Digital Resources: Thingiverse + Smithsonian X 3D

I am very new to the making movement, but I love that I can help students and teachers create the things they need for their classes or their life. The learning curve for the design software is pretty steep, though, so I wanted to find a way that students could print without having to go through the process of learning 3D design software (with the hope that once they started printing they would want to learn how to design once they "caught the bug"). 

This is the landing page for Thingiverse. They offer featured designs,
featured collections, and a free login that will allow you to
collect designs for future use.

Enter Thingiverse. If you have read my earlier Makeshop Monday blog posts, you will find posts about printing you can do and links to the files you will need to print those "things". All of these came from Thingiverse. Thingiverse is a web-based collection of files that users have designed and made available to users. Some of these "things" have been printed and some are just concepts, so it's worth checking out the details of the "thing" you would like to print to see if it's been printed and if there are any known issues found by other users. It is worth noting that this collection is not curated and much of it is untested, so be prepared for glitches. If you are already designing, Thingiverse is a way for you to share your designs with everyone - which is great if you are really proud of your work, or if you aren't sure how well your design will work and you are looking for feedback!

This is a model of Lincoln's Life Mask by Mills that is available
on Smithsonian X 3D

Smithsonian X 3D is a service provided by the Smithsonian that allows students to explore and print materials from the Smithsonian collection in 3 dimensions. The website promises to bring about "the end of 'do not touch'" by giving students ways to look at and inspect museum artifacts digitally or physically by enabling teachers to print versions of the artifacts for use in their classroom.

Thingiverse

Where: www.thingiverse.com

Cost: Free (login required to collect files for future printing or for uploading your own files)

What: (Uncurated) digital collection of 3D models/files ready for the 3D printer

Smithsonian X 3D

Where: http://3d.si.edu/

Cost: Free (login required to download printable files)

What: Web-based graphic design studio

Students! Try Thingiverse/Smithsonian X 3D if you...

Want to try 3D printing but aren't familiar with design software

Need to create visual aids for your next project

Want some inspiration or a base model to design from 

Would like to share your own designs with the world

Teachers! Try Thingiverse/Smithsonian X 3D if you...

Need models for an upcoming unit or lesson

Want to provide students with a way to explore museum artifacts more closely than they would be able to in person

Want to try 3D printing without the committment of learning how to use design software