I love 3D Printing - but I'm just getting started in my research. When I found Shapeways, I was really excited. But my shopping experiences -- as few as they are -- have been completely frustrating.
Maybe someone can shed light on these comments. I hope they don't come across as harsh because I really do want to understand. I hope to try learning how to design in 3D, as well -- primarily because of the inspiration derived here. For what it's worth, I'll be 60 years old soon, but I'm not a doddering old fool. Just inexperienced. Although I've worked in the graphics design field for nearly 40 years.
1) For a website that so heavily promotes the purchasing ability offered here -- and my research reveals you have one of the best websites for this -- why would you allow designs to be displayed which are offered for purchase which can then NOT be printed?
2) I read the FAQ which stipulates you only truly test the printability of items as they are selected for purchase -- but after my items were rejected you continue to list them as selectable for purchase. I would think you would then eliminate that specific material option, at the least, or would remove the offered item altogether so it doesn't waste everybody's time. Or, at the very least, notify the designer that their item has now been tagged as "Not Printable".
3) In my first experience, I ordered the Yin and Yang Koi set twice in one week.
https://www.shapeways.com/model/99539/yin-amp-yang-koi-fish-s ingle-part.html?li=productBox-search
I made a mistake in selecting the individual pieces vs. the Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 that comprise the Set. That's not Shapeways fault. The Black Koi was rejected twice -- both the stand-alone individual piece, and the Part 1 selection. There is no other option offered in Black -- so the Set concept becomes moot, null and void. Apparently, Part 2 (the White Koi) was acceptable, as was Part 3 (the Stand). Surely, I cannot be the first person who attempted to order such a great design.
I did contact the artist last night to tell him of this problem. There has been no response, yet -- and that's no biggie. But I then had to hurry to cancel the other two components because the set concept is destroyed if one piece cannot be printed.
4) I may be in the minority voice on this idea -- but shouldn't the designer be required to purchase at least one print of their own design before posting it for sale? Or maybe a Testing Fee should be assessed when they decide to offer it for sale so that Shapeways can, indeed, test it and grant Approval before bystanders like myself -- who are willing to support this industry by actually making purchases -- start playing a guessing game over whether or not any of the listed materials can be printed?
5) Finally, not wishing to be redundant, I strongly disagree with the concept of allowing a 3D Rendering to be used which does not actually show the quality of the printed object. I know I won't win this point because it's how "everything" is promoted -- from hamburgers to collectibles to online games. The end products rarely look as good as the Artist Rendering. But it took a while for me to understand that what I see at Shapeways is NOT what I might get.
I'm reminded of that old Saturday Night Live skit where the man goes into the cheese shop, but no matter what cheese he asks for --
"Sorry! That's not available!"
"But you have it listed right there! I see it in your case!"
"No. Not available!!"