Thingiverse
Encyclopedia
Thingiverse is a website
dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files. Providing primarily open source hardware
designs licensed under the GNU General Public License
or Creative Commons licenses
, users choose the type of user license they wish to attach to the designs they share. 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machine
s and many other technologies can be used to physically create the files shared by the users on Thingiverse.
Thingiverse is widely used in the DIY technology and Maker communities, by the RepRap Project
, and by 3D Printer and MakerBot operators. Numerous technical projects use Thingiverse as a repository for shared innovation and dissemination of source materials to the public. Many of the objects are for the purpose of repair.
Thingiverse is seen as a “go to” site for those interested in 3D printers.
, a DIY 3D printer kit making company.
Thingiverse received an Honorable Mention in the Digital Communities category of the 2010 ARS Electronica | Prix Ars Electronica
There were 15,000 designs uploaded to Thingiverse as of November 2011.
and run by its founders, Zach "Hoeken" Smith and Bre Pettis
in Brooklyn, New York.
projects are focused on project-specific materials, Thingiverse provides a common ground from which derivatives and mashups can form.
Thingiverse contains many improvements and modifications that are generated by the community that surrounds open source hardware. There are numerous files to improve and modify RepRap 3D printers.
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files. Providing primarily open source hardware
Open source hardware
Open source hardware consists of physical artifacts of technology designed and offered in the same manner as free and open source software . Open source hardware is part of the open source culture movement and applies a like concept to a variety of components. The term usually means that...
designs licensed under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
or Creative Commons licenses
Creative Commons licenses
Creative Commons licenses are several copyright licenses that allow the distribution of copyrighted works. The licenses differ by several combinations that condition the terms of distribution. They were initially released on December 16, 2002 by Creative Commons, a U.S...
, users choose the type of user license they wish to attach to the designs they share. 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machine
Milling machine
A milling machine is a machine tool used to machine solid materials. Milling machines are often classed in two basic forms, horizontal and vertical, which refers to the orientation of the main spindle. Both types range in size from small, bench-mounted devices to room-sized machines...
s and many other technologies can be used to physically create the files shared by the users on Thingiverse.
Thingiverse is widely used in the DIY technology and Maker communities, by the RepRap Project
RepRap Project
The RepRap project is an initiative to develop a 3D printer that can print most of its own components...
, and by 3D Printer and MakerBot operators. Numerous technical projects use Thingiverse as a repository for shared innovation and dissemination of source materials to the public. Many of the objects are for the purpose of repair.
Thingiverse is seen as a “go to” site for those interested in 3D printers.
History
Thingiverse was started in November 2008 by Zach Smith as a companion site to MakerBot IndustriesMakerBot Industries
MakerBot Industries is a Brooklyn, New York-based company founded in January 2009 by Bre Pettis, Adam Mayer, and Zach "Hoeken" Smith producing open source hardware, specifically 3D printers...
, a DIY 3D printer kit making company.
Thingiverse received an Honorable Mention in the Digital Communities category of the 2010 ARS Electronica | Prix Ars Electronica
There were 15,000 designs uploaded to Thingiverse as of November 2011.
Administration
The site is owned by MakerBot IndustriesMakerBot Industries
MakerBot Industries is a Brooklyn, New York-based company founded in January 2009 by Bre Pettis, Adam Mayer, and Zach "Hoeken" Smith producing open source hardware, specifically 3D printers...
and run by its founders, Zach "Hoeken" Smith and Bre Pettis
Bre Pettis
Bre Pettis is an entrepreneur, video blogger and multi-artist. He is also known for DIY video podcasts for MAKE, and for the History Hacker pilot on the History Channel. He is one of the founders of the Brooklyn-based hacker space NYC Resistor.Pettis is a co-founder and the CEO of MakerBot...
in Brooklyn, New York.
Open source hardware
Where many open source hardwareOpen source hardware
Open source hardware consists of physical artifacts of technology designed and offered in the same manner as free and open source software . Open source hardware is part of the open source culture movement and applies a like concept to a variety of components. The term usually means that...
projects are focused on project-specific materials, Thingiverse provides a common ground from which derivatives and mashups can form.
Thingiverse contains many improvements and modifications that are generated by the community that surrounds open source hardware. There are numerous files to improve and modify RepRap 3D printers.
See also
- STL (file format)STL (file format)STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
common file format for sharing designs on Thingiverse - ShapewaysShapewaysShapeways is a 3D printing service. Users upload design files and Shapeways prints the objects for them or others. Users can have objects printed from a variety of materials, including food safe ceramics....