Thingiverse Updated

MakerBot's source for freely available 3D models has been updated. Thingiverse, the repository for thousands of 3D models had a makeover yesterday and now sports a much cleaner look. 

 

The site still focuses on the key categories of objects: Who's Making What? Newest Derivatives, Most Popular Things and the Newest Things, making it pretty easy to find something to print. 

 

Thingiverse permits makers to create an online profile and upload their works for use by anyone. If you like one design you can quickly find all other works they've made, too. 

 

An interesting feature is a focus on Tools. There are quick links to find a variety of making tools. One of the tool categories is automated tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, etc, and for each tool they list models that can be made with that particular tool. 

 

It's a nice, timely update that should make the site easier to use. 

 

Via Thingiverse

Bodyworks Human Models

Want to 3D print a person? Need a 3D body model to put your head on? Go no further than Bodyworks - an online store specializing in sales of 3D models of people. 

 

All of their products are SolidWorks models, suitable for modification for your own purposes. Prices range from USD$99-149 for body models and USD$249 for human hand models. According to Bodyworks:

 

BodyWorks is a SolidWorks native, adjustable human body model, for use in product design and ergonomic simulation. The BodyWorks model uses a unique joint system that allows for easy and precise adjustment of limbs into the position you desire.

 

If you want bodies, you might check them out. 

 

Via Bodyworks

Cadyou: Where You Share Your CAD

Made by the same folks you brought us the amazing 3D model search tool 3DFilter, Cadyou is a new venture that should enable a lot more model sharing. According to Cadyou chief Tom: 

 

the idea is to create a wiki-like experience for 3d and 2d cad models where you can contribute, vote and edit all of the files on the site.

 

The site holds models in a variety of popular 3D model formats, including: 3DS Max, DWG, DXF, C4D, Lightwave, Revit, Sketchup, STL and OBJ. There's a wide variety of models, all free, in such categories as "Industrial", "Fantasy" or even "Music". We'd like to print music! Oh, wait, it's actually musical instruments! Doh!

 

Via Cadyou (Hat tip to Tom)

Autodesk 123D

Autodesk has released a free-for-use true 3D solid modeling software called 123D. The massive 521Mb download is not the only thing you get; there's also a pretty comprehensive online repository of whole objects and basic components you can draw from to create awesome things. 

 

We think 123D is a big deal, as it's relatively easy interface, no-charge software and comprehensive model repository will enable many more people to get into 3D modeling - and possibly 3D printing. Beware, though, because many of their models are not readily printable on current home 3D printers due to overhangs, colors limitations, etc. We're not quite sure why Autodesk would produce and give away such a powerful tool, but nevertheless it's there for you to use. If you're on Windows. 

 

Via Autodesk

See It Before You Download It

Content is king once you have a 3D printer. You need things to print, after all! But one of the main repositories for free printable 3D models, Thingiverse, has prepared a wonderful upgrade to their service: 3D viewing of models - before you print them!

 

While there are a ton of models at Thingiverse, it's sometimes difficult to understand what they are because the associated picture is taken poorly or the model itself doesn't lend itself to 2D rendering. The new Thingiview javascript feature solves this entirely by showing you a rotating 3D view of the object in question. Here are the key features:

 

• Solid or wireframe views
• Instant X, Y, Z or perspective view
• Smooth automatic rotation
• Near instant use by clicking a button on the item's image.

 

Sounds great, but is there a catch? Yes! Your browser must be WebGL-enabled. This means you must have a really recent version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari, and for heaven's sake, put away that old Internet Explorer version 6!  

 

Via Thingiverse

More Great Printable Buildings

One of the easiest items to 3D print are models of buildings. Their shapes are often straightforward for successful printing and yet quite recognizable. It's a great feeling when you print a building, give it to someone and they immediately recognize what it is without being told. 

 

But the question is, where do you find 3D models of buildings? You could make them yourself, but obviously it's a lot easier if you can find them pre-made. While there are lots available from Google's 3D Warehouse, we've located another interesting repository of around 500 buildings that can be downloaded at no charge. Each building includes information and images, but sometimes they include 2D drawings and also 3D models. 

 

One problem with this particular repository is that the models are stored IN .3DMF, which is a very old format not typically used in recent apps. 

  

Remember, though, that you should visually inspect your prospective model to ensure it's truly printable. Large overhangs are not desirable unless your printer and software can place support material. 

 

Via Free 3D Models of Great Buildings

3D Print Spaceships From 2001: A Space Odyssey

It's one of our all-time favourite motion pictures, perhaps yours too. The 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey still feels "real" and "plausible", some 43 years after it was made and an even more astonishing ten years since the events in the film were to take place. 

 

But now you can relive your 2001 experience by 3D printing some of the spaceships from the film by downloading them from a repository dedicated to 2001. Models include:

 

• The rotating space station (aside: Is "The Blue Danube" appropriate to play while printing this item, as opposed to Daft Punk?)
• The Orion Spaceplane (Pictured)
• Lunar Shuttle and Moonbus
• The Jupiter-bound Interplanetary Ship Discovery (Or was it Saturn? The book and the movie differ on this)
• The one-man space pod (always remember to bring your space helmet)

 

The files are stored in various formats, but 3DS seems most frequent. You'll have little trouble converting them to 3D printable STL with tools like MeshLab. 

 

Not included: The alien Monolith. Why not? Duh, think about it!

 

Via 2001: A Space Odyssey 3D Modeling Archive

Idea: What Can I Model For You?

We re-read last week's post on the new "What Can I Make For You?" service and had an idea. If you recall, the WCIMFY service was quite simple: type what you want (in natural language) into a box and hit submit. The service then figures out how to match your desired "thing" with someone who could actually make it. 

 

So on to the idea. One of the big barriers to the expansion of 3D printing is the availability of models. While many Fabbaloo readers will be perfectly capable of firing up <insert 3D modeling tool of choice> and cranking out a 3D model of <insert interesting artifact> in no time flat, the sad truth is that most of the general public will never be able to do that. How will the general public ever use 3D printers? 

 

Some 3D print ventures attempt to get over this hurdle by providing a wide variety of models to choose from in a repository. Shapeways and Ponoko, for example, have many items to choose from; MakerBot is associated with Thingiverse, etc. You don't have to be a 3D modeler to use these services and products. But unless you can model, you're stuck with whatever's in the repository. 

 

That bleak scenario doesn't take full advantage of this technology which permits one-time custom-fit manufacturing, a completely different approach than traditional mass production. Use of a 3D model repository, while useful, is kind of a step back towards mass production. 

 

The idea is to create a "What Can I Model For You?" service, in which everyday folks could enter a brief description of what they need and be matched with a 3D modeler capable of producing a design suitable for printing either on a home machine or a 3D print service. 

 

Interested designers could register with the service, indicating their speciality (e.g. jewelry, mechanical parts, home repair items, works of art, scanning, etc.) The service would provide skills matching and manage the financial aspects, where fees would be negotiated, collected and allocated. This might be a great way for designers to make some extra cash while making life easier for those wishing to use 3D technology. Or maybe it's just another crazy idea.