February 14, 2025
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February 14, 2025
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3DBenchy is NOT going anywhere, anytime soon! NTI Group Confirms

3DBenchy - The jolly 3D printing torture-test
3DBenchy - The jolly 3D printing torture-test/Source: Creative Tools
Key Takeaways

A single Reddit post by user u/mkrjoe about their “My Benchy glitched out” remix’s removal from Printables.com sparked widespread concern in the 3D printing community. The post included a chat with the Printables support team, who cited licence enforcement as the reason for the removal  of the 3DBenchy model.

This sparked widespread speculation and concern that NTI Group, which acquired Creative Tools and the rights to 3DBenchy in March 2024, was attempting to tighten control over the popular calibration model, which has been freely available since 2015.

The Real Story

Benchy IP war is starting – message by Reddit user ‘mkrjoe’
Benchy IP war is starting – message by Reddit user ‘mkrjoe’/Source: Reddit

What appeared to be a straightforward case of new ownership enforcing stricter controls turned out to be significantly different from initial perceptions. NTI Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Henriette Tamasauskas, has explicitly stated that the company was not behind any license enforcement actions. “We are trying to establish an overview of what has happened, as we have not actively and intentionally tried to do a license reinforcement,” Tamasauskas told media reporters.

The sequence of events reveals how quickly misunderstandings can cascade in the tight-knit 3D printing community:

First, u/mkrjoe’s post on the subreddit r/cursedbenchies included a support chat indicating that all 3DBenchy derivatives would be removed from Printables in the coming days. This coincided with Daniel Norée, the original creator of 3DBenchy, sharing a heartfelt LinkedIn post about Creative Tools’ acquisition and subsequent merger with the NTI Group.

The timing of these events prompted community moderators to take preemptive action. As one moderator on r/cursedbenchies explained, “This is why we have rule 5 [‘Don’t share official Benchy model files that have been modified’] since a few months ago.” The community’s quick reaction was due to previous experiences with new licence holders enforcing stricter controls.

However, NTI Group has since clarified multiple key points:

  • They have taken no action to enforce the 3DBenchy license
  • They have no plans to monetize the 3DBenchy model
  • They were unaware of the removals until the community reaction began
  • They are actively working with Printables to understand the situation

3DBenchy and Its Future

The iconic calibration model, which has been downloaded millions of times since its inception in 2015, is still freely available under the original Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. This license has always technically prohibited derivative works, but Creative Tools has traditionally taken a lenient approach to enforcement.

According to NTI Group’s statements, they intend to maintain this approach, ensuring that 3DBenchy continues to serve as a free calibration tool for the 3D printing community. The model’s significance goes beyond simple calibration; it has become a symbol of the 3D printing community’s collaborative spirit, as well as a standard benchmark for comparing printer performance.

In short, the 3DBenchy is here to stay and will not be removed. For the time being, the NTI Group’s stated position is as follows.

What Printables Team is Saying?

Prusa Research, owner of Printables.com, has provided detailed clarification about their role in the situation. The platform’s initial removals were triggered by a third-party report, not by NTI Group’s request. “We understand that 3DBenchy is a beloved and iconic model in the 3D printing community, and its widespread popularity means that enforcing the nuances of its license can be complex. Therefore, we approach the reduction or removal of such models with great care and humility,” their initial statement explained.

In a subsequent update on January 10, 2025, Prusa Research revealed ongoing discussions with NTI Group: “We are now in contact with the NTI Group, who identify themselves as the owners of the Benchy rights. Based on our conversation, they confirmed they were not the ones reporting the issue. However, we must still act in accordance with the licensing rights. We are currently discussing the matter with them, and if they choose to permit remixes, we will work together to find a sustainable and solid solution moving forward.”

Confusion leads to 3DBenchy Alternatives

In general that are countless calibration models that many companies and even individual designers have created which are, frankly speaking, really better that the Benchy. But the 3DBenchy holds a special place among users and is more popular than any of the other calibration models.

As the confusion led users to believe that their beloved model will not be available, makers and designers begun rallying around potential alternatives that align more closely with open-source principles and the community’s collaborative spirit.

Filatruck

Filatruck - Alternative to 3D benchy
Filatruck – Alternative to 3D benchy/Source: Reddit

One model that appears to be gaining popularity is the Filatruck. Designed by Reddit user Xtremekillax, this design is still a work in progress, but most users find it to be an excellent alternative. And, as this design spends more time in communities, it will only improve with community user feedback. There are already many suggestions for improving this model.

Some users want an open window and an interior in the model, while others prefer one set of wheels with a separate axel and wheels for judging tolerances.

Boaty

Benchy or Boaty
Benchy or Boaty/Source: Reddit

There is a counter design for Benchy. While the 3DBenchy is a boat named ‘Benchy’, there is another design circulating called Boaty that is actually a bench. This was created by a Reddit user called TheDepep1. The designer himself is unsure between Benchy and Boaty, but Boaty may be finalised.

This episode serves as a reminder of both the benefits and drawbacks of the 3D printing community’s rapid information sharing. While the initial concerns about aggressive license enforcement were unfounded, the situation has sparked important discussions about licensing in the 3D printing community, as well as the delicate balance between open-source principles and IP rights.

The resolution of this misunderstanding emphasises the value of direct communication among platforms, rights holders, and the community. As the 3D printing industry matures, open communication channels and transparent policies become increasingly important for preserving the collaborative spirit that has defined the community since its inception.


About Manufactur3D Magazine: Manufactur3D is an online magazine on 3D printing. which publishes the latest 3D printing news, insights and analysis from all around the world. Visit our 3D Printing Education page to read more such informative articles. To stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in the 3D printing world, follow us on FacebookLinkedIn and Twitter.

Abhimanyu Chavan
Abhimanyu is the founder of Manufactur3D and has spent more than 7 years in the 3D printing industry. He has written over 2000 articles on the technology and industry and he continues to write and share content to promote the technology across the globe, and more so in India. You can follow him on social platforms.
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