Where can I find models to 3D print?
My favorite site when I'm just looking for a file to send to the printer. It is truly community driven with regular design contests that enable a growing ecosystem of new and creative 3D prints. There is a reward system that encourages both designers and users to participate by posting models or uploading "marks" of files they have printed.
Printables has hundreds of thousands of users and 300,000 templates and continues to grow. Currently all files are free, but Prusa Research said there are plans to add monetization features in the future.
If you are looking for models for a D&D session, MyMiniFactory is the best repository for you. A lot of models here are different characters and architecture designed for various tabletop games. Unlike printables, MyMiniFactory offers both free and paid templates.
One thing unique to MyMiniFactory is their Customizer - you can upload a bunch of models in a group so people can modify and choose the parts they want. It is a very easy way to customize models before printing them. And for designers, it's much easier to upload multiple variations of the same template without having to create and export them one by one.
MyMiniFactory also has a Scan the World project (see page 115 of this issue) which aims to create an ecosystem of 3D digitized cultural artifacts, and many other community elements for creators to write stories, monetize their creations, and enter contests.
For more art- or jewelry-focused STLs, I usually turn to Cults. Unlike more functional pieces, the designs on Cults are generally more aesthetically pleasing and fun. Cults also offers paid and free templates.
Go to the Top STL section to find out what's popular. Without fail, there is always something that catches my eye.
Thangs is the newest repository, but it's growing incredibly fast. There are a ton of great free designs from awesome creators like ChaosCoreTech and 3dprintbunny.
Thangs not only searches its own models, but also external websites, almost like the Google of 3D printing. You can even download a model and search for others with similar geometry.
There's also a built-in collaboration system that lets you work on projects with others and track changes through a version control system.
Thingiverse is the largest and oldest STL repository. Launched by MakerBot in 2008, it was the first great place to find free files and chat with other like-minded people.
Despite the large collection and giant user base, Thingiverse has its issues. Most important to me is the broken Download All feature - for designs with lots of parts, I have to download each one individually. Ads are now inserted with the templates, a poor experience. Not to mention the data breach that made many users' personal information public.
[featured image: mechanical iris printed on site by Caleb Kraft]
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My favorite site when I'm just looking for a file to send to the printer. It is truly community driven with regular design contests that enable a growing ecosystem of new and creative 3D prints. There is a reward system that encourages both designers and users to participate by posting models or uploading "marks" of files they have printed.
Printables has hundreds of thousands of users and 300,000 templates and continues to grow. Currently all files are free, but Prusa Research said there are plans to add monetization features in the future.
If you are looking for models for a D&D session, MyMiniFactory is the best repository for you. A lot of models here are different characters and architecture designed for various tabletop games. Unlike printables, MyMiniFactory offers both free and paid templates.
One thing unique to MyMiniFactory is their Customizer - you can upload a bunch of models in a group so people can modify and choose the parts they want. It is a very easy way to customize models before printing them. And for designers, it's much easier to upload multiple variations of the same template without having to create and export them one by one.
MyMiniFactory also has a Scan the World project (see page 115 of this issue) which aims to create an ecosystem of 3D digitized cultural artifacts, and many other community elements for creators to write stories, monetize their creations, and enter contests.
For more art- or jewelry-focused STLs, I usually turn to Cults. Unlike more functional pieces, the designs on Cults are generally more aesthetically pleasing and fun. Cults also offers paid and free templates.
Go to the Top STL section to find out what's popular. Without fail, there is always something that catches my eye.
Thangs is the newest repository, but it's growing incredibly fast. There are a ton of great free designs from awesome creators like ChaosCoreTech and 3dprintbunny.
Thangs not only searches its own models, but also external websites, almost like the Google of 3D printing. You can even download a model and search for others with similar geometry.
There's also a built-in collaboration system that lets you work on projects with others and track changes through a version control system.
Thingiverse is the largest and oldest STL repository. Launched by MakerBot in 2008, it was the first great place to find free files and chat with other like-minded people.
Despite the large collection and giant user base, Thingiverse has its issues. Most important to me is the broken Download All feature - for designs with lots of parts, I have to download each one individually. Ads are now inserted with the templates, a poor experience. Not to mention the data breach that made many users' personal information public.
[featured image: mechanical iris printed on site by Caleb Kraft]
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