3D printing templates
Beginners at 3D printing often find it difficult to create 3D models that can be printed, as designing them in most CAD programs requires considerable expertise on the part of the user. It can therefore be helpful to take a look at the many online platforms that offer numerous 3D printing templates to download, usually free of charge. Ideally, the object you are looking for will already be available as a printable model and you simply have to send it to your preferred 3D printing provider. Some 3D printing service providers work with their own databases or collaborate with larger 3D model platforms (e.g. PROTIQ & Wamungo), to allow an order to be placed directly as soon as the model has been selected. The following list summarizes what some of the better-known download platforms have to offer:
Thingiverse
The MakerBot portal is not just a download platform, but also acts as a community in which designs can be shared, reviewed and discussed. When you register with Thingiverse, you can join various interest groups, upload your own model designs and make them available to other users to download. Designers can be given a voluntary “tip” for sharing their data. With almost 900,000 uploaded models, Thingiverse is one of the largest databases of 3D printing templates.
Wamungo
3D printing professionals and beginners meet on this German platform to share their models and experiences. Wamungo is an open source portal which helps its users to set up their own 3D shop if they wish. There are 3D models listed for almost every walk of life in the multitude of categories, including smartphone holders and screwdrivers, for example.
instructables
3D models are provided for download on instructables and come with detailed construction guides that take you through the manufacturing process step by step. Those who want to find out more can watch a variety of training videos about do-it-yourself 3D printing on the sharing page. In addition to 3D printing, the range of topics on instructables includes cooking, sewing and woodworking.
Artec 3D
The 3D scanner manufacturer offers various 3D models to download on its website. The models come from reference projects involving scanning processes completed with the manufacturer’s machines. They therefore serve as illustrations only and are not suitable as functional prototypes. The models are provided in OBJ, STL, PLY and WRL format.
GrabCAD
The largest of all 3D printing communities offers just under four million users more than two million 3D datasets to download. The platform was set up by the 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys and is aimed at professional designers, engineers and STEM students. Models of an appropriately high-quality are made available to its users.
yeggi
This search engine searches the net for printable 3D models. Instead of searching in just one of many databases, users of yeggi can look for a specific model and get matching results from various 3D printing communities and databases. Users can also set up a customized watchlist that includes all of their favorite models.
TurboSquid
Game developers, special effects studios, architects and product designers can purchase professional 3D models from the online shop. Having made their purchase, users can enjoy unlimited use of the model without having to pay for additional licenses. Among other things, the TurboSquid model database can filter datasets according to the CAD software used to create them in order to ensure compatibility with users own systems.