The world of 3D printing has greatly evolved in recent years and has changed how hobbies, prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing are done. If you are an educator or a hobbyist trying to make custom figurines or engineering prototypes it's essential to find quality 3D files to print. Even you can design the STL files by yourself, 3D models library is still important for you. For some professional designer, the 3D models library is also a place to sell their designed models.
Almost all of websites Free 3D printer files support several 3D file formats include STL, OBJ, ply, off, 3mf, 3ds, wrl, dae, step, stp. For get the comprehensive knowledge of 3D file formats, you can refer this article-Which 3d printer file format do you need for your 3D Printing?
I’ve tested nine different websites Free 3D printer files, and here’s my review below of each.
1. Thingiverse
Thingiverse which was launched by MakerBot in 2008 is one of the first and oldest free 3D printer file repository sites. Users have posted millions of user created STL files in an extremely large range catagories. Thingiverse also offers remixed files. Remix files are where someone takes an original file that someone else made to make it different and then re-posts it for people to use to make the files better.
Key Features
● Massive Library: Thingiverse has many key features such as its massive Library which has over 2 million designs with all sorts of categories like household tools and education.
● Community-Driven: Thingiverse is Community Driven where users can commit, share and remix designs fostering collaboration among people all over the world.
● Customizer Tool: Inside the thingiverse website there are also customizer tools that people can upload allowing to tweak parametric designs such as adjusting dimensions of a box without needing CAD skills.
● Free Access: Best known features is its large variety of free 3D printer files or main designers do have some premium models but most of it is free for the general user. For some professional designer, you can tip them by Paypal or other payment channels.
Pros
● Extensive large collection of free files suitable for beginners and experts
● Beavers has a large antibody with plenty of tutorials and remixing options for 3D files.
● The Thingiverse interface and filter options are easy to use for searching its large catalog of files.
Cons
● The free 3D printer files vary in quality and anyone can upload files.
● some old designs lack detailed print settings as they were from earlier years of creating files
● Sometimes the site has performance issues due to high traffic volume.
2. MakerWorld
MakerWorld was launched by Bambu Lab. It is the fastest growing 3D model library website in terms of traffic, and also the second large 3D model library hold by 3D printer company. It is deep integrates with the Bambu Studio. You can open a model in the Bambu Studio without download it.
Key Features
● Highly active: The users of Bambu Lab are highly active than others, upload and remix the the models that popular in 3D printing community in recent.
● Slice-setting: You can upload the 3MF file produced by Bambu Studio to one model, which includes all the slice settings and the 3D printing information like the time consumption of 3D printing and filament consumption.
● Contests and Rewards: Bambu Lab hold many many design contests, far more than other 3D model platform. The rewards is the gift card that can buy any thing from Bambub online store.
● Facebook-like community: It’s developing a Facebook-like platform where users can post pictures, videos, articles, and models on their timeline. The platform will also allow users to comment and re-post content.
Pros
● Popular search tags make you know the most popular models in 3D printing community.
● Generous bonus for 3D designers and 3D printing enthusiasts.
● The platform can seamlessly integrate workflows with Bambu Studio and Bambu 3D printers, enhancing efficiency in model preparation and printing processes.
Cons
● It has a smaller Library compared to Thingiverse and Printable.
● There is a lack of sufficient model collections, making it difficult to find models organized around a single theme.
3. Printables
Printables was originally created by crucial research as an updated modern alternative to the Thingiverse ecosystem. Originally launched in 2021 and it's getting a lot of traction in the 3D printing community for free 3D printer files. It also integrates with Prusa's 3D printing ecosystem.
Key Features
● Curated Content: Most of the files are vetted for printability and quality reducing the risk of downloading flawed or imperfect files
● Print Settings: Uploaders include detail print settings, such as layer height and fill, mainly optimized for Prusa printers, but other printers can work as well
● Contests and Rewards: they also offer design contests with prizes like filament or a free 3D printer encouraging high quality submissions
● Open Source Focus: there's also a strong emphasis on open source designs lying with the maker community for collaboration
Pros
● High quality models to choose from with clear documentation.
● The interface is clean intuitive with search filters to allow for easy navigation
● The website is also integrated with Prusa slicer allowing seamless workflow.
Cons
● It has a smaller Library compared to Thingiverse hundreds of thousands versus Millions.
● As it is primarily centered around Prusa, sometimes it feels like they're excluding non Prusa users.
4. CrealityCloud
https://www.crealitycloud.com/
CrealityCloud is created on 2020 by Creality.It is designed to be an all-in-one platform that integrates a 3D library, remote 3D printing software, and a community for 3D printing. It also serves as a marketplace for designers, makers, and those seeking custom printing services. The feature of online slice is also very useful for mobile 3D printing.
Key Features
● Online slice: You can slice one model online and print it with your 3D printer directly.
● Power ecosystem: Everyone can make money on this platform, even you are only a normal user of Creality. You can get the coupon credit by share models or get likes from your posts. No matter who you are, it is useful to you.
● AI search: You can search one model only by one picture of it.
● Perfect classification: Crealitycloud offer many collections for the 3D models. You can search the 3D printer files by various collections.
Pros
● Power Mobile APP makes you can slice STL files into G-code by Phone.
● Easy to use and responsive, clear interface and well UX experience.
● Powerful 3D Viewer make you can preview the texture of 3D printer files before 3D printing.
Cons
● The community is not active as Thingiveser, Printable and Makerworld.
● Online slice not support the third party 3D printers.
5. Cults3D
Cults3D is a marketplace-style website designed for artists and 3D modelers. It was created in France and has a high focus and artistic and creative designs. There are both paid and free models on the platform. Any artist can join and make an account and it is possible to earn money from creating good designs.
Key Features
● Diverse Categories: Includes models in all sorts of categories for jewelry fashion and miniatures alongside functional 3D prints
● Free Section: there is a large dedicated selection for free 3D printer files with thousands available
● Designer Support: designers can sell premium modles for a price but they also offer free versions of their work as well
● Community Engagement: they also have a collections feature allowing users security and share their favorite designs to other people
Pros
● Lots of high quality artistic miles ideal for many unique projects
● a large active Community with frequent updates and new uploads
● it supports almost every major file format such as STL, obj and many others.
Cons
● The free section is smaller than the paid offerings.
● navigation sometimes is a little cluttered due to the mix of free and premium content but is easily able to be sorted
6. Thangs
Thangs is a newer platform. It functions both as a 3D mile repository as well as a search engine for It functions as both a 3D model repository and a search engine for other popular free 3D printer file platforms. it analyzes some of the best in those popular free 3D printer files across different platforms. The site also offers print on demand services for certain types of popular 3D prints. The prints are then sent directly to the buyer.
Key Features
● Geometric Search: offers a geometric search defines files visually or structurally similar
● Free and Paid Models: Site offers a large green library of free and paid models
● Collaboration Tools: and also supports team projects with Version Control for designs that need iterations
● Browser-Based Viewer: site offers 3D previews for all 3D printer files along with measurements and material estimates
Pros
● New Innovative search capabilities ideal for finding specific designs
● it has a minor interface with fast performance compared to most other sites
● Strong main focus on collaboration for teams for classrooms
Cons
● Smaller Library compared to the older platforms
● some features are only available for paid subscriptions
7. GrabCAD
Grabcad is primarily tailored for engineers and professionals. The site specializes in CAD files for industrial mechanical applications and has an extremely large library of almost six million files. Many of the free 3D printer files are free to use for anyone looking for those specific types of files.
Key Features
● Engineering Focus:Offers detailed CAD files In multiple file formats such as steep, iges, and STL for all sorts of parts like gears, brackets, and various assemblies.
● Community Tutorials: Extensive to resources are available for learning key and 3D printing workflows
● WorkBench:It is based upon a cloud-based platform for team collaboration and file management
● Free Access: most of the miles are free of those some require registration in order to view and download
Pros
● Professional grade free 3D printer models
● Miles are suitable for prototyping and Industrial applications
● Supports multiple CAD formats for advanced users
Cons
● Not as beginner friendly due to its technical Focus
● More of a limited selection available for hobbyist and artistic prints
8. NIH 3D Print Exchange
NIH 3D print Exchange run by the National Institute of Health is a platform specifically for scientific and medical research. It is mainly for scientifically accurate 3D models for medical professionals. It’s designed for 3D printing and interactive 3D visualization models for virtual and augmented reality platforms.
Key Features
● Scientific Models: Anatomical models as well as molecular structures and lab equipment available for download
● Educational Resources: Models come with some detailed descriptions for educational use and professional use
● Free and Open: All files are free most are under the Creative Commons license
● Quality Control: Most of the models are curated by experts.
● to ensure accuracy and quality eliminating low quality 3D printer files.
Pros
● Geared toward highly specialized files for Science and education
● Curated for Reliable high quality 3D print files for scientific accuracy
● Site is free with no paywalls or premium tiers
Cons
● Most of the website is limited not suitable for general purpose printing
● Much smaller Library compared to the hobbyist platforms
9. MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory Is a well-known website for its high quality and curated free 3D printer files. The site focuses on tabletop gaming and collectibles, with a premium store for paid files. It also has a free section where artists share 3D printer files for public download.
Key Features
● Quality Control: Every 3D printer file is tested for printability before uploading
● Tabletop Gaming Focus: it has an extensive collection of Miniatures train and accessories for enthusiasts.
● Community Challenges: holds regular design contests and free downloads for winning entries
● Free Files: Thousands of free 3D printer files along with premium options available
Pros
● High amounts of quality control insurers reliable 3D prints and files
● ideal for gamers and collectors
● has a large active Community with designer spotlights
Cons
● Liberia is smaller than the paid selection of 3D print files
● the focus on Miniatures may not suit all users
Conclusion
Most of the 3D printer files websites are main focus on the FDM 3D printer models, not special for the high precision resin 3D models. The reason is part account for the copyright of the carton and game IP. Most of the resin 3D models are not free. The second reason is the users community of resin 3D printing is less than FDM 3D printing. The third reason is the high precision 3D models are more difficult to design. It is too hard for normal 3D printing enthusiasts. At the end, all the 3D printer files websites are benefit the spirit of opensource and free share. Thingiverse play a example for us.
