3D Printed Dice Dump Day – Giving it away

I want to talk for a second about giving it away. I’ve come out in the past unapologetically insisting that 3D models should cost money. I still feel that way. However, there’s also the side of things where I really just want people to have and use these things. There’s enough cost associated with running a 3D printer, in terms of time and to a lesser extend material, that when there’s also a cost of the model that people tend to count things up, and the final tally usually comes to “not worth it”. I understand that. 

It’s one thing when you can download a model for free and leave it sit in my downloads directory until I’m ready to use it or not. I think we all do that. but when I have to put forth actual money, to commit to printing that model, and then I see that bursting downloads directory, that causes me to go “well, maybe I’ll hold off until I print a few more of these”. Yeah, I get it. If it’s in their downloads directory, maybe eventually it will be printed. It would be great if you could pay after printing, but that also just never happens.

Amanda F’n Palmer gave a great Ted talk about how she’s had success giving away her work, and I’d like to be like that too.  But I don’t have the active audience that she does surrounding her, ready to descend and shoot a music video on a whim. Yet.

This led me to do 3 things:

First, if you’re on my pateron you can expect to receive these files right now.

Second, I when I have a series like this I’ll give away the best of the series. I figure if I give away less than the best people won’t even look at the rest, so I’ll be giving away my favorites. Maybe this is just good business, but I don’t know anything about that.

Third, if you still want a file I’m selling, all you have to do is ask. I’d love if you’d share the file on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever, but even if you don’t, and you contact me and make that personal connection, then I’ll hook you up, with rare exception.

I still just want people to enjoy the work I do. Well, not “just”. I also want my work to be recognized as worth something and I’d like to be successful if possible. But at this point it feels like I’m putting a price on them out of principal. I don’t think I’m going to pay the bills with 3D models, at least not any time soon. So for now if you want them l, and you let me know you want them, I’ll get them to you. Contact form is in the side bar.

Looking forward to connecting with you.