I’ve been noticing an unsettling trend in the 3D printing world: more and more printer manufacturers are locking down their devices with proprietary firmware, cloud-based software, and other anti-consumer restrictions. Despite this, they still receive glowing reviews, even from tech-savvy communities.

Back in the day, 3D printing was all about open-source hardware, modding, and user control. Now, it feels like we’re heading towards the same path as smartphones and other consumer tech—walled gardens, forced online accounts, and limited third-party compatibility. Some companies even prevent users from using alternative slicers or modifying firmware without jumping through hoops.

My question is: Has 3D printing gone too mainstream? Are newer users simply unaware (or uninterested) in the dangers of locked-down ecosystems? Have we lost the awareness of FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) and user freedom that once defined this space?

I’d love to hear thoughts from the community. Do you think this is just a phase, or are we stuck on this trajectory? What can we do to push back against enshitification before it’s too late?

(Transparency Note: I wrote this text myself, but since English is not my first language, I used LLM to refine some formulations. The core content and ideas are entirely my own.)

  • Bronzie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    6 days ago

    I think you make some good points.

    We have a old, self built Creality at work that is modded extensively and I love printing with it, but at home it just wont fly. The missus wants to turn the machine on, send over the G-code and pick up nice things later. There is no point trying to convince her to spend hours and hours learning input shaping, filament drying temperatures or the upsides/downsides of dual gear extruders.

    People are pissed at Bambu, and rightfully so, but for home users where the crowd needing pleasing is not super tech-savvy, Bambu is just a great alternative.

    I think we need to stop looking at it as Bambu fucking up 3D printing. They are massively increasing the reach of FDM for people who just want stuff to work without putting in the hours, while the rest of us can keep using whatever we want, be it OSS or not.
    Hopefully with the increase in users, the selection of filaments and third party upgrades will increase too.

    They are the only reason I was ever allowed to have a 3D printer in the house, which has already opened her up to letting me get a RatRig in the future. You know, because two printers are obviously twice as fast as one (!)