If you've got a 3D printer at home or access to one, the next step is finding great 3D design files to print. While you can certainly create your own designs from scratch using 3D modeling software, there's also a wealth of existing 3D designs available online for free or purchase.
In this post, we'll cover some of the best websites and resources to source 3D printable designs, models, and objects. Whether you're looking for practical household items, toys, art objects, or pieces to print on your own 3D printer or with SAFuturist, these sites have you covered. You can click on each of the titles to visit the websites directly.
The Ultimate Source for Free 3D Printable Designs. Thingiverse is one of the largest and most popular sites for free 3D printable files created by a global community of designers and makers. With well over a million 3D object files across all categories, it should be the first stop for anyone looking for a wide range of stuff to 3D print.
The site makes it easy to browse through collections and get inspired, as well as search for specific terms like "vase" or "toy robot" and filter results by parameters like cost, printing material, remixes, and more. You can leave comments, download files, and even upload and share your own creations.
Curated Collections of High-Quality 3D Models. Unlike user-uploaded sites, Cult3D offers curated collections of high-quality 3D printable models created by professional 3D designers. Their selection covers art objects, jewelry, board games, gadgets, household items, and more intricate designs that you can purchase individually or via subscription plans.
The Cult3D team vets every product to ensure printability and design quality. They also offer tutorials and guides on 3D printing materials, finishing, and troubleshooting.
The Search Engine for Printable 3D Models. If you want to cast a wider net across multiple 3D design sources, Yeggi is a search engine that indexes 3D printable models from thousands of websites, 3D model repositories, and maker communities online.
Now that you've found the perfect 3D model, it's time to convert it into machine-readable code which executes instructions to the 3D printer.
This is where SAFuturist comes in!
Follow these steps to know how you can use our print service:
• Begin by clicking the link attached above of SAFuturist which will directly take you to the section of print as a service.
• Upload the design you'd like to be printed. Once uploaded, you can instantly get a quote and further details of payment and delivery of the service.
• Moreover you can email us directly at mail@safuturist.co.za and receive further information on printing your product.
These are just a few of the top sites to source 3D printable designs, but there are many other maker communities, design marketplaces, and niche model repositories out there. The key is figuring out what exactly you need to print, the complexity level you're looking for, and whether you want to pay for premium designs or stick to free files.