Thingiverse® Integration

3DCarParts enhances the Thingiverse ecosystem by creating a specialized automotive parts library that connects car enthusiasts with relevant 3D printable solutions.

• Free Access to All: All aggregated Thingiverse content is freely accessible - users can search, browse, and even use our advanced 3D model viewer without any login. We only require a simple one-click login for downloads to protect our servers from scraping abuse and automated mass downloading that could harm our service availability.
• Specialized Discovery: We curate automotive-specific content, making it easier for users to find car-related 3D models among Thingiverse's vast library.
• Enhanced Organization: Models are categorized by year, make, and model, providing better searchability than generic 3D model repositories.
• Community Features: Users can request custom parts, share modifications, and connect with automotive 3D printing enthusiasts.
• Creator Amplification: We drive additional traffic to original Thingiverse creators through prominent attribution and direct linking.
• Quality Curation: Manual review ensures only high-quality, relevant automotive content is aggregated, saving users time.

We aggregate automotive-related 3D models from Thingiverse through their public API, focusing exclusively on content that benefits the car enthusiast community. All content can be freely browsed, searched, and viewed in our 3D model viewer without any login. Downloads require a free one-click login solely to prevent server abuse, not to restrict access.

• License Filtering: We only accept CC-BY, CC-BY-SA, and CC0 licensed models that allow commercial use. NC (Non-Commercial) and ND (No Derivatives) licenses are automatically excluded.
• Full Attribution: Every aggregated model displays the creator's name with a direct link to their Thingiverse profile, and includes the specific Creative Commons license.
• Source Links: All content includes direct links back to the original Thingiverse model page, preserving the connection to the source.
• Clear Labeling: Thingiverse content is clearly marked with "Thingiverse · [License]" badges on all grid views and detail pages.
• Automotive Focus: We search for car-related terms like "car clip", "cup holder", "dash mount", and brand-specific parts to ensure relevance.

We comply with Thingiverse API terms and handle data responsibly:

• Public Content Only: We only aggregate publicly available 3D models that creators have chosen to share under open licenses.
• Creator Attribution Data: We store only public information necessary for attribution: creator username and profile URL as displayed on Thingiverse.
• No User Data Collection: We do not collect or store any Thingiverse user account data, authentication credentials, or personal information beyond public attribution.
• Data Retention Policy: We delete intermediate copies of content after 30 days of non-use, as required by Thingiverse API terms. Content actively displayed and accessed in our library is maintained with full attribution to comply with Creative Commons licensing.
• Model Processing: Downloaded models are processed for optimization and stored with proper attribution files. Original files are not redistributed.
• Data Usage: Thingiverse data is used solely for displaying and attributing 3D models on our platform, not for external analytics or resale.
• No Commercial Access Barriers: We do not commercialize access to Thingiverse content. Users can freely search, browse, and interact with all content including using our advanced 3D viewer without any login. The download-only login requirement is a server protection measure against automated scraping that could degrade service for legitimate users - not a monetization or access restriction mechanism.

See our full Privacy Policy for complete details on data handling.

We clearly distinguish Thingiverse content from user-uploaded and original content:

• Visual Badges: All Thingiverse content displays a clear attribution badge showing "Thingiverse · CC BY 4.0" (or applicable license) in the bottom-left corner of images.
• Database Separation: Content origin is tracked with an 'origin' field that distinguishes between 'original', 'aggregated', 'partner', and 'commissioned' content.
• Creator Attribution: On detail pages, aggregated content shows the original creator's name instead of "System User", with links to their Thingiverse profile.
• License Display: Full license information is displayed prominently, including license type, requirements, and a link to the full license text.
• Content Transparency: All aggregated content is clearly labeled to distinguish it from user-uploaded content, ensuring full transparency about content origin.

We respect creator rights and provide comprehensive support:

• Creator Control: Original creators can request removal of their content at any time, even if properly licensed. We honor all creator preferences.
• Data Access Rights: Creators can request information about how their aggregated content is being used by contacting api@3dcarparts.org.
• Opt-Out Option: Creators who don't want their content aggregated can contact us to be added to our exclusion list for future aggregations.
• API Support Contact: api@3dcarparts.org for technical issues and API-related inquiries.
• Report Mechanism: Each part detail page includes a report button for flagging inappropriate content or copyright concerns.
• Response Time: We aim to respond to all requests within 48 hours and process valid removal requests immediately upon verification.

Commitment: We respect the Thingiverse community and will always prioritize creator rights and preferences over our aggregation activities.

We have a comprehensive content removal process that respects creator rights and legal requirements:

• DMCA Takedowns: We comply with all valid DMCA takedown notices and have a designated DMCA agent registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
• Courtesy Removals: Original creators can request removal even without formal DMCA procedures - just provide your Thingiverse username and the model link.
• No Verification Burden: We don't require complex proof of ownership. A simple request from the creator's email is sufficient.
• 48-Hour Response: All removal requests are acknowledged within 48 hours, with most content removed within 24 hours of verification.
• Permanent Exclusion: Once removed, content and creators can be permanently excluded from future aggregation upon request.
• Counter-Notice Process: We maintain a fair counter-notice process for disputed takedowns as required by DMCA.

Zero Tolerance: We have zero tolerance for copyright infringement and will immediately remove any content upon receiving a valid complaint.

We strictly adhere to Thingiverse API License Agreement requirements:

• No Core Experience Replication: We do not replicate Thingiverse's core experience. We provide a specialized automotive-focused discovery layer that adds value through organization and curation.
• Visual Content Separation: Thingiverse content is clearly distinguished from other content through badges, attribution, and database separation.
• Respect for Secondary Licenses: We honor all Creative Commons license terms selected by creators and never circumvent license restrictions.
• No Advertisement Use: Thingiverse content is never used in advertisements or promotional materials without explicit permission.
• Immediate Data Deletion: Upon any API suspension or termination, we commit to immediately deleting all cached Thingiverse data as required.
• API Rate Limiting: We respect API call limits and implement caching to minimize requests and reduce load on Thingiverse servers.

We maintain strict legal compliance and security measures:

• DMCA Compliance: We operate under DMCA safe harbor provisions and maintain a registered DMCA agent for copyright concerns.
• COPPA Compliance: Our service is intended for users 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
• Data Protection: We comply with applicable data protection laws including GDPR for EU users and CCPA for California residents.
• Breach Notification: In the unlikely event of a security breach affecting Thingiverse user data, we commit to notifying Thingiverse within 72 hours.
• Security Measures: API tokens are encrypted, access is logged, and we implement industry-standard security practices.
• Legal Requests: We cooperate with valid legal requests and will notify affected users unless prohibited by law.

Compliance Commitment: We maintain legal compliance documentation and regularly review our practices to ensure ongoing adherence to all applicable laws. For comprehensive legal information, visit our Legal Center below.

We strictly adhere to Thingiverse API terms and technical requirements:

• Rate Limiting: We respect the 300 requests per 5 minutes (60/minute) limit, implementing automatic throttling to stay well below this threshold.
• Error Handling: Our system automatically backs off when receiving 429 (rate limit) responses and implements exponential backoff for failed requests.
• Cache Management: Intermediate staging files are purged after processing, keeping only the final optimized versions with proper attribution files.
• Scheduled Processing: Aggregation runs on a scheduled basis (every 15 minutes) rather than real-time to minimize API load.
• Request Batching: We batch API requests efficiently, fetching only new or updated content rather than repeatedly requesting the same data.
• API Token Security: App tokens are stored securely as environment variables and never exposed in client-side code or public repositories.

Compliance Status: Our implementation follows all Thingiverse API guidelines and best practices for responsible data aggregation.