We haven’t written about MakePrintable for a while, but today is a good today to do so.
models
Authentise Provides a new “Geometric Search”
3D print workflow provider Authentise announced something they call “geometric search”, and it’s quite interesting.
3D Orchard to Assist Open Source Hardware Design
I’m trying out a new online service that hopes to enable makers to work together on open source hardware projects.
3YOURMIND to Automatically Find 3D Printable Parts
In what could be a very powerful partnership, 3D model analysis firm 3YOURMIND is working with EOS to identify printable parts.
Cloud-Based Design Analysis: Frustum’s Generate
Optimizing mechanical designs is a complex process and now there’s another option for doing so.
Robo Selling STL File “Print Packs” at Staples?
A very interesting report at Hackaday describes a very unusual product from Robo (formerly Robo 3D).
PatternSpace: More Than Just a 3D Repository
There are countless small services offering access to 3D models these days, but a look at PatternSpace revealed a bit more than expected.
A Combination of Tools to Fix BAD STL 3D Print Files
Have you ever had a “bad” STL file? I certainly have. Fixing them is often a tricky business.
The Frequency of 3D Content Violations is Astonishing
Earlier we wrote a story on LayerTrove, a new Scotland-based startup that happens to be selling unlicensed 3D content. But how often does this occur? It turns out to be astonishingly frequent.
LayerTrove Releases Easy-To-Print 3D Models, But Faces Big Risks
LayerTrove is a Scotland-based 3D model store who have just launched a 3D models series that may bring them troubles in the future.
BMW Group Sues Turbosquid for Selling 3D Models of Their Car Designs
If you’ve ever stood in the shower wondering if you could be sued because you made a certain 3D model of a certain brand of car, wonder no more.
Autodesk Announces Design Graph, Punches Shape Search in Solar Plexus
You know when you cried into that bucket of bolts because you couldn’t find the matching hardware? Those were sad, rough times.
What’s Up With Skriware?
Skriware launched late last year with a reasonably successful Kickstarter campaign, but where are they now?
Need a Vertebrate, a Tortoise, Antlers Or an Edible Dormouse 3D Model?
3D model repository service Threeding has announced a new partnership that’s resulted in a large number of animal anatomy 3D models.
How Can We Solve the 3D Model Search Problem?
There’s an insidious problem growing in the 3D model marketplaces: search. And it sucks.
Beyond Thingiverse, My Ten Favorite 3D Model Repositories
Everyone knows Thingiverse, it’s the largest printable 3D model repository around. But what are some other ones to consider?
3DShook’s Unusual 3D Model Discovery Tools
It’s a very tough business these days running a printable 3D model shop, but 3DShook seems to be experimenting with a variety of different shopping methods to overcome the challenges.
Wevolver Is A Different Kind Of Repository
There are countless web-based 3D model repositories, but none are quite like Wevolver, who focus on actually doing practical something with your 3D prints.
It’s No Longer Possible To Launch A Printable 3D Model Sharing Site
Based on how the 3D print industry has evolved, it is now our opinion that it’s next to impossible to successfully launch a 3D model sharing site.
Kwambio Launches (Again?)
We received a note from Kwambio who apparently have launched a new 3D model/print service.
There Are More Software Engineers Than Hardware At AIO Robotics, And It Shows
The AIO Robotics ZEUS desktop 3D printer seems to have far greater software powers than other devices.
The iPad Pro Attracts a 3D Modeling System: Shapr3D
We’ve seen the appearance of a couple of finger-based iPad applications, but now there’s one specifically designed for the iPad Pro and its Apple Pencil.
Syncky Sells Many 3D Printed Products
Korea-based Syncky is not a 3D model repository, but instead a site where you can order many different 3D printed products.
Generate 3D Printable Rings – And Your Voice, Too!
We’re checking out a new tool to generate custom-designed 3D models of rings and another to “solidify” your voice!
La Poste’s Big Step Into 3D Printing
France’s postal service, La Poste just set up a comprehensive 3D model repository to power their network of 3D printers.
Yobi3D Makes Searching For 3D Models A Lot More Fun
We found a terrific meta-site for sourcing publicly available 3D models: Yobi3D.
Autodesk Memento Now Available for OS X
If you haven’t tried Autodesk Memento for optical 3D processing, you might want to, especially now that it’s available for both Windows and OS X.
The Voronator Wants You
Voronization is a tricky process to transform your 3D model into a very complex structure – but now there’s a simple way to do it: The Voronator!
Formsfield’s Unusual 3D Designer Recruitment Strategy
3D model repository Formsfield has taken an unusual step to recruit designers for their product shelves: they’re guaranteeing payments!
A 3D Model Sharing Site With An Electrical Connection
We’re checking out Sharestation 3D, a site dedicated to 3D printed electronics projects.
MyMiniFactory Reaches 100,000 Users: What’s Next?
3D model community MyMiniFactory announced they’ve now attracted over 100,000 registered users.
MakePrintable Developing Cloud-Based 3D Model Repair Service
A new cloud-based 3D model repair service, MakePrintable is in the works, and it may become quite popular based on its functionality and extensibility.
How To Quickly Model and 3D Print Small Household Objects
New 3D printer owners might be having fun printing pre-designed 3D models, but what if you need to produce a custom object on demand? Here’s how to do it.
Copyright Controversy Erupts Over Site’s Use of 3D Model
Recently we wrote of a newly encountered 3D model repository, dayin.la, which holds plenty of interesting 3D content, but now it seems the site has used some models without permission.
The Explosion of 3D Print Connector and Model Services
It’s another week and there’s another batch of new online connector services for 3D models.
Minichua’s Customizable 3D Printed Dogs
Finally there’s a way to easily create 3D printed dogs!
3DFilemarket Bets on 3D Print Streaming
Most source of 3D content for 3D printing simply sell you a 3D model, but that’s not 3DFilemarket’s strategy. They’re betting on print streaming.
The Butter Boss’s 3D Print Files
While the vast majority of new manufactured products make use of 3D designs, one project has taken an unusual step with theirs.
3D Shook’s All You Can Eat 3D Models
Tired of searching the usual repositories for great 3D models? 3D Shook has an offer we think you might like.
MyMiniFactory’s Offering a Gift to Participate
Need another spool of 3D printer filament? You might want to check out MyMiniFactory’s latest offer.
Voovo’s 3D Print and Model Service
Canadian operation Voovo hopes to provide a different method of accessing 3D print services.
Hiding 3D Print Quality Issues
Does the quality of 3D printers vary among machines? Yes. Is it possible to hide flaws? Also, yes.
3D Share Offers Free and Paid Models for Printing
A new 3D model service hopes to offer something for both designers and consumers of 3D models.
MyStemKits Launches
Today MyStemKits launched on Kickstarter, with the goal of providing effective 3D prints for educators.
Yobi3D Meta-Searches For 3D Models
A search service provides a very easy way to find great 3D models for printing.
Incredible 3D Scans from The Lincoln For 3D Printing
A museum in Lincolnshire, UK, has made available highly detailed 3D scans of many of their works.
3D Printable Scenery for Gaming
Need a stone wall for your Warhammer game? There’s a store you should check out: Printable Scenery.
New 3D Printing Algorithm Reduces Support Material, But…
A new algorithm might prove effective to reduce the amount of support material required for 3D prints by chopping objects into more easily printable shapes.
Spyder 3D World’s Content and Printing Services
We’re checking out a new 3D model and print service, Spyder 3D World.
3D Print ANY Landscape. Right Now!
Some people like to 3D print landscapes. You know, mountains, rivers, lakes and the rest. But where do you get the 3D data for it? We found a service that can do so.
Design Your Own 3D Printed Vase
What, you’re not a 3D modeling whiz? Still need a design for a vase? We found a service you can use.
Gambody’s 3D Printed Character Marketplace
Gambody’s new 3D model service focuses on game figurines.
Unusual 3D Designs from Think3D
Another 3D model repository? Yes, but this one is slightly different.
3DPrintTech Automatically Chops Up 3D Models
Have you ever wanted to 3D print an object that’s larger than your printer’s build volume? There’s a plugin for that.
MakerBot’s PrintShop
MakerBot has released “PrintShop”, a friendly iPad app with which you can generate your own 3D models.
A New Way to Search for 3D Models?
We’ve been testing out a new 3D model search service, 3DShap.es, which hopes to search by geometry instead of by text.
3D Printing and Outsourcing Solves Innovation Dilemma
3D printing saved the day by enabling an innovative product to be developed in record time.
Redpah’s 3D Models
We’re checking out another 3D model repository that’s specifically designed for printable 3D models: Redpah.
Need a Spare Part? 3D Print It!
MyMiniFactory is testing a different approach for attracting 3D print services: printing replacement parts for common household equipment.
3D File Market’s 3D Models
Another 3D model repository has appeared: 3D File Market.
uformit’s Adaptive 3D Print Service
We had a peek at format’s new technology in NYC earlier this year, but now everyone can make use of it as they’ve just launched their new 3D print site.
Museum Sells Its Collection – As 3D Prints
A deal between the Regional History Museum of Varna and Threeding enables the sale of many of the museum’s objects as 3D prints.
uformit Changing?
Oh oh. The uformit site is closed, but it seems like it could be for a good reason.
Thingiverse’s Customizable Tree
Thingiverse has released a new customizable tree model generator that should prove out a new 3D printing concept.
Bhold’s Boutique 3D Prints
3D printers may permit the creation of almost any object, but what object? The key to success is now good design, such as we found in Bhold’s collection.
Digital Playspace Goes to 3D Systems
At CES this year we were quite impressed with a gigantic dollhouse filled with 3D prints. Little did we know there was more to the story.
Project Shapeshifter Improves
Autodesk’s 123D initiative’s subproject, Project Shapeshifter, recently received a very exciting upgrade.
The Beautiful Objects of MakerShop
Need something to 3D print? Tired of endlessly scrolling through Thingiverse? If that’s the case, you might want to try MakerShop, an alternative source for freely downloadable 3D models. Like most Thingiverse competitors, MakerShop has a far more limited selection of models. The site is organized into “Shops” by individual designers. One shop we… Continue reading The Beautiful Objects of MakerShop
London’s Science Museum Goes Online with 3D Printing
The London Science Museum, whom we visited recently, is displaying a huge collection of 3D printed objects in their “3D Printing The Future” exhibit. That massive collection is apparently not sufficient for them, as they’ve launched a new Tumblr blog for folks to post pictures of their best 3D prints. And what a set… Continue reading London’s Science Museum Goes Online with 3D Printing
Interactive 3D Model Design with Digital Forming
We spoke with Lisa Harouni (yes, the Lisa Harouni of TED fame) regarding her new venture, Digital Forming. It’s a cloud service that provides an ability to interactively generate 3D models, which of course, can then be 3D printed. How does it work? After a designer develops a 3D model of an object or… Continue reading Interactive 3D Model Design with Digital Forming
The Stilnest Option
We had a chat with the nice folks from Stilnest, who operate an online 3D print store. Many such shops have recently emerged, so many that it’s getting difficult to distinguish them. So what does Stilnest do? They practice what we might call, “extreme curation”. Where other shops go for quantity, Stilnest focuses… Continue reading The Stilnest Option
123D Offers More 3D Content
One of the best introductory 3D toolsets you can use is Autodesk’s 123D Suite, particularly the 123D Design tool. But when you’re designing something, it’s often very helpful to begin your design with an existing model that you can modify. 123D does this by providing a library of thousands of starter models you can… Continue reading 123D Offers More 3D Content
Let’sMakeStuff
Yet another 3D print making-sharing-selling site has launched, Let’sMakeStuff. The site provides an ability for designers to sign up and submit 3D models for sale on the site, and for consumers to browse the site and select 3D models for purchase. The service also will 3D print items on request. It’s a basic… Continue reading Let’sMakeStuff
How to Easily Create 3D Models from 2D Images: Embossify
A new service provides an incredibly simple way to convert any 2D JPG image into a printable 3D model. Embossify accepts a JPG and quickly converts the file into a 3D mesh by using the contrasting colors as “height indicators”. You can see how it converted our logo into a simple 3D model above. … Continue reading How to Easily Create 3D Models from 2D Images: Embossify
The 3D Prints and Models of Maker6
We’re looking at a new service for 3D printer owners and users, Maker6. The site operates primarily as a source of 3D models, prints and printers for anyone seeking a print. There are three ways to use Maker6: Purchase a 3D print by selecting a design. It will be printed and sent to you… Continue reading The 3D Prints and Models of Maker6
Matter.io’s Remix: BETA Invitation
We’ve received a special code from Matter.io for Fabbaloo readers to enter the private BETA test of their new service, Remix. Remix permits simple remixing of 3D models for export or 3D printing. The service is entirely online and has one of the most responsive 3D browser displays we’ve yet seen. Starting with a… Continue reading Matter.io’s Remix: BETA Invitation
3DTin’s New Owners
One of the very few browser-based 3D modeling tools has changed hands. 3DTin has been acquired by Montreal-based 3D startup Lagoa. Lagoa focuses on solving the problem of 3D requiring high-end computing power, which typically isn’t available on the increasingly frequent ultra-portable laptops. People love the portability, but 3D just doesn’t work so well… Continue reading 3DTin’s New Owners
Big Step to Reduce Materials in 3D Printing
One of the reasons 3D printing remains expensive is because so much material is required to create a structurally sound part. Soon, 3D prints might be getting cheaper due to a new technique that enhances a part’s structure while reducing material. A paper written by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of… Continue reading Big Step to Reduce Materials in 3D Printing
GitHub Offers Visual 3D Model Diffs
If you’ve not heard of GitHub, it is a very popular online software repository service. You can store and share the code for a project and track changes that occur by creating versions and “branches” for production and test use. One of the most important features is “diffs”: the ability to “see” changes in the… Continue reading GitHub Offers Visual 3D Model Diffs
Leopoly!
Leopoly is another web-based 3D sculpting tool that can create 3D printable objects. What makes Leopoly unique? We think it is quite easy to use; almost anyone could rapidly create interesting 3D objects with no prior use of the tool. It’s basically self-explanatory: the controls are all within a command wheel composed of easy… Continue reading Leopoly!
Thing-a-ma-Print, A 3D Model Repository
We’ve noticed another 3D model repository dedicated to printable models: Thing-a-ma-Print. Currently the site holds only 50 or so 3D models, but each model is indeed 3D printable. The content of the site appears to be focused on 3D printer parts, such as the M5 Nut Thumb Wheel or the Hot-End Exit Duct for… Continue reading Thing-a-ma-Print, A 3D Model Repository
Need to 3D Print a Striped Hyena Skull?
To be truthful, we haven’t had the impulse to 3D print a Striped Hyena Skull. At least so far this week. But in case you do, we’ve found a repository that holds detailed 3D models of numerous biological items, mainly 3D scanned skulls. Digimorph, part of the National Science Foundation Digital Libraries Initiative, is… Continue reading Need to 3D Print a Striped Hyena Skull?
The Thing Tracker Proposal
How many things are there? It seems like a silly question, but hear us out. There are many possible things. An infinite number of them, in fact. With the availability of 3D printers and 3D modeling software, it is now possible to create, literally, an infinite number of things. This is the problem facing… Continue reading The Thing Tracker Proposal
3-Sweep Creates 3D Models from 2D Images
In an incredible video presented at SigGraph Asia 2013, researchers demonstrated an amazing new method of deriving full 3D models from only 2D images. The 3-Sweep software appears easy to use: simply drag your mouse across an image to cue the software to create a 3D model. The specific motion of the mouse drags… Continue reading 3-Sweep Creates 3D Models from 2D Images
FabMe.it Launches
Another 3D model sharing site has launched, FabMe.it. The site operates in what is now becoming a standard business model: 3D designers upload their designs to the service for sale to the public. Presumably FabMe.it takes a portion of the sales, which for the models we inspected, seem to be priced around €0.99 (USD$1.30). … Continue reading FabMe.it Launches
123D Design Gets Better
For those of you using Autodesk’s free 3D modeling utility, 123D Design, there is very good news: a new version has been released. The new version includes some very key features that were lacking until now: The ability to import existing STL files, critical for handling 3D scans captured elsewhere Text! You can… Continue reading 123D Design Gets Better
eBay Launches 3D Printing App
eBay, known for its auction and sales system, stepped deeply into 3D printing by launching a 3D print iOS app. The app (and service) isn’t revolutionary as it is similar to services launched by many 3D print companies, which provide a means to customize and print an object. eBay Exact permits users to browse… Continue reading eBay Launches 3D Printing App
Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
With all the new printable 3D model shops opening online, you’d wonder how they can possibly distinguish one from another. We’ve been examining Cuboyo and found they offer a convenient online experience for 3D model shopping. The site contains only printable 3D models, greatly simplifying the shopping experience from typical and numerous 3D model… Continue reading Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
3D printing is taking off, if one believes the signals seen this year. Another milestone was reached last week by popular repository Thingiverse, who declared they now have over 100,000 3D models available. Thingiverse also released several interesting statistics. Apparently the number of models rose by 20,000 in just the past month. At this… Continue reading How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Over the past year Cubify has periodically released web apps for you to create customized designs. Some of the apps permit download of STL files for printing on your home 3D printer, and we suspect Cubify is hoping you’ll do it on your Cube 3D printer, even though the STL models could print on other… Continue reading It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Hands On With The FinishingTouch Smoothing Station
If you’re 3D printing with plastic filament, you’ll be familiar with the layered effect, where progressive extrusions accumulate into an object. The object has the correct shape, but has unsightly ridges. What to do? You can eliminate ridges with the Acetone technique, but it’s relatively dangerous, as acetone is flammable and generally not very… Continue reading Hands On With The FinishingTouch Smoothing Station
Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
Unless you’re a capable 3D designer, you’ll have to find pre-made 3D models to send to your 3D printer. This can be problematic for a couple of reasons: searching for non-textual items is always difficult; there are an increasing number of 3D model repositories to search. The latter is partially solved by the strangely… Continue reading Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
3D Hacker’s Many Services
We were contacted by Andrew Mazzotta, who, with Adam Pirie, have created “3D Hacker”, a multipurpose website serving the needs of the 3D printing community. The website acts much like a “3D Printing Kijiji”, where members can add listings in several categories, such as: parts, kits, printers, software, tools, tutorials, jobs, events, clubs and… Continue reading 3D Hacker’s Many Services
FabFabbers Opens
Yet another 3D model sharing site has opened: FabFabbers. Like many such repositories, FabFabbers permits members to upload models, showcase them in listings for download by visitors. But what differentiates this repository from the rest? There are two features we found particularly interesting: uploaded models can actually be stored on GitHub, which is a… Continue reading FabFabbers Opens
Dynamic 3D Model Apps: Open or Closed?
It’s become apparent that dynamic models are a lot more fun than static models for 3D printing. Wait, what’s a dynamic model? A static model is simply a digital 3D model that is the same for everyone. A nice bracelet, for example. A dynamic model is one that’s created for you at the… Continue reading Dynamic 3D Model Apps: Open or Closed?