Our community hub PrusaPrinters just received its biggest update this year! The userbase and the model library keep growing day by day, so now it’s the best time to introduce two new reward systems, one with actual physical rewards like free spools of Prusament and various Prusa merchandise, and the second with brand new badges awarded for achieving various goals.
Prusameters and physical rewards
Every user gets an empty virtual spool of Prusament, which is displayed in the top right corner next to your avatar. By performing various activities, you can fill up the spool with special points called Prusameters. You can start with one-time rewards, like completing your profile, which gets you 20 Prusameters – if you’ve already done it in the past, you’ll get 20 points automatically. Getting more points requires a bit more creativity, though.
We truly appreciate all the makers and designers who upload their projects to PrusaPrinters. There’s a massive number of awesome models available for download, which are already being promoted in our community contests, Weekly Prints videos, and Featured Prints section – and now we’re taking it to a new level with physical rewards. Here’s how it works: When you upload a new model, the system starts tracking its performance (downloads and likes) over a 30-day period. There are up to four milestones you can hit during this period. For each consecutive milestone, you’ll get a higher amount of Prusameters. Once the 30-day period ends, the internal counters are reset, but your Prusameters remain in your account. Let’s look at an example.
There are four milestones you can hit with your models repeatedly every 30 days:
- 10 Prusameters for 30 downloads and 3 likes of your model
- 50 Prusameters for 100 downloads and 10 likes of your model
- 100 Prusameters for 200 downloads and 15 likes of your model
- 200 Prusameters for 400 downloads and 20 likes of your model
Let’s say you upload a new model and it reaches 300 downloads and 30 likes during one of the 30-day periods. This grants you a total of 160 Prusameters: 10 points for the first milestone (30 downloads and 3 likes), 50 points for the second milestone and 100 points for the third one. At the end of the 30-day period, the internal counters for downloads and likes are reset. The total numbers displayed in the public print profile are left intact, of course, and 160 Prusameters remain on your account. A new 30-day period starts during which you can gain more Prusameters.
Your virtual spool will become visually full at 350 Prusameters, however, there’s no limit on how many Prusameters you can earn in total. The number we’ve picked is not accidental – 350 meters of filament is exactly what you can find on a real spool of Prusament. So, it only makes sense that 350 Prusameters is what you need to get a voucher for a 100% discount on a real spool of Prusament PLA, PETG or ASA!
Or you can pick other rewards from our list – shirts, snapbacks, hoodies… When you choose the reward you want, you’ll receive a voucher for our e-shop that will get you a 100% discount on the selected item.
There are more ways how to get Prusameters and you don’t have to be a model designer. Every month, you can upload up to 10 Makes (photos of 3D printed models) and receive Prusameters for them. You can also receive a one-time reward for creating up to 3 new non-empty Collections or for uploading up to 10 new prints (existing Collections and prints do not count).
Also, we decided to award you with Prusameters retrospectively for the previous completed 30-day period, so you probably have something on your virtual spool already. Consider it a little holiday gift from us. 😉 Don’t forget that the 30-day period starts with the date when you published the model. In other words: Prusameters are not awarded for the total number of downloads and likes your model has collected since it was published (e.g., a year ago).
This retrospective awarding of points applies only to two areas: having a completed profile and for achieving download/like milestones as described above. So, for example, if you have created several Collections in the past, you will not receive any Prusameters for them – you need to create new ones.
User badges
We were also looking for a fun way to show how far you’ve come as a maker and creator. Something you could be proud of, something that would make you instantly recognizable as an active member of our community – no matter whether you love to design or print awesome models. We’re launching a new system of user levels and badges! It’s something completely different and not related to Prusameters.
The entire system is pretty easy to understand – you can collect badges for various activities and the number of badges you collected is directly reflected in your user level, which is displayed as a small number under your avatar.
Badges and related activities are spread across a wide spectrum of various areas. So don’t worry if you’re not a professional model designer, you can gain badges for all sorts of other useful activities. For example, you can level up your Maker badge by uploading photos of the models you downloaded and printed. This is a great way to help other community members because by uploading a photo of the print, you confirm that the model is, in fact, printable. Along with the photo, you can also share valuable information and tips on how to print the model to achieve the best results.
And there are even certain unique badges that cannot be received by meeting any measurable numbers. For instance, our team can pick outstanding designers from time to time and award them with the Approved Designer badge. Or you can receive the Prusa Live Guest badge for joining us as a guest in our live stream. And to add a bit more fun into the mix, there are some hidden unlockables – such as the possibility to get a downloadable 3D model of your badge. How to get it? You’ll need to figure it out yourself, we are not going to spoil the surprise. 😉 Unlike Prusameters, badges are calculated fully retrospectively – if you’ve met badge requirements at any point of the existence of your profile (e.g., if you won one of the first three prizes in our Designer contests), you’ll get the badge automatically.
You can click a badge to learn more about it and to see how many other users received it already. Some badges have just one level, while others can be progressed. And you can pick 3 badges you’re most proud of and display them on the left side of your profile page right under your avatar.
Also, whenever you receive a new badge, you’ll get an e-mail notification – this functionality is enabled by default, but you can easily disable notifications in your profile.
We’ve based both systems (badges and Prusameters) on the current usage statistics of PrusaPrinters, so it’s possible that if things change significantly, we will adjust and balance the way how the rewards work, or add new ones for higher levels – we want them to be a bit of a challenge to receive. The goal is to make the system fun and balanced for you and also sustainable for us in the long term.
Have fun with PrusaPrinters!
We hope that these new additions will make using PrusaPrinters even more enjoyable. 🙂 After all, 3D printing is an awesome and entertaining hobby (and often much more than that), so it makes sense for us to turn our community hub into something more than a mere library of 3D models.
We’ve been testing these new systems internally for quite some time and really enjoyed the new possibilities. However, we’re listening to your comments and general feedback, so do let us know if there are any questions, ideas or suggestions!
Happy printing!
Sadly it only counts from now on 🙁
Exactly this. I could have understood that full backwards rewarding isn’t doable. But a small compensation for the already uploaded prints would be nice. As a thank you for using our platform instead of others.
This is awesome, finally prusaprinters is adding just what it needed – Achievements ;-D
One quick hint to the developers regarding prusameters, maybe its a bug, maybe its a feature BUT – you can actually get publishing rewards for prints you already uploaded. Is that intended?
Yes it is. You should see it as a christmas present from the developers.
alright then, just thought I’d mention it as these are pretty easy 100points to get, by just drafting->republishing old prints.
What about the cost of shipping?
i was wondering the same thing. because the shipping for me cost the same as a regular spool of filament from amazon.
the same here
I think you need to pay shipping as usal, but prusament is so mutch better than cheap filament
Hello, very good idea !!!!
I updated my profile – but I am not receiving the 20m award – can you please check that?
The same here. Updated my profile but still have zero m (
I had the same problem but I hadn’t correctly chosen the language, then it worked.
Mine wasn’t either. I added a second language to the langues spoken section, and then I received the 20 points. I then went back and removed this false language
For me it worked to fill the entire profile with all the information, including the intro
A really great idea. I like it!
PS: In the “your profile”-link is a typo. The .org is missing.
Nice incentive that put me into action. I had a few makes and prints that I thought I’d post “someday”, but someday never seemed to come. This program makes someday finally arrive.
The same for me. It’s not that time consuming to post the models that are already there, but I needed a small motivation to get started.
The same for me too 😁. So the next little while I am getting back in the swing of publishing my models.
Same here. I’m checking my whole library now 😀
This is a wonderful program! Thank you for setting up these opportunities.
When browsing prints is there a way to block certain users? I sometimes find users that will post a sea of models that are all similar. I have to wade through all those models that I have no interest in.
It’s an idea, not sure if it is good when it dosnt work proper. “Complete your profile” dosn’t work as no points was given. I updated my profile twice and nothing happens.
And some sort of back-compensation or volume discount would been nice for us that order filament for over over 200 – 300 euro every month. The fact that the waiting time is 1 – 2 weeks every time is really annoying and frustrating. You certainly don’t do anything to keep your customers, considering your customer support is basically worthless every time I have a question about the shipping. It seams like Prusa dont care much about ther “small” custumers much.
Hey guys,
here is some feedback:
I uploaded a photo as a make and it kept the metadata/exeif information, like location. I would have assumed and had the expectation that your site would remove this data before publishing.
Is this still an issue? I see a webP file but Mac Preview doesn’t show location
Very nice system 🙂
However I noticed one minor detail: With the 3 collections one can obtain a total of 9 Prusameters. This is the only way of getting an amount that is not a multiple of 10. When it comes to spending Prusameters, only amounts that are a multiple of 10 or 65 can be spent. That means that 4 of the 9 mentioned Prusameters cannot be used or, in case I decide that I do not need the 3D-printing book, the entire 9 Prusameters cannot be used. Maybe it would be an idea to add some way to obtain 1 additional Prusameter to avoid this.
All so nice, but the logistic still has problems. No shipping update since end of November. Most shipments delayed at least a month after the announced dates. I would hope more people at Prusa take care of their shipping problems instead of the Gimmicks.
Anyone design solution leveraging the LACK table design with the MMU 2.0? I ordered a MK3S+ with the MMU 2.0. I like the LACK design and thinking of 3 tables, the top being a filament dry box design addition. The MMU 2.0 with the vertical feed will extend the printer enclosure. Thinking of three different ideas to address. 1) Extend the printer table area with blocks to increase height 2) Remove a section of the printer table top to allow movement of the MMU feed tube and design up a spool holder raised up more. This will require heating up the top filament enclosure as well (maybe additional heat source) 3) Build my own legs for the middle table to account for increased height.
Any other thoughts?
Anyone already build a LACK table suitable for the MMU 2.0?
Any other good looking enclosures that support the MMU 2.0?
I am new to 3D printers all together, but was a CAD designer for 20 years and a technologist for 25 years. Appreciate the guidance.
Thanks!
Prusa released an update to their Lack enclosure design for MMU2. https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/3673-prusa-enclosure-v2-mmu2s
There are also dozens of alternatives from people with mods like leg extensions, filament dry boxes, etc. Search for ‘Lack Enclosure’ and look through for features you like.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be designing and building mine, which will include 3 Lack’s, enclosed filament box, etc. There will be a lots of mods from the Prusa one with a dozen or more alternatives from other people and some alterations myself.
I’ll publish my version when done, hopefully by mid-Jan.
Happy to discuss features/design if you like.
I have completed my profile. I have not seen the 20 prusameters added to my account. What am I missing?
I had this problem. For me, adding a second language to my list of spoken languages got me the 20 points. I then went back and removed that language
Any plan to fix the auto 2FA autofill with Mac OS Safari.
Currently it places all the digits of the OTP code into the first box instead of across all, I think if the box is set to a max of one char it will automatically move onto the next field (works on many other websites I use it on)
But what about all the models I have already uploaded. To be Level 15 and have no points doesn’t make sense.
If your models were performing well, you’d get points for the previous 30 days of downloads and stuff.
The download count on my profile and the count toward my badge level are different. Is that a bug?
Hello, allow me to voice some feedback:
I notice that a lot of your reward systems award 3d-designers that generate popular models, which gain traction immediately, or have widespread appeal. I get the idea behind it, nearly all social media sites are pushing the same “flashy content” strategy, but many people, including me, don’t like to create trinkets and gimmicks on their 3d printers, which just look pretty and end up in landfills. I like to create legitimately useful models, which only a handful of people will actually print, but they actually fill a niche purpose, like replacement parts for not-so-popular items. I would like to propose an adjustment to the rewards program, that would incentivize these types of creators, that go out of their way to make a file, that will probably see like 20 downloads in its lifetime, but still may be genuinely useful, save upwards of 10€ and conserve a lot of those needed CO2 emissions. What could be experimented with, is a long-term goal, that would evaluate the part in terms of usefulness, maybe take into account the ratings on makes, downloads, and likes, or a survey of some sort shown to users after downloading models in a nieche category.
I am not going to pretend I know the answer, but I genuinely feel you are missing out on 90% of what 3d printers are great for, that being – allowing people to come up with niche parts and models and actually having them in the grasp of their hands within 24 hours of designing them.
Thanks for considering my feedback, I would love to see Prusa printers succeed among 3d printer enthusiasts.
This is really the right reasoning
How do i turn this function off?
Question about the new Rewards Program. I completed my profile and now have 20 points. I’m new at 3d printing. I have been able to create a model in TinkerCad, export it to Slicer, and generate G-code. The print went well. Now I want to upload my STL file of a model I created to the Prusa website. How can I upload a model and a photo of the print?
If you go to the Prints page, in the top right, next to your account icon and rewards program points you should see an option for “+CREATE”. Click on this for multiple options, with the top option being Print. Click on Print, and you will be taken to the print upload page. Fill in all the details and attach your files. You have an option at the top of this page to either save the upload as a draft for you, or publish it so everyone can see
First to congrats for a good strategy and ideas.
What about Prusameters as a Donation between users?
The hyperlink to profile has a typo and do not work:
Also, whenever you receive a new badge, you’ll get an e-mail notification – this functionality is enabled by default, but you can easily disable notifications in your profile.
Today is the first day of the calender month but it does not seem to have reset, when does it reset for uploading the 10 makes i am allowed to per calender month?
Whoever came up with that idea, give them a big raise. This is so nuts. It will drive engagement with the platform through the roof.
Thanks for doing this. It really re-ignited my passion for 3D printing.
I think that they should make it so that when you get like 50,000 points you can get a printer (not for me ofc because I am nowhere near that and will never get there, but for the people that dedicate their entire lives to this).
Hi! I upload several makes but I don’t receive any points. What’s the right way to publish makes and obtain prusa points?
Thanks
gg
Hi,
I have uploaded 10 prints starting from 12/20/2021 now that we are at 01/21/2022 I have uploaded another one (after 30 days) I have not received any points. how come?
Thank you
Points for the first 10 Uploads are not per month but the first 10 uploads ever. If you want to earn more points for uploading designs, the only way ist to get people to like and download your designs, as it should be.
Finally someone who made me understand how it works!
Thank you
Are prints that are further developed rewarded in any way? My “big” prints are being further developed and I try to implement requests from the community. I also provide support for my prints, which should also be rewarded.
Are there any plans for this?
Hi I have 30 downloads and 3 likes for one of my models but I didn’t get prusameters for it. What could be the problem here?
Additional info: The model was uploaded after the prusameter system was released
anyone else having trouble printing the “Maker 4 Skilled” 3D Badge model.
4th Time trying this and its my first fail of a print.
Hello, I just have one question, what happens to the shipping when I exchange my prusameters for any of the physical rewards? Does the voucher cover it or should I cover it myself?
I’m confused by this: I have uploaded makes, but only on other people’s model pages. I assumed that was the point, and what you were trying to reward. None of those makes shows up on my profile under Makes, and my rewards page says I have uploaded none. Shouldn’t Makes of other people’s models, published on their model pages, count?
I also really wish there were a proper forum here where I could ask this, rather than on a 13-month-old blogpost that looks like it’s no longer monitored.