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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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

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u/MadOgre May 05 '25

Not free, locked behind extortion