Printables.com, #2 3D model site, to incentivize creators
Before you can 3D print anything, you need a computer file called a “model” containing a detailed description of the thing. Creating a 3D model for a house, a dragon, a car, or a bird, is a lot of work. Creating the model for a simple box or cup, not so much. In the past, the main 3D model sites have either had models “free to download” with optional “tips” paid to the creator, or models you must pay to download. Printables.com is the model site sponsored by Prusa Research, creators and vendors of the “Original Prusa” line of 3D printers including the recently released Mark4 (MK4) and the larger XL. Printables has come from nowhere to reach the number two spot in the model space, according to SimilarWeb:
Thingiverse (funded by Makerbot) was founded in 2008, Printables in 2021, so it has done well to come in second, ahead of cults3d (founded 2014).
There are some fantastic models available on Printables, yet up to now there has been no formal method for rewarding model creators. To incentivize those who create and share these models, Prusa is planning to let creators set their own prices for a “subscription” service, which would include all the models by that creator. It’s quite a different approach from the usual pay-per-model approach offered by cults3d and myminifactory. Time will tell if it’s successful.
The new model is being unrolled soon; for more details read their original Prusa blog post https://blog.prusa3d.com/support-the-designers-you-love-coming-soon-to-printables-com_78461/.
