The community has a massive problem and it's called STL
Edit: The title should have ended in "it's called STL >>only<<".
Edit 2: I'm referring to designs that are originally parametric, not character models etc.
I'm super new to the 3D Printing and 3D Modelling community, but I'm somewhat confused … in disbelieve … disappointed … ?
I don't know, but everywhere it says Remix Culture, Open, etc. It was a big part of the appeal for me.
It's just that I don't find it much. An STL file is none of that to me.
I watch a YouTube video where the person is like "I uploaded all the models, so you can remix them" and then I find STL files … What?
Anything that comes up on the big sites is pretty much guaranteed to be STL only.
I come from the software open source community, and to me it feels like in the 3D community you get the equivalent of uploading a compiled binary and calling yourself open source(!).
Imagine a GitHub repository where the code section is missing and all you have is the Releases tab.
I mean, still thank you. Call it free though, but not open. And don't mention 24/7 that there is a Pull Request section. I can't use it. There is no source.
Am I fundamentally misunderstanding something here?
But an STL file is literally useless to me, unless I want to only press print. The equivalent to just consuming something. Where is contributing, remixing, but for real?
If there is no STEP file, it's not remixable in my book.
I just don't understand this. Also none of the platforms nudge you to upload the files.
On printables.com there is literally not even a filter for parametric files.
I would e.g. require them to hand out the "Meets Open Definition" checkmark.
And – to come back to the title – with this the community is shooting itself in the foot massively.
I literally can't take most models, adapt them to my needs, share them again.
This is hurting everyone.
Can you enlighten me?
What went wrong here?
Is this intentional? Is this an awareness problem?
And how do we fix it?
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Update:
Wow, I didn't not expect such engagement in such a short amount of time.
It's seems like there is a point that needs discussion in here.
I tried to engage with every serious comment (did not expect to be called a Nazi today, lol), but I can't anymore, at least for now.
So I'll sum up my learnings here and come back later.
- Implying STLs are bad was a mistake. Didn't want to say that, but many people understood it as such and that's my fault.
- There is an art/craft part of this community and there is an engineering part (and others?)
- What I wrote applies predominantly to the engineering part of the community (both culturally and based on the tools that are used)
- Doesn't come as a surprise, but there are (historic) reasons for things, and understanding them helps a ton (Slicers not understanding STEPs until recently)
- The understanding of what "open" or "open source" means is not as far spread as in my comfortable software bubble
- Neither are the benefits. I heard lots of defensive things along the lines of "But what if people take the model and do something with it??" (When that's the entire point)
- A lot of people don't understand the dynamics of a remix culture. It doesn't matter if you CAN remix STLs, the point is that it's unnecessarily hard and the simple result is: Less Remixes
I wrote an E-Mail to Printables now (solely because that's the platform I like most), maybe they want to hear some feedback.
If anybody else working for a platform is reading along and wants to talk, feel free to DM me.
And because they are quite hidden deeply in threads, let me highlight the two comments by u/Jak2828, who summarize things quite neatly:
https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1huuxs8/comment/m5ogcv3
https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1huuxs8/comment/m5op2su
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Update 2:
It’s fascinating how often the argument "But it’s theoretically possible to work with STL!" keeps coming up. While technically true, working with STL is inherently a lossy process if the source was parametric. Even the idea of "just generate solid" doesn’t solve the core issue: why should a community that prides itself on remix culture require unnecessary workarounds when it’s simply not necessary?
Nobody is suggesting that everyone needs to switch to STEP files or abandon tools like Blender and other mesh-editing software. Those tools work well for many users and workflows. However, if a parametric source exists, sharing that (or at least a STEP file) adds significant value for those who want to remix or build upon a design. Crucially, it doesn’t take anything away from others who prefer different tools.
Fostering a healthy, collaborative sharing community isn’t about dismissing newcomers with "Bro, just learn Blender." While Blender is a powerful tool, it’s not a substitute for parametric design software, and conflating the two misses the point. Accessibility—not just theoretical possibility—is what defines the health of a sharing community. Insisting on theoretical workarounds, while ignoring their practical limitations, risks coming across as gatekeeping and discourages people who might otherwise contribute.
The response to this discussion has been incredible, and the positive momentum gives me hope. Many of you have said you already share STEP files or plan to start doing so, and that alone made my day. To those people—thank you! This shows that many in the community recognize the value of making designs more accessible.
Change won’t come by arguing with those who are adamantly opposed to it. Instead, it will come by being the change. Judging by the engagement here, the number of people who agree with this critique—or at least see room for improvement—seems to far outweigh those who deny there’s an issue. This discussion may even be one of the biggest conversation-only posts on this subreddit ever.
Finally, to the Product Managers of major platforms: you have the power to accelerate this change. Adding features like filtering for STEP files or incentivizing creators who share parametric designs could drive a huge shift in the culture. There are only wins here—for creators, remixers, learners, downloaders and thereby the platforms themselves. Let’s make this happen.