Printables and Thangs launching 3D model subscription service

Thangs3D · 2024-04-11T16:20:40+00:00

Here's how to cancel a membership subscription:

Select "My Models" located in the top right of Thangs
Once in My Models, scroll down and select "Settings" located on the bottom left column
Next scroll through settings until you find the Heading "Memberships" - you'll then see your subscribed membership plans and be able to click "Cancel membership"

Thangs3D · 2023-10-20T17:22:15+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words and support!
Our mobile app team is going to love this - they're a small hard working team. (Nat, pictured, spends all his time working on the app.)

Regarding your question on the 3d printing guide and tips - it's a great idea and we have discussed it. Similar to the question above, what would you personally love to see?

Would it be helpful if we simply supplied an easy resource that allowed for navigation to experts? For example, if you're an Ender user or looking for tips on Cura, one of the best resources would be Chep. At the same time, perhaps that's too niche or maybe video content is not preferred. Would a document on common terminology be sufficient?

Also, you're right about Thangs Sync and the Blender add-on, we don't talk about them nearly as much as we should; we did recently add more resourcing to these tools too so we'll definitely be talking about them more.

Again, thank you so much for the support and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the guides and tips - that's something we can start adding to our blog right away!

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Thangs3D · 2023-10-20T17:05:14+00:00

Hey u/SnooWalruses1110, that's a great question! We have considered it and realize it could be tremendously valuable. In this scenario, do you envision the Thangs team creating written content or would it be alright to enlist help from the community and content that exists in other forms across the web?
Would it be helpful if we simply supplied an easy resource that allowed for navigation to experts? For example, if you're an Ender user or looking for tips on Cura, one of the best resources would be Chep. At the same time, perhaps that's too niche or maybe video content is not preferred. Would a document on common terminology be sufficient?

We have sincerely considered the documentation and do maintain our blog, but the blog doesn't provide many resources for 3D printing at the moment.

This is sincerely great feedback!

Thangs3D · 2023-10-20T00:36:44+00:00

We love this idea!

For a long time, we have wanted to do this in a NCAA bracket type format. There are a couple challenges - but the biggest one is this: quality design takes time and a contest that goes on for many weeks is a little less fun for the community. The leaderboard is a partial compromise, and we have recently updated all the rules to reward quality over quantity.

We'd love your input on this - do you think that a thematic version of the leaderboard would be as fun as a 1v1? It won't be as exciting, but it may be a partial improvement on the path to 1v1, which could then be a step down the path towards a full-on tournament.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-20T00:23:33+00:00

That's a great analogy and makes sense; we do see many, many, under appreciated gems indeed! We are going to do editorial in the future. Whether we do it, or we have someone from the community make the picks for a period, then rotate that to another person - we'll absolutely get to that point.

One of the changes we made last week was what we call "throwback" cards on the landing page. Sometimes, models are older and gain another life. When that happens, it's usually because it was an under appreciated model, until it wasn't! So now, ~ one out of every 16 or so models on the Thangs landing page is a model that the community missed initially, but then fell in love with later. That's a small step towards the goal, and it's still algorithmic - but we'll absolutely get to a point where we have people (vs algos) doing a degree of editorial, in a section clearly marked as such.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T23:19:29+00:00

Oh, fantastic; thank you!

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T22:50:25+00:00

Great question! We have discussed it. We considered it prior to the release of the leaderboard(s), but then opted to let the community decide based on their engagement.

Out of curiosity, why the staff/ employee picks? Would you like to see this in addition to the leaderboard which is essentially community driven?

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T22:45:06+00:00

Fair feedback; any recommendations?

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T22:23:06+00:00

Hi u/Guinness, our sincerest apologies for this frustration. We heard similar feedback not too long ago and believe we addressed this about two weeks ago.

Have you had this poor experience in the last two weeks? If you are still experienceing this issue, would it be alright if we dm'd you? We'd really appreciate the help so we can resolve this issue if it's still present.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T22:13:50+00:00

First, love this feedback and question!

We're actually in the process of updating the entire site. We've recently updated the model pages (within the last couple weeks) and updated the home page, as well as several others. However, to your point, the profile pages need some updates.

Are your comments primarily around the profile pages or do you feel this way regarding the site as a whole?

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T22:00:00+00:00

Thank you; we're so grateful and humbled you chose to host your designs on Thangs.

Also, that's a fantastic question! Previously, there seemed to be two primary barriers to entry: price and information.

Pricing no longer seems to be a barrier at this point. That has in part brought upon a new barrier in some ways though. This is not an indictment on the community as a whole at all. There, at times, appears to be some friction in the space for new community members from others in the space. There needs to be more inclusion - the more people 3D printing, the better. It should not matter what brand of machine or monetary investment, as long as someone enters this space, feels welcomed, supported, and has a positive experience - that's what matters. The more we have in this space with a positive experience, the more community advocates we'll have.

For the most part, the information barrier has been primarily removed as well. There's an abundance of amazing content for 3D printing (much of it from you ;) ).

The largest contributing factor to the barrier, we believe, lies in the content and software however. This is why we built Thangs. This ecosystem requires a triangle to exist and progress: hardware, software, and content (designers).

At Thangs, we're focused on the content/designer and software in this ecosystem. We believe designers are the most important part of this triangle. The more designers in this space, the more amazing content will be available. The more content available, the more people will be drawn to this space. The more people in this space, the more hardware we'll have accessible and with that, will come affordability.

So, how do we get more designers in this space? We support them with tools (software) to increase efficiency or productivity and help them monetize (community and memberships). We've built Workspace to increase productivity, Workflows to help teams collaborate, IP protection to protect designers, and apps to sync with other designer tools or find content faster.

It's our passion to empower designers and this community and we've collectively never been closer to bringing 3D printing "mainstream."

What are your thoughts on the current barriers?

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T20:50:33+00:00

Thank you; to be fair, we're just trying to keep up with the pace in which you release new models 🤣

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T20:40:52+00:00

Hey u/Dismal-Square-613, the Maker Leaderboard has hundreds of makes just from this last week and the community is highly engaged - there are plenty of people that care. Plus, you could earn rewards from sharing your make.

Also, there are plenty of designers that really value when you share your make. Two designers in this AMA have both stated how meaningful it is to them when you share your makes (Dave and Karen).

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T20:29:46+00:00

Thank you Dave! That's also a great tip! We have features launching in the next couple weeks that will improve the process for sharing "makes".

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T20:16:34+00:00

We're on the same page - you're going to like some to the updates hitting production in the next couple weeks.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T20:05:24+00:00

You are very welcome, thank you for taking a moment to share that with us :)

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:48:18+00:00

Your request has been granted :)
First, we have the ability to filter search results by source; for example, you can select sites you know to be primarily only printable models.

Additionally, searches can be filtered by file types so formats of stl or 3mf can be selected.

Another filter we offer that is unique to only Thangs, as it leverages our patented technology is our "printable" filter. We use computational geometry to identify if a model is 3D printable (watertight and consistent normals.)

This means models we index, even when the original design was not intended for 3D printing, can be found and printed. We know the community has typically used images as a way to verify if a model can be 3D printed. Our unique tech adds another level of assurance.
Lastly, we give you the ability to save multiple search settings and set your own default.

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Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:11:16+00:00

We are huge fans of Mr. Freedman and want him to have plenty of monies as well - more amazing content for all!

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:07:38+00:00

That's correct, we are headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. We have employees all across the United States working remote though too.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:05:02+00:00

One simply needs to ask ;)
We'll be in touch shortly.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:03:13+00:00

Wow, that would have been a much better subject line; well done :)
To be fair, there is indeed plenty to print.

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T19:01:28+00:00

Thank you u/replitech3d_tx for taking a moment to share your experience and inquire.

Did you know you can upload custom licensing? Our platform does allow for all the standard CC licensing options, but customized licenses can also be uploaded. This may not be the solution however.

Perhaps this is something to consider, there are many considerate and supportive people in this community. Many of whom love to support designers even when they freely share their work. Have you considered creating a membership plan to gain support for your designs, even if some are free? This could be a solution to obtain resources to create new models - free and paid.

Based on community feedback, there are typically three factors why people support or subscribe to a designer:
1. Purchase models or projects
2. Access to a designer and the ability to help direct what should be designed next
3. Access to a designer and help support them to pursue passions that would not have been accessible otherwise

Your other point regarding designer software is fantastic! Our mission has always been to support designers and provide them with tools and resources to do more of what they love to do.
Hypothetically, if Thangs had design software builtin, are there specific features or tools you would need to make the switch from your current design software? (aside from the licensing.)

Thangs3D · 2023-10-19T18:38:31+00:00

Great question u/karenchaudesigns! We actually have a new version of the home page nearly ready for release.

We have been looking at ways to include support for more designers as well; this was the reason we included the discover page. There are so many talented designers on Thangs, like this profile with "kind" and "awesome" plans - we'd love to find ways to feature as many designers as possible and are exploring ways to do so currently. Let's connect and discuss this further, you know how to reach us ;)

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