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3D Printing: Software

Design Software

To create your own designs you have quite a few different options in design software. All of the following programs are free for you to use to create 3D models. Looking for inspiration? Be sure to check out the 3D Model Gallery below to explore premade designs.

  • TinkerCAD
    • A web-based program for the beginner. Great for customizing 3D models or creating your very own.
  • Blender
    • Blender is a powerful, free, open source tool for creating 3D animation and models for 3D printing.
  • SketchUp Make
    • A user-friendly tool used for creating and editing 3D designs. It is Ideal for novices and also comes in a paid Pro version.
  • OpenSCAD
    • An ideal tool for creating solid 3D CAD models. Also great for models of machine parts.

3D Model Websites

If you're just looking for inspiration or want to explore the possibilities of 3D printing, check out the following collections with downloadable 3D model designs.

3D print of a sphere 3D print of a hollow skull 3D print of a bolt 3D print of a cell 3D print of the Eiffel Tower

  • Thingiverse - Thingiverse is a community dedicated to sharing 3D designs.  It has hundreds of user-submitted designs organized in categories and collections including Art, Gadgets, Learning, Tools and Fashion that are free to download.
  • My Mini Factory - My Mini Factory is the second largest online 3D filesharing site.  Although the majority of files on My Mini Factory are free, the site also offers professional designers the opportunity to monetize their design and sell the .stl files through the site.
  • All 3DP - All 3DP is a great resource for 3D printing news, design ideas, technology trends, helpful hints, reviews, and innovation in 3D printing.  For regular updates about the world of 3D printing, they offer a twice-weekly newsletter.

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