- MyMiniFactory Acquires Thingiverse to Restore Reliability and Protect Human-Created 3D Designs
- Thingiverse’s eight million users now join a curated, creator-focused ecosystem under new leadership.
- Thousands of designers rely on MyMiniFactory to monetize human-made digital 3D models
As AI-generated content continues to spread rapidly across the globe, the livelihoods of countless human creators within the 3D printing community are at risk.
To counter this, MyMiniFactory stepped in by taking over Thingiverse, the oldest and largest repository of 3D printing files.
The platform now boasts over eight million users and 2.5 million digital designs under new management.
From MakerBot to UltiMaker via MyMiniFactory
Thingiverse was originally launched in 2008 by MakerBot as an open platform for sharing printable files across different 3D printers, regardless of manufacturer.
Over time, control shifted via corporate acquisitions, ultimately ending up with UltiMaker before this latest transfer of ownership.
The scale of the archive alone explains why the agreement is important within the 3D printing community, as Thingiverse has functioned as a vast public library of user-generated designs, ranging from simple calibration tools to complex mechanical assemblies.
Its open nature has helped creators gain visibility and build an audience for their human-made 3D models, although occasional technical glitches and management changes sometimes create minor friction for users.
Rees Calder, recently named Thingiverse’s chief marketing officer, said the platform would join MyMiniFactory as a “SoulCrafted” company while remaining operationally independent.
SoulCrafted, introduced by MyMiniFactory in 2025, emphasizes human-created designs, curated content, and economic sustainability for digital creators.
Calder acknowledged that Thingiverse contains many outdated files and abandoned accounts, which will require careful cleaning over time.
However, the platform will continue to advertise, although future sponsorships are expected to be more relevant rather than relying entirely on automated ad networks.
The company has no plans to convert Thingiverse to a fully paid platform immediately, although infrastructure upgrades will precede any monetization functionality.
“It’s about what kind of internet and future we want. AI-generated content is now everywhere and poses a threat to the livelihoods of real creators around the world,” said Romain Kidd, the new CEO of Thingiverse.
“Since SoulCrafted launched, we’ve known that there is a real demand for spaces where human labor is valued and protected. Thingiverse will be one of those spaces. Thingiverse belongs to the people who use it. We want them to be involved in what happens next.”
MyMiniFactory says it has distributed more than $100 million directly to creators through the sale of paid templates, supporting thousands of independent designers and nearly a million paying users.
Unlike manufacturer-operated repositories that primarily function as ecosystem add-ons, MyMiniFactory has focused on curation and verification of printability.
Each file uploaded undergoes human review before publication, an approach the company says increases trustworthiness and compensation for creators.
Many designers have used Thingiverse primarily to promote paid offerings hosted elsewhere, reflecting the limitations of its economic structure.
Via Toms Hardware
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