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3D Printing Templates
Use existing 3D models
There is a good chance that your desired object already exists as a printable model. Thanks to the growing popularity of 3D printing, there are now a large number of platforms and databases on the Internet through which designers make their finished 3D templates available to others free of charge or for a small fee. Some of these are also exchange platforms for 3D models.
If you find what you are looking for among the templates provided, you can save yourself the trouble of designing your own 3D model. Instead, an existing template can be used one-to-one or further elaborated according to one's own ideas. Either way, this approach saves a lot of time, because there is no need for time-consuming 3D designs or the generation of data by means of 3D scanning.
Advantages of 3D Printing Templates
- Inspiration from other 3D designers
- Time saving
- Own software not mandatory
3D templates for free or for a small price
Platforms for downloading (often) free 3D models
- Thingiverse.com
- Cults3d.com
- MyMinifactory.com
- GrabCAD.com
Download and Use 3D Printing Templates
Most models are available in the common 3D file format STL. If you have found a suitable 3D template, you can simply download it in the next step. Some platforms require registration for this, even if the files are offered free of charge.
Before further use of the 3D template, it is advisable to take a look at the terms and conditions of use of the respective platform to ensure that all conditions and restrictions are met. Often, the models are published with the so-called Creative Commons license, whereby creators explicitly allow others interested in 3D printing to reuse their works. Depending on the intended use, however, fees may be charged for 3D printing templates that are basically free of charge if they are to be used in the commercial sector.
