3D Printing Communities

Thingiverse

  • hosted by Makerbot
  • Focused on 3D printing
  • categorized in subcategories
  • community features (collections, favorites)
  • all the designs for free
  • +2 million designs
  • Started in 2008
  • https://www.thingiverse.com

Cults

  • first independent marketplace of 3D files
  • 2nd popular repository / marketplace
  • contests
  • community features (likes & collections)
  • 8,000 designers
  • 344,000 designs
  • Both Paid & FREE designs
  • founded in 2014
  • https://cults3d.com

Pinshape

  • hosted by Formlabs
  • quality control measures on designs
  • only two file formats; OBJ and STL
  • some community features (likes & collections)
  • send a design directly to your printer
  • launched in 2013 but acquired by Formlabs in 2016
  • https://pinshape.com/

MyMiniFactory

  • All the designs are FREE
  • quality control to ensure designs are free of errors
    – takes a long time for designs be published
  • designs lack recommended printer settings
  • Crowdfunding system of campaigns
  • great community
  • Both Paid & FREE designs
  • 3D scans through smartphone photogrammetry
  • friendly for beginners
  • started in 2013
    – online marketplace in 2018
  • https://www.myminifactory.com/

Prusa Printers

  • All the designs are FREE
  • not limited to 3D models
  • advanced level of search filtering
  • community features
  • Active forum
  • pre-sliced models
  • 40,000 designs
  • https://www.prusaprinters.org/

3DExport

  • large collection of 3D designs
  • Few search filters
  • designers keep 85% price
  • 30,000 designs (1,000 of that are free)
  • Both Paid & FREE designs
  • started in 2004
  • https://3dexport.com/

YouMagine

  • Made to be like Thingiverse
  • well-designed website
  • All the designs are FREE
  • no forum
  • few comment on designs
  • 18,000 designs
  • https://www.youmagine.com/

CGTrader

  • professional designing platform
  • Commission features
  • made to assist designers to sell their models
  • lets freelance designers interact with clients
  • few free or low-cost designs
  • community forum
  • 1.2 million designs
  • https://www.cgtrader.com/

GrabCAD

  • models of mechanical or industrial elements
  • focused on designs for industry
  • active community
  • hosts CAD files that can be edited
  • tutorials and guides
  • https://grabcad.com/

Repables

3D Warehouse

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