So, you got a 3D printer for the holidays, and you’re excited to dive in. Chances are, you’re not sure where to begin. What can you print? What’s fun? What’s useful?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The best way to simplify a complex model for 3D printing is to reduce its triangle mesh.

3D Design Tools to Create Your Own Models Of course, the magic thing about 3D printing is that you can create something from scratch that’s never existed before.

Homo naledi fossil scans are now available to 3D print at home. But what other hominin fossils can you download for your collection?

Some readers may consider that a revolting oversimplification, but it is a helpful one to make a point about how 3D scanning, 3D printing, and CAD work do (and don’t) work together.

How to 3D print your creation Our resident CNET 3D printing expert James Bricknell has taken this craze one step further and, using some clever AI technology, 3D-printed one of these ChatGPT images.

To take Copilot 3D for a spin, browse to the Copilot 3D website and sign in with your Microsoft account. To get some inspiration, you can view the existing 3D models generated by other people.

Using off-the-shelf electronic components, a Raspberry Pi, and a 3D printer, it's possible to build your own working miniature classic Mac. Here's how.