The best Sites To Download Free STL Files, 3D Models And 3D Printable Files For 3D Printing
We invite you to see our favourite 3D-printing-friendly websites. Here is a list of 3D printable file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that we think are great for 3D printing.
Thingiverse
Thingiverse was launched in 2008 by MakerBot and has grown today into one of the biggest 3D printing communities in the world. Users of all levels can upload, share, and download 3D printable models for free. Thingiverse also organizes 3D design challenges quite often.
Browse from over 1.6 million 3D printable designs or share your own to see how others print, remix, or use them. Connect with a thriving, growing community of more than 2 million 3D printing enthusiasts where you can share, discuss, and learn. To find others with your common interests, you can join or even create a group.
YouMagine
YouMagine was created in 2013 by Ultimaker and has over 14,000 open source 3D designs. Users may upload, share, and download 3D models. The 3D designs are free and 3D printable on any 3D printer.The STL file repository features various collections to help users find inspiration and the right 3D design.
Pinshape
Pinshape was launched in 2014 and already reports a community of over 70,000 makers. It is a great-looking website that describes itself as a “3D marketplace full of high-quality designs”. That means you can find plenty of free STL files to download, but it also functions as a platform to buy and sell premium 3D printer models. This is the place if you’re looking for free STL files for toys and games, miniatures, home appliances, gadgets, and art. The community blog is an excellent read, too.
Cults.
Cults. is a French 3D printing marketplace launched in 2014. This 3D printer file marketplace is available in English, French and Spanish and offers both free and paid 3D models.
Users can interact with each other, ask questions and save their favourite 3D designs for a later 3D print. Cults. also introduced an on-demand 3D design feature where users can request a custom 3D design, which a professional designer then creates for a fee.
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory was launched in 2013 and is an STL files repository entirely dedicated to 3D printable designs. This website, with the help of its community, tests every 3D model– so the platform guarantees that any 3D design in the repository is 100% 3D printable. MMF is the world’s leading curated social platform for 3D printable objects. Think of them like the YouTube and Netflix for 3D printing.
The website is available in multiple languages. MyMiniFactory regularly hosts challenges in partnership with 3D printing brands and new technologies companies.
Yeggi
Yeggi is a popular search engine of 3D printable files launched in 2013. The platform aggregates models from many 3D communities and marketplaces to offer a large choice of files for 3D printing. Its homepage highlights the most searched and clicked 3D models. It is also possible to use some basic filters to narrow the search.
On the Yeggi STL file search engine, users may create an account to save their favourite 3D models and get notifications on new releases.
Threeding
Threeding is an online 3D printing marketplace, founded in 2013, offering free and paid 3D printable models. Users can upload, share or sell and download 3D models. All the 3D designs are classified into categories to help with the research process. In addition, there are filters to refine the search (price, file format, and texture).
Threeding also provides a 3D printing service, so users who don’t have access to a 3D printer may order their favourite 3D models
CGTrader
CGTrader is a marketplace to buy and sell 3D designs. They’re not just limited to CAD files, however; the site also offers a nice selection of free 3D printer files to download which can be fabricated on any 3D printer. Of the staggering 740,000+ 3D models available, a vast number are 3D printable and can be downloaded after creating a free account with the site.
3DExport
Aimed at professional designers and 3D artists, 3DExport is a marketplace for premium 3D printer models that can be bought and sold. Besides generic and low-poly 3D models, 3DExport offers a decent selection of almost 10,000 designs to fabricate. You can also filter your search to find a small collection of free STL files for 3D printing, with an emphasis on jewellery and ornaments.
Sketchfab
Sketchfab is a great source of user-generated 3D designs, with an emphasis on character design and sculpture. Some of the files are available for free. 3D models for printing are only a sub-category of a larger collection, and these can be further filtered between STL files and OBJ files (the difference is that OBJ format contains colour information for advanced printing). If you’re looking for something unusual, this is the place. The platform has 1,500,000+ of free and paid 3D Designs. Best for 3D models of characters and sculptures that you won’t find elsewhere, not to mention some neat animations
