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Website-Price-Category-Number of 3D models-3D printable files
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3D Warehouse-Free-Repository-4,000,000-yes
3dMdb-Free/Paid-Search Engine-3,040,000-yes
GrabCAD-Free-Repository-2,840,000-yes
STL Finder-Free/Paid-Search Engine-2,000,000-yes
Sketchfab-Free-Repository-1,500,000-no
Yeggi-Free/Paid-Search Engine-1,498,000-yes
Thingiverse- Free-Repository-1,068,080-yes
Yobi3D-Free/PaidSearch Engine-1,000,000-yes
IFind3D-Free/Paid-Search Engine-911,047-yes
CGTrader-Free/Paid-Marketplace-650,000-yes
PrintMeASheep-Free/Paid-Search Engine-100,000-yes
Free3D-Free-Repository-48,000-no
My Mini Factory- Free/Paid-Marketplace-45,000-yes
Cults- Free/Paid-Marketplace-33,000-yes
Pinshape- Free/Paid-Marketplace-30,000-yes
TurboSquid-Free/Paid-Marketplace-26,800-no
CGStudio-Free/Paid-Marketplace-26,172-yes
FlatPyramid-Paid-Marketplace-15,500-yes
Hum3D-Free/Paid-Marketplace-15,354-yes
YouMagine- Free-Repository-14,000-yes
PARTcloud.net-Free-Repository-8,500-no
XYZprinting 3D Gallery-Free/Paid-Marketplace-8,270-yes
3Dupndown-Free/Paid-Marketplace-7,800-yes
3D Orchard-Free-Repository-6,500-yes
3DShook-Paid-Marketplace-6,000-yes
NIH 3D Print Exchange-Free-Repository-5,530-yes
3DExport-Free/Paid-Marketplace-5,450-yes
Threeding -Free/Paid-Marketplace-4,750-yes
Redpah-Free/Paid-Marketplace-3,440-yes
3Dfilemarket-Free/Paid-Marketplace-1149-yes
Tridimensia-Free/Paid-Search Engine-1000-yes
Repables-Free-Repository-650-yes
STLHive-Free/Paid-Marketplace-490-yes
3Dagogo-Free/Paid-Marketplace-377-yes
Polar Cloud-Free-Repository-364-yes
Gambody-Free/Paid-Marketplace-319-yes
CG SciFi-Free/Paid-Marketplace-116-no
NASA -Free-Repository-104-yes
Rinkak-Free/Paid-Marketplace-100-yes
Pileprint-Free-Repository-90-yes
3DKitbash-Paid-Marketplace-33-yes
Zortrax Library-Free-Repository-yes
3dsha.re-Free/Paid-Marketplace-yes
Libre3D-Free-Repository-yes
Fabbly-Free/PaidMarketplace-yes
Instructables-Free-Repository-yes
Shapetizer- Free/Paid-Marketplace-yes
Tinkercad-Free-Repository-yes
3DVIA-Free-Repository-yes
Trinpy-Free/Paid-Marketplace-yes
africanfossils.org- Free-Repository-yes
3D-pocket-Paid-Marketplace-yes
Happy3D.fr-Free-Repository-yes
MakePrintable-Free-Repository-yes
What are the most used files format for 3D printing?
The STL format is the most common file format in 3D printing.
STL stands for stereolithography and is originally a 3D Systems creation. It is the main 3D file format used for FFF and FDM desktop 3D printers. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles: the more triangles, the more accurate the 3D design.
OBJ is an open file format that Wavefront’s Advanced Visualizer uses for polygonal of free-form objects. Many design software can export to OBJ and this format is also common in 3D printing.
VRML stands for “Virtual Reality Modeling Language”. VRML is a 3D digital file format that supports color. Therefore, full-color 3D printers or dual extruder 3D printers may use this format.
AMF stands for Additive Manufacturing File Format and is becoming more and more standard in 3D printing. AMF supports color. Most of all, it is possible to compress AMF files to about half the size of an STL file.
G-Code is a numeric language used to instruct computerized machines, including 3Dprinters. In the case of 3D printers, the G-Code is the actual file that the 3D printer reads.
The G-Code file contains the instructions for the 3D printer to build the object layer by layer (starting point, the direction and the speed of the nozzle etc).
It is possible to generate G-Code files from STL files or other formats using a slicer software.
Slicing software converts 3D drawings into horizontal layers with instructions for the 3D printer.
The STL format is the most common file format in 3D printing.
STL stands for stereolithography and is originally a 3D Systems creation. It is the main 3D file format used for FFF and FDM desktop 3D printers. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles: the more triangles, the more accurate the 3D design.
OBJ is an open file format that Wavefront’s Advanced Visualizer uses for polygonal of free-form objects. Many design software can export to OBJ and this format is also common in 3D printing.
VRML stands for “Virtual Reality Modeling Language”. VRML is a 3D digital file format that supports color. Therefore, full-color 3D printers or dual extruder 3D printers may use this format.
AMF stands for Additive Manufacturing File Format and is becoming more and more standard in 3D printing. AMF supports color. Most of all, it is possible to compress AMF files to about half the size of an STL file.
G-Code is a numeric language used to instruct computerized machines, including 3Dprinters. In the case of 3D printers, the G-Code is the actual file that the 3D printer reads.
The G-Code file contains the instructions for the 3D printer to build the object layer by layer (starting point, the direction and the speed of the nozzle etc).
It is possible to generate G-Code files from STL files or other formats using a slicer software.
Slicing software converts 3D drawings into horizontal layers with instructions for the 3D printer.
Photogrammetry 3D scanning technology
Three-dimensional scanning technology is based on photogrammetry, a technology that reconstructs a person or object in 3D from 2D captures.
By definition, photogrammetry is “the science of making measurements from photographs”, but in the case of 3D scanning, photogrammetry creates 3D models by feeding images into a computational model.
A regular smartphone camera takes photos of an object, and then the software takes care of the rest by stitching the pictures together.
With the photogrammetry 3D scanning technology, the final 3D scan features color and texture (unlike other technologies which only capture shapes for example).
Free 3D scanner apps not requiring extra hardware
These 3D scanner apps are free and do not require any external hardware or additional purchases. The following user-friendly 3D scanning apps can simply be downloaded on iPhones or Android smartphones.
Qlone
In order for the user to use Qlone, a special black and white paper mat needs to be printed (similar to QR code), on which the object to be 3D scanned will be placed. Qlone offers a useful guiding system; a grey dome surrounds the object and lets the user know which angle they need to capture next.
The app generates the results locally (without going through a cloud platform) and almost in real time. Users can easily share 3D scans via social media apps such as Facebook and Whatsapp. Exports to Sketchfab or Shapeways cost $0.99 per 3D scan.
Scann3D
Scann3D, an application that is compatible with Sketchfab, requires the user to take approximately 20 to 30 photos of the object that they wish to 3D scan. The photos must overlap and be taken in a continuous circle around the object.
An advantage of Scann3D is its fast processing time thanks to the instant reconstruction feature. This means that the photo processing is performed directly on the device and not on an external source like a cloud service. However, this may cause the battery to drain quickly.
Sony 3D Creator
3D Creator is Sony’s take at smartphone 3D scanning. This app was originally exclusively available for Sony XPERIA smartphones, but is now compatible with all Android 8.0 and up devices.
With this app, users can easily 3D scan themselves thanks to selfie mode.
These 3D scanner apps are free and do not require any external hardware or additional purchases. The following user-friendly 3D scanning apps can simply be downloaded on iPhones or Android smartphones.
Qlone
- Compatibility: iOS/Android
- Price: Free
- Extra cost: Sketchfab export $0.99/3D scan
- App Store rating: 3.9/5
- Google Play rating: 3.2/5
- Country: Israel
In order for the user to use Qlone, a special black and white paper mat needs to be printed (similar to QR code), on which the object to be 3D scanned will be placed. Qlone offers a useful guiding system; a grey dome surrounds the object and lets the user know which angle they need to capture next.
The app generates the results locally (without going through a cloud platform) and almost in real time. Users can easily share 3D scans via social media apps such as Facebook and Whatsapp. Exports to Sketchfab or Shapeways cost $0.99 per 3D scan.
Scann3D
- Compatibility: Android
- Price: Free
- Google Play rating: 3.1/5
- Country: Hungary
Scann3D, an application that is compatible with Sketchfab, requires the user to take approximately 20 to 30 photos of the object that they wish to 3D scan. The photos must overlap and be taken in a continuous circle around the object.
An advantage of Scann3D is its fast processing time thanks to the instant reconstruction feature. This means that the photo processing is performed directly on the device and not on an external source like a cloud service. However, this may cause the battery to drain quickly.
Sony 3D Creator
- Compatibility: Android
- Price: Free
- Google Play rating: 4.3/5
- Country: Sweden
3D Creator is Sony’s take at smartphone 3D scanning. This app was originally exclusively available for Sony XPERIA smartphones, but is now compatible with all Android 8.0 and up devices.
With this app, users can easily 3D scan themselves thanks to selfie mode.
Free 3D scanning apps requiring extra hardware
Although these 3D scanner apps are free, they require additional hardware to be purchased. The most popular are the Structure Sensor by Occipital and the 3D Systems iSense. Users simply have to install the 3D scanning app on their smartphones and plug in the external hardware to begin the 3D scanning process. Most of these 3D scanner apps target a more professional audience.
Although these 3D scanner apps are free, they require additional hardware to be purchased. The most popular are the Structure Sensor by Occipital and the 3D Systems iSense. Users simply have to install the 3D scanning app on their smartphones and plug in the external hardware to begin the 3D scanning process. Most of these 3D scanner apps target a more professional audience.
Bevel
Initial feedback from the Bevel community has not been great– Bevel users face spontaneous app crashes and bug problems. This 3D scanning app doesn’t support 360° 3D capture, an issue that the parent company Matter and Form is dealing with at the moment. Matter and Form also manufactures a 3D scanner called the MFS1V1.
TechMed3D 3DSizeME
TechMed3D can customize the app to specific professional needs and use cases.
iPad 3D scanner apps
Canvas
Canvas is easy to use as it only requires the user to walk around the room as the app creates a scaled 3D scan in real time, as well as providing exact floorplan measurements. Canvas allows users to save their scans on their iPads or e-mail them to friends or colleagues. This 3D scanning app also offers a Scan To CAD service for $29.95 per scan.
itSeez3D
itSeez3D offers unlimited scanning, but exports cost $7 each. The two paid versions of itSeez3D offer a limited amount of free exports and other benefits. The “Scale Up” package at $250/month provides up to 1,200 free exports per year.
This application requires an Occipital Structure Sensor to operate ($379, available on Amazon).
- Compatibility: iOS/Android
- Price: Free
- Hardware: Bevel ($89)
- Google Play rating: 2.3/5
- Country: Canada
Initial feedback from the Bevel community has not been great– Bevel users face spontaneous app crashes and bug problems. This 3D scanning app doesn’t support 360° 3D capture, an issue that the parent company Matter and Form is dealing with at the moment. Matter and Form also manufactures a 3D scanner called the MFS1V1.
TechMed3D 3DSizeME
- Compatibility: iOS
- Price: Free
- Hardware: Structure Sensor ($379, available on Amazon)
- Country: Canada
TechMed3D can customize the app to specific professional needs and use cases.
iPad 3D scanner apps
Canvas
- Compatibility: iOS (iPads only)
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 4/5
- Hardware: Occipital Structure Sensor ($379, available on Amazon)
- Country: United States
Canvas is easy to use as it only requires the user to walk around the room as the app creates a scaled 3D scan in real time, as well as providing exact floorplan measurements. Canvas allows users to save their scans on their iPads or e-mail them to friends or colleagues. This 3D scanning app also offers a Scan To CAD service for $29.95 per scan.
itSeez3D
- Compatibility: iOS (iPads only)
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 4.2/5
- Country: Russia
itSeez3D offers unlimited scanning, but exports cost $7 each. The two paid versions of itSeez3D offer a limited amount of free exports and other benefits. The “Scale Up” package at $250/month provides up to 1,200 free exports per year.
This application requires an Occipital Structure Sensor to operate ($379, available on Amazon).
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