How do you decide what to print and what sites do you use to find free files? Im having a hard time finding 3d prints and the harder part is picking a file i like.
How do you decide what to print and what sites do you use to find free files? Im having a hard time finding 3d prints and the harder part is picking a file i like.
I mainly use my printer as a tool to solve problems, so my decision process is very much grounded in arriving at a solution as opposed to just finding something to keep the machine busy.
My usual approach is to cast a wide net and go through all the models* that might do what I’m looking for. If I’m lucky, I’ll find something that I like enough to print. If not I’ll use it as a brainstorming session and either pick out a model or two that I can adapt (or at the very least pull critical dimensions) or get a feel for what I’d like to do differently. From there, it’s off to CAD where I’ll fire off slivers and prototypes until I’m happy with the fit and function of my part.
*printables is my go-to, but sometimes I’ll wander over to thingiverse if I want more options (and know I’m not working on something bespoke)
Feels like most high quality results are on printables these days. Thingiverse used to be the go-to so they’ve got a lot of models from the early days, so it’s worth checking.
Makerworld seems to be drawing a lot of the newer crowd due to their huge sponsorship push on influencers, so they have a growing audience as well.
If you’re looking for a functional part (not strictly art or models) it’s probably on one of those three.