Where can I find free STL files for 3D printers?

Nov 9

Best Sites for STL Files

Take a look at some of the best sites to find free STL files for 3D printing. For 3D file Servers or repositories, size matters. The more 3D printing files, usually the more interesting the database. However, user experience is also an important factor: filters, 3D visualizers, active community, etc.

Only a handful of them match those criteria, and most sites have the same 3D models appear on a regular basis.

Here’s a shortlist of the most popular and best free STL file websites with fresh content:

Cults
MyMiniFactory
Pinshape

In our table, these 3D model repositories have a trophy emoji. All of them are 100% dedicated to 3D printing. They offer a wide choice of downloadable 3D models that are ready to 3D printed and a good user experience.

(You can also 3D model your own objects with tools like Fusion 360

Overview of the best websites to download STL files and 3D designs for 3D printing

We are focusing on our favorite 3D-printing-friendly websites. Here is a list of 3D printable file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that we think are great for 3D printing.

Thingiverse (Currently Hacked 2021) By MakerBot

Thingiverse was launched in 2008 by MakerBot and has grown to become one of today’s biggest 3D printing communities in the world. Users of all levels can upload, share, and download 3D printable models for free. Thingiverse also hosts 3D design challenges quite often.

Furthermore, this 3D file repository has a very active community interacting in the many discussion groups of the platform. The conversation topics vary from specific 3D printer models, to Star Wars, RepRap, and more.

Cults

Cults is a French 3D printing marketplace that launched in 2014. This 3D printer file marketplace is available in English, French, and Spanish and offers both free and paid 3D models. Users can interact with each other, ask questions, and save their favorite 3D designs for a later 3D print. Cults also introduced an on-demand 3D design feature where users can request a custom 3D design, which a professional designer then creates for a fee.

Pinshape By Formlabs

Pinshape was launched in 2014 and offers free and premium (paid) models for 3D printing. The site supports STL and OBJ formats and ZIP files containing STL or OBJ files. Pinshape was acquired by resin 3D printer manufacturer Formlabs in 2016 after announcing they had run out of funds. Close call, for the greater good of the 3D printing community! They offer an interesting file streaming option, allowing users to edit, slice, and 3D print a 3D model directly from Pinshape without downloading the 3D model file.

YouMagine By Ultimaker

YouMagine was created in 2013 by Ultimaker and has over 15,000 open-source 3D designs. Users may upload, share, and download 3D models.The 3D designs are free and 3D printable on any 3D printer. This STL file repository features various collections to help users find inspiration and the right 3D design.

MyMiniFactor By MyMiniFactory

MyMiniFactory was launched in 2013 and is an STL file repository entirely dedicated to 3D printable designs. With the help of its community, MyMiniFactory tests every 3D model. Hence, the platform guarantees that any 3D design in its repository is 100% 3D printable.

The website is available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Chinese. MyMiniFactory regularly hosts contests.

Yeggi By Yeggi

Yeggi is a popular search engine for 3D printable files that launched in 2013. They aggregate 3D models from many 3D communities and marketplaces to offer a large choice of files for 3D printing. Yeggi’s homepage highlights the most searched and clicked 3D models.

It is also possible to use some basic filters to narrow the search. On the Yeggi STL file search engine, users may create an account to save their favorite 3D models and get notifications on new releases.

Shapetizer By Shapetizer

Shapetizer is a digital marketplace for STL files and 3D printable models that launched in 2015. Designers from all over the world are uploading, sharing, and selling their 3D designs here.

Shapetizer does the manufacturing, shipping, and marketing, and gives part of the revenue to the 3D designer. Registered users can 3D print models for free, or not, depending on the 3D design.

To protect designers’ intellectual property on 3D designs, some 3D models are only are available via a streaming option and not for download.

Threeding By Threeding

Threeding is an online 3D printing marketplace, founded in 2013, offering free and paid 3D printable models. You can upload, share or sell and download 3D models.

All the 3D designs are classified into categories to help with the research process. In addition, there are filters to refine the search (price, file format, and texture). Threeding also provides a 3D printing service, so users who don’t have access to a 3D printer may order their favorite 3D models.

Bonus

NASA offers an STL file repository from which users can download 3D printable models to make space-related items such as satellites, planets, or spaceships. A must for space geeks!
Africanfossils.org is a 3D file database where there are many free 3D models of African fossils, from animals to ancient tools.

If you’re a 3D designer, where can I sell my 3D models or STL files?

There are plenty of websites where you can sell your 3D printable file or 3D model. Whether for 3D design wizards or hobbyists with good 3D modeling skills, many 3D file marketplaces allow users to put their 3D models up for sale.

The principle is simple: when a user downloads a 3D model, the designer receives earnings (minus the marketplace’s commission).

Some 3D designers choose to share their 3D models for free, but in return ask for financial support on collaborative platforms such as Patreon.

For example, the designer Agustin Flowalistik offers his 3D designs for free on C u lts., Thingiverse, YouMagine, and MyMiniFactory but accepts support on Patreon.

The best websites and marketplaces to sell 3D models

Here are a few of our favorite 3D print file marketplaces.

Cults.

Their commission is 20% of the selling price (excluding VAT), which includes bank fees (about 5% of the commission).

Pinshape

Pinshape adds 30% of the designer’s price, so the commission is paid by the buyer and not the designer.

Threeding

The standard commission fee rate is 8.5% of the sale price (minimum $0.45) including VAT. However, this commission may be lower for non-profit organizations such as museums, schools, foundations, private collectors, etc. The commission may be higher if Threeding helps prepare the models in a 3D-printing-friendly format.

Embodi3D

Embodi3D receives 15% of the sale price, plus $0.30 per sale (transaction fee). This website is specialized in medical STL models.

What are the most common file formats for 3D printing?

STL

The STL format is the most common file format in 3D printing. STL stands for stereolithography and is originally a 3D Systems creation. It is the main 3D file format used for FFF and FDM desktop 3D printers.

This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles: the more triangles, the more accurate the 3D design.

OBJ

OBJ is an open file format that Wavefront’s Advanced Visualizer uses for polygonal or free-form objects. Many design software can export to OBJ and this format is also common in 3D printing.

VRML

VRML stands for “Virtual Reality Modeling Language”. VRML is a 3D digital file format that supports color. Therefore, full-color 3D printers or dual extruder 3D printers may use this format.

AMF

AMF stands for Additive Manufacturing File Format and is becoming more and more standard in 3D printing. AMF supports color. Most of all, it is possible to compress AMF files to about half the size of an STL file.

G-Code

G-Code is a numerical language used to instruct CNC (computer numerical control) machines, including 3D printers. In the case of 3D printers, the G-Code is the actual file that the 3D printer reads.

The G-Code file contains the instructions for the 3D printer to build the object layer by layer (starting point, the direction and the speed of the nozzle, etc.). It is possible to generate G-Code files from STL files or other formats using slicer software.

Slicing software converts 3D drawings into horizontal layers with instructions for the 3D printer.

How to download an STL file?

Downloading STL files is a very easy process. Here are the steps:

Go to a 3D model repository/marketplace (see our list above)
Find a 3D design using the filters or the search bar (if there are a lot of “likes” on a 3D design it usually means it’s good)
Click on the 3D model and read all the characteristics to make sure that’s the one
Click on download

How to open an STL file?

To open an STL file, there are two main options:

STL viewer: there are many free ones online, without having to download any software.
3D design software: after downloading the software, it is possible to open an STL file and edit it.

In this article, we focus on STL file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that are the most compatible with 3D printing. It is our selection (with the trophy emoji) of the best websites to download free STL files for 3D printing. However, there are many more to choose from in our comprehensive table.

There are thousands of excellent 3D printable models on the web! What are your favorite websites to download STL files?

Model by Print That Thing on Pinshape.

However, there are many more to choose from in our comprehensive table. There are thousands of excellent 3D printable models on the web! What are your favorite websites to download STL files? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

FAQ

What file format is used for 3D printing?

The most common 3D printing file format that a 3D printer uses is GCode. This file type is a set of instructions for the 3D printer (temperature, movements, etc.) generated by slicing software from a 3D file format (STL, OBJ, AMF, 3MF, and more). STL is the most popular 3D file format.

What does STL file mean? What is the STL file format?

An STL file is a 3D model of a particular object in 3D design software. STL stands for Stereolithography, as it was the file developed for the world’s first 3D printers, which used stereolithography technology.

How do I make an STL file?

To make an STL file, users need 3D modeling software such as AutoCAD, Tinkercad, Blender, etc. Once the 3D model is created, it’s possible to choose different export formats, including STL.

Are there any sites similar to Thingiverse?

There are over 50 sites similar to Thingiverse, such as Cults, Pinshape, and MyMiniFactory.

WEBSITE PRICE

3D Warehouse Free

GrabCAD Free

Thangs Free

STL Finder Free/Paid

Yeggi Free/Paid

Zimple Free/Paid

Sketchfab Free/Paid

Thingiverse Free

Thangs Free/Paid

CGTrader Free/Paid

Cults. Free/Paid

PrintMeASheep Free/Paid

Free3D Free/Paid

My Mini Factory Free/Paid

TurboSquid Free/Paid

CGStudio Free/Paid

Pinshape Free/Paid

Hum3D Free/Paid

3Dupndown Free/Paid

FlatPyramid Paid

YouMagine Free

3DExport Free/Pai

PARTcloud.net

XYZprinting 3D Gallery

NIH 3D Print Exchange

3D Orchard Free

Embodi3D Free/Paid

Threeding Free/Paid

Redpah Free/Paid

3DfindIT Free

PrusaPrinters Free

3Dfilemarket Free/Paid

Tridimensia Free/Paid

Repables Free

STLHive Free/Paid

Gambody Free/Paid

3DaGoGo Free/

PaidLibre3D Free

Polar Cloud Free

3Demon Free/Paid

africanfossils.org

CG Sci-Fi Free/Paid

NASA Free

Rinkak Free/Paid

Pileprint Free

3DKitbash PaidZ

ortrax Library Free

3dsha.re Free/Paid

Fabbly Free/Paid

Instructables Free

Shapetizer Free/Paid

Tinkercad Free

3DVIA Free

3D-pocket Paid

Happy3D.fr Free

MakePrintable Free

Wazp Spark Paid

Ryan DeWitt