Finding and Creating 3D Models
Once you've completed 3D Printer OS: Basics you'll probably want to find or create something to print! This guide will provide some tips on where you can find community created models, software to create your own, and the basics of Creative Commons licenses for files you find online. Not all files can be freely modified and used! You may need to purchase a license to distribute a model after you've printed it, even if the file for the model can be found online without paying.
Before you go looking for models though, we'll briefly cover the basics of Creative Commons licenses.
Creative Commons explained
Creative Commons licenses were created in 2001 to allow for the sharing of files online that were neither under copyright or in the public domain. Creative Commons (and other open licenses) allows creators to retain ownership of their creations while still allowing for the free use, redistribution, and modification of files online so long as you always provide attribution. For a detailed breakdown of the different kinds of Creative Commons Licenses, we have provided this video from CC New Zealand that goes through them and provides an example:
If that video didn't clear things up for you, or you'd like to learn more, check out the Creative Commons website. The Creative Commons organization has made as much information available on their page as possible to make it easy for people unfamiliar with the licensing to get up to speed as easily as possible.
Case study
Anyone who has been to the Maker Multiplex and Zetta has probably seen and even collected a Flexi Rex (or possibly more than one!). This model is actually freely available online for anyone who wants to use, modify, and print this iconic dinosaur. We're able to do that because the Flexi Rex is published under a Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike license. What this means is that whenever the file is used, modified, or distributed, appropriate credit must be provided. For the Flexi Rex, when sharing online, appropriate attribution might look like this:
Flexi Rex with stronger links
by DrLex is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Share Alike license.
This attribution is provided here for reference as well as an online attribution accessible to all users of M²Z so that, along with physical attribution information present when the Flexi Rex is physically distributed, we are providing attribution in a manner which is reasonable based on the medium, means, and context under which we make the model available. Attempts have been made to comply with the licensor's requested form of attribution within reasonable extents.
Whenever you are dealing with files shared online, regardless of if those files are 3D models, pictures, documents, music, or any other file type, you should always ensure that you locate and abide by the license to the best of your understanding and ability.