Article - MakerWorld

Search models, users, collections, and posts

Recommendation

Creator’s Club

Creators & Fans

Show Your Make

Off Topic

Post Details

MakerWorld

@MakerWorld

What's New with MakerLab Credits

Why We're Making These Changes

We want to be completely open with you about the reasoning here, because we think you deserve the full story.

How we started

When MakerLab launched more than two years ago, we made it almost entirely free for everyone. At the time, we priced based on exports rather than actual generation costs. When our user base was smaller, the multi-million-dollar annual subsidy was something MakerWorld could comfortably absorb.

What changed

Since last October, a few things have shifted dramatically:

AI tools got much better, and usage exploded. Our user growth went far beyond anything we'd planned for and far beyond what the original subsidy could sustainably support.
Since generating models is currently free, we've noticed a growing number of AI-generated models on MakerWorld that haven't gone through print verification, including accounts that upload hundreds of models all at once. While our team is actively reviewing submissions, some inevitably slip through the cracks, and because there's no cost involved, taken-down accounts can simply pop back up again. These mismatches between a model's images and the actual print lead to a poor experience for everyday users, and improving this is a key priority for us.
Over time, we've seen MakerLab being used in some unexpected ways — from commercial sellers mass-producing products for resale. To be clear, we have nothing against commercial use — we're genuinely glad MakerLab has been helpful for growing businesses. The challenge is that our free, community-funded resources were designed for everyday makers, and they shouldn't be subsidizing large-scale commercial production. While we love seeing creativity flourish, these patterns have drifted from our original goal, so we're making a few changes to keep things sustainable.

Why pricing matters for quality

Think of it like ChatGPT: the more powerful the model, the higher the cost, and the gap can be huge. The world of 3D generation is moving fast, and we want MakerLab to keep offering you the very best 3D and image generation models out there, instead of being limited to cheaper, downgraded options or having to drop the most capable tools because they cost too much to give away for free. That's why we need MakerLab credits to align with the real cost of generation — it's the only way to keep this going for everyone.

What we're doing about it

These changes focus specifically on features that rely on thiry-party paid service like AI. To be clear about what stays free:

All parametric generators built by MakerWorld remain completely free.
Every account still gets free trial uses, so you can keep exploring MakerLab without paying. Charges only apply beyond those free uses.
For generators built by creators, each creator decides whether to charge.

We don't want MakerLab to become a paywall. Our goal is sustainable pricing that lets us keep the service fast, stable, and high-quality — while still giving everyone a way to try things for free.

The bigger picture

We know these changes may mean some users move on, and we understand that.

But we believe that fair, transparent, and sustainable pricing is the foundation of any service that's truly competitive in the market. And honestly, it puts healthy pressure on us, too. It pushes us to build a product that's genuinely worth paying for.

MakerLab isn't just an AI API aggregator. We're committed to investing in the harder problems that really matter — things like model splitting, watertight meshes, and front-end optimizations built around real-world printing. And if we want people to pay for MakerLab, we have to stay competitive on price, which is exactly why we're committed to cost-based pricing.

Finally, we believe this is good for the health of the entire 3D generation industry. MakerLab integrates nearly every major 3D generation provider, so when users are free to choose, their willingness to "vote with their wallet" becomes the clearest signal there is — one that pushes every provider to keep improving their models and deliver a better experience for everyone.

What's New:

When Credits are used: A few AI features (those powered by paid external services) will now use Credits when you generate, rather than when you export, reflecting how these tools work behind the scenes.
Free trials, reimagined: Instead of monthly free Credits, you'll get free trial uses tailored to each tool so you can try exactly what you need.
More Points options: We're adding a new 80 Points → 600 Credits option. (Some older MakerWorld Points options will be retired.)
Refunds available: Eligible unused Credits from past Points exchanges can be refunded back to Points.
Buy Credits directly: You can now purchase MakerLab Credits whenever you need them.

These updates are rolling out gradually, so you may not see them right away. Until they reach your account, MakerLab will continue to follow the rules shown on your screen.

We've put together a complete guide covering free trial uses, Credit costs, pricing, Points exchange, refunds, and FAQs.

👉 Read the complete guide here

(Edited)

Comment (35)

@Caleb_Wride : If you are trying to improve user experience, why not provide more flexibility for the use of the equipment purchased by the customer, such as compatibility to other slicers, an open sourced ecosystem, and advanced modes on printers? Is it really improving user experience when you threaten legal action against users doing totally legal things? It seems that you are trying to make up for the lack of proper care for your customers by making a big deal about new things that don't make a difference, such as store credits, MakerLab availability, and weekly posts. If you really want to enhance the experience for all users, and not just your large 12 fanbasee, start changing the fundamentals that make your products and systems so locked down and controlling. Start by treating us properly. That is all we really want.

@awesomein360 : Honestly, it really helps being mandatory to upload real pictures of the model already 3D printed and makerworld.com library needs a report button specifically for low quality models that are old and dont even have real pictures or have no print profiles uploaded. They're just taking space and wasting time when people are searching for specific keywords

The poster has replied

@edsped : I get real life pictures but requiring print profiles? One of the issues I see with that is the print profiles don't play nice with custom filaments and for me at least, I'm not able to purchase Bambu filament due to a chronic lack of stock on Bambu's part. Also, I'll be a curmudgeon and say that understanding how to slice a model should be something anyone with a printer should understand.

@MakerWorld : That’s a great suggestion and we’ve been thinking about how to address this issue as well. MakerWorld isn’t focused on vanity metrics like the total number of uploaded models. Our goal has always been to encourage more high-quality models that people can actually print and use.

@ozherbie : The charge per generation vs export is the biggest gut punch here. It kills exploration and playing around with the tools. I get charging more based on paying for rising costs but you're going down the road of creating a situation where the only people that can create items are those that can afford to pay for the privilege of doing so. It's very disappointing to see.

The poster has replied

@nibotnibot : I think if the priceing reduces the amount of AI slop uploaded, it is worth it to pay a little bit.

@user_1190647062 : @MakerWorld : I appreciate that each 3D AI model generator has a brief description under the choice. However, it would be great if there was some official documentation for the user base fo review for when each should be used. In the past, i have found that I had to regenerate to get a result worth using. Its understandable that regenerating has cost, but maybe there is a way to be more educated up front and proactive.

@user_4202587108 : Totally get it, compute power costs a lot. I’m glad you’re charging to keep this platform running smoothly—count me in to support you!

@user_3907248289 : Nice post telling us what you are doing, but leaves out the cost. The decision I have to make is, is it still cost effective for me to stay with this platform or look elsewhere. So what are the costs?

@nibotnibot : Thanks for being transparent Bambu!😁 If this means the amounf of “no real photo, random, untested AI slop” I see is reduced, I think some points are a small price to pay. Hopefully this strategey works and “makers” who upload hundreds of ai models will realize it’s not profitable enough.

@qwerty000 : I hope this makes it so there are less AI generated models. There are so many duplicates and low-quality models. Also, you NEED to make it so there is a tag that people have to put that says "AI generated model" if they used ai.

@user_1072174391 : So this means generations will be an acceptable model every time right? Not like now where it takes several iterations to achieve the desired result. Doesn't seem right to have to pay for AI failures and AI fails/misses the desired results a LOT. Some of the tools are mostly one and done but others especially 'photo to 3d model' require multiple generations to produce a decent model.

@nibotnibot : I am not sure how long ago you tested photo to ai, but around 2 months ago, I did notice a actual increase in quality.

@Coro_Kun : Multi image 3d generation when?

@user_2185171722 : I was concerned that the credits to use were going to be massive and that to buy them was going to be expensive. I think youve priced credits and usage very fairly and will continue to use the services. I am about to offer some of those options on my shops, and honestly I have tried every AI generator to compare with makerlabs and not one comes close. I don't know how or why but so long as you guys keep doing the good work, then you have my support