It’s a very tough business these days running a printable 3D model shop, but 3DShook seems to be experimenting with a variety of different shopping methods to overcome the challenges.
models
Wevolver Is A Different Kind Of Repository
There are countless web-based 3D model repositories, but none are quite like Wevolver, who focus on actually doing practical something with your 3D prints.
It’s No Longer Possible To Launch A Printable 3D Model Sharing Site
Based on how the 3D print industry has evolved, it is now our opinion that it’s next to impossible to successfully launch a 3D model sharing site.
Kwambio Launches (Again?)
We received a note from Kwambio who apparently have launched a new 3D model/print service.
There Are More Software Engineers Than Hardware At AIO Robotics, And It Shows
The AIO Robotics ZEUS desktop 3D printer seems to have far greater software powers than other devices.
The iPad Pro Attracts a 3D Modeling System: Shapr3D
We’ve seen the appearance of a couple of finger-based iPad applications, but now there’s one specifically designed for the iPad Pro and its Apple Pencil.
Syncky Sells Many 3D Printed Products
Korea-based Syncky is not a 3D model repository, but instead a site where you can order many different 3D printed products.
Generate 3D Printable Rings – And Your Voice, Too!
We’re checking out a new tool to generate custom-designed 3D models of rings and another to “solidify” your voice!
La Poste’s Big Step Into 3D Printing
France’s postal service, La Poste just set up a comprehensive 3D model repository to power their network of 3D printers.
Yobi3D Makes Searching For 3D Models A Lot More Fun
We found a terrific meta-site for sourcing publicly available 3D models: Yobi3D.
Autodesk Memento Now Available for OS X
If you haven’t tried Autodesk Memento for optical 3D processing, you might want to, especially now that it’s available for both Windows and OS X.
The Voronator Wants You
Voronization is a tricky process to transform your 3D model into a very complex structure – but now there’s a simple way to do it: The Voronator!
Formsfield’s Unusual 3D Designer Recruitment Strategy
3D model repository Formsfield has taken an unusual step to recruit designers for their product shelves: they’re guaranteeing payments!
A 3D Model Sharing Site With An Electrical Connection
We’re checking out Sharestation 3D, a site dedicated to 3D printed electronics projects.
MyMiniFactory Reaches 100,000 Users: What’s Next?
3D model community MyMiniFactory announced they’ve now attracted over 100,000 registered users.
MakePrintable Developing Cloud-Based 3D Model Repair Service
A new cloud-based 3D model repair service, MakePrintable is in the works, and it may become quite popular based on its functionality and extensibility.
How To Quickly Model and 3D Print Small Household Objects
New 3D printer owners might be having fun printing pre-designed 3D models, but what if you need to produce a custom object on demand? Here’s how to do it.
Copyright Controversy Erupts Over Site’s Use of 3D Model
Recently we wrote of a newly encountered 3D model repository, dayin.la, which holds plenty of interesting 3D content, but now it seems the site has used some models without permission.
The Explosion of 3D Print Connector and Model Services
It’s another week and there’s another batch of new online connector services for 3D models.
Minichua’s Customizable 3D Printed Dogs
Finally there’s a way to easily create 3D printed dogs!
3DFilemarket Bets on 3D Print Streaming
Most source of 3D content for 3D printing simply sell you a 3D model, but that’s not 3DFilemarket’s strategy. They’re betting on print streaming.
The Butter Boss’s 3D Print Files
While the vast majority of new manufactured products make use of 3D designs, one project has taken an unusual step with theirs.
3D Shook’s All You Can Eat 3D Models
Tired of searching the usual repositories for great 3D models? 3D Shook has an offer we think you might like.
MyMiniFactory’s Offering a Gift to Participate
Need another spool of 3D printer filament? You might want to check out MyMiniFactory’s latest offer.
Voovo’s 3D Print and Model Service
Canadian operation Voovo hopes to provide a different method of accessing 3D print services.
Hiding 3D Print Quality Issues
Does the quality of 3D printers vary among machines? Yes. Is it possible to hide flaws? Also, yes.
3D Share Offers Free and Paid Models for Printing
A new 3D model service hopes to offer something for both designers and consumers of 3D models.
MyStemKits Launches
Today MyStemKits launched on Kickstarter, with the goal of providing effective 3D prints for educators.
Yobi3D Meta-Searches For 3D Models
A search service provides a very easy way to find great 3D models for printing.
Incredible 3D Scans from The Lincoln For 3D Printing
A museum in Lincolnshire, UK, has made available highly detailed 3D scans of many of their works.
3D Printable Scenery for Gaming
Need a stone wall for your Warhammer game? There’s a store you should check out: Printable Scenery.
New 3D Printing Algorithm Reduces Support Material, But…
A new algorithm might prove effective to reduce the amount of support material required for 3D prints by chopping objects into more easily printable shapes.
Spyder 3D World’s Content and Printing Services
We’re checking out a new 3D model and print service, Spyder 3D World.
3D Print ANY Landscape. Right Now!
Some people like to 3D print landscapes. You know, mountains, rivers, lakes and the rest. But where do you get the 3D data for it? We found a service that can do so.
Design Your Own 3D Printed Vase
What, you’re not a 3D modeling whiz? Still need a design for a vase? We found a service you can use.
Gambody’s 3D Printed Character Marketplace
Gambody’s new 3D model service focuses on game figurines.
Unusual 3D Designs from Think3D
Another 3D model repository? Yes, but this one is slightly different.
3DPrintTech Automatically Chops Up 3D Models
Have you ever wanted to 3D print an object that’s larger than your printer’s build volume? There’s a plugin for that.
MakerBot’s PrintShop
MakerBot has released “PrintShop”, a friendly iPad app with which you can generate your own 3D models.
A New Way to Search for 3D Models?
We’ve been testing out a new 3D model search service, 3DShap.es, which hopes to search by geometry instead of by text.
3D Printing and Outsourcing Solves Innovation Dilemma
3D printing saved the day by enabling an innovative product to be developed in record time.
Redpah’s 3D Models
We’re checking out another 3D model repository that’s specifically designed for printable 3D models: Redpah.
Need a Spare Part? 3D Print It!
MyMiniFactory is testing a different approach for attracting 3D print services: printing replacement parts for common household equipment.
3D File Market’s 3D Models
Another 3D model repository has appeared: 3D File Market.
uformit’s Adaptive 3D Print Service
We had a peek at format’s new technology in NYC earlier this year, but now everyone can make use of it as they’ve just launched their new 3D print site.
Museum Sells Its Collection – As 3D Prints
A deal between the Regional History Museum of Varna and Threeding enables the sale of many of the museum’s objects as 3D prints.
uformit Changing?
Oh oh. The uformit site is closed, but it seems like it could be for a good reason.
Thingiverse’s Customizable Tree
Thingiverse has released a new customizable tree model generator that should prove out a new 3D printing concept.
Bhold’s Boutique 3D Prints
3D printers may permit the creation of almost any object, but what object? The key to success is now good design, such as we found in Bhold’s collection.
Digital Playspace Goes to 3D Systems
At CES this year we were quite impressed with a gigantic dollhouse filled with 3D prints. Little did we know there was more to the story.
Project Shapeshifter Improves
Autodesk’s 123D initiative’s subproject, Project Shapeshifter, recently received a very exciting upgrade.
The Beautiful Objects of MakerShop
Need something to 3D print? Tired of endlessly scrolling through Thingiverse? If that’s the case, you might want to try MakerShop, an alternative source for freely downloadable 3D models. Like most Thingiverse competitors, MakerShop has a far more limited selection of models. The site is organized into “Shops” by individual designers. One shop we… Continue reading The Beautiful Objects of MakerShop
London’s Science Museum Goes Online with 3D Printing
The London Science Museum, whom we visited recently, is displaying a huge collection of 3D printed objects in their “3D Printing The Future” exhibit. That massive collection is apparently not sufficient for them, as they’ve launched a new Tumblr blog for folks to post pictures of their best 3D prints. And what a set… Continue reading London’s Science Museum Goes Online with 3D Printing
Interactive 3D Model Design with Digital Forming
We spoke with Lisa Harouni (yes, the Lisa Harouni of TED fame) regarding her new venture, Digital Forming. It’s a cloud service that provides an ability to interactively generate 3D models, which of course, can then be 3D printed. How does it work? After a designer develops a 3D model of an object or… Continue reading Interactive 3D Model Design with Digital Forming
The Stilnest Option
We had a chat with the nice folks from Stilnest, who operate an online 3D print store. Many such shops have recently emerged, so many that it’s getting difficult to distinguish them. So what does Stilnest do? They practice what we might call, “extreme curation”. Where other shops go for quantity, Stilnest focuses… Continue reading The Stilnest Option
123D Offers More 3D Content
One of the best introductory 3D toolsets you can use is Autodesk’s 123D Suite, particularly the 123D Design tool. But when you’re designing something, it’s often very helpful to begin your design with an existing model that you can modify. 123D does this by providing a library of thousands of starter models you can… Continue reading 123D Offers More 3D Content
Let’sMakeStuff
Yet another 3D print making-sharing-selling site has launched, Let’sMakeStuff. The site provides an ability for designers to sign up and submit 3D models for sale on the site, and for consumers to browse the site and select 3D models for purchase. The service also will 3D print items on request. It’s a basic… Continue reading Let’sMakeStuff
How to Easily Create 3D Models from 2D Images: Embossify
A new service provides an incredibly simple way to convert any 2D JPG image into a printable 3D model. Embossify accepts a JPG and quickly converts the file into a 3D mesh by using the contrasting colors as “height indicators”. You can see how it converted our logo into a simple 3D model above. … Continue reading How to Easily Create 3D Models from 2D Images: Embossify
The 3D Prints and Models of Maker6
We’re looking at a new service for 3D printer owners and users, Maker6. The site operates primarily as a source of 3D models, prints and printers for anyone seeking a print. There are three ways to use Maker6: Purchase a 3D print by selecting a design. It will be printed and sent to you… Continue reading The 3D Prints and Models of Maker6
Matter.io’s Remix: BETA Invitation
We’ve received a special code from Matter.io for Fabbaloo readers to enter the private BETA test of their new service, Remix. Remix permits simple remixing of 3D models for export or 3D printing. The service is entirely online and has one of the most responsive 3D browser displays we’ve yet seen. Starting with a… Continue reading Matter.io’s Remix: BETA Invitation
3DTin’s New Owners
One of the very few browser-based 3D modeling tools has changed hands. 3DTin has been acquired by Montreal-based 3D startup Lagoa. Lagoa focuses on solving the problem of 3D requiring high-end computing power, which typically isn’t available on the increasingly frequent ultra-portable laptops. People love the portability, but 3D just doesn’t work so well… Continue reading 3DTin’s New Owners
Big Step to Reduce Materials in 3D Printing
One of the reasons 3D printing remains expensive is because so much material is required to create a structurally sound part. Soon, 3D prints might be getting cheaper due to a new technique that enhances a part’s structure while reducing material. A paper written by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of… Continue reading Big Step to Reduce Materials in 3D Printing
GitHub Offers Visual 3D Model Diffs
If you’ve not heard of GitHub, it is a very popular online software repository service. You can store and share the code for a project and track changes that occur by creating versions and “branches” for production and test use. One of the most important features is “diffs”: the ability to “see” changes in the… Continue reading GitHub Offers Visual 3D Model Diffs
Leopoly!
Leopoly is another web-based 3D sculpting tool that can create 3D printable objects. What makes Leopoly unique? We think it is quite easy to use; almost anyone could rapidly create interesting 3D objects with no prior use of the tool. It’s basically self-explanatory: the controls are all within a command wheel composed of easy… Continue reading Leopoly!
Thing-a-ma-Print, A 3D Model Repository
We’ve noticed another 3D model repository dedicated to printable models: Thing-a-ma-Print. Currently the site holds only 50 or so 3D models, but each model is indeed 3D printable. The content of the site appears to be focused on 3D printer parts, such as the M5 Nut Thumb Wheel or the Hot-End Exit Duct for… Continue reading Thing-a-ma-Print, A 3D Model Repository
Need to 3D Print a Striped Hyena Skull?
To be truthful, we haven’t had the impulse to 3D print a Striped Hyena Skull. At least so far this week. But in case you do, we’ve found a repository that holds detailed 3D models of numerous biological items, mainly 3D scanned skulls. Digimorph, part of the National Science Foundation Digital Libraries Initiative, is… Continue reading Need to 3D Print a Striped Hyena Skull?
The Thing Tracker Proposal
How many things are there? It seems like a silly question, but hear us out. There are many possible things. An infinite number of them, in fact. With the availability of 3D printers and 3D modeling software, it is now possible to create, literally, an infinite number of things. This is the problem facing… Continue reading The Thing Tracker Proposal
3-Sweep Creates 3D Models from 2D Images
In an incredible video presented at SigGraph Asia 2013, researchers demonstrated an amazing new method of deriving full 3D models from only 2D images. The 3-Sweep software appears easy to use: simply drag your mouse across an image to cue the software to create a 3D model. The specific motion of the mouse drags… Continue reading 3-Sweep Creates 3D Models from 2D Images
FabMe.it Launches
Another 3D model sharing site has launched, FabMe.it. The site operates in what is now becoming a standard business model: 3D designers upload their designs to the service for sale to the public. Presumably FabMe.it takes a portion of the sales, which for the models we inspected, seem to be priced around €0.99 (USD$1.30). … Continue reading FabMe.it Launches
123D Design Gets Better
For those of you using Autodesk’s free 3D modeling utility, 123D Design, there is very good news: a new version has been released. The new version includes some very key features that were lacking until now: The ability to import existing STL files, critical for handling 3D scans captured elsewhere Text! You can… Continue reading 123D Design Gets Better
eBay Launches 3D Printing App
eBay, known for its auction and sales system, stepped deeply into 3D printing by launching a 3D print iOS app. The app (and service) isn’t revolutionary as it is similar to services launched by many 3D print companies, which provide a means to customize and print an object. eBay Exact permits users to browse… Continue reading eBay Launches 3D Printing App
Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
With all the new printable 3D model shops opening online, you’d wonder how they can possibly distinguish one from another. We’ve been examining Cuboyo and found they offer a convenient online experience for 3D model shopping. The site contains only printable 3D models, greatly simplifying the shopping experience from typical and numerous 3D model… Continue reading Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
3D printing is taking off, if one believes the signals seen this year. Another milestone was reached last week by popular repository Thingiverse, who declared they now have over 100,000 3D models available. Thingiverse also released several interesting statistics. Apparently the number of models rose by 20,000 in just the past month. At this… Continue reading How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Over the past year Cubify has periodically released web apps for you to create customized designs. Some of the apps permit download of STL files for printing on your home 3D printer, and we suspect Cubify is hoping you’ll do it on your Cube 3D printer, even though the STL models could print on other… Continue reading It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Hands On With The FinishingTouch Smoothing Station
If you’re 3D printing with plastic filament, you’ll be familiar with the layered effect, where progressive extrusions accumulate into an object. The object has the correct shape, but has unsightly ridges. What to do? You can eliminate ridges with the Acetone technique, but it’s relatively dangerous, as acetone is flammable and generally not very… Continue reading Hands On With The FinishingTouch Smoothing Station
Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
Unless you’re a capable 3D designer, you’ll have to find pre-made 3D models to send to your 3D printer. This can be problematic for a couple of reasons: searching for non-textual items is always difficult; there are an increasing number of 3D model repositories to search. The latter is partially solved by the strangely… Continue reading Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
3D Hacker’s Many Services
We were contacted by Andrew Mazzotta, who, with Adam Pirie, have created “3D Hacker”, a multipurpose website serving the needs of the 3D printing community. The website acts much like a “3D Printing Kijiji”, where members can add listings in several categories, such as: parts, kits, printers, software, tools, tutorials, jobs, events, clubs and… Continue reading 3D Hacker’s Many Services
FabFabbers Opens
Yet another 3D model sharing site has opened: FabFabbers. Like many such repositories, FabFabbers permits members to upload models, showcase them in listings for download by visitors. But what differentiates this repository from the rest? There are two features we found particularly interesting: uploaded models can actually be stored on GitHub, which is a… Continue reading FabFabbers Opens
Dynamic 3D Model Apps: Open or Closed?
It’s become apparent that dynamic models are a lot more fun than static models for 3D printing. Wait, what’s a dynamic model? A static model is simply a digital 3D model that is the same for everyone. A nice bracelet, for example. A dynamic model is one that’s created for you at the… Continue reading Dynamic 3D Model Apps: Open or Closed?
Forme Offers Fantastic Scanned 3D Models
Another new source for 3D models has launched: Forme, focused on high-resolution scans of a wide variety of object categories. This model repository offers something quite different from the numerous other 3D model repositories that have popped up lately. Forme offers 3D scans, not modeled objects. They’re not provided in STL form, but instead… Continue reading Forme Offers Fantastic Scanned 3D Models
Flexiscale Makes Your Railway Models
Flexiscale is a UK-based company specializing in making model railway kits that you can spend enjoyable time assembling. While the practice of model building has been a hobby for many decades, Flexiscale is now approaching the development of kits with modern technology. They use advanced 3D scanning technology to fully capture 3D scans of… Continue reading Flexiscale Makes Your Railway Models
You Should Check Out ShouldBee
The explosion of 3D model repositories and services continues. Today we’re checking out ShouldBee, a USA-based service that develops 3D models from which you can purchase full color 3D prints. We found ShouldBee’s process a little different from the typical “we have a pile of models, pick one” approach used by other model repositories.… Continue reading You Should Check Out ShouldBee
Azavy Launches
Last Saturday saw the silent launch of a new service dedicated to helping you find inexpensive ways to 3D print. Four-person startup Azavy is a kind of network between Consumers, Designers and Makers. Designers will be able to sell their designs on Azavy to Consumers, who can shop among a variety of themes and… Continue reading Azavy Launches
grain’s Unusual Approach
We’re checking out a new online repository for printable 3D models: grain. There are many such repositories sprouting up recently, so what makes grain different? grain’s current inventory of models is a little thin, but that’s totally understandable given that it launched only recently. But there’s another twist we haven’t seen before: they don’t… Continue reading grain’s Unusual Approach
3D Industri.es Launches 3DPartSource
New UK startup company 3D Industri.es has launched its first product: 3D Partsource. It’s a repository specifically designed for 3D models of industrial components. Anyone who searches for 3D models knows the problem these guys are trying to solve immediately: it’s pretty much impossible to find appropriate 3D models using conventional text-based searches. You… Continue reading 3D Industri.es Launches 3DPartSource
3D Bioprinting Software?
According to a press release from bioprinting startup Organovo, they’ve partnered with CAD software giant Autodesk to produce tools specifically designed for creating bioprints. Why this makes sense to us: Autodesk is one of, if not the, leader in 3D design software across the industry. If anyone was to tackle this problem, it would… Continue reading 3D Bioprinting Software?
Materialise’s 3D Barometer
Once you get into 3D printing you quickly realize that every 3D model is not the same. Some are easily 3D printed, some can successfully 3D print only using certain processes and others are simply pathological and can’t be successfully 3D printed. How do you know which one? Materialise has taken a step to… Continue reading Materialise’s 3D Barometer
Art and Sound at Euromold 2012
At trade shows vendors wish to thrill visitors by showing example prints from their machinery. Often the most impressive prints are artwork. That being so, Euromold is riddled with 3D printed artwork everywhere you look, at least in Hall 11, the home of 3D printing technologies during this year’s event. We thought you’d like to… Continue reading Art and Sound at Euromold 2012
TeamPlatform’s API Released
You might recall TeamPlatform, the new service that enables secure sharing of 3D models? They’ve released a software API that enables much wider use of their service. But first let’s back up a bit: TeamPlatform is a web service specifically designed around handling 3D model development. You can create a secure, private “workspace” in… Continue reading TeamPlatform’s API Released
There’s Only One One Just One
Some say that 3D printing is not useful for manufacturing due to the per unit cost of printing versus traditional mass manufacturing. That’s true, and so 3D printing is often used for prototypes and low-quantity production. Or even one-off personalized items. But now a venture attempts to push that concept to the limit. One… Continue reading There’s Only One One Just One
MediaGoblin Shares 3D Models
MediaGoblin, the open source project that enables easy sharing of media, has added the ability to share 3D models. Not familiar with MediaGoblin? Here’s their own explanation: MediaGoblin is a free software media publishing platform that anyone can run. You can think of it as a decentralized alternative to Flickr, YouTube, SoundCloud,… Continue reading MediaGoblin Shares 3D Models
123D Catch In Your Pocket
Autodesk has released an iOS version of its staggeringly easy-to-use 3D model generator, 123D Catch. The tool isn’t a 3D scanner, exactly, but the results are similar. You collect a series of images of a 3D subject from many angles, then submit them to 123D Catch for processing. Autodesk’s magic algorithms in the sky… Continue reading 123D Catch In Your Pocket