu users and incentivizing interaction, it aspires to increase collaboration and accessibility within the 3D printing community.
Bambu Lab has gained a solid reputation with its desktop 3D printers. Now, as part of its stated mission “to make 3D printing more accessible to everyone”, it has announced the upcoming launch of MakerWorld, a platform for sharing 3D models as well as crowd-sourced technical know-how, user feedback and product information from filament vendors. The result would be a repository of not just 3D models but of all the relevant information that users typically need to get optimum print quality.
This addresses an uncomfortable truth that many newcomers find out the hard way – that the process of printing an object from a 3D model is considerably more involved and fraught with unexpected challenges than what the hype around this new technology would have them believe.
Bambu Lab has laid out the ways in which different members of the community would contribute to and benefit from MakerWorld. For creators, there’s a focus on protecting IP rights and ensuring proper attribution as per Creative Commons license rules, allowing original creators, even those not registered on MakerWorld, to claim incentives generated by their designs.
3D models have to be converted into slicing files for the printer, which is where 3D printing experts enter the picture. They’ll be able to collaborate by adding their pre-sliced models to any uploaded design and receive incentives for their work. Another challenge that MakerWorld takes on is the staggering variety of filaments on the market. Vendors and users will be able upload filament-specific parameters, rate them and discuss their performance.
For users, all this should translate to a smoother model-to-object experience: bringing together the models, slicing profiles, filament profiles and printer settings on one page would take much of the guesswork out of the process, particularly for those just starting out. MakerWorld will also integrate with the slicing software, Bambu Studio. In the interest of inclusiveness, Bambu Lab has promised support for non-Bambu printers on MakerWorld and Bambu Studio. Finally, the MakerReward system will incentivize interactions on the platform, earning users points that they can redeem for models, gift cards and Bambu products.
MakerWorld will be launched in a few weeks (date undisclosed) in its open beta stage.
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