What is Design Feedback with 3D Printing? It is a technique used by architects to solve highly complex building construction designs.
models
What To Do With Thingiverse?
Thingiverse is the largest printable 3D model repository on the planet, but it doesn’t seem to be progressing. We know why.
Things Are Increasingly Shaking Up At MyMiniFactory
What plans does the new CEO of MyMiniFactory have? We don’t know and a puzzling post on their blog doesn’t really clear things up at all.
Creating Multi-Color 3D Prints From Mono-Color 3D Models
Having trouble separating a 3D model into pieces for color 3D printing? Now a new tool, SimplyColor3D, allows easy segmentation for Prusa MMU2S or Palette2 .
Book of the Week: 3D Printing for Model Engineers
This week’s selection is “3D Printing for Model Engineers: A Practical Guide” by Neil Wyatt.
Testing 3Dfind.it
Today I am testing a new 3D model search service, 3Dfind.it.
3D Print Learning Series: Design Tips
This is an entry in our 3D Print Learning Series, focusing on additional 3D print design tips.
Book of the Week: Model-Making for Set Designers
This week’s selection is “The Handbook of Model-making for Set Designers” by Colin Winslow.
Implications of Prusa’s New 3D Model Repository
I’m thinking a lot about Prusa’s new 3D model repository, and wondering what it might mean.
The Incredible New Services From Prusa
A new and potentially game-changing 3D model repository has appeared: PrusaPrinters.
Searching For 3D Models Is Still Painful
Ever since the appearance of personal 3D printing, there’s been an awful problem: searching for 3D models.
Much More On The World Of Tanks Thingiverse Incident
We recently published a story on an incident that caused many 3D models on Thingiverse to be removed. Now, we know a lot more.
Significant Purge of Thingiverse This Week
Thingiverse has dropped a number of 3D models from its repository, according to multiple reports.
IKEA’s Consumer 3D Model Repository
If you hadn’t noticed, IKEA has a small 3D model repository available to the public.
New Reverse Engineering CAD Technique Could Pose Issues
Researchers at MIT have developed a practical method of reverse engineering 3D models.
3D Model Repository Cults Hits Milestone
Long time 3D model repository Cults has reached several significant milestones.
Frustum Releases GENERATE for Windows
3D software maker Frustum released a Windows version of their powerful GENERATE tool.
What is LEO Lane and How Does It Allow Digital Inventory?
I’m looking at an ancillary additive manufacturing service that secures intellectual property.
MyMiniFactory Opens 3D Model Store
London-based MyMiniFactory opened their online 3D model store last month.
Book of the Week: Polygon Mesh Processing
This week’s selection is “Polygon Mesh Processing” by Mario Botsch, Leif Kobbelt, Mark Pauly, Pierre Alliez, and Bruno Levy.
Folded 3D Designs are the Next Thing?
FoldStar provides a very unusual 3D model generation system.
Insights Into the Minds of 3D Printing Consumers
A recent post from Pinshape provides some interesting insights into the thinking patterns of those who buy 3D models online.
The Secret Plan for 3D Metal Printing Everything
There seems to be a secret plan by EOS and 3YOURMIND to 3D print a great deal more items than is done today.
A 3D Model Repair Tool? Trying Out CUR3D
We’ve just done a quick test of a new 3D model repair tool, CUR3D Maker Edition.
Look Out, Thingiverse (and others), Poly Just Arrived
Google announced what will likely become an enormous 3D model repository.
MasterpieceVR Allows Four Users to Collaborate & 3D Model Simultaneously
Creating a 3D model in VR isn’t as revolutionary as it once was.
The STL.garden
A new project can keep you up to date on the latest publicly available 3D models.
Noted 3D Designer Turns Paid Designs Into Free Downloads
Israeli 3D designer Asher Nahmias, aka Dizingof, has unexpectedly marked many incredible designs as free downloads.
Profound Implication of That 3D Face Reconstruction Service
I realized something utterly fascinating about the 3D Face Reconstruction project we wrote on this week.
Analyzed: Remixing 3D Models on Thingiverse
Thingiverse was perhaps the first repository of 3D models dedicated to 3D printing and making. Now we know a lot more about it.
A Mammoth Change at MakePrintable
We haven’t written about MakePrintable for a while, but today is a good today to do so.
Authentise Provides a new “Geometric Search”
3D print workflow provider Authentise announced something they call “geometric search”, and it’s quite interesting.
3D Orchard to Assist Open Source Hardware Design
I’m trying out a new online service that hopes to enable makers to work together on open source hardware projects.
3YOURMIND to Automatically Find 3D Printable Parts
In what could be a very powerful partnership, 3D model analysis firm 3YOURMIND is working with EOS to identify printable parts.
Cloud-Based Design Analysis: Frustum’s Generate
Optimizing mechanical designs is a complex process and now there’s another option for doing so.
Robo Selling STL File “Print Packs” at Staples?
A very interesting report at Hackaday describes a very unusual product from Robo (formerly Robo 3D).
PatternSpace: More Than Just a 3D Repository
There are countless small services offering access to 3D models these days, but a look at PatternSpace revealed a bit more than expected.
A Combination of Tools to Fix BAD STL 3D Print Files
Have you ever had a “bad” STL file? I certainly have. Fixing them is often a tricky business.
The Frequency of 3D Content Violations is Astonishing
Earlier we wrote a story on LayerTrove, a new Scotland-based startup that happens to be selling unlicensed 3D content. But how often does this occur? It turns out to be astonishingly frequent.
LayerTrove Releases Easy-To-Print 3D Models, But Faces Big Risks
LayerTrove is a Scotland-based 3D model store who have just launched a 3D models series that may bring them troubles in the future.
What’s Up With Skriware?
Skriware launched late last year with a reasonably successful Kickstarter campaign, but where are they now?
Need a Vertebrate, a Tortoise, Antlers Or an Edible Dormouse 3D Model?
3D model repository service Threeding has announced a new partnership that’s resulted in a large number of animal anatomy 3D models.
How Can We Solve the 3D Model Search Problem?
There’s an insidious problem growing in the 3D model marketplaces: search. And it sucks.
Beyond Thingiverse, My Ten Favorite 3D Model Repositories
Everyone knows Thingiverse, it’s the largest printable 3D model repository around. But what are some other ones to consider?
3DShook’s Unusual 3D Model Discovery Tools
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.
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.