@Gareee

"Example: The going rate for modelling a 3d statue for reproduction is between $1000 and $4000, depending on detail level and final sculpt size."

The problem with this IMHO, is that with the sales of 3d models in the store being anywhere 5$ to 50$ depending on the product, this would be outrageous to have to pay 1,000 - 4000$ per item modeled. The product would have to sell for at least a quater more than the going rate to include a fair standard for comission in this standard. Now, is anyone making 3d art going to pay that amount for a set of hair, or a sculpted human figure? I see what you are saying about compensation for the time put into modelling a figure, trust me I know the time put into modelling first hand, but if I went by those standards, you all would LOL me outta the forum.

Hence a reasonable license fee for those using the models, by taking the compiled scene made in a 3d program, to a 3rd party printing site, maybe based on a limit number, meaning how many items used, from vendors which allow their models to be printed, like 1-3 models 5 bucks, 4-6 7.50, ect, where the licensing would be set up like a serial number page, in the acount area, so if approached about usage you can whip that out and have yourself covered. Where the license fee would be split up with the middle man site, and vendors who models are used in the production of the item be printed. There not only the content creators get paid, but the middle man site as well, since it is covering for the usage of the products in that project.

As for the person which owns their 3d printer I don't really see it as the need to go through all the hoops as someone who is taking it to a 3d Kinko's, if the person is keeping the mesh from having to redistribute it, then it would be the same as rendering a 2d image, and placing it up for sale on a desktop background site or on a coffee mug or ect. Maybe the end user could keep their 3d printer serial on file with the middle man site, to keep up with who has and has not to keep the bickering about usage to a minimal. Maybe even offering up a by project or annually license to keep submitting printing projects as long as the license is valid, where the end user would have to submit product info on the sites accounting area, while if the end user decides to cancel the license terms they can keep printing the already done projects commercially, but can't add new ones to the fold.

"This has been discussed MANY times in the last few years over and over again."

And I do hope a solution to this can be found. One that benefits both parties, but is reasonable.

This is an opinion, but a possibility, keep in mind I am a dreamer, and an esentric one at that, so this may sound like a Pisces rambling about an imaginary world.

With the possibility of this uncharted area, while the stage is set at it's infancy, either it can possibly level the playing field on how everything is done, we are talking 3d printing some models right now, but this may be the future in different areas as well. It is just now hitting the mainstream in the past few years, and will spark the minds of those which may have never heard of 3d programs such as Poser or Daz to get involved with using them. Bringing more revenue to the content creators and middlemen sites. All because they see 3d printing and get psyched cause this means a different means to producing stuff. Where the costs to do so now is fairly a vanity project, in the future it may become common as printing out a 2d image. This also has the possibility to aid in artificial organ creation, where as organ harvesting, waiting for a transplant would become the obsolete practice, even making it possibly more affordable to prolong life itself. Just a couple of possibilities this offers. Not to get off topic, with 3d creation, and the models used, but with each seed grows a plant, if nurtured correctly. This truely has been discussed over and over again, I did read some of the posts googled about it, but when the topic is brought up and words exchanged hopefully with an intent of learning or coming to a common ground to advance this further than just a money making scheme for some creators of the content, or end users who want to make a few pretties and put up in their store, is the seed in which may advance the whole idea of 3d printing into other avenues. And with this said, the vendor who modeled the realistic looking heart to be used in a zombie apocalypse piece could be the one to model the heart for the next artificial heart which will not rely if it takes or not to the person. These are just possibilities, but it all starts on the lowest level and works it's way up, thus forth can be seen as evolution through the technology, but then again that all depends on the way things pan out, sorry to get way off topic from just talking about the 3d and licensing, but this is what I meant earlier by the potential being so much more. It has to start somewhere.

@lmckenzie

"People see a render and they think a few posters maybe or a book cover. They think 3D print and they start seeing Barbie and her millions."

My wife an I talked about this today, actually when discussing this as a means to go beyond the current ways, while it is reinventing the already invented. As with any technology, comes responcibility.

@SAM

"AFAIK, it's no longer necessary to make all models water tight for printing, although many Poser models make extensive use of bumps, displacements and transparencies that the output from them would likely be horrible."

Agreed there, while but the models would be a great base for some to use and would be a great learning experiance for some to get the model to to print quality based on their expertise learning curve, while providing content creators a new source of income to make the 3d model 3d printing ready if the end user and the creator can agree to come to a agreement on the price and usage. Also would increase tutorials needed for said ventures, which someone can write and place for sale.

"I've considered sending some of my stuff for printing but I haven't the money to spend on what's essentially a vanity project."

I know exactly what you mean, I wish I could print out my some model I made, same boat I am afraid, hell I am doing all my modelling on a 2004 pc, with a Nvidia mx440 graphics card, and only 500 mb of ram. go ahead lol I know that is coming after mentioning those specs, but you got to play with the hand your dealt with.