A new open source tool may eventually revolutionize how 3D models are distributed.
thingiverse
Can Printables Catch Thingiverse? Growth Analysis Suggests a Long Road Ahead
I did some projections on the growth of Thingiverse and Printables to see which one will become the biggest 3D model repository.
Alternatives to Thingiverse, 2024 Edition
There are many online sources for printable 3D content, but where are they?
Revitalizing Thingiverse: Ultimaker’s Latest Improvements Revealed
UltiMaker announced some significant improvements to Thingiverse.
Design of the Week: Filament Winder
This week’s selection is the Filament umspulen by Thingiverse contributor Georg Wittschier
Monetize Your 3D Designs: Exploring Prusa’s New Printables Clubs
Prusa Research has launched their “club” feature on Printables.
UltiMaker Software Integration: Unraveling the Future of their Combined Environments
I’ve been wondering how UltiMaker will tie together their software environments, which could be quite interesting.
The Rise of Memberships: Monetizing 3D Model Repositories for the Future
3D model repositories seem to be shifting into a common monetization mode: memberships.
The Future of 3D Model Repositories: Shifting Markets and Potential Changes
After Prusa Research’s announcement of a Printables monetization feature earlier this week, I had some thoughts about the future of 3D model repositories.
Prusa’s Next Big Move: Premium Content on Printables
Prusa Research is on the verge of launching a premium content feature on Printables, marking a strategic move in the competition against Thingiverse.
Inside UltiMaker’s Thingiverse Makeover: What’s New & Improved?
It’s a question on everyone’s lips: What has UltiMaker been doing with Thingiverse?
What’s Next for YouMagine After UltiMaker Merger?
What has become of YouMagine?
Thingiverse’s Revival: A New Beginning Under UltiMaker’s Wing
Things could be looking up for Thingiverse.
Major Problems Ahead for 3D Model Repositories?
There could be a huge problem for 3D model repositories like Printables, Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory and others in the very near future.
Quickly Find Any 3D Model with Thangs AI-Based 2D Search
Thangs announced a new AI-powered search function that could make finding 3D models incredibly simple.
UltiBot or MakerMaker: Ultimaker and MakerBot to Merge
In a surprising announcement this morning, it appears that Ultimaker and MakerBot are to merge into a single entity.
Question of the Week: How To Get 3D Models For Printing?
This week’s question is about obtaining or making 3D models for printing.
Thingiverse’s New Five Second Delay Riles Users
MakerBot implemented changes to Thingiverse that make some users very unhappy.
MakeWithTech Launches Thingiverse Customizer
A third-party customizer service can handle Thingiverse 3D models.
3D Printing Implications of Sesame’s Street’s Education Initiatives
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger look at how a children’s TV show pivot could make good use of 3D printing technology.
Prusa’s New Rewards and Badging System: Wither Thingiverse?
Prusa Research announced unique reward and badging systems for their PrusaPrinters site, and there are some very interesting implications.
MakerBot Provides Update On Thingiverse Security Breach
MakerBot provided a detailed disclosure of a data leak from last October.
Alternatives to Thingiverse, 2021 Edition
There are many online sources for printable 3D content, but where are they?
More On The Thingiverse Security Breach
I’ve learned more about the Thingiverse security breach we reported on yesterday, and it could be not as bad as initially thought.
Change Your Passwords: Thingiverse Hacked!
News from haveibeenpwned.com indicates popular 3D model repository has been hacked.
Sizing Up The Major Printable 3D Model Repositories
One way to measure a printable 3D model repository is by the number of models.
Exploring Thingiverse With ThingstAR
A new iPad app hopes to solve the dilemma of Thingiverse access.
Migrating To MyMiniFactory: What Is Thingiverse’s Focus?
I’m watching a video of a designer explaining why he’s “quitting Thingiverse”, and this poses questions about MakerBot’s Thingiverse strategy.
Search Thingiverse: An Alternative Search For Thingiverse?
A tipster pointed us at a brand new service that can quickly search Thingiverse.
Yeggi Will Find That 3D Model For You
If you’re seeking a 3D model to print, there’s a great place to search called Yeggi.
Miele Distributing 3D Printable Attachments
Miele, the high-end German manufacturer of consumer goods, now offers downloadable 3D models for printing, some of which may fit your appliances.
Book of the Week: 66 DIY-Projects
This week’s selection is “66 DIY-Projects: 66 awesome projects to realize with a 3D printer For Beginners & Advanced!” by Johannes Wild.
Prusa Takes Aim At Thingiverse
Prusa Research seems to be taking aim at capturing the crown of 3D model repositories from Thingiverse with the help of a one-touch import tool.
Hands On With Thingiverse++
A Chrome Extension, Thingiverse++, can supercharge your Thingiverse 3D model browsing and download experience.
What To Do With Thingiverse?
Thingiverse is the largest printable 3D model repository on the planet, but it doesn’t seem to be progressing. We know why.
Question of the Week: Swiss Guard Helmet
Need a theatrical prop? Consider 3D printing it; but you will have to find a 3D model to do so. We present several alternatives for doing so.
Implications of Prusa’s New 3D Model Repository
I’m thinking a lot about Prusa’s new 3D model repository, and wondering what it might mean.
The Incredible New Services From Prusa
A new and potentially game-changing 3D model repository has appeared: PrusaPrinters.
Searching For 3D Models Is Still Painful
Ever since the appearance of personal 3D printing, there’s been an awful problem: searching for 3D models.
Much More On The World Of Tanks Thingiverse Incident
We recently published a story on an incident that caused many 3D models on Thingiverse to be removed. Now, we know a lot more.
Significant Purge of Thingiverse This Week
Thingiverse has dropped a number of 3D models from its repository, according to multiple reports.
What Is The Most 3D Printed Object?
I was reading an interesting piece by Bertier Luyt when a question arose.
Alternatives to Thingiverse, 2018 Edition
There are plenty of sites to find fabulous pre-made printable 3D models.
Whither Thingiverse, YouMagine and PinShape?
I had a difficult thought today: what is to become of several specific 3D model repositories in the future?
Possible Controversy on Thingiverse?
I found an interesting 3D model at Thingiverse, but then something happened.
Analyzed: Remixing 3D Models on Thingiverse
Thingiverse was perhaps the first repository of 3D models dedicated to 3D printing and making. Now we know a lot more about it.
What Is Stratasys Doing With Thingiverse, Anyway?
In 2013, Stratasys acquired MakerBot and all its assets. Besides the printer company, the deal also included Thingiverse.
Thingiverse Hits The Biggest Milestone
MakerBot’s in-house 3D model repository made history this week by achieving what no other 3D printable model site has done: one million models!
Snowden Bust Busted, But Revived with 3D Printing
A bust of controversial whistleblower Edward Snowden has migrated to a digital format, suitable for 3D printing.
What’s Happening At MakerBot?
A meteoric rise from nothing, corporate acquisition, management changes, layoffs and a new CEO. An interview with the new chief by Medium tells us about MakerBot’s plans.
3D Hubs Makes Another Big Connection
Last week 3D Hubs announced a deal with SketchFab. This week it’s with Thingiverse.
MakerBot’s Ready Apps
MakerBot has formalized their “customizer” capability in Thingiverse in a collection of “ready to go” applications that can quickly generate specific 3D models.
Thingiverse’s Groups Make Finding Models Much Easier
Thingiverse’s new Groups feature could vastly simplify use of the leading printable 3D model repository.
Have You Entered the Icebox Challenge?
FirstBuild is running an interesting challenge: develop a 3D printed solution involving a refrigerator.
The Dirty Details on a 3D Model Theft
We’re reading a very detailed account of the theft and exploitation of a 3D model theft that recently took place – and was successfully resolved.
Backlash to MakerBot’s Patents Grows
The knowledge that MakerBot has apparently patented designs given to them by their community is spreading and some folks are upset.
Has MakerBot Crossed The Line? For Some, Yes
Controversy this week regarding MakerBot’s aggressive patent filings. Why the controversy? Because the concepts were originally donated by supporters in good faith to further the cause of 3D printing. And now MakerBot has patented them.
Finally! Verified For 3D Printing
MakerBot’s 3D model service, Thingiverse, has announced a very important new feature: Verified Prints. It’s a certification program that attempts to indicate which 3D models on Thingiverse actually have a chance of being successfully 3D printed. We’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time, as one of the major complaints with… Continue reading Finally! Verified For 3D Printing
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
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!
Design of the Week: Filament Clip
This week’s selection is a purely functional design: the Filament Clip by Thingiverse maker Elk. There’s not much to say about its structure, because the value of this design is in its function. It simply holds the end of a filament against the spool, as you can see in this image by Thingiverse maker… Continue reading Design of the Week: Filament Clip
Dongiverse
Oh dear. This was bound to happen. There’s now a parody of 3D model repository Thingiverse called, “Dongiverse”. As you might expect, it appears to hold actual 3D models related to its eponymous title. The site seems to be a layer on top of Thingiverse, as it simply links visitors to selected items in… Continue reading Dongiverse
Testing the Customizer
The magic of 3D printing is that you can make something totally unique that has never existed before; something that’s just right for you. But how do you get the models to do this? One way is to make use of Thingiverse’s new Customizer feature. It’s an add-on to certain models that permits… Continue reading Testing the Customizer
Design of the Week: Voronoi Yoda
This week’s selection goes to 3D artist Dzingof, whose 3D Voronoi Yoda caught our eye. It’s a Yoda, definitely, but with a twist: it’s composed of an incredibly complex interior shape. The secret to this design is its voronoi, which is the method of generating the fill. According to Wikipedia, voronoi is: … Continue reading Design of the Week: Voronoi Yoda
Thingiverse Breaks Out In Apps!
It started as a simple free repository for patterns for personal making and then exploded into an overwhelming cacophony of 3D models. Thingiverse provides free content for 3D printing not only on MakerBot’s own line of 3D printers, but for any printer. That changes significantly as MakerBot CEO announced Thingiverse now includes programming… Continue reading Thingiverse Breaks Out In Apps!