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FREE 3D MODELS TO 3D PRINT

Dwight Mitchell • Oct 28, 2022

10+ Websites Where You Can Find Free 3D Models to 3D Print

Digital files that can be read by a computer are known as “digital media.” These files can be stored online and accessed through the Internet.

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in websites offering free 3D models to download and 3D print at home.

The sites listed in this article are some of the best resources for free 3D models you can use to make your own digital art, toys, puzzles, prototypes for testing your ideas, or even finished products you want to sell.

Read on to learn more about where you can find free 3D models and what their limitations might be.

What Exactly Is a 3D Model?

A 3D model is a digital representation of an object in a 3D space. Through 3D modeling, a designer can create different versions of an object, edit them to meet their needs, and then print those designs in the real world using a 3D printer.

A 3D model can be translated into a digital file for printing. There are many different types of 3D models you can use for 3D printing, and you can also convert images and drawings into 3D models for printing.

Depending on the materials used to 3D print the model, a 3D model can be rigid or flexible, durable or fragile, and lightweight or heavy. There are many different types of 3D models you can use for 3D printing.

You can use specialized software to create your own models from scratch or use a 3D scanner to digitize an existing object. 3D modeling, 3D scanning, and 3D printing all fall under the category of 3D design and engineering.

These skills are used by people in a variety of professions, including product design, architecture, engineering, art, and graphic design.

The design process for 3D printing a model may include doing any of the following to create a digital representation of the model: sketching ideas, creating a wireframe model, 3D modeling in software, and/or printing a prototype.

Where to Find Free 3D Models for Printing

There are many advantages to using online services to find your models, including a wide variety of models to choose from and the ability to download them instantly.

Here are some of the best websites to find free 3D models for 3D printing.

- Thingiverse - This is the oldest website on this list and one of the largest collections of free 3D models available today. It boasts more than 30 million 3D models, including models for 3D printing, 3D scanning, and 3D designing. It is owned by Autodesk, a software company that produces 3D design software.

- Pinshape - Hosted by Autodesk and focused on 3D printing, this site has been growing rapidly over the last few years. It is currently the largest host of 3D printing models available online.

- MyMiniFactory - This site is owned by an online media company based in Amsterdam. It offers 3D models for 3D printing, 3D scanning, and 3D designing in exchange for a small fee.

- Cults3D - This website is operated by the German online media company and 3D printing service, i.d.w. They provide access to a wide range of 3D models, including those designed by professional architects and designers.

- CG Tutorials - This website provides access to 3D models designed specifically to help users learn 3D design skills. The models are free, but you will need to create an account and log in to download them.

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Limitations of 3D Models Found Online

When you download a 3D model from an online service, you won’t know how reliable that model is. You won’t know if the model is missing parts, if it doesn’t fit together properly, or if the design is unsafe. The model you download may not be legal to use or may violate someone else’s intellectual property rights.

Some of the model websites may also contain models that are inappropriate for children. Be sure to only download models that are safe and legal to use before sharing them with young people. Each website has different policies regarding what types of models are allowed on their websites, so be sure to read the terms of service before you download a model.

Another limitation of online model websites is that you might have difficulty finding a model that meets your specific needs. If you need a model that doesn’t exist on a website, you can always create your own using a 3D design program.

Websites That Only Offer Paid 3D Models

These websites only offer models that are available for purchase instead of offering free 3D models for download. You will have to pay for the models you download from these sites. Some of the sites offer monthly subscriptions where you can stream as many models as you want.

These sites may seem like a poor choice for free 3D models, but you can often find a wide variety of unique models that you won’t find anywhere else. You can also use these sites to find models to use for marketing or for creating product prototypes for testing your ideas.

- Sketchfab - This website was one of the first to offer 3D models for sale. It boasts a wide range of models from commercial products to artistic creations. Some of the models are free and some require payment.

- TurboSquid - This website is owned by Autodesk and focused on providing a wide variety of 3D models for commercial use. It offers a wide range of 3D models across many different categories, including architecture, characters, clothing, and props.

- CG Traders - This website offers a large selection of 3D models for commercial use. You can find models for games, films, and other media projects.

- Turbosquid - This website offers 3D models for commercial use across a wide range of categories. You can find architectural models, clothing models, and other objects.

Websites where you can find Free 3D Models to 3D Print

These websites only offer free models. You can only download these models if you don’t mind that they don’t meet your specific needs. You can use these models to create digital art, toys, puzzles, prototypes for testing your ideas, or even finished products that you want to sell. The only limitation is that you must use these models in digital designs.

You can’t print these models on a 3D printer.

- Pexels - This website provides access to a large collection of free stock images and audio, including free 3D models. You can search the website for models that meet your specific needs.

- Free 3D Models - This website features free 3D models created by the website owner. You can use the models for non-commercial purposes.

- Bittbox - This website focuses on providing free 3D models for video games. You can find models for environments, objects, characters, and more. - Polygon - This website is owned by Vox Media, Inc., an online media company that owns many different websites. Polygon specializes in digital art and design.

- Free 3D Models - This website provides access to a wide range of free 3D models. You can use the models for non-commercial, personal, and commercial use.

Free 3D Models in various formats

You can find a wide variety of 3D models online, and some websites offer models in a wide range of different file formats that you can download and use as soon as you find them.

These formats include:

- STL - This is the most common file format used in 3D printing. It is a simple format that is easy to edit and read by a computer. You can read more about this file format in our article about the most common 3D printing file types.

- OBJ - This is another common file format used in 3D printing.

- DAE - This file format is used in computer-assisted design and engineering software. It can contain many different types of data, including 3D models.

- VRML - This file format is very similar to DAE and is used for 3D modeling.

Conclusion

Many websites offer free 3D models for download and use. Be sure to read the terms of service before you download a model to make sure it is safe and legal to use.

While some websites only offer paid 3D models, you can still use these websites to find unique models that you won’t find anywhere else.

You can use these models to create digital art, toys, puzzles, prototypes for testing

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