this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2026
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$10 for a single model... or $20 a month for four models? For some flexi toy with 20 separate variations that only have tiny changes?

I recognize this is a pretty minor issue in the grand scheme of things. There are plenty of alternatives - both free and paid. It's just a frustrating trend I've been noticing. I'm all for supporting artists and recognizing the time and effort it takes to create the model. I have a handful of Pateron subscriptions/donations.

I don't sell anything. I print for myself and for gifts. Not everyone wants to sell prints at flea markets, but it feels like that's the assumption now.

Side rant: It's annoying how the first thing EVERYONE says when seeing your prints is that "you could sell these!!" I know they mean well, like it's a compliment, but it's annoying when it's insisted on as if they were the first people make such a profound thought.

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[–] daannii@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Most of my models have free licensing and all of them are free models.

The ones without open licensing are remixes so I can't grant that. With the exception of one model I have restrictions on selling online only.

I don't have a ton of models and maybe nothing you are looking for. A few toys. A few functional things.

But I wanted to make free models for people who can't afford licensing.

I'm also on printables thingiverse cults3d but my makerworld account has more stuff posted on it.

The stl files are also on makerworld. Just click the down arrow next to "download 3mf" (green box) and select STL files.

I have detailed tutorials for my big projects like the cat clock and Harry Potter egg.

I get points when you download from makerworld (if you have a makerworld account) Which I use to buy filament. So I can make more free models.

So there is a reason I keep my makerworld account more up to date. To try to encourage downloads from there.

For example . I used up 4 rolls of filament to design my cat clock and it took me about 100 hours of design edits.

Plus I spent ~$50 on hardware for it.

It's a free model. But I earn back some of my expenses by points on makerworld.

I make models as a hobby but I try to not spend too much to design anything. Cat clock was the worst offender. But it's a pretty cool model (eyes and tail move)

Anywho. If you like anything I have , just scroll to the bottom of the description where I list if licensing is free.

Like I said. Most of my originals are with 1 exception. The cat clock. Online restrictions only.

But remixes have some restrictions because they aren't fully mine.

https://makerworld.com/@Daann_ii

[–] WhatTheDuck@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thank you for the perspective of being a designer, and for all the work shared with the community.

I'm definitely thankful for Makerworld's incentives, and it shows with their abundance of great models.

[–] daannii@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah the incentives are very good on makerworld.

I actually got my printer (A1 and ams) from points I earned from one model of mine that' was popular (jumping spider).

100% paid for with points.

I was able to buy a A1 mini and ams lite a year later for my nieces and nephews. Though I think I'll be taking it back cause they never use it.

But still. Was pretty cool I could buy all that with points from my free models.

Some people say I should sell them but on cults3d you can see how much people sell their models for and how many were sold.

I earn more making them free. It's just the money is Bambu gift cards. I believe you can exchange points for actual money now but it's like 30 cents on the Bambu dollar. So, I'll just buy filament with it.