Copy Express can do the rest. The question is where to find these models to print, or how create your own. We will tell you the where and how.

Sometimes there is no point in reinventing the wheel. For a lot of what people want to print, some one else has already created the STL file for printing. These can be found in online model libraries, many of which are run by makers of 3D printers or 3D software.  Depending on the creator (or website), you can download the files for free,  for other creators you have to buy the file. Some files are allowed to be altered to however you like, others you have to pay the creator to have changes made. Here’s are a few good starting places:

• Thingiverse, the starting point for everyone – http://www.thingiverse.com
• Cube Hero, another source for files – https://cubehero.com
• Yeggi, a serch engine for 3D printing files – http://www.yeggi.com
• 123D Design Gallery of modles – http://www.123dapp.com/Gallery
• CG Trader, a comerical supplier of high quality files.-   http://www.cgtrader.com
• 3D Content Central , For the more engering minded – http://www.3dcontentcentral.com
• Intructables, a general makers site that has a range of 3D printing files –http://www.instructables.com
• Tubo Squid, a commercial site for computer graphics that does have a selection of 3D printing format files. http://www.turbosquid.com
• My Mini Factory, a semi-comerical supplier of 3D printing files http://www.myminifactory.com

Making your own STL files

You have a 3D model already and just want to print it. All 3D CAD programs support exporting to STL files now. If you have tried  3D computer animation, those programs can create the same files as well. But what if you just want to play around with designing things for printing and don’t want to spend money on specialist software.

• Tinker CAD, very simple system where you mix solids to make things – http://www.tinkercad.com
• 123D Apps,  a selection of tools for different styles of modeling – http://www.123dapp.com/
• Free CAD – A powerful 3D CAD software that’s free to use but has a steep learning curve.http://freecadweb.org/

Converting a real world object in to a STL

This the area of the technology is the weakest part right now. Even the cheapest 3D scanners will set you back hundreds of dollars and can be temperamental from what I’ve read. The low/no solution I’ve found is using a decent digital camera and Autodesk’s 123D Capture software. It’s bit fiddly but it can create decent files that you can work on. There’s even integrated apps for your phone.

So this is just a starting point for finding and creating the files you’ll need to explore the world of 3D printing. If you want to know more, or want help finding the right design for the job then give us a call at Copy Express and we will be happy to help.