When someone posts their model here, I very often see only a MakerWorld link. While it might be easier for Bambu users, it makes it more annoying to users that don't have an account there. Same goes for Cults and other forced registration sites. In my opinion, Thingiverse and Printables should be the preferred choice for sharing a free model, since they are more open to users that just want to download a model and nothing else.

Edit: It seems to be mainly because of the reward system, which apparently pays out really well (probably temporarily done at a loss by Bambu to attract new users to their ecosystem). I can understand people using this if they are able to get free printers just by sharing their models for free.

I’m not sure what it is, but this Valentine’s season has just been exhausting trying to filter out the pretty looking garbage on Makerworld. I’ll see something that looks really fun, only to discover that the print itself is just terrible and poorly designed (if designed at all).

What are some other favorite sites you use for finding fun, well designed, 3D print projects?

I mean I gotta start by saying that I honestly dislike how Bambulab is treating the open source community. All their products only exist because of it, yet they try to destroy it. That being said, makerworld is just a „pain in my buttholes“ (please say this in your best Borat voice) to use. And the issue is, they incentivice the creators so much, that often times its the only place you can get the models. Just downloading a model is so finicky, it sucks. And anyone who thinks that „oh the other platforms should just pay the creators more“, please try to think about where the money is coming from. This is not sustainable. They just get a ton of money as interest free loans from their government. Sooner or later this will be a subscription. Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.