Idea for the modelers portal/marketplace/share space

Dear all,

We are thinking (2 friends team) about opening a place for modeleres where you would be able to share / keep all your 3D files you created and give access to them to others.

The idea is to create a marketplace dedicated for modeleres, where individual creators and artists have the option to share and maybe even monetize their work on one side and on the other, give the option to modelers to widen their collection and print new figures, vehicles and accessories for new builds and existing projects.

Why we write to you ? W are modellers but at the same time we are only 2 people with passion. We have some ideas what we would like to have in such „place” but we are also coming to you to get suggestions how you would see a space for modelers that will fit your needs. What features would be useful for you as a community and for you as a individual modeler with passion ? What values should this service represent?

We know there are websites where you can find some useful 3D models but at the same, and we believe it isn’t only our impression, it takes a lot of time and effort to browse through useless and unrelated content.

Because I have conversations on other forums as well and the first message does feel controversial I'd like to add some more info.

Let me introduce myself then, I've created ION Model brand from basically all aspects: ionmodel.com. Adding to that I work as UX/UI designer with 10+ experience in this field. I came up with idea of creating portal/marketplace dedicated for modelers due lack of such place. It has more shape than just an idea but I'd like to gather some info what can be improved/added.

I also understand it looks suspicious when a new member is posting such content. It's because my 3d modeling and scale modeling knowledge is gathered from FB and YT and friends, so I have not much time left to be active on forums.

I'm thrilled to hear what are your needs in such portal.

Witamy Mikołaj,

While I don't have a 3D printer, nor access to one, this is quite interesting and exciting. I do provide references for many companies as I have a large library. Let me know if I can provide such for any projects. Of course, great discretion.

Things I can use and soon other modelers (as HK Models -HKM- released their 48th scale A-20 Bostons and Havocs) are wheels in different tread patterns (Armory is hard to find now in the US), the two types of seats used (for export and domestic), dinghies and rafts dependent on model, shell retention cheek gun covers (mid and late Havocs) and so on (.50 Cal lower mounts for the G model, conversion for the AMT A-2G kit to the earlier A-20G-1 to A-20G-15 & more). In 1/32nd scale, something you can release immediately as no one person has tackled it, the asymmetric cowling flaps. Funny thing is, an ancient AMT kit has it right! Again, needed right for for 1/32nd scale and, if HKM scales down the same error, in 1/48th for theirs.

This is only one subject. Kliknij tutaj, aby zobaczyć, jak oszalałem!

So again, welcome.

There is another thing that you have not taken into account.
As I have been a bit involved with the resin figure hobby for a number of years, there is a segment that steals by recasting limited edition figures. Sometime they are good quality, though mostly not so much. The problem is that the original producer makes the limited editions as a value to the figure and the RECASTS degrade that and are basically theft.
This is also done with STL files of figures and items that have been released into the internet. If a STL is of a popular subject and is available, someone WILL take it and sell product for their own profit with no acknowledgement of the original artist at all. I know of one figure producer that while he now does STL files for all of his products, he ONLY prints out those files for people to build up the figures. To have a sculptor make a figure, it can cost a producer several thousand dollars, and when an STL is stolen, there is no recovery available. To be honest there is a large East Asian country where this is rampant, but it isn't just there, it is all over.
Maintaining STL rights goes right in the dumpster once it is released online.
The only place I would upload an STL to for sales would be to Shapeways. They do not release STLs online and will produce the 3d print such that they and the STL producer both make a little profit.

Heavens Eagle said:

To be honest there is a large East Asian country where this is rampant, but it isn't just there, it is all over.
Maintaining STL rights goes right in the dumpster once it is released online.

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I wonder if @Rhino can attest:

Clears throat and in Trump voice - "might that country be Jina?"

Sharkmouth said:

I wonder if @Rhino can attest:

Clears throat and in Trump voice - "might that country be Jina?"

View attachment 188392

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You guessed it! Though it is not the only place where stuff like that takes place. Any more I really try to vet where things I am buying are being shipped from. Some places, like Poland, or Czech Republic, or occasionally Ukraine, I have no problem.

Heavens Eagle said:

You guessed it! Though it is not the only place where stuff like that takes place. Any more I really try to vet where things I am buying are being shipped from. Some places, like Poland, or Czech Republic, or occasionally Ukraine, I have no problem.

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I fully understand you point and yes, this is a huge challenge. I think there is going to be some regulation of STL market to limit piracy. Yes you are correct there are many sites/companies who sell stolen STLs further or use them for production. Maybe I am an idealist but I think people will understand more and more that if they want to have great quality they will go with the right sources of their hobby parts. This has to go with reasonable prices on side of the creators too (otherwise the industry will start shifting like automotive industry). Take also into account that many comapanies who print have purchased license to sell the prints. Thats why I wanted to open a discussion, to understand different points of view and find for the new ideas to support different needs.

I don't 3D print. I don't hate such things, but the quality is so hit or miss as far as surface textures go, I wish to offer my customers the best possible quality model at a reasonable price. That, and once the molds are ready, LPP casting takes less time and has fewer toxic chemical hazards to the creator and the surrounding environment. I have molded and cast the intellectual knowledge of others for friends. I have allowed them to chip in for materials, but selling such things for profit goes against my standards.

I'm sure 3D printing is here to stay. In the not too distant future, I imagine 3D printers will be very much like microwave ovens. One in every household at increasingly affordable prices. Cheaper isn't always better.

Old Guys like me will probably still be laboring away with our blueprints, dividers, digital calipers and calculators on styrene Masters and molds for the foreseeable future. I truly enjoy the hands on creation of Masters part of our hobby the most. "Unopposed in the market place" models kits are my forte'.

Case in point;
Here are this mornings castings. (No school on President's day) 3X USS Ronquil/Tigerfish. 3X Columbian smuggling subs. 6X USCG Patrol/Surveillance Submarines. 2X USS Clamagore. Back to top) HMS Speedy, USN LCVP, Launch and life rafts. Higgins LCPL-2 RN ASW Lynx helicopter and UDT LCPL. 2X LCPL-2, Boiler, fuel tank Defender 250 USCG RB-S and 2 Chris Craft speedboats. WWII 80-ton floating drydock. Modern 110-ton floating drydock (I actually cast 2 each of these today) and a few Cap-Holder-O-Matic, as left-over LPP allows.

Unpictured are 2 castings of the PT-1 Mold with the radar barge, early Higgins LCPL's 45-foot work boat, 80-foot PT lower hull, 26-foot Royal Navy steam launch, Fellucca, Bedford truck and small floating dock. All these model are 1/700 scale. I'm assembling a few more of the TLAR Models 122D 1/700 PT base Drydock and boats kit.

https://tlarmodels.com/ols/products/tlar-models-1700-pt-base-drydock-barge-and-boats-set-122d

NOW! I get that none of my designs can be shared across the globe electronically, like a guy might an STL file, to other 3D printing enthusiasts. This effort represents 6 hours of casting, clearing, trimming and goofing off with other model projects for 2 hours at a time and watching "30 Seconds Over Tokyo".

Rhino said:

I don't 3D print. I don't hate such things, but the quality is so hit or miss as far as surface textures go, I wish to offer my customers the best possible quality model at a reasonable price. That, and once the molds are ready, LPP casting takes less time and has fewer toxic chemical hazards to the creator and the surrounding environment. I have molded and cast the intellectual knowledge of others for friends. I have allowed them to chip in for materials, but selling such things for profit goes against my standards.

I'm sure 3D printing is here to stay. In the not too distant future, I imagine 3D printers will be very much like microwave ovens. One in every household at increasingly affordable prices. Cheaper isn't always better.

Old Guys like me will probably still be laboring away with our blueprints, dividers, digital calipers and calculators on styrene Masters and molds for the foreseeable future. I truly enjoy the hands on creation of Masters part of our hobby the most. "Unopposed in the market place" models kits are my forte'.

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You have pointed out a few flaws of 3d print that stops many from trying it: Toxic chemicals (as waste and health threat), learning curve to successful printing and quality level (not even across creators/materials/printers).

Other thing is that 3d print does make the hobby more accessible and in many cases really saves time for the ones who prefer painting more than building

mhumienny said:

You have pointed out a few flaws of 3d print that stops many from trying it: Toxic chemicals (as waste and health threat), learning curve to successful printing and quality level (not even across creators/materials/printers).

Other thing is that 3d print does make the hobby more accessible and in many cases really saves time for the ones who prefer painting more than building

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True, but there are also 3D printed model kits. A 3D print genius I know made me one. Its hard to get away from that awful layering effect, and this resin is not very wet-sanding stick friendly.

I can assure you there are ways to mitigate the layering issues and other ways (like mixing resings) to make it much easier for sanding

mhumienny said:

I can assure you there are ways to mitigate the layering issues and other ways (like mixing resings) to make it much easier for sanding

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These are the things that we would hope to learn about.

I'd say that's a good day pouring toxic chemicals Chris, Well done!