Getting a File for 3D Printing

WHAT CAN YOU PRINT?

There are three sources for 3D print files:

• Download existing design files
• Design (or edit) your own 3D files
• Scan existing objects to create a 3D file

     These files will almost always be in STL format.  The STL (stereolithography) file format is the starting point for 3D printing. STL files are produced by 3D scanners and many 3D design programs, and it's the format of the downloadable 3D printing files found online.

Download existing files.
The best site for finding existing (and free) STL files is Thingiverse.com.  The site has thousands of 3D files.  It's searchable and there are some tabs for different categories such as Education.  After you've selected a file, you'll be taken to the item page where you'll find lots of helpful information about printing the object.  To download the object, click on the Thing Files tab.  There you'll see the download link.  Things to watch out for:  Make sure you choose the latest version of the file, make sure it's the STL file (sometimes there are files for laser cutters), and make sure you choose the files you want/need - some objects may be comprised of several pieces, each having its own file.

Design/edit your own files.
There are several free online sites for designing your own 3D files. Cookiecaster.com is a free online site that lets you freehand draw or trace from image simple cookiecutter shapes.  You can then download the file for 3D printing.  The site also has a large gallery of already designed cookie cutters you can download for free.  Tinkercad.com is a free site for 3D design and editing.  It's very easy to use and there are lots of youtube tutorials that will show you how to do a variety of tasks.  You should create an account (just your e-mail and a password, no charge) so that you can save your files.  You can design from the start or you can import an existing 3D file Thingiverse or Cookiecaster and edit/re-design the file.

Scan an object to create a 3D file.
There are several different ways to scan an object and create a 3D file.  There are desktop scanners (which can be expensive) as well as a scanner that attaches to an IPad.  There are also apps that let you use your phone as a 3D scanner.  This link will take you to a review of the best phone scanners.  The top free app is Qlone.