3D Printing at the Library of Engineering and Science

There are many sites online where you can find files.  Below are some of our favorites, but they are not the only options.  You can even find a file you like and then edit it to make it your own- just be sure to check the licensing of the design.  (Most designs are creative commonsLINK, but always check)

• Thingiverse 

  • Wide range of file types.  Be sure to check out the weekly "Best of the Week" collections for ideas and discovery.

• Wevolver

  • Site dedicated to complex engineering and robotics projects. 

• YouMagine

  • Similar to Thingiverse, users upload their designs for everything from tool holders to game pieces.

Beginner / Accessible:

• TinkerCAD

  • A web-based program for the beginner.

Intermediate

• AutoCAD

  • Currently available on Purdue IT computers.​

• Blender

  • Blender is a powerful, free, open source tool for creating 3D animation and models for 3D printing.

• SketchUp Make

  •  Make Marketed for ‘hobbyists, kids and backyard spaceship builders,’ Sketchup is user-friendly and forgiving.  Also comes in a paid Pro version.

Advanced / Specialized

• Mathematica (Wolfram Language)

  • Currently available on Purdue IT computers. Geometric models suitable for printing can be generated from a variety of plot functions, directly from curated collections, or imported from files and URLs, as well as from geometric regions. Several tools provide utilities for analyzing, repairing, and adjusting models.

• ​OpenSCAD

  • Ideal for creating solid 3D CAD models. Great for models of machine parts.