Thingiverse

Thingiverse is a website and community for 3D printable designs. It was launched by MakerBot Industries in 2008 and is now owned by MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys. The site hosts a large online repository of user-submitted 3D models that can be downloaded and printed with consumer 3D printers. Models are described by tags, categories, descriptions, licenses, and author information; downloads are typically in STL format, though other formats may be offered.

Users can upload their own designs, customize descriptions, choose a license, and engage with others through comments, favorites, and remixing. The platform emphasizes remixability, allowing others to fork and adapt existing designs into new versions. While access to designs is free for personal use, licensing terms govern redistribution and commercial use as indicated by the uploader.

Licensing and intellectual property: A design page shows the license chosen by the author; most designs use Creative Commons licenses or public domain terms, but terms vary by design. What is allowed depends on that license.

Impact and reception: Thingiverse has played a central role in popularizing online sharing of 3D printable designs, supporting education, hobbyist projects, and rapid prototyping. It serves as a hub for communities around specific categories and devices and remains a widely used resource despite competition and ongoing debates about licensing and site maintenance.