As a 3D-printing enthusiast, at some point, you will have no time to design or redesign your STL models because of your lack of knowledge and resources.
Fortunately, you can download free STL files from several great online resources. Various online platforms offer STL files for free or at a cost. Even sites will print your model and send it directly to you. If you know how to make 3D Prints then you can save a lot of money by just getting a right 3D printer from trusted resources like https://printerdeets.com and start printing from the very first day.
The Internet is filled with free STL files repositories, 3D model marketplaces, and search engines for 3D design. Those interested in 3D Printing need 3D printable models (preferably in STL format, the most commonly used format).
These websites offer a high probability of finding something inspiring! There is no need to spend a lot of money to get amazing 3D models since most of the repositories on this list are free or partially free.
There are many different STL files available for download for free online. The sites listed below are some great resources to find free STL models.
Cults
In France, a 3D printer file marketplace and community-based, Cults allow makers to buy and share free STL files. In addition to high-quality 3D printers, Cults’ collection of 475,000-plus models is equally impressive in terms of presentation. Of these items, 238,000 are free downloadable.
The creators can be followed, or users can be informed when new creations are posted. The cults behind some of the most popular big-name brands also offer curated collections (IKEA hacks, toys, video games, or bike accessories, for example). Besides English, French, and Spanish, the website also supports German.
Thingiverse
Likely, you have already visited Thingiverse if you have been following 3D printing for even a brief period. Among the largest online communities of 3D printer users, Thingiverse is unquestionably the largest repository of free 3D printer files.
Almost all files on the site are under licenses such as open-source and fair use. The community guidelines on Thingiverse are very strict, and this is why some content, such as models with guns, is not hosted as per the guidelines.
Appetizer
3D printable models are available on the Shapetizer marketplace. It was launched in 2015. Thousands of designer worldwide upload, share, and sell 3D designs here.
The 3D designer receives a portion of the revenue from Shapetizer, which handles manufacturing, shipping, and marketing. If the model is free, registered users can 3D print it. A few 3D models cannot be downloaded from the Internet because their intellectual property has been protected.
Pinshape
Manufacturers and designers publish more than 70,000 2D and 3D models daily on Pinshape. You can download and print free and premium models directly from the platform. Those who sell their designs are financially rewarded.
A new acquisition by Formlabs in 2016 provides Pinshape with the opportunity to learn more about the technologies and applications of 3D Printing and provide guides and articles about 3D Printing. The platform directly suggests a few famous designers and some trendy 3D models.
Autodesk Online Gallery
With a trusted brand like Autodesk, you can find free STL files and models everywhere, but you have to search a lot for those you can download. In addition to that, the website includes a variety of 3D printing tools and apps. This site has a great community, and it offers detailed information on each model. Add it to your bookmarks today.
MyMiniFactory
About 150,000 3D printer files are available on MyMiniFactory, a space where gamers, role-players, and geeks can access 3D printer files. A 3D printer and accessories online store called iMakr have close ties with the company.
There are free and paid 3D printer files available on the site that professional designers have made. As part of their service offerings, they often challenge 3D designers, and “Scan the World” delivers a collection of free STL files based on cultural heritage. Since 2018, creators can use MyMiniFactory’s premium store to showcase their work and earn revenue.
Zortrax.com
A Zortrax model also includes an online library previously only available to Zortrax model owners who owned 3D printers. A Zortrax ID is all that’s required to download free STL files from this company’s excellent repository. It is a good thing that the company has opened up its high-quality repositories to the public.
Zortrax’s library falls under several categories: arts and design, fashion, medical, automotive, aerospace, and many more. In most cases, the STL files mentioned here are optimized for Zortrax 3D printers, yet they are compatible with any FDM 3D printer.
Yeggi
Search engine Yeggi was launched in 2013 for 3D printable files. They offer a large selection of 3D files for 3D Printing by aggregating models from various 3D communities and marketplaces. The most popular 3D models are displayed on Yeggi’s homepage.
There are some basic filters available for further refinement. Using the Yeggi free STL file search engine, users can save 3D models and receive notifications of new releases. Accounts can also be created to save their favorite 3D models.
STLFinder
You will be prompted with a very basic STLFinder page once you log in: a search bar where you enter the name of the 3D file you are looking for. You can search across multiple websites for all models relating to your search with the platform. With STLFinder, you will be able to compare designs across the web using a search engine.
Rather than searching ten sites simultaneously for finding free STL files, you can compare one design across the web! In addition to identifying each 3D file on the source platform, STL finder also provides instructions for downloading and printing each file so that users can download them and print them.
Instructables
Autodesk, Inc. runs the website Instructables, a how-to resource for makers. You might love this website if you’re into DIY projects. Instructable projects are available for download with step-by-step instructions and downloadable project files. It also has a fun community! Hence, Instructables are one of the best spots to look for new projects on the web.
