
*** Fusion 360 - This software is an entry level computer aided design (CAD) program, which is easy for beginners to learn and has enough advanced features for those who have experience with design. There are a number of tutorials accessible from your account's dashboard and the Autodesk Tinkercad YouTube Channel is also a great way to help users get acquainted with the tools. Working primarily with geometric shapes, and block letters and numbers, it provides an excellent introduction to 3D design for all ages. *** Tinkercad - This software is a simple, online 3D design and printing tool for the masses. They can be extremely helpful! For Beginners This might just be a mental process you go through before you dive into your chosen 3D modeling software, but don't discount old-fashioned drawings. Design Your Own With 3D Modeling SoftwareģD modeling always starts with an idea or concept and almost always starts with a draft of what the final object might look like. YouMagine - Small, but growing gallery that contains unique and interesting 3D models.Īdditional repositories: 3D Content Central, 3D Warehouse (Sketchup), Blend Swap (Blender), GrabCAD, MyMiniFactory, NIH 3D Print Exchange, and Smithsonian 3D Digitization. Thingiverse - Makerbot's searchable library of 3D printed models and designs. Thangs & Yeggi - 3D model search engines that search across dozens of online 3D model communities. Printables - You can download models without an account, but registering for a free account lets you publish your own models and take part in the Printables community, contests, groups and special events. Please see the Check For/Repair Errors post for more information.

The following tips will help you determine which ones are: The most important piece of information to look for are photos of a completed 3D print.Īfter downloading a model from an online repository, we recommend checking it for errors.

(We recommend learning about Creative Commons licenses so you know which copyright permissions creators are giving users and which they are reserving for themselves.)īE AWARE! Not all 3D models found online are fit for 3D printing. Not ready to design your own 3D models? No problem! You can search for pre-existing models on the internet to print.
