MyMiniFactory is a 3D printing community and online database for 3D models. You can use the site for sharing, downloading, and uploading 3D models, as well as for engaging in the community and connecting with other users.
Whether you’re a game developer, a graphic artist, or just a hobbyist who likes 3D printing, you’ll find MyMiniFactory is a great resource for finding high-quality models that you can use in your projects.
Despite all its goodness, MyMiniFactory is not always the first choice for users.
For one thing, the site’s interface can be overwhelming for first-time users. The search function isn’t great, and there aren’t any filters available if you want to narrow down what you’re searching for (for example, if you only want to see designs that use specific materials)
Plus, MyMiniFactory doesn’t provide enough tutorials or resources for newbies – and if you don’t know how to use your printer, you might find yourself struggling with their models.
What’s more, you’re limited to only one file type (STL), which means you’ll need to convert your STL file into an OBJ or DXF before they can be printed by some 3D printers.
And if you want to make money off of your designs or prints, there are no options for doing so unless you want to pay $10 per month, or $80 annually, for a premium account.
Luckily, there are plenty of sites out there if you want to get more out of your 3D printing experience. Here are 15 alternatives to MyMiniFactory:
Best MyMiniFactory Alternatives
1. Thingiverse
If you’re looking for a MyMiniFactory alternative, Thingiverse is a great place to start. Like MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse is a community-driven site that helps people share their 3D designs, collaborate on projects, and learn new skills.
But there are some key differences between the two sites that make Thingiverse stand out.
First of all, unlike MyMiniFactory, which only allows downloads if you sign up first, Thingiverse lets you download any design you want for free without registering.
If you want to sign up and get access to more features, that’s cool too – but if you’re just looking for an easy way to get some good ideas for your next project, Thingiverse is a better option.
In addition to that, it boasts more than two million users, which means you can find more people to collaborate with on your projects. It also has a more diverse selection of categories than MyMiniFactory does: 3D models, video games and applications, animations, and audio files…you name it! There’s literally something for everyone here.
Unlike MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse lets you search models by category, license type, or specific tags. It’s a great way to find specific objects without sifting through all of the other content on the platform.
You can even use their dedicated ‘Education’ section if you need help understanding how to use the site and its features, and learn more about 3D printing.
2. Thangs
Thangs is another solid alternative to MyMiniFactory. It’s an incredibly easy-to-use, intuitive design platform that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate users alike.
One of the best things about Thangs is that they have an extensive library of free 3D models available on their site – and they’re regularly adding new ones. So if you’ve been looking for something specific and haven’t been able to find it on MyMiniFactory, then there’s a good chance they’ll have what you’re looking for.
Unlike MyMiniFactory, with Thangs, you can sync your files to the cloud through their Thangs Sync app. This means that if you ever lose access to your computer or laptop, you don’t have to worry about losing your work.
You can also capture every new version without leaving your design client, so once you’ve completed a piece of work, it’s easy to keep track of all of its iterations. You even use Thangs Sync to collaborate with others, which is great if you’re working with a client on a project and want to share progress in real-time.
Another reason why Thangs is an excellent alternative is because of its ability to make your designs look professional. With advanced options like shadows and highlights, as well as adjustable transparency levels, your work will look more polished.
Interesting Comparison: Thingiverse vs Thangs
3. Cults
Cults is a fantastic platform. It has a similar community-driven focus and a wide variety of content, but Cults is also more accessible and easier to use than MyMiniFactory.
For example, while MyMiniFactory is only available in English, Cults also hosts content in German, Spanish, and French. This means that users who speak other languages can still find the resources they need to get started with 3D printing.
Another thing that sets Cults apart from MyMiniFactory is its pricing structure: you don’t have to pay for anything, and you’ll still get an 80% cut of your sales. You can even import your designs from Thingiverse into Cults so they’ll get seen by more people.
It’s also worth noting that Cults has an active community where users can share ideas, ask questions, and get feedback from other members of the community, which makes it great for people who are just getting started with 3D modeling but would like some guidance from more experienced users!
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4. YouMagine
YouMagine is a great option if you’re looking for a 3D printing platform similar to MyMiniFactory.
It’s got a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, and it has a ton of great features that give you access to the best parts of MyMiniFactory (like the community) without having to deal with any of its flaws.
Furthermore, YouMagine allows you to add more information to your 3D models than MyMiniFactory does. For example, you can write descriptions and include tags and keywords to help users find your model more easily.
YouMagine also offers better ways to share your 3D models with others. It has a built-in collaboration tool where users can share their work and get feedback on it from other members of the community.
Another advantage of YouMagine is that it’s entirely free. You don’t have to pay any membership fees or anything like that, so it’s much easier on your wallet than on other sites.
In addition, the site offers a neat feature called “Collections,” which allows users to curate their favorite models into collections based on theme or subject matter. So if you’re looking for fashion designs or recipes, in particular, they’ll be much easier to find.
5. Pinshape
Pinshape is a great alternative for those who are just starting out in the 3D printing space. You can create 3D files of your designs, share them with other designers on the platform, and even sell your designs on Pinshape’s marketplace.
The best thing about Pinshape is that you can see how your new design will look on a variety of different 3D printers before you ever hit “print.” That means you’re saving time and money by not having to run your creation through multiple iterations before it’s ready for production.
Unlike MyMiniFactory, Pinshape’s education center is comprehensive and full of detailed tutorials and how-tos. The learning tools are also top-notch – they’re easy to use, but they’re also really in-depth, which makes them great for getting really specific with your designs.
You’ll also find a helpful community on Pinshape that is full of designers who are happy to answer any questions you have about 3D printing or design software.
6. 3DExport
3DExport has an extremely easy-to-use interface once you sign up. The upload process is self-explanatory and intuitive, and there’s no need to jump through any hoops in order to get your designs online.
Unlike MyMiniFactory, the 3DExport’s site has a huge amount of video tutorials and online courses on all kinds of topics, from how to use Blender to how to use Inkscape, so if you’ve never used either before then they’ll be an excellent resource for you.
Another reason to choose 3DExport is that it offers more free options for downloading models than MyMiniFactory does. In fact, it’s one of the few places where you can find free 3D models of real-life people.
3DExport also provides a larger range of exporting options than MyMiniFactory. You can export your models as STL files, but also in OBJ or FBX format – industry standards for 3D files that every software package supports.
7. Fab365
Fab365 is a MyMiniFactory alternative that you should definitely consider if you’re looking for a place to post and share your 3D designs.
You need to create an account before uploading your model or creating something new. But in terms of the overall experience, Fab365 has some advantages.
For one thing, Fab365’s homepage is much more streamlined than MyMiniFactory’s, so you don’t have to scroll through as many options when you first log in.
Another advantage is that Fab365 offers more options for maximum resolution and detail. There are no limits on how high-quality your 3D model can be; if you want to make it as detailed as possible, you can do so without having to worry about file size limitations or quality loss.
8. CGTrader
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own action figures, props, or other 3D creations, but don’t have the skills or resources to do it yourself, then CGTrader is an awesome alternative to MyMiniFactory.
CGTrader allows users to upload their own 3D models and sell them to other users. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms.
First, you can convert 2D designs into 3D content, which can be really helpful if you’re trying to build something that’s not just a model but an interactive product.
For starters, its interface is also much easier to use. You don’t have to deal with a clunky interface that makes it hard to upload or download files. Instead, you’ll be able to do everything right from your browser window – no downloads necessary.
Another thing that sets CGTrader apart is that it offers more freedom when it comes to uploading your designs.
On MyMiniFactory, if your model doesn’t meet the guidelines set by the site administrators, they won’t approve it and will reject any subsequent uploads until it’s fixed up and meets those guidelines. But on CGTrader, you’re free to upload whatever model you want.
9. GrabCAD
If you’ve ever been on MyMiniFactory before, then you know what to expect: a ton of models that can be used as inspiration when designing your own 3D model or 3D printable file. But if you’re looking for something more high-end, GrabCAD is a great alternative.
While the MyMiniFactory community may be a little more varied in terms of age and skill level, the GrabCAD community is made up mostly of professionals: engineers, manufacturers, and designers looking to learn more about the industry.
This means that GrabCAD is best suited for users who already have some experience with 3D designs, development, and modeling. However, if your goal is to improve your skill set in these areas, then GrabCAD will help you get there faster.
The site features a wealth of free tutorials and tips and offers some unique collaboration tools you won’t find in MyMiniFactory.
For example, GrabCAD has an online workbench where you can share your ideas with others and collaborate on projects.
You can also use this tool to work with your team and get feedback on your designs. This allows you to rapidly iterate on your designs and make improvements before moving forward with production.
10. Wikifactory
Wikifactory has a lot of features that are similar to MyMiniFactory, but it also has some unique features that make it stand out from the crowd.
One of the main things that make Wikifactory an attractive alternative is its cloud-based PDM system. This means that you can store your designs in the cloud and access them anywhere, anytime – even if you don’t have internet access!
Another perk of using Wikifactory is that it has a sleek interface and an easy-to-use toolset, so it’s perfect for beginners who are just getting started in 3D modeling. In contrast to MyMiniFactory’s monthly subscription model, Wikifactory is completely free.
Plus, it offers everything you’d want from an online 3D printing service: it has a massive selection of categories and offers quotes for MJF (PolyJet), SLS, FDM, DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering), and SLA.
Wikifactory allows you to design your model with SolidWorks, SketchUp, or any other CAD software. After uploading the file on the website, you can see the cost of 3D printing it in 35+ different materials and choose one for yourself.
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11. SOL75
SOL75 is another amazing alternative to MyMiniFactory. SOL75 offers a wide range of features that are tailored to all kinds of professionals, including architects, product designers, and engineers.
SOL75’s site is easy to navigate and doesn’t have a huge learning curve, which is super important for new users. It also offers a lot of the same features as MyMiniFactory, but with some added extras.
SOL75 offers parametric modeling tools that allow you to change the parameters of your model as you build it so that you can customize it and make sure it’s exactly what you want before finishing your project.
In addition, if you’re using a different kind of filament or material than what they have available, they’ll let you adjust settings to make sure that it works with whatever you have.
You can also customize the build platform size, height, and width as well as other features like auto-leveling and auto-calibration.
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12. 3DMixers
3DMixers is an excellent alternative to MyMiniFactory.
For example, 3DMixers is completely free to use. You don’t have to pay anything to use it, but you can still take advantage of their free 3D models and other resources that are available on their website.
Another bonus to using 3DMixers is that they have an active forum community where people share their ideas and projects with each other. This allows you to see what other people are doing with their work and get inspired by what they’re doing.
You can also use a CNC device with 3DMixers (which means you can create your own cutting matrices for specific materials).
13. Tinkercad
Tinkercad is free to use and offers a ton of features. It’s also very easy to learn, so even if you’ve never used 3D modeling software before, you can get started quickly.
In contrast to MyMiniFactory, Tinkercad integrates with popular 3D design applications like SketchUp, Blender, and SolidWorks, which makes it easier for anyone who uses these programs to upload their designs onto the site and sell them as finished products.
The toolset is laid out well, and there are video tutorials available on their website and on YouTube that will help you learn everything you need to know about it.
While MyMiniFactory is limited to only STL files, with Tinkercad you can export your 3D designs as STL files or STEP files, both of which are commonly used by other 3D modeling software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
14. Free3D
Free3D has a huge selection of free models, as well as a paid-for section where you can find more intricate designs.
You can access most of the features without paying for a subscription, which is always a plus, and unlike MyMiniFactory, this one doesn’t have ads or require you to sign up before you can download anything. Free3D’s site also has a more well-organized search feature that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.
Free3D offers a wide variety of 3D models available for download, including cars, animals, characters, and more. You can even create your own models in 3D and sell them on their site.
Free3D also offers a wider range of materials including thermoplastics like ABS and PLA; metals like copper, and aluminum, polymers like polycarbonate, stone materials like ceramic tile and concrete, and wood products like plywood and MDF board.
15. STLFinder
STLFinder is worth checking out if you just want to get access to models that are ready to print right away.
This search engine is chock-full of free 3D models that you can download and print out immediately, so you don’t need to spend hours designing new models from scratch or spending money on software like Maya.
STLFinder has more free models than MyMiniFactory, especially when it comes to mechanical and industrial designs. You can also find more organic shapes on STLFinder than you could on MyMiniFactory because they don’t have as many restrictions on the types of things you can upload.
Unlike MyMiniFactory, you don’t have to sign up to get access to the models. All the .stl files are hosted on third-party sites, so all you have to do is click “Download File” and save it to your desktop.
Wrap Up
The best alternative to MyMiniFactory will ultimately depend on your needs as a creator and 3D designer.
For instance, if you already have experience with 3D printing and need access to industry-specific libraries and resources, as well as a community of professionals in your field, GrabCAD should be your top choice.
But if you’re just a hobbyist hoping to find some 3D models and print them at home, Thingiverse is your best bet.
They have a wide range of free models and easy-to-navigate categories, so if you’re looking for something specific, like a quadcopter frame or figurine, it will almost certainly come up on your search.
