You can buy 3D models on many marketplaces. Those marketplaces are working thanks to communities: people upload their designs, and you can buy them. You’re looking for 3D printing ready, 3D computer graphics, or low poly? You can buy any 3D model you want, thanks to those databases!
Why could you buy 3D models?
You may be a hobbyist, a digital artist, or an engineer: there are many reasons why you could want to buy a 3D model. You may wish to 3D print an object, but you don’t have any 3D modeling software to create your part. Moreover, you might not have 3D designer skills. Everybody is not able to design a 3D model from scratch or use 3D modeling software. You don’t have the skills to design? You just don’t have enough time to create your 3D model? Or maybe, you’re just looking for some inspiration? You don’t have to design a 3D model on your own to experiment with 3D printing.
We are going to help you solve this issue. Indeed, there are a lot of marketplaces on the internet where you can buy 3D models.
Where to buy 3D models for 3D printing?
Many databases offer 3D models for CG projects, video games, 3D printing, or whatever you want. But you need to know that all marketplaces don’t target the same users. For instance, some of them are especially targeting people who want to 3D print objects. But keep in mind that you can also print a 3D model from another marketplace if the 3D model is in the right format. The more common format for 3D printing is STL files.
Moreover, there can be a lot of criteria to choose a database to buy a 3D model. Some of them have a large library or want to improve the communication between the community members. Other ones precisely target people who want to 3D print objects and ensure the printability of the file. You have to pay attention to these details to make the most of your research for the perfect 3D model.
You can buy your model, and if you want to customize the design, you can work on the file if you have 3D modeling software. This way, you still save time, and the part will be optimized to fit your needs perfectly.
Some of the marketplaces are offering free models because they are based on the principle of collaborative content. Still, if you’re looking for professional models to print, it has a price. Most marketplaces sell 3D designs modelized by talented designers, who have to receive royalties on their creations.
Some marketplaces are more oriented toward professional users, and other ones are really for curious makers. However, professionals can ideally find the part they are looking for on a marketplace targeting hobbyists; we advise you to look at all of those marketplaces.
Grabcad
Grabcad is a platform mainly used by professional designers, manufacturers, and engineers. This marketplace is not for everybody, but it could be advantageous if you look for specific objects or pieces.
CG Trader
CG Trader is one of the largest marketplaces to find a 3D model. The community is composed of professional designers. CG Trader allows the buyer to choose between different file formats. One of the significant advantages is that the buyer can easily communicate with the model’s designer if he has any questions. On this marketplace, you can find many models optimized for 3D printing, from figurines to engineering parts. Moreover, they have a huge community with more than 1 000 000 members sharing their creations.
Turbosquid
Turbosquid allows you to buy your professional models. They are claiming to offer high-quality models specially made for professionals. It will help you to be more creative, thanks to its extensive library of models. Models are not really optimized for 3D printing, but you can find some models to 3D print.
Bonus: get free 3D models!
Thingiverse
Here is some good news for you: Thingiverse is a database where all the 3D models are free. Those STL files are specially optimized for 3D printing as Thingiverse is focused on 3D printing. It is ideal if you’re looking for a model to print or ideas of objects that you could 3D print. And it is accessible and dedicated to anybody who wants to 3D print.
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is a marketplace that allows you to 3D print free models. 6 000 designers have uploaded their models on this website. You’ll only find 3D printable objects.
Conclusion
All of those databases have one specific thing in common: their community. They are all working on developing their communities composed of professional designers, engineers, or makers. Without them, those marketplaces couldn’t be as popular and efficient.
We hope that you will find the perfect 3D model on one of those fantastic marketplaces. Do you want to learn more? Read this blog post on 3D printing marketplaces. You finally chose a 3D model, and you want to 3D print it? You can use our online 3D printing service!