Thingiverse and other sites with free 3D models
Would you like to buy a 3D printer or have you already bought one but don't know how to create 3D models? Don't worry, there are many more 3D makers like you than you think. This article is for those who have yet to improve their 3D drawing skills, but who love 3D printing.
In our 3D community you will meet many amazing people who like to share their best 3D models. 3D makers have no limits in pouring their imagination and creativity into the digital world. Thanks to them, knowledge and designs can be shared all over the world and the 3D community is increasingly noticed not only by manufacturers and industries, but also by ordinary people. If you want to learn or even just try out a modeling program, you'll want to check out beginner-friendly ones like Tinkercad, SketchUp, or Blender.
Here are the best sites to download free 3D models for 3D printing:
1. THINGIVERSE
Thingiverse was created in 2008 by Zach Smith, who used to work for MakerBot Industries. The goal of this site was to share user-created digital files and open-source hardware projects. After downloading the file, you can use your own 3D printers, laser cutters or milling machines to create the projects shared on the site.
Thingiverse is an intuitive platform, easy to use and to download the templates of your choice. If you are looking for something specific, you can use the filters; by doing so you will be able to find the latest models or the most popular ones. You can find models of a particular user or collection, models with licenses, files to learn and different 3d models to create tools, toys, gadgets or other.
Thingiverse is the most popular site with free 3D models that are used in the DIY and 3D communities. Here you can find STL files for different machine spare parts, decorations or even just something that is too good not to be 3D printed.
If we take a look at what are the most popular 3d models of the last week, we find these objects:
- A bottle funnel https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5441526
- Pop Up Wallet https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5441614
- Master OogWay https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5441372
- Air cooler for compressor https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5441674
- Ravioli roll https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5441512
2. MY MINI FACTORY
MyMiniFactory was launched in 2013 and has become one of the largest STL file archives in the world. In the beginning all 3D files and models were free, but then they allowed 3D makers to earn some money by making cool stuff. Since 2018, 3D makers and designers can promote their work, share 3D creations and earn.
If we take a look at MyMinyFactory, we notice that the templates are grouped into categories such as fashion, gaming, accessibility, gadgets, education, home and garden, and many more.
Let's take a look at this week's most popular STL files, from different categories:
3. CREALITY CLOUD
Creality Cloud is probably the newest 3D page among those mentioned that offers free 3D models. We've all heard of the amazing 3D printers, scanners and other machines in the 3D world of Creality. They have also recently developed their own platform where 3D makers can exchange tips and tricks, download or upload 3D models and help create the largest 3D community. There are not only free 3D models in this app. Here you can find all the new Creality products, campaigns, firmware and everything you need for 3D printing. In the 3D library, you can find free 3D models divided into different groups such as animals, plants, medicine, aircraft, games, machinery, gadgets, DIY, scanned 3D models and much more. There are also special collections such as calibration cubes for 3D printers, accessories for drones, easy 3D prints for beginners, the world of dinosaurs,…
The most popular 3D models at the moment are:
4. CULTS3D
Cults3d is a digital marketplace dedicated to 3D printing and design that helps you discover everything you can do with a 3D printer (FDM, SLA, DLP, SLS)... If you don't know how to create a 3D file, you absolutely have to give take a look at Cults3D. It offers the best STL files, discount codes for the purchase of printers or filaments and a series of contests concerning 3D printing. Just like MyMiny Factory, Cults3D offers free and paid 3D models. Sharing is 100% free and there is no cost. The more your template is downloaded, the more you earn!
If we take a look at this week's most popular models, we see:
5. PINSHAPE
Another good website to find free STL files is Pinshape. Pinshape was founded in 2013, but it wasn't until 2016 that it was acquired by Formlabs. Offers an online 3D community and marketplace from Canada. Here you can also find free or paid 3D models divided into 7 categories. Each 3D model comes with a tag that helps you differentiate the SLA model from the FDM model and a special pin that varies depending on the 3D model ambassador.
6. STLFINDER
STL finder is a free 3D model search engine. The site is very simple to use because you just need to enter the object or name of the model you want. STL Finder will browse all the main repositories and will suggest all the models matching your request found on other online sites. It's more like a kind of Google for finding the best STL files. This site will save you time by searching through all the STL suppliers. It's completely free, so stop wasting your time and find the best template with just a few clicks.
7. CGTRADER
CG trader offers a marketplace where you can sell or buy 3D models or get them for free. Here you will find suitable 3D printing models for desktop FDM printers or industrial SLS 3D printers. The site is divided into nine categories, among which there are artistic sculptures, gadget accessories, mathematical art, fashion items and many other items. 3D models are available in all standard file formats including OBJ, STL and WRL.
Here are this week's best-selling 3D models:
- HIVE Evo - 3D Print Model Modular Drawer System
- Valor Korps - Marshal Wilhelm 3D Print Model
- 3D print model of the Feudal Guard Tank
- Avengers Endgame IRON MAN Mark 85 MK85 Helmet 3D Print Model
- 3D print model of the feudal guard heavy weapons squadrons https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/sci-fi/feudal-guard-heavy-weapons-teams
The most popular free 3D models on CGtreder:
- Free 3D Print Model Tempest Knights Jupiter Pattern Exo Suits https://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-print-models/miniatures/sci-fi/jupiter-pattern-exo-suits
- Free 3D Print Model Homer Relaxing https://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-print-models/miniatures/figurines/jade-dragon-quest-fan-art
- Free 3D Print Model of Power Robot, not Dino Megazord - No Stand https://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-print-models/games-toys/toys/3d-printable-power-robot-not-dino-megazord-no-supports
- Free 3D Print Model Dragon Ring 3dl https://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-print-models/jewelry/rings/dragon-3d-nice-ring
- Vodka Dispenser Free 3D Print Model https://www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-print-. . models/gadgets/other/vodka dispenser
8. THANGS
This is another site that is not only an excellent repository of 3D models, but also a powerful search engine. Thangs is a new platform that can best be defined by comparing it to Google; what Google did for indexing 2D data such as text and images, Thangs does for physical objects and 3D models.
Thangs geometric search engine allows makers to find STL files using numerous search terms based on the object's physical properties, measurements and characteristics. This site is also capable of identifying the similarities and differences between 3D models, recognizing how parts fit or look alike, and make accurate predictions about each object's function, materials, cost, performance, and more.
This week's most popular 3D models:
9. FREE3D
Free3D is a great marketplace where you can find free 3D models and paid STL files. More than 17,000 completely free 3D models are available on this site. To simplify the search, the STL files are grouped into categories; you can find categories like Architecture, Vehicles, Characters, Planes, Animals, Furniture, Plants, Sports and many more. Another way to classify templates are the icons/categories in the center of the page; you can choose from Blender models, Cinema 4D models, 3ds models, Maya models, FBX models, OBJ models, Animatel models and others. Apparently, not all the articles in the section can be easily 3D printed with an FDM 3D printer, but you will certainly find some pearls on this site.
This week's most popular 3d prints:
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