The Best Thingiverse Alternatives to Get 3D Print Files
Thingiverse is an online platform that allows users to share and download 3D printable designs. It also has an option to either upload or take existing 3D models and customize them based on your requirements. It is one of the largest 3D design communities in the world, with over two million active users sharing printable objects.
Even though the Thingiverse website hosts a wide variety of 3D models, sometimes it might not have the files you need, so you need a different source. Let’s take a look at seven of the best alternatives to Thingiverse.
1.MyMinifactory
MyMinifactory is a 3D model marketplace launched in 2013 in London, UK. It contains thousands of both paid and free files for 3D printing. Under the Explore option, you’ll find a variety of 3D model categories—such asAccessibility, where you could get files for making life easier, like technical aid and bottle openers.
There is alsoArchitecturecategory with famous buildings, monuments, and landmarks designs. If you want gaming designs, you can get them in theBoard Gamescategory; there, you can find files for chess sets, dice towers, Settlers of Catan pieces, and many more.
TheBuild a 3D Printercategory contains the necessary files to download and 3D print and use to build and improve your3D printer. These files include mods and add-ons for 3D printers, camera mounts, spool holders, and spare parts.
Other categories include education, gadgets and electronics, RC cars, jewelry, home and garden, props, and cosplay. When you scan each of these categories, you will find various designs ready for 3D printing. Under theStoremenu option, you will discover featured and popular paidSTL filesand designs from many different artists.
2.Printables
Printables is another excellent resource for downloading ready-to-print files for various projects. The interface is intuitive, and searching for your desired designs is easier. When you go to the3D Modelssection, you will see the different categories of files listed. For example, the3D Printerscategory features designs for improving and upgrading your 3D printer, like spool adapters and holders, and even complete 3D printable parts of a full 3D printer.
Below the categories list is an option to filter the designs based on only the featured models, with makes, or those with a content award. you’re able to also choose to specify the time the files were uploaded: any time; the past 7, 30, 90, 180 days; or the past year.
Under the current category title is an option to sort the designs based on trending, new uploads, downloads, makes, likes, views, ratings, or randomly.
Cults3D contains free and paid files. In its menu bar, you may see the various categories of designs available on the platform, ranging from art, fashion, and jewelry to architecture, game, tools, and many others. There is also aCollectionssection where you can find sub-topics of files to help you find an idea you can print.
Before you download the model, you may see the average printability ratings other users have left for the design to help you know whether you should download it.
When you select the option to download the files, a window will launch that allows you to download or send them to an online 3D printing service like Craftcloud or FacFox. you’re able to also choose to send it to Fiverr for customization. In addition to allowing you to download files, you can also upload your files for others to download and earn passive income.
GrabCAD is popular among engineers, designers, and makers who want to share and download 3D CAD files. you’re able to find 3D models by selecting theCommunitymenu option and thenLibrary. You can sort the files based on popularity, most liked, most commented, or when they were uploaded.
You can also filter them byCategory: 3D printing, aerospace, agriculture, architecture, automotive, aviation, components, computer, construction, education, and electrical. If you want files designed in a specific software package, you can sort them by selecting one from theSoftwaredropdown.
In addition, you have the option to join the various community groups for different categories and learn from other professionals. There is also a tutorial section to learn about multiple skills for designing and editing 3D models.
As well as being a platform for sharing and downloading 3D files, GrabCAD has a software application called GrabCAD Print that you could download and use to create your designs and prepare them for 3D printing.
5.Pinshape
Founded in 2013, Pinshape is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On its website, the designs are arranged in various categories, including toys and games, miniatures, home living, jewelry and fashion, gadgets, art, and people and creatures. You can also choose to search and view the files in all categories.
3D files can be sorted by four methods: Trending, Newest, Most popular, and Lowest price. Unlike other platforms that require you to sign up or log in before downloading your 3D models, Pinshape allows users to do so even before login to the platform.
Yeggi is afree 3D printing file websitethat is a search engine for various 3D printable models. It indexes over four million 3D models from various 3D model websites. 3D models can be sorted based on cost, popularity, or the time they were uploaded.
You can search for your preferred models by entering a keyword in the search bar; based on the category you choose, the platform will display all the designs related to your search.
7.YouMagine
With the slogan “There’s something for everyone”, YouMagine hosts more than 19,000 ready-to-print designs found under four categories: Recent, Featured, Popular, and Trending.
Just like in Pinshape, you don’t need to sign in to download files, although you do if you want to add them to your own curated collections.
YouMagine also gives users an option to customize files in the 3D Slash web app. Just scroll down the page for a design until you see theDocumentssection, then click on the settings icon (cog) for a file. If you want to embed the design on a website, the platform also gives you HTML code to copy and paste.
Alternative Sources for 3D Print Files
If you’re seeking a specific 3D printing file and cannot find it on Thingiverse, you may need to explore other websites for alternative options. The sites listed above offer a wide range of great designs, enabling you to easily find the ones you need by using the search and filtering options.
While a few of the designs on some of these websites require payment, there are many others that it’s possible to get for free that are of high quality.
If you’re looking to sell 3D models you’ve made, either as a professional or enthusiast, here are seven of the best sites you can use.
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