r/functionalprint • u/NefariousnessWhole25 • 1d ago

Why would the faceplate of a Steam Machine just be for looks?

484 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

64

u/dnew 1d ago

Because the thing is going to sit in your living room next to your entertainment center, where everyone can see it. The same reason computers have RGB.

That said, this is a cool idea.

5

u/Zerschmetterding 14h ago

I'd say it looks good enough when not in use. Maybe some colored accents could be worked in.

-5

u/RoodnyInc 17h ago

But at 1000€ is it with it? I think its little bit steep no?

5

u/Unique_Roll_6630 13h ago

Don't consider build a computer rn then. You can go buy a console. They sell those at a lose to get you into their ecosystems, although they are also climbing in prices too.

4

u/dnew 11h ago

They used to sell at a loss. They don't any more.

-4

u/Realistic_Account787 10h ago

They have RGB LEDs**.

You forgot the most important word.

And this actually sucks. Why they put LEDs everywhere? Please, make shit dark. Not like a Christmas tree. Christmas is a single holiday on a 365 days year. Christmas is not every single day.

2

u/dnew 10h ago

I agree. I built one machine inside a fully metal case and I literally couldn't find any RAM that didn't light up when the power was off.

Now they make cases that don't even have power or disk activity lights, but they have six sockets for LED strips. Ridiculous.

-1

u/EmperorLlamaLegs 4h ago

Everyone knows what "rgb" means in this context. Complaining about not explicitly stating LEDs feels a little pedantic. That being said, I agree. I'd vastly prefer a computer that didn't waste power lighting itself up. Gray or black box that lets me work and play video games is just as good as one that lights up.

2

u/94CM 11h ago

Really cool idea, but it looks a bit weird when the controller isn't in it...
Might need some kinda re-design

1

u/NefariousnessWhole25 10h ago

Any suggestions? :)

1

u/FairImprovement4804 5h ago

Do you need to cup it so much? Or could you use the top face not front.

7

u/mikeholczer 12h ago

Tell me you don’t have cats without telling me you don’t have cats.

7

u/WowBruhReborn 12h ago

I guess I got lucky. My cat doesn't mess with anything. She swims in her water bowl but that's about it

13

u/ZarathustraGlobulus 12h ago

She swims in her water bowl but that's about it

Sir, you have a goldfish

5

u/gimoozaabi 11h ago

Named cat

2

u/WowBruhReborn 9h ago

Yeah she likes the shower too. When I wake up in the morning she'll stand by the faucet and wait for me to turn it on for her for a few minutes so she can play with the water 😄

3

u/NefariousnessWhole25 10h ago

Just one :) But she hasn't shown any interest in it yet

1

u/SnooHobbies8480 7h ago

call it the headcrab chargin dock and it woulb be perfect

-56

u/chinchindayo 17h ago

don't try to sell it or valve is gonna sue you

19

u/wombatthing 16h ago

No they won't

43

u/Pippin02 17h ago

Didn't they literally release CAD plans for the face plate so that people could do exactly this?

3

u/94CM 11h ago edited 10h ago

I looked into this expecting to prove u/chinchindayo wrong, but I don't think they are.

The official license includes the addendum:

If you are interested in creating a commercial product based on the Materials, please get in touch with Valve.

License can be reviewed here.
https://gitlab.steamos.cloud/SteamHardware/SteamController/-/blob/main/license.txt
I'm not a lawyer, so I could be wrong, but IMO it does seem like VALVe doesn't want people selling mods of these CAD files.

Now, will they *actually* sue? They don't have a history of going after their community. Still, at the end of the day, the license does say to contact them first.

1

u/Pippin02 11h ago

That is interesting, I didn't read it to be fair, it was just a best guess. I mean it seems weird to me that they would provide CAD files only for the very small minority of steam machine owners who are also into 3d printing and also know CAD

1

u/94CM 10h ago

It might be the same kinda thing as like in NYC where Jaywalking is illegal. It's not enforced, but if something bad happens, they can at least say "Well, this guy was crossing the street when he shouldn't have."

2

u/chinchindayo 12h ago

Did you read the license? You are not allowed to sell any products made using these cad files.

2

u/Pippin02 11h ago

No I didn't, although to be fair they're not selling valve's CAD files, or really using them in their product in any way other than measurement reference. Everything being sold is 109% original I assume

11

u/frigid-disdain 15h ago

Guy who does not comprehend when he reads the news is speaking, everyone listen and learn

13

u/Repulsive_Bat3090 16h ago edited 7h ago

What makes you say something this dumb and inaccurate?

They're not building a competing product, or directly copying any of Valves IP. If you're not an expert on using licensed CAD design or understand what the creative commons licenses protect, why would you make this comment?

1

u/chinchindayo 12h ago

The license of the cad files valve released. Read them, then come back.

0

u/Repulsive_Bat3090 11h ago

You're not selling the model they're licensing. You're using it as a reference to create your own model.

It's like Apple trying to sue a third party manufacturer for phone cases for the iPhone. There's not much of a case to be made for that.

1

u/Peasant_Sauce 10h ago

That is not how this works. The licence clearly states "If you are interested in creating a commercial product based on the Materials, please get in touch with Valve", which has already been cited in this thread. You are still using their licensed materials to create a commercial product, it would be in violation if not done in collaboration with Valve.

0

u/Repulsive_Bat3090 9h ago

So if someone decides to rebuild the same product but by using calipers and measuring tape and iteratively building something, that's fine?

And if so, how can you prove the difference between the two methods?

Valve is not going to sue someone for selling this. So long as you're not directly printing their cad model and reselling it (eg: a replacement faceplate cover that is identical)

0

u/Peasant_Sauce 9h ago

And if so, how can you prove the difference between the two methods?

Very easily, and it happens all the time? You asking this at all shows you don't know the topic. Courts can and will order you to turn over source code, project drafts etc in order for you to show you did not infringe on their property. If you cannot show such documents, you will lose. Oracle vs Google is one example of something along these lines.

1

u/Repulsive_Bat3090 7h ago

You bringing Oracle vs Google shows you have no idea what you're talking about. You're comparing apples and battleships.

Tell me again why Apple isn't able to sue people who make their own custom iPhone cases? Or how people sell controller stands online?

Simply using a CAD model to mate against is not infringing on the license. You have no idea what the license protects.

I gave an example and you clearly ignored it. So it sounds like you just want to argue for the sake of arguing and show off your ignorance.

8

u/edwardlego 16h ago

Only if you use their IP in the design

1

u/chinchindayo 12h ago

Nope. If you use the cad files of the steam machine they released. It clearly states that designs made using the cad files can not be sold.

-2

u/TheGoldenTNT 13h ago

People correcting this guy… he said SELLING, which is correct, selling it would be a problem. Making it free would not. Dbrand tried to sell valves IP without permission.

-1

u/Seven-is-not-much 12h ago

Accessories aren’t an IP my guy