Which one do you prefer? Streaming or downloading 3D files ?

Discussion started by tpen

Hi Everyone,

Recently I have done a survey regarding the 3D printing industry. One interesting finding is that more than half of interviewees (sellers) prefer customers (buyers) to download 3d files to a computer rather than streaming 3D files to a 3D printer. As using streaming can prevent buyers from using 3D model files illegally and therefore can protect the intellectual property right of a product, I wonder why some interviewees did not choose streaming?

Can anyone give me some insights?

Thanks a lot!!

Tpen

Answers

Posted almost 9 years ago
0

A lot of people out there don't have access to a 3d printer so they are willing to get something printed through a 3rd party like Shapeways and CG Trader if they find a unique design they can't find anywhere else. Price still is a problem through using 3rd parties to print a design as designers don't make much profit. Cg trader has some of the highest prices I've seen for their "Get Printed" now feature. My Chibi Alice costs $56 to get printed through CGtrader where as on Shapeways it costs $19. I make more of a profit on shapeways than here on CGtrader when It comes to having a 3rd party company print a design but I make far more profit when it comes to selling stream/downloadable files for printers.

As 3d printers become more cost friendly for the average consumer, the demand for quality streamable/downloadable printable files will go up. Stream vs download I see as as a own vs not to own. If a buyer as no intention to print multiples of a files, streaming may be the way to go. If a designer allows downloads of a design, the buyer can modify and print as many copies as they wish. And like anything digitally downloadable on the internet, doesn't guarantee it will be protected from illegal uses.

Posted almost 9 years ago
0

Thanks for your reply!!
I saw that many people selling 3D print models as well besides allowing buyer to stream and download. Personally, I feel that the price of most 3D print models are quite high. I wonder if people will be willing to pay such a high price for them. Do you think selling 3D print model is much better than allowing buyer to stream/ download or on the other way round?

Posted almost 9 years ago
2

Streaming isn't compatible with every single 3d printer out there and has limitations still. Some buyers want to be able to re-scale a design and some streaming processes out there don't always allow that. Also internet speeds can be an issue. On the buyers end there is always the worry that if the print fails either by stream process or some other factor, would they have to re-pay to re-print? By allowing downloads, a seller can reach a greater audience because the buyer isn't warded by streaming limitations and concerns. Also buyers are more likely to pay for a downloadable as they can modify the design to fit their printer, and their needs.

As streaming processes and compatibility improve, I believe more designers will make the change. I myself am slowly making the switch to streaming. On sites such as Cgtrader, I am making streaming cheaper than purchasing the downloadable.

tpen wrote
tpen
Hi Tanya, Thanks for your reply : ). I'm sure that many buyers would prefer downloading rather than streaming as there are still some concerns and limitations as you mentioned above. And I would like to know how about the sellers end like you? Will you worry that after a buyer download your 3D file, they will spread it out illegally or post it on somewhere for people to freely download? Thanks Tpen
tanya-wiesner wrote
tanya-wiesner
Based on my experience selling 3d models in general for a couple of years now on many sites, pricing downloadable assets "reasonably" and having a good balance of free vs paid assets helps limit the prospect of people illegally downloading and redistributing my designs. I say "reasonably" as people as more willing to pay $1-$20 for an quality 3d asset without thinking to much about it.Free products can re-assure a potential buyer that the asking price of another asset is worth it though anything over $20 I've noticed over the years is more likely to be targeted and illegally redistributed. I know plenty of people out there that if a 3d file (or anything digital) is $20 or more they will check sites that distribute paid assets freely to see if the item has been posted. For my 3d print files, I have not have an issue as of yet of my paid assets being redistributed illegally. I only once had a $7 Turbosquid asset wind up on the Second Life market for a much higher price. This was easily solved by contacting the individual and the support team for the site.
tpen wrote
tpen
Thanks for your reply!! I saw that many people selling 3D print models as well besides allowing buyer to stream and download. Personally, I feel that the price of most 3D print models are quite high. I wonder if people will be willing to pay such a high price for them. Do you think selling 3D print model is much better than allowing buyer to stream/ download or on the other way round?

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