I've noticed many models - especially huge ones - that only have one or two CAD files uploaded, just to prevent being accused of uploading renderings only (which is against the guidelines).
Take this model as an example.
As you can see, he has only uploaded the car's wheel.
Others do upload some CAD files, but still not all.
Another thing is assembly files...
The guidelines contain this:
"Do not upload deceptive or incomplete work. If the CAD files uploaded are different than the images, or there are no CAD files uploaded, or just the CAD assembly without the part files, we may take the model down. And if you post a question or tutorial that is incomplete, we may take those down as well."
What about models that have all part files uploaded, but still no assembly files?
Take this model as an example.
Should these models be reported?
Following the guidelines, both can be reported.
The Ferrari depicts the entire assembly, but only provides only a wheel.
The Rubic's Cube depicts an assembly which does not exist.
The main Ferrari library image should show only the wheel/tire. Additional gallery images could show the wheel in use on different vehicles, but the main picture should depict the actual data uploaded.
For the cube. It seems the uploader is using an image from another source since they said an assembly was never made. That image does not represent the CAD data. There is no telling what their data looks like once it is assembled.
If I remember correctly it was Grabcad who encouraged uploading renderings some time back with no clear guidance on how to go about doing so.
I myself was pretty confused surrounding the subject and could find no help.
Now grabcad is flooded with a huge number of only rendering files that are a total waste of time downloading.
In this case ho is to blame ?
Encouraging is something totally different from making them independent...
Besides, there is guidance. Check the guidelines, you'll find this:
"Do not upload deceptive or incomplete work. If the CAD files uploaded are different than the images, ... , we may take those down as well."
"Do not use a place-holder file to make render-only pages go public. Every model page that comes up in Library searches should be a complete CAD model. Because of this, model pages without a CAD file included are temporarily hidden from searches. Some members like to showcase their rendering skills by uploading renders to a model page and then including a random “place-holder” CAD file to make the page publicly searchable. We are working on a better way for members to showcase their render skills, but in the meantime, we do not allow for “place-holder” models, so please refrain from this practice."
On the old profile page there was a tab section dedicated especially for renderings with no guidelines link or anything on how you were supposed to add renderings.
This was simply bad website design and many users were asking how do I add renderings we cant find any information or upload link. Users were left in the dark, then many users just assumed this was to show off examples of their work by making a part file as a render. In my opinion this is far from the users fault. If they want people to follow the guidelines then they should at least have make them easily accessible from the renderings tab page.
Many users made this mistake and have now got in to the habit of doing it unfortunately. Who's fault is that ?
Grabcad needs to clean this mess up by posting personal messages to users explaining what renderings are and how to use them. It is not the users fault they could not find guidelines. It should have been made easily accessible so this situation was avoided.
Renderings are always encouraged. The complaint complaint here is that some models uploaded to the library are incomplete.
When someone posts a rendering of a car, I expect the CAD data to contain a car, not just a wheel. If a wheel is uploaded, then don't use an image of the car for the main library image.
Its a bit like those click bait videos on Youtube. If the thumbnail image looks enticing enough, you watch the video, but never see the image from the thumbnail.
The guidelines are linked to from the Model Upload page. If people can figure out how to upload models, and images, they can find the guidelines.
The rendering tab (now gone) on the old profile pages was a leftover from a system where you could render images for other people, then store those images in your own rendering tab. One of the badges (Render Bender) tied into the system. Rendering for someone can still be done, but you upload the image to the comment section of the model now. Previously it would go straight to the gallery (if the model owner allowed it).
Using images of a complete car, then only uploading the 3D model of a wheel is 100% the fault of the uploader. They choose not to upload the complete model set. Sometimes it appears to be by mistake (i.e. uploading only an assembly file). Other times it is on purpose; They even post in the description to the effect of "contact me if you want to buy the complete model". Those are user faults.
Press the Report button, and have these incomplete models be removed from the library.
Couldn't say better than FredSWUG, but I just wanted to highlight a couple of points:
Where do you want the guidelines' link to be if not on every page you view, not mentioning the red button with a question mark...
Users are very weird; they make an account, upload whatever they want, then criticize you when you show them their wrongs.
Why don't they even bother checking the guidelines first?
And then a respected member says that it's GrabCAD's fault!
Hi Fred, I completely agree it extremely frustrating downloading something to find it is not a full cad model. I do not download things often because of this very reason you stated. In my early days of grabcad I was very confused by the renderings tab and had no clue about the situation. I even searched out other users and it seemed like a blind leading the blind situation. Luckily we have updated grabcad and the the groups to help with these questions now.
Don't get me wrong Yahya I love grabcad I am on the platform every day. I am just sharing my experience when I first started grabcad. At that time the renderings tab had no advice on what the renderings tab was for or how to upload renderings or anything to do with rendering guidelines. I believe this was a mistake and created a lot of confusion with users and played a large part in the issue with renderings we see today. In the more modern website design update the grabcad designers noticed the issue and removed the tab. If I design a product it is my responsibility to give clear instruction and warning stickers in vital areas. I don't wait for customers to make a fatal mistake and then point them to subsection 136 section D of the fine print in terms and conditions. It is just bad practice.
I think Grabcad is evolving and is a much more user friendly platform now but I would like to see guidelines within user profile also.
Why don't you add that suggestion here?
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