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Category: Opinion Pieces

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Designer, publisher, manufacturer: Who is responsible for a 3D model sold on a marketplace?

Les responsabilités juridiques des plateformes de téléchargement, des concepteurs et des fabricants dans l’impression 3D Introduction Publier un modèle 3D sur une marketplace internationale est devenu d’une simplicité déconcertante. Quelques clics suffisent pour mettre un fichier STL ou 3MF à…

M@t | apiobi
August 25, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Why can 3MF files and «turnkey» ecosystems make makers dependent on their printers?

Illustration to explain the article titled “Why Can 3MF Files and Turnkey Ecosystems Make Makers Dependent on Their 3D Printers?”

Introduction Just a few years ago, using an FDM 3D printer generally required at least a basic understanding of the machine, the slicer, the material, and the print settings. An Ender 3 Pro, a Prusa i3, or an Ultimaker 2 were…

M@t | apiobi
August 19, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

After 3MF: What Does the Future Hold for Designers, Marketplaces, and 3D Printer Manufacturers?

Introduction The advent of enriched 3MF files, increasingly automated slicers, and printers capable of managing a growing number of print parameters likely marks a new stage in the evolution of 3D printing. Until now, the manufacturing process has been relatively…

M@t | apiobi
August 15, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Why Articulated Models and Other PLA Trinkets Have Ruined the Image of 3D Printing

Introduction 3D printing has seen explosive growth in popularity. The number of home printer owners is growing, free file-sharing platforms are booming, and social media is overflowing with videos showcasing “spectacular” objects: articulated dragons, mechanical animals, colorful figurines, and more…

M@t | apiobi
July 20, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Frantic bees swarming around a 3D water trough: what the images never show

Sur les réseaux sociaux, il est devenu courant de voir circuler des vidéos montrant des centaines, parfois des milliers d’abeilles regroupées sur un abreuvoir fixé sous une bouteille d’eau ou tout autre récipient. Le spectacle est impressionnant. Les abeilles semblent…

M@t | apiobi
July 15, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Why Are Free 3D Models So Often Resold? An Analysis of the Business Model of Download Platforms

Sharing STL files has played a major role in making 3D printing accessible to everyone. Platforms such as Thingiverse, Cults3D, Printables, MakerWorld, MyMiniFactory, and Thangs now give millions of users access to a vast catalog of designs. This…

M@t | apiobi
July 8, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

ApiObi vs. 3D Download Platforms: Why We Chose a Different Path

Millions of STL files… but how many actual products? 3D printing has never been more accessible. With just a few clicks, anyone can download millions of 3D models from international platforms like Thingiverse, Printables, MakerWorld, Cults3D, MyMiniFactory, or…

M@t | apiobi
July 2, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Why a functional 3D model sometimes costs more than an equivalent manufactured product

M@t | apiobi
June 10, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

Free 3D files - you're the product!

3D printing isn't just about producing figurines or decorative gadgets. It becomes functional when a 3D model is designed to be usable, durable and reliable. In this case, its design requires : In other words, these files...

M@t | apiobi
March 28, 2026

Opinion Pieces, The 3D market

3D printing tips, fact or fiction?

The success of 3D printing depends not only on the quality of the file or the design, but also on three fundamental and closely related variables: the machine used, the slicer and the printing material. For a...

M@t | apiobi
March 28, 2026