New portal for hobbyists

[MikolajH]

Hi All,

We are thinking 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 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.

Let start some conversation, we are curious of your thoughts. We want to do it with you and give you some new tool to ease your hobby.

 

[Y.T.]

I understand the keyword is a "marketplace". Is it a place to sell and buy?

 

[Loracs]

I was with you until I saw the word "Monetize". There is already so many, small and larger, company trying to grab our attention all the time. Enough that I'm starting to simply avoid any source like that. We are looking at a hobby, why try to monetize it all the time. For example, I tried to look online for a simple CAD file of a screw. I did not want to bother drawing one. The large majority required cash for the file, upward of $5. What!! The other, you have to go thru a lengthy registration process. Guess what happen...

Look at this site... free to browse, huge amount of information... would SOS even try to "monetize" thru sales, advertising, even require registration.... they would lose 2/3 of the traffic, which btw is the single most important reason why it is so popular. Why so much traffic in a "niche" hobby? Because information, build log, ship background research, comment, help, etc. are given freely with no string attached... that create traffic, that create contents, which in turn create traffic and more posting... and all of that create novelty every single day.

The above and the ease of posting. Just imagine the infrastructure require to store all those pictures, for year! All for free. My hat goes to SOS, the site manager, the moderators, and all those that create content for free.

This comment is given freely.... but feel free to send me $5 for it at Loracs@moneypit.com. Sorry for the harsh words.

 

[KAYA61]

I think it would be more beneficial to discuss your ideas after you've put them into practice.

 

[AllanKP69]

A library of drawings and tutorials was set up at another site and gets a lot of play. Maybe an archive can be set up here at SoS where drawings and such can be saved and shared.
Allan

 

[MikolajH]

First of all it's hard to find right words not bring back any bad memories So I'm sorry for using "monetize"

The most important part for me is a dedicated space. There are many aggregators that are very hard to use for modelers, and some of them are not fair in terms of commission. All options are on the table: share/download, sell/buy. Not all models/files/materials have to require purchase. The goal is to give creator options to use the service the way they like.

At this point the box for ideas is open.

There are some key areas we want to be better than others but we are open to what is the most important for you.

 

[Y.T.]

For example, I tried to look online for a simple CAD file of a screw. I did not want to bother drawing one.

By the way the major hardware sales company offers 3D and 2D models of hardware they sell absolutely free. I use it all the time.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

As far as ship modelling go, It will be good to create a pinned topic on SoS where the REFERENCES to good and FREE sites with 3D parts and drawings would be provided. Just as I did above for McMaster-Carr.

 

[Loracs]

@Y.T. fantastic! this is indeed a great find. thanks for posting.

 

[MikolajH]

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 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.

 

[Y.T.]

There are a few dozens sites who sell 3D printed parts to ship modelers and other type of modelers. You are far from being first.

 

[MikolajH]

There are a few dozens sites who sell 3D printed parts to ship modelers and other type of modelers. You are far from being first.

Yup, I know plenty myself still none of them have features supporting scale modelers. Maybe you can list your favorite and tell me why they are favorite?

 

[Jeffrav]

A library of drawings and tutorials was set up at another site and gets a lot of play. Maybe an archive can be set up here at SoS where drawings and such can be saved and shared.
Allan

What site would that be.

 

[AllanKP69]

https://thenrg.org/resource/articles Some are useful, some not so much. I am not sure if it is open to non-members though.
Allan

 

[Signet]

We already have a Discuss CAD, 3D Printing, Diagrams & Software site. I and others have posted STL files of items we have designed that might be of interest/use to others in the forum. So we already have a medium and location for such 3D files. No concerted effort has been made to encourage people to upload new files at this point, but that could be done if desired. A new or related location could even be added for the description and location of such files right here on our forum.

However, while I am or would be pleased, even honored, to see others in the forums using any files I've uploaded, I would /not/ be so pleased to find those identical files for sale on a commercial site. Or see physical parts made using my freely provided files. That part is a concern, at least to me.

 

[seadeep]

A library of drawings and tutorials was set up at another site and gets a lot of play. Maybe an archive can be set up here at SoS where drawings and such can be saved and shared.
Allan

I think that's a far better idea... maybe another top level category, similar to "ship kit vendors" and "msb journals". In essence a location where 3D model files (and images of actual printed end products) can be shared amongst us. There are already many 3D print file sites out there.... MakerWorld, Printables, etc. etc. Those sites are great, and I use them (and contribute to MakerWorld). The problem is that they have models of literally everything imaginable, and the search tools are sometimes more than a bit less than desired. What we don't need is another site loaded with pop up ads and trying to nickel and dime us for access to content. But if we had a dedicated and moderated subsection here on SOS, that would be a great and IMHO, valuable addition to the site and it's membership. Merely my two cents worth on the topic...

 

[Thomas]

Maybe I'm missing something, but what's the point of being an artist/creative/hobbyist if you are going to rely on what other people have already done?

 

[MikolajH]

We already have a Discuss CAD, 3D Printing, Diagrams & Software site. I and others have posted STL files of items we have designed that might be of interest/use to others in the forum. So we already have a medium and location for such 3D files. No concerted effort has been made to encourage people to upload new files at this point, but that could be done if desired. A new or related location could even be added for the description and location of such files right here on our forum.

However, while I am or would be pleased, even honored, to see others in the forums using any files I've uploaded, I would /not/ be so pleased to find those identical files for sale on a commercial site. Or see physical parts made using my freely provided files. That part is a concern, at least to me.

Thats a great hint. The idea is to connect people so creating a way to connect forums like this and the portal is worth considering. And yes, I understand there are many creators who just want to share the goodies with others so it might be the majority of the materials will be for free. Thats why I am asking for the needs to prepare something more desired

@Thomas,
Regarding "others work" the idea is simple, there is no space that connects needs for all types of modelers, like @seadeep mentioned, there are a lot of sources but dispersed.

In the future I am going to share some designs of the portal so you can comment if it seems valuable for you.

Thanks for the conversation and as always I'm open to more comments!
Cheers!

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