"Any interest in 3D-printable files?" Topic

So I was approached by someone about selling some of the design files that I've been selling as printed products through my webstore on Shapeways. After some research, I went ahead and uploaded a few of them on CGTrader.com. It seems like a win-win; I make more than my usual $1 USD markup, and the buyer gets the digital model a whole lot cheaper than the printed version.

For example, my 6mm DeathBot Abbatoir --

-- sells on Shapeways for $72 USD in White, Strong, and Flexible. I'm selling the STL file on CGTrader for $10. USD I feel like that's a good deal, but since I don't own a 3D printer, I'm not sure if that's true or not.

Seems pretty easy and straightforward, but I have hundreds of products on Shapeways. Before I spend too much time (dozens of hours, at least) uploading them to CGTrader, how much interest do people actually have in purchasing printable files versus getting the actual printed products?

Feedback is much appreciated!

Thanks,
jav98

So I was approached by someone about selling some of the design files that I've been selling as printed products through my webstore on Shapeways. After some research, I went ahead and uploaded a few of them on CGTrader.com. It seems like a win-win; I make more than my usual $1 USD markup, and the buyer gets the digital model a whole lot cheaper than the printed version.

For example, my 6mm DeathBot Abbatoir --

-- sells on Shapeways for $72 USD in White, Strong, and Flexible. I'm selling the STL file on CGTrader for $10. USD I feel like that's a good deal, but since I don't own a 3D printer, I'm not sure if that's true or not.

Seems pretty easy and straightforward, but I have hundreds of products on Shapeways. Before I spend too much time (dozens of hours, at least) uploading them to CGTrader, how much interest do people actually have in purchasing printable files versus getting the actual printed products?

Feedback is much appreciated!

Thanks,
jav98

Stupid Bug!

There are several vendors selling stl files for print it yourself terrain and figures. Fat Dragon, Printable Scenery, Z1 Design Studios, are ones with which I am familiar via kickstarter campaigns or commercial products. Comparison with their offerings would provide a pricing comparison.

Obviously the market for stl files is in its infancy, but with the availability of cheaper 3D printers, I suspect it will be a viable market going forward.

I am starting to get interested in STL files because I can change them to what I really need or add some additional details.

I am also slowly building up a library of parts.

Your model is not my cup of tea, but STL files are what I look for these days. That being said, if I'm going to pay for them (versus getting free ones on Thingiverse) I want to make sure they're as printer-friendly as possible. So, is your model already broken into separate files for the appendages and the main body? If not, it may not print very well.

On a similar side, would DXF or PDF files be of interest for people who own Laser Cutters or Silhouette Paper Cutters?

@MRC: It's printed successfully through Shapeways, on both SLS and FDM printers.

Hywire, many of the commercial paper terrain vendors include chuckled with their pdf files.

@javelin98: Shapeways has commercial grade printers and staff artists. I'm a home hobbyist. :) They may be slicing things up to print them, modifying designs, etc. I have a Dremel 3D40 PLA printer. If I have to do a lot of fiddling with the file to print them, my interest in paying degrades.