Manyfold is planning a public instance of their open-source 3D model repository.
As described earlier, Manyfold is open-source software that implements functionality that is quite similar to what you’d see on Printables, Thingiverse, and other popular 3D model repositories.
There’s a big difference, however: you host your own models, as Manyfold is a decentralized service. Your instance of the software connects to the rest of the Manyfold universe, providing access to other decentralized repositories. This makes it possible to search and download models from a huge decentralized group of collaborating Manyfold instances.
Why do this? It’s because the current popular 3D model sites are almost all directly associated with a 3D printer manufacturer: Printables (Prusa), Thingiverse (MakerBot/UltiMaker), MakerWorld (Bambu Lab), etc. While these sites are all very usable, each one has a goal to promote their own products. Sometimes that makes for conflicting situations.
Because of that, some designers would like to present their works to the world using alternative means that are less controlled by others.
Manyfold seems to be the way one could do that.
However, it’s still under development. The good news is that earlier this year, they received a grant to continue development of the project.
Now we hear that they are planning to launch their first public instance of the software, creating the first notable public node in what could eventually be a large, decentralized collection of 3D models.
They write:
”Do you want to easily publish your 3D models on the Fediverse?
We’re looking for volunteers to beta-test the flagship public Manyfold instance, which will be launching very soon!”
They ask for participants to contact via Matrix, an open-source communications and collaboration network.
If you’re interested in trying out the first public instance of Manyfold, you’d better give them a shout soon.
