Thingiverse is yet another big hit in this era of diverse and real-time technological changes. Thingiverse can keep 3D printing files updated and under strict maintenance, and it also comprises the most communicative 3D printing devotees. What started as a mere companion of MakerBot in 2008 has now reached a consumer-targeted global height of seamless 3D printing files.
But, more on that later. Fascinatingly enough, the dynamics of printing 3D files don’t end here. The Thingiverse alternatives are also a massive part of today and the future most 3D printer enthusiasts want to learn about.
It’s always a fresh breath of air to know that the market isn’t saturated with one 3D file-sharing model since we all love a bit of versatility provided, that it has the same efficiency and value. Thus, we’re here to address all the sites like Thingiverse which can deliver the same top-tier results. Let’s dive in.
What Is Thingiverse?
Thingiverse is a website dedicated to sharing digital design files that are user-produced. Generally, it provides an open-source and free hardware design which is also licensed from the General Public License (GNU) or the Creative Common Licenses.
This creative site allows users and contributors to select a specific user license type for the designs they are willing to share. This also raises of questions – Is Thingiverse free? Well, the biggest hit that Thingiverse has received to date is because of its no-hassle and free entry and use.
If a creator is interested in 3D printing, downloading, and file sharing, they can easily rely on Thingiverse as MakerBot kept the platform completely free with minimal ads on the website. Furthermore, Thingiverse is also quite popular because of its dedication to the maker communities and DIY technologies by the MakerBot operators and 3D printers.
As the world’s largest 3D printing community, Thingiverse has the upper hand in allowing users to share, make and discover 3D printable materials at no cost at all.
Importance Of Thingiverse:
Let’s get real; the best Thingiverse prints don’t come easy. Even though there are numerous substitutes to Thingiverse, a few vital points make it outstanding. Here are a few of them.
· The Cost:
As we all know, Thingiverse’s designs and offerings are all free. Therefore, hosting a large number of models is possible by every beginner or professional in such 3D printing areas.
· User Experience:
The categories and subcategories in Thingiverse know no bounds. Needless to say, the user interface is also relatively seamless with quick sorting, searching, and selections. Many other intuitive features in Thingiverse are match and mixes, remixes, favorites, and collections for a smooth interface and maneuverability. These options also enhance the browsing affair for all.
· 3D Prints:
Thingverse focuses majorly on delivering and fulfilling every 3D printing requirement from its huge 3D model repository.
Thingiverse Alternatives:
Now that we understand the abundant uses and blessings that Thingiverse has bestowed upon the 3D printing world, it’s time to check out other 3d printing sites like Thingiverse, which can deliver the same outcomes at the same value.
Some of these are a close second to Thingiverse and its nature. Thus, don’t slack on these if you’re into 3D printing. Let’s take a gander.
1. YouMagine
First off, we must begin with the Thingiverse vs YouMagine showdown. This is because YouMagine has to be the nearest alternative of Thingiverse, which Ultimaker navigates with a highly user-friendly interface.
Besides having a state-of-the-art, easy navigation interface, YouMagine also comes with extensive search and filtering functions. Although the model selection arrangement is a tad bit more concise than the more comprehensive programs, the designs are high quality and under adequate control by the site. Moreover, just like Thingiverse, all the offered plans are entirely free on YouMagine.
However, the communities aren’t very closely-knit with forums to exchange queries and enhance communication. Leaving comments and appreciating the work of other users is just another step that YouMagine could take to optimize the designers’ credibility, motivation, and experience.
Cost –
- Free
Key Features –
- Previews are browser based
- API supported
- Allows community collaboration and communication
- Features stacked in the repository
2. Cults
Our list of websites like Thingiverse would be incomplete without discussing Cult – a marketplace and repository for 3D printing with the fastest growth rate. Founded in 2014, Cult is managed by only three people with the most nominal pricing scenario in the world of 3D printing.
They own a collection of around 344,000 files with simple category and subcategory systems. But, the good news is that these offerings and designs are free and accessible through purchases. One downfall is that users can’t narrow their searches based on filters or make remixes; however, it includes other relevant specifications such as collections, likes, and makes.
On the contrary, one notable factor about 3D printing is that the site offers competitions for members with exciting prizes.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
Key Features –
- Random button feature
- Sponsored contents
- Section for community prints
3. Pinshape
Pinshape is yet another 3D printing expert website specializing in providing paid and free content. Their designs are top-notch and meticulously curated, which are sent to the individual’s inbox every week to have something new to work on every day.
What’s unique about this site is its 3D printing reviews and contests, giving users a different edge and boost during surfing.
Pinshape allows 3D printing experts to navigate the latest designs, categorize them, offer matches to specific demographics according to their reference, and last but not least optimal and straightforward settings for printing the materials. Their features include FreeCAD, mesh vs. solid models, various export file types, and more.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
Key Features –
- Facilitates seamless marketplace transactions
- Allows direct download and sending of files
- Review and share settings
4. MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory curates handpicked, tried, and tested designs and sells models from their workspace. This 3D printing marketplace company formed a chain of a smooth operating online marketplace with collaborative designers and is continues to do so to date.
The key difference and highlight between Thingiverse vs Myminifactory are that MMF has an exquisite line of tabletop gaming models in free and paid prints. You can choose whether you’d like a paid or free print by dividing them in the menu bar and organizing them into your preference via subcategories.
Moreover, MMF also features premium membership discounts and grants, containing features like slicer-free printing. Another standout point of MMF is its community-centric interface. The files pass through a community test and software check before being publicly available to reduce the printing failure rates.
What’s even better is that the platform hosts regular campaigns and competitions to keep the crowd pumped and keep them energized through variety and high-quality printing designs.
Needless to say, MMF’s community spirit is unlike any other with its repositories, blog authorship, 3D scans, phot curations, and smartphone programs. These only build the communities stronger. Don’t forget to check out their ‘Ideas’ features to display your piece and receive feedback.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
Key Features –
- Neat extras like slicer-free printing
- Free smartphone support
- Tabletop community
- Campaigns, competitions and crowdfunding
- Ideas section for users
5. CGTrader
If you’re looking for a specific designer-centric platform, then CGTrader will not disappoint. CGTrader was founded in 2011 with a promise to deliver a top-notch experience for online 3D printing marketplace and more.
These prints can be bought, sold, and filtered easily. The site owns around 1.2 million models, both paid and free. However, the files are not optimized for 3D prints; thus, it’s best to sift through their 3D model section. There are a ton of categories and subcategories that can be selectively sorted through by searching.
On another exciting note, a button offers designers a nifty loyalty program and low price lists. Furthermore, the community section includes plenty of active forums and tutorials, which boosts interaction and minimizes the complexities of 3D printing.
Another unmissable feature of the CGTrader is their Freelance section which lets consumers post offers with a commission for the designers to apply to. However, the commissions aren’t limited to 3D printing models only, and the features also stretch out to board game textures, figures, and more.
Fortunately, there’s also an intuitive ‘hire me’ option on the models, letting specific designers work and broaden their scope.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
- Lists different pricings
Key Features –
- Over 1.2 million designs
- Community forums and tutorials
- Subcategories enhances easy browsing
6. 3DExport
3DExport is one of the most compelling competitors of Thingiverse as it contains a massive collection of over 200,000 3D designs. This site focuses on handpicked designs belonging to the physics, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, and automotive industries.
If users can’t find the specific model they require, the designers can adjust it. Their tutorial and guide features are also unique and easy to navigate compared to other competing websites. The focal point in Thingiverse vs 3DExport is that this site majorly focuses on having exclusive features designated for interested students and learners.
Therefore, the tutorials are incredibly detailed, with intricately elaborated steps to accommodate every 3D print. Luckily, these tutorials are also accessible without any prior requirements or restrictions.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
- Cost of designs or models range from $1-$100 or more
Key Features –
- Offers full refund within 24 hours
- Customize orders from designers
- Detailed tutorials on prints
- File conversion on request
- Narrows search with filters
- Categories and subcategories for specific models
7. Prusa Printers
PrusaPrinters is a companion platform for Prusa Research. Just like Thingiverse, this website is 100% free; thus, people love it as a non-paid alternative.
With around 40,000 available designs, PrusaPrinters also features easy-to-use tools and subcategories such as filament quantity, print time, diameter, nozzle, and model. One of their program’s quickest and handiest tools is the pre-sliced model search engine.
PrusaPrinters also has guides and practical lists that go hand in hand with their research news. The site is also famous for its remixes, collections, and likes but, unfortunately, doesn’t include makes yet.
Similarly, their user print file option has created huge hype as finding pre-sliced versions have become more accessible. Other than that, the topics of interest, latest designs, community, and group features are just the cherry on top for these 3d printing sites like Thingiverse.
Cost –
- 100% free
Key Features –
- Follow groups and communities of interests easily
- Pre-sliced files can be directly G-code downloaded
- Filters are next-level with diameter, nozzle, printing time, model options and more
8. 3Dagogo
3Dagogo is perfect if you want to work with various categories or projects. Like most of the 3D printer programs in this list, these are attainable for an exchange fee or completely free of charge. Depending on the artistic, aesthetic, and practical models, you can pay or get them for free.
This enables users to encounter a more extensive range of work and 3D prints. These special protective and payment measures benefit consumers and designers equally. Infringement rights continuously protect designers, and customers can get a full refund within the first 14 days of purchase if it’s not compatible for any reason.
Additionally, the community help center in this platform is quite active and answers questions spontaneously as required. 3Dagogo works aside Astroprint to provide innovative cuts, print, and save 3D files from any given device if connected to the Internet. Moreover, users also have to advantage of organizing their designs on the cloud.
Cost –
- Free
- Paid
Key Features –
- Projects can be connected to devices over the internet and cloud
- Infringement and refund rights
- Broad scope of designs
9. GrabCAD
User-friendly interfaces like GrabCAD make 3D printing so much more viable nowadays. If not anything else, it’s a great indication of where technology is heading now. We chose GrabCAD as an alternative to Thingiverse because it has come a long way since being a beginner-friendly community for sharing 3D printing designs.
In reality, it’s an intuitive technology that lets companies and professionals work side by side on various 3D printing projects. Therefore, if you’re merely a hobbyist, GrabCAD might not be the right place for you. The platform solely dedicates itself to recreating unrepeatable models using simple PC 3d printers.
On the contrary, users are presented with a generous selection of designs that they can download for free. In addition to such smooth service, GrabCAD’s community hold is unmatchable. The platform isn’t only bounded with professional growth but also consists of 3D designer professionals, engineers, students, and manufacturers. This pool of individual talents brings a very advanced and helpful side to the table.
With that being said, any new member can have a valuable exchange with the said community as they wish. One significant highlight of GrabCAD is its distinctive functionality of an online workbench. This feature allows individual teams to come and work together on a project, exchange views and make work fun.
These team members can also access the same files and edit and share them in the library. As a result, the online workbench feature boosts individual members’ communication and scope of work. This is why GrabCAD is undoubtedly the best collaborative 3D designing tool in this world of alternatives.
Cost –
- Free
Key Features –
- Intelligent pool of designers
- Online workbench allows high collaboration
FAQs:
- Is everything free on Thingiverse?
Albeit you need to create an account on Thingiverse, everything is completely free of charge once you do. The Internet designers can organize their designs, save their 3D files, download and add to favorites with their models as they wish.
- Is PLA in 3D modeling toxic?
PLA is biodegradable. PLA is often seen in medical implants and food handling; therefore, it’s bound to biodegrade with time within the body. However, just like any other plastic substance, it does contain properties that can make them toxic, especially if inhaled, absorbed through the eyes as liquid or vapor, or absorbed within the skin.
- How to convert STL into Gcode?
Converting STL into Gcode is quite simple. Here’s how you can do it.
- Install a slicing program to print out a 3D CAD model of your choice.
- Convert the item from STL to Gcode to make 3D prints.
- Add the 3D printer with the slicer.
- Download or draw a 3D model to print.
- Open an STL file and set the printer settings.
- Slice the parts and get the Gcode for 3D printing.
Conclusion:
What’s the best part about 3D printing platforms? The communities!
When minds which work alike come together and showcase their expertise, the platform becomes lively on its own. Knowing and becoming a part of the many Thingiverse alternatives contributes to generously making these platforms and talents accessible, shareable, and at the end of the day, making experiences unique and real-time.
Even though Thingiverse remains one of the biggest potential 3D printing platforms, it’s nice to know some other options mastering the same art. Limiting yourself to one free or paid 3D printing model platform will only make your skill and talent’s boundaries trimmer. In reality, the list of such seamless 3D printing platforms is endless, and we have only pointed out a few of the bests.
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