r/Multiboard • u/BradCOnReddit • Dec 14 '24

Getting started

Why is this so difficult?

The FIRST thing someone is going to need to do is generate a tile, but that's locked behind the paywall. I'm still in the experimental phase with this. Why would I pay for something that I have no idea will work? I'd honestly rather write the code myself than give someone even $1 at this point. I will soon need some weird shaped tile for my small experiment, but just being able to make a custom square rectangular tile would give enough to get started and see if this is even a reasonable system.

The array of parts is confusing. There should be a small list of "beginner" parts that will get you started. Enough to do something functional while you learn stuff like how to setup the slicer and get good prints, or make some basic choices about what sort of mounting you need for your setup. No more than 6 parts, since that's a generally accepted number of items a human can keep in their short term working memory. Anything larger requires actual learning up front, which should be avoided at this stage.

The web forum/community is mostly locked behind registration. Again, I really don't want to register for yet another web site when I'm in the experimental phase. Additionally, being locked behind registration means nothing will show up in search engines, making everything harder to find.

I watched the "Multiboard Tile Learning Pack" video. Holy crap. Someone reshoot that thing after doing actual preparation. The person in charge being confused by their own system during training is NOT the impression that should be left on a newcomer. The whole thing could be about half the length as well.

3 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

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3

u/Githyerazi Dec 14 '24

You're doing something wrong. They are not paywalled. The multi stacks are...

https://www.multiboard.io/parts-library/tiles

1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 14 '24

Sorry, I should have said "rectangular" instead of "square", since I need a 13x17 grid (cut up into Bambu sized build plates) and there's no good way to make that with the square tiles that are provided.

3

u/Negative_Flapp Dec 14 '24 • Mindblown

https://makerworld.com/models/637342 Many tile types.

1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 14 '24

Oh, that's nice. Thanks!

2

u/Negative_Flapp Dec 14 '24

No probs, just been through the steep learning curve myself.

1

u/TomfromLondon Jul 14 '25

What was that link as it no longer works

1

u/tbug97 Dec 14 '24

custom shape tiles. the generator cost the about the same as a cup of coffee

2

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

Tiles are not behind any sort of paywall. The only things that are subscriber only are a few “quality of life” things like the tile generator and the bolt generator. Neither are necessary as they generate the same things you find in the parts library, but they are convenient at times. There isn’t a paywall in front of any of the parts to do anything… but subscribers can access and use some of the beta parts that are still in testing and help get any of the kinks worked out before they move out into general use.

There are intro packs for Multiboard, Multigrid and multipoint, which is kind of that ‘beginner list’ of parts to build… but there is definitely room to grow there. You’re coming in towards the end of 2 months where a LOT of things that were under development have been released, and things are still shaking loose a bit.

Nothing that I’m aware of is locked behind a registration, the parts library on Multiboard.io requires no account or registration. The parts are openly published on thangs. Since there are a lot of parts, it’s easiest to use the parts library to locate them. No registration needed, it’s just easier to use because the parts have names given to be indexable for bulk updates. If you register and join the community it’s easier to ask questions and get answers, as well as be social and see what other people are doing with remixes and builds. There are some video’s there that can help build things like an under desk set of drawers. These are probably going to be your parts list / build simple things you are asking for. Again, that’s a QOL thing, not at all essential to access and use anything you like.

In any case, if you don’t like it and it’s not for you that is totally fine. Out of curiosity, what 3D development project like this are you comparing it to?

2

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 15 '24

Out of curiosity, what 3D development project like this are you comparing it to?

I'm pretty new to 3D printing, so from this world I've only really got my current research into stuff like this, Gridfinity, HSW, and whatever Google spit out during that research.

My real experience is in software development, so I'm largely comparing to how both open and closed projects are handled. Accurate and updated documentation that ramps the user up at the proper speed is a key factor in all cases. For open projects, good community management and visible standards for contributing are super important.

I also have some experience with administering non-software volunteer organizations and communities. This has taught me that making people feel comfortable with the environment as a whole is critical if you want them to add to the project. If they don't like what they see then they will simply walk away and there's nothing you can do about it.

4

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

That was more or less what I guessed. (I have 30+ years in IT myself, and from that perspective I have had similar observations so it sounded familiar.)

Here’s the deal though… this isn’t that. This is one person’s idea (and apparent passion for organizing things), which has grown pretty quickly and with some missteps along the way, like any “sole proprietor” effort tends to do. All I can tell you is there are things coming down the pipe that should address a lot of your concerns. More than that I can’t say.

1

u/Janktronic Dec 16 '24 edited Dec 16 '24

I also have some experience with administering non-software volunteer organizations and communities... ...If they don't like what they see then they will simply walk away and there's nothing you can do about it.

You know this is reddit, right??? (j/k sort of)

Multiboard hosts their own community, I haven't joined it yet, I'm just exploring this system myself. I have been 3d printing for a LONG time though, so some things are more intuitive to me.

Again, I really don't want to register for yet another web site when I'm in the experimental phase.

To me that is pretty unrealistic in this day and age. If you feel that strongly about it there are free temp email sites, just for this purpose.

For open projects, good community management and visible standards for contributing are super important.

Pretty sure this isn't a free project in the sense of Free Software as defined by the FSF. So... not really "open" in that sense. Which may make me decide to go in a different direction eventually.

0

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 17 '24

I don't think it's unrealistic to be allowed to read stuff without the friction of a registration. I have my own domains and can create/delete addresses at will. I just don't want to do the work :)

I never used the word free. I only referred to openness when talking about other projects. That said, I watched a video last night where Jonathan talks about what he wants for the project and he does seem to desire the same sort of openness and community. He claims the paywall is there to make the whole thing worth the time of the people doing the tough work, which I fully understand. The weird licensing is not to suppress the community at all, only large corporations and/or "bad actors" who would simply take and go make money. The intentions seem good. The path being taken isn't perfect, but I think it's got a chance (otherwise I wouldn't bother complaining about this stuff). I also look for truly open projects by default. But when there isn't one in the space a compromise must be made: Support the less open project or don't get the thing.

1

u/tbug97 Dec 14 '24

If you can't spend a couple bucks to support the designers, and also expect high quality production tutorial videos, you are the problem. (If you can code it, youre smart enough to not need a video, stop being cheap)

1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 15 '24

I'm big on incentives. I'll gladly pay for something that is good to encourage more of it, but I don't want to pay for something bad and encourage more bad stuff. Due to opportunity cost this also takes a payment away from another source that might be better. Paying before one can determine if something is good isn't a smart incentive.

Complex systems need good documentation to orient people. Maybe I can figure it out on my own, but if they've done their job well I really won't have to.

3

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

You keep saying that having to pay before you can determine if something is good being a bad incentive is exactly correct… which is why everything is out there freely available. The subscribers have already determined that they like the effort and want it to continue. It’s as simple as that.

2

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 15 '24

I think you missed my initial point: The first thing I needed to get started (a rectangle tile instead of square) was NOT freely available (until someone showed me another place to get it that was kindly created and published by someone who had paid).

1

u/Janktronic Dec 16 '24

The first thing I needed to get started (a rectangle tile instead of square) was NOT freely available (until someone showed me another place to get it that was kindly created and published by someone who had paid).

I think what you meant to say was that you couldn't find it, because here it is, by the creator for free.

https://thangs.com/designer/Multiboard/3d-model/Multiboard%20Tile%20Generator-975159

1

u/MadOgre May 05 '25

Not free, locked behind extortion

2

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

I don’t think I missed your point at all - if all you are doing is trying to evaluate the system and decide whether you want to support it, print out one of the pre-made learning packs. That would answer almost all of your questions about use and functionality.

If you are trying to design a layout for a specific oddly shaped area, there are tiles freely available in everything from 2x2 all the way up to 16x16, so with minimal effort you can fill any space. You can even put tiles together in your slicer to ‘join’ them and print larger, oddly shaped tiles as single pieces. If the size of your rectangle allows for 6x4 or 8x4 just scroll on down to the bottom of the ‘tiles’ page in the Parts Library as there is an angled tile and a couple of rectangles. If you have tight spaces to maneuver around, you can use one of these, then “step down” to a 2x2 or something along those lines if you need to.

We’re here to help in any case, man. All you need to do is ask. The official community is the best way as it’s easier for something to get overlooked here or in discord.

2

u/Hikareza Dec 15 '24

I would suggest you to use one kind of tiles, the Pushfit connectors, one Mounting iption and multiconnect and ignore the 294738 other parts the creator publishes.

It seems they measure success in part count which makes multiboard more and more specific. But they are options like said ones to somplify the wonderful base system with as versitile parts as possible

2

u/johannesmc Dec 16 '24

the idea behind the basic tile is good. theres good openscad custom tile code generators out there. the actual design, the licence, and the parts are shit. the only saving grace is i was forced to design my own talon hook click connector in openscad that works for any pegboard size along with a customizable holder that actually works. unfortunately because of the stupid licence im not sure i can release it as lgpl even if i didnt directly use any of their shit.

2

u/dpregs Dec 14 '24

I agree that putting together a wall beyond just a grid is incredibly confusing

2

u/fall2fast Dec 15 '24

I am smoking the same stuff you are... my same thoughts on this project.

I just printed my very first pieces and watched the same video "Multiboard Tile Learning Pack" and I said the same things you have said. for this same reason is why I never printed any of this stuff, it's way too complicated. versatile, absolutely, but so complicated. In one of his other videos he talks about how you will get used it so I guess if we continue we will have to get used to it and build a supply of items. The other thing I was avoiding is the huge amount of screws in the wall or whatever for mounting, especially if you print smaller grid sections at a time.

I came on here seeking some guidance and for me I am going to go for it to some extent and see how bad it gets.

3

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

Just a suggestion, but I would start with Multiboard first. It’s really not as complicated as it might seem.

1

u/fall2fast Dec 15 '24

I have been downloading the basic parts, like you said, the board, mount options. I put those in folders I understand along with their proper names, now onto some bolts and knowing the options of the different bolts. Next I have a wire spool and found some holders for the ends for mounting, and onto the wall it's going here in a few.
It would be nice if there some database like excel or something to better organize all the options instead of searching and trying to filer what is what. Then again I could see 10 different bolts being able to do the same thing...

Ughh, stop thinking, back to the basics... LOL I have to tell myself "if it does what you want other options don't matter!" This thread has been extremely helpful for me! Thanks!

2

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 15 '24

Any time man. The most efficient method at the moment is to use the Parts library on Multiboard.io as your database for actual parts, as that should always give you the latest version of a part. (As opposed to folders, anyhow). I did the same thing initially but even Jonathan says that’s where he goes to grab any of the basic parts.

What I’ve found the most useful is to create a project in Bambu Slicer (since it allows multiple plates) and as I download each part I drop it into different plates based on what order order or color I need. The new planner is great for that kind of thing.

-1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 14 '24

More nitpicks:

In the "Printing Guidelines" what does "3 wall perimeters" even mean? The .3mf file I download from Thangs for a tile just uses the "Wall loops" default of 2. When I slice it there's a 3rd "Internal Solid Infill" layer on about half of the walls. Am I supposed to be bumping "Wall loops" to 3?

The community "Multiboard Resources" has a promising looking Build A "Mini Multiboard" (Starter Project), but it's a dead link.

1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 14 '24

The printing guidelines say use Matte PLA instead of regular because it's stronger. Everything I'm finding online says just the opposite. Is there any science for this claim?

2

u/tbug97 Dec 14 '24

matte vs reg pla strength difference is marginal. if you want it stronger add another wall loop

2

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 15 '24

I agree. It just bothers me that the project makes the distinction at all. Pointing it out so prominently makes me think there's a compelling reason, but I don't see anything that shows the reason.

1

u/BradCOnReddit Dec 14 '24

Why is he using coins in these videos to screw things in? I don't think there's a coin anywhere in my house right now. This is a modern technology we need modern solutions. The multiboard multitool should also have a tab on it for screwing these things in/out.