Just a small rant but I hate that sites allow you to upload a STL without a picture of an actual printed model. It is dumb that you can make an image of it in photoshop or whatever software which you can tell is fake. I think you should have to print and take a picture. I think it would also help stop the AI posters that don’t flag their models as AI. Least makes it take longer for them to post.
Thanks for reading my Ted talk.
AI aside, I disagree with you. I’ve seen in past people with modelling knowledge posting stuff (openscad, stl…) without having a 3d printer and to me, that wasn’t an issue as long as they specify it in description (most of time they did), they would also take advice IF they were printing issues and would fix it. So yes, I could lost a bit of time and filament but nothing compares to the time those people invested to share/give away their work to the world while they were not even in a position to print their own stuff.
Blaming site is an easy solution, but let’s be honest. If they were to verify everything uploaded+description, we would end up with ads everywhere, click baits making site unusable or paid subscription…
Let’s not forget that 3d printing/printer has grown thanks to people sharing their knowledge and failures. If I have to fail a print because I’m lacking on modeling and therefore depends on others people work, that’s not a problem, I’m just there doing my part and giving feedback so we can build something better all together.