My daughter has been wanting a 3D printer for over a year – so we began to watch videos and do some research to find out just what people were printing with their 3D printers and how models and objects are created! There is a lot of information and ideas out there that is not always easy to locate or sift through – so I have tried to make it somewhat easier with this post and provide some guidance and ideas.
We discovered that people print many different 3D objects from 3 primary sources: 1) from shared online files (3D repositories) from websites like Thingiverse.com, Cults3D.com (Most Common), 2) from CAD (Computer Aided Design) type programs like TinkerCAD.com where they create the file images, and 3) from scans of actual physical objects they use to then create the file images to print on their 3D printers. Here we review each of these methods for obtaining 3D models for 3D printing in greater detail.
Shared Online Files (Repositories & Marketplaces)
There are a number of websites, many free, where people share 3D files that they have created. These are files that just need to be downloaded from the website and then can be used to print the object with your 3D printer. (After slicing – of course).
If you aren’t familiar with slicing please check out my post on slicing here: What is Slicing? Why do I need to Do it? How Do I Do It?
Below is a list of several where you will find many fascinating 3D objects to print.
- Thingiverse.com (Free) (19 types of files)
- YouMagine (Free)
- Pinshape.com (Free & Paid) (2 types of files, .stl and .obj)
- MyMiniFactory (Free & Paid)
- TurboSquid (Free & Paid)
- Cults3d.com (Free & paid) (Best Ideas)
Note: .stl and .obj are the most common file formats associated with 3D printing. As a beginner they are the file formats you are most likely to use.
Some of the objects that we liked and can be printed with your 3D printer are listed below: (Please Note: We have not yet printed all of these – but they are on our list to tackle!) I will be adding to this list from time-to-time as we discover new models that tickle our interest.
Labyrinth Gift Box by sneakypoo (Thingiverse)
Predator Action Pliers by ecoiras (Thingiverse)
Infinity Cube by acurazine (Thingiverse)
Air Spinner by walter (Thingiverse)
Knurled Twist Container by rayperkins (Thingiverse)
Planetary Gearset 04 by ekalfwonS (Thingiverse)
For a more complete list of mechanical toys & models to print please see my post ===> Best Mechanical Toys & Models to 3D Print For Kids!
CAD Style Software (3D Modeling Programs)
3D modeling programs are used to create the models that people download and then manipulate (with Slicing software) to print 3D objects with their 3D printers. It is design software where the spatial relationships of a collection of points in 3 dimensions is represented mathematically as the surfaces and contours of the model. These models can be rotated and viewed from any angle within the software application to help the designer better visualize and create the model.
CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs have been around for a long time – but have evolved with technology, in general, and 3D printing specifically. With 3D printers working their way to the consumer market – design software is changing to accommodate more beginners without an engineering background. The result is design software that is easier and more intuitive to use, and in many cases FREE and web / browser based! All good things for those choosing 3D printing as a new hobby!
We like TinkerCAD because of it’s intuitive interface and the fact that it is bowser-based – so there is no software to download and install!
- TinkerCAD (Free) (Beginner)
- 3D Slash (Free) (Beginner)
- Blender (Free) (Intermediate) (Free open source software – but it has to be downloaded & installed on your PC)
- LibreCAD (Free) (Intermediate) (Free open source software – but it has to be downloaded & installed on your PC)
- MeshMixer (Free) (Intermediate) (Free from AutoDesk – but the software has to be downloaded and installed on your PC)
3D Scanners & Photogrammetry
3D scanners and photogrammetry are 2 ways to take something that is tangible and in the real world – and digitize it into models that can be further used to provide instructions to 3D printers to re-create the object. Although they are 2 ways to accomplish the same thing – they are a little different – so I will introduce them to you separately.
Please Note: Although neither of these methods of constructing the models to print with your 3D printer are particularly common or practical for the beginner, it is worthwhile to know that they exist and have a basic understanding of how they operate and differ. With 3D printers continuing to make inroads into the consumer market – you can count on both of these technologies becoming more user friendly and common at the consumer level in the years to come.
So as technology marches ever forward – expect to encounter these terms and the machines that make digitizing real world objects possible on a more frequent basis, and as a more common method to develop models for 3D printing!
3D Scanners
3D scanners are specialized scanners that can be handheld, tripod mountable or desktop based in form. They are usually structured light scanners that project a series of light patterns (black & white lines / stripes) upon an object to enable the scanner to better detect the object’s shape, contours and textures. It then uses software to create a 3D point cloud that stitches the information the scanner collects from the various angles the object has been scanned – to construct a 3D model that can be viewed and rotated from any angle.
From there the model can be manipulated further to save it in a file format that used by most common 3D printers.
3D scanners usually come with a dedicate suite of software to streamline the process all the way from scanning to producing a 3D model. Compared to using photgrammetry and open source software for processing the images, the process is refreshingly uncomplicated with most 3D scanner software suites.
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the process of analyzing photographic images (usually many from different angles) to create measurements and models of real world objects. It differs from 3D scanning – in that no light patterns are projected onto the object to help discern the physical properties of the object.
An example of photogrammetry being used in a real world manner would be how many roofers construct estimates for roofing jobs. Some larger roofing companies subscribe to a service that uses photogrammetry to analyze the roofs of buildings and provides the roofer with data about the square footage of the roof, and the angles of the roof line. This information can then be used to construct a quote for the potential customer. This process and service is faster and cheaper for larger and more complex roofs than having someone or a team take the time to physically make the measurements of the roof.
Photogrammetry would allow for constructing 3D models of larger objects that cannot as effectively by scanned with a consumer level 3D scanner. Think buildings, statues and other large structures.
After obtaining the photographic data – it needs to be analyzed and synthesized into a model. Meshroom (free open source software) – does this type of analysis and synthesis of the images into a 3D model. The software is free, but Meshroom will require some pretty significant computational power to process the images and meld them into a model. Even with a pretty powerful setup – it is not uncommon for a computer to take 10 – 15 minutes to synthesize 15 images or so into a model.
Additionally – after forming the model with Meshroom – the model may need to be cleaned up / patched up – which can be accomplished with MeshMixer – (listed above).
Photogrammetry is attractive to the consumer level 3D printer hobbyist – in that it does not require any specialized equipment and in many cases even a decent phone camera can suffice to collect the required photos.
The process is presently a little more convoluted and cumbersome than using a 3D scanner with an automated and dedicated suite of software and tools. But it is more flexible and there is really no cost to experiment with it.
I hope you found this helpful! Leave suggestions in the comments and come back here to check on new additions to our list!
Sincerely,
If you are looking for some cool ideas for things to 3D print – please check out some ideas we have for you here: Cool Ideas f Things to 3D Print!
