Online Resources for 3D Scanning, Modeling, and Printing

by Dr. Franek Hasiuk, GeoFabLab, Iowa State University, franek@iastate.edu

This site is by no means the definitive resource on 3D Scanning, Modeling, and Printing. Check out these places for ideas, discussion, and camaraderie.

Discussion on Model Sites

• Academic/Wiki
  • RepRap Wiki Printable Part Sources
  • Making Society's 37 Sources for Models
  • Stanford 3D Scanning Repository
  • Digimorph (more info) - This collection of 3D models of fossils is generated at the National Science Foundation's multi-user CT lab, UTCT.
  • GB3D - The UK repository for digitized type fossil specimens.
  • UK Natural History Museum (Such as MicroCT or NanoCT)
  • Bathymetry and Topography (more info) from around the US and World from the US National Geophysical Data Center
  • Smithsonian's 3D Portal
  • USGS Lidar Portal
• Non-Academic
  • ThingiVerse (Makerbot)
  • 3D Warehouse (Google/Trimble)...3D version of GeoFabLab's home (Science I Building)
  • AutoDesk 123D
  • Smorf.nl is a website that allows you to interactively render crystal structures on-line and buy 3D-printed models at $10/piece.
  • GrabCAD (for engineers, mostly)
  • TurboSquid (Stock models)
  • CG Trader

On-line 3D Printing Communities

• Reddit
  • /r/3DPrinting...FAQ
  • /r/digifab
  • /r/additive
  • /r/3dscanning - Turning real objects into 3D data
    • VisualSFM vs 123D Catch
    • Scanners less than 00
    • Python programming
• Communities for specific, popular 3D printer makes:
  • /r/reprap - For Reprap Owners
  • /r/printrbot - For Printrbot Owners
  • /r/solidoodle - For SoliDoodle Owners
  • /r/makerbot - For Makerbot Owners
  • /r/ultimaker - For Ultimaker Owners
• Part Making Communities:
  • /r/reprapPIF - RepRap Parts exchange
  • /r/reprapclassifieds - Get stuff printed
  • /r/3dprintmything - Get more stuff printed.
  • /r/additive - Additive manufacturing
  • /r/resinprinting - 3D Printing using resin.
  • /r/functionalprint - Functional 3D print
• Blogs
  • /r/3DPrinting Comparison Chart
  • 3Ders ( This site may be offline. ) (News and price/feature comparisons)
  • Additive3D (Tutorials, terminology, price/feature comparisons)
  • Laser Scanning Forum

Non-Plastic / Non-Metal Printable Materials

• Marble
• Salt, Concrete (Ronald Rael, UC-Berkeley)

3D Printing Research Groups

• Lara Estroff's Bio-Inspired Materials Synthesis Group
• Wohlers Associates, Inc.
• Georgia Tech's Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing Institute
• Mist, Ice, and Humidity
• Kilometer-away high rez scanning

Workflows

• Full Body Scanning
• Scanning Sculptures
• Mining Wikipedia imagery to make 3D models Journals/Magazines
  
  
  • 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
  • 3D Scanning Magazine