Software Alternatives & Reviews

OpenSCAD VS Thingiverse

Compare OpenSCAD VS Thingiverse and see what are their differences

OpenSCAD logo OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

Thingiverse logo Thingiverse

Thingiverse.com is the place to share digital designs for fabricating real, physical objects.
  • OpenSCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-19

We recommend LibHunt OpenSCAD for discovery and comparisons of trending OpenSCAD projects.

  • Thingiverse Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-09

OpenSCAD videos

Tutorial: Using OpenSCAD To Make Your Wife Happy

More videos:

  • Tutorial - OpenSCAD Tutorial - Beginners Quickstart

Thingiverse videos

3D Printing A Coin Sorter! [Thingiverse Print Review]

More videos:

  • Review - 3D Printing A Crossbow! [Thingiverse Print Review]
  • Review - 3D Printed Working Wrench! [Thingiverse Print Review]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenSCAD and Thingiverse)
3D
100 100%
0% 0
3D Modeling
43 43%
57% 57
Architecture
100 100%
0% 0
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenSCAD and Thingiverse. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenSCAD and Thingiverse

OpenSCAD Reviews

11 KiCad Alternatives
OpenSCAD is a worldwide 3D CAD modeler that allows skilled programmers and designers to create solid 3D CAD objects in the shortest time feasible. The software works with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. This CAD application's distinguishing feature is that it is based on programming that includes 3D modelling, ready-to-use items and designs, and the ability...
9 Free CAD Software to Download
For those who want to work on the specifics, especially engineers, OpenSCAD is your ideal 3D modeling platform. It does not have interactive modeling for you to design your model, but instead relies more on what you defined in the parameters through the script files.

Thingiverse Reviews

Top 10 3D Model Databases: The Best Sites to Download 3D Models for 3D Printing
Thingiverse is probably one of the biggest and most popular databases. It has a very active maker community behind it and offers free-to-use STL files only. You don’t even need to open an account in order to download a 3D model from their site. Sometimes the database can seem slightly less organized than the cleaner and simpler design of sites like Pinshape and Cults.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Thingiverse should be more popular than OpenSCAD. It has been mentiond 227 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenSCAD mentions (95)

  • Ask HN: What Underrated Open Source Project Deserves More Recognition?
    There's OpenSCAD, but I don't think it's exactly what you mean https://openscad.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Help for the mentally challenged! I am trying to find easy software to create this drawing and export it as a 3d printer file. And going slightly mad as 3d software is different... Any advice welcome please.
    For something this simple you can use OpenSCAD (https://openscad.org). It's free and pretty easy to learn. Below are the two commands required to produce the solid object indicated by the picture. The application can export anything you create as an STL. Source: 5 months ago
  • code to design
    Are you asking about something like https://openscad.org which allows you to code your model? An example of its use can be seen in the OpenFlexure project. Source: 5 months ago
  • Free 3D Modeling Software not web-based?
    I use OpenSCAD. https://openscad.org - it's what the Thingiverse Customizer is based on (and if you upload .scad files to Thingiverse, the Customizer works for your design too). Source: 10 months ago
  • Generative AI for 3D Modeling and Printing
    One tool many people use for parametric modeling is OpenSCAD which is very utilitarian and has methods for constructing 3d and 2d geometry (and 3d from 2d such as extrusion). - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
View more

Thingiverse mentions (227)

  • How can I improve the sound?
    Since I don't live in the forest, the instrument's high volume was always a big problem, it came with a bundle of standard wooden reeds (2.5). I did some research and found that with a softer and thinner reed you need less air to create the vibration and therefore can play at a lower volume. I found “full range alto saxophone reed” on thingiverse.com and printed a (1.5) reed with PETG. It really worked, the volume... Source: 5 months ago
  • Ender 3 printer for my 13 yr old?
    There are millions of free designs on printables.com and thingiverse.com and other sites. There is certainly no need to buy models. Commercial models do exist but they are usually highly elaborate decorative pieces. Source: 5 months ago
  • How I made a cool T-Rex Carving - workflow
    I found a 3D model of a T-Rex on thingiverse.com that I liked. I used The T-Rex Skull by MakerBot - Thingiverse. This method lets you use any 3D model. Source: 8 months ago
  • How i keep my kaico from committing workn't
    This is the solution that worked for me. I found a bracket on thingiverse.com and printed it at work. Source: 10 months ago
  • Suddenly tech support for dad
    Then, head over to a site that hosts 3D print files like thingiverse.com or printables.com to download .STL files.You'll want something super simple at first, like a low poly model. Nothing complicated. Source: 10 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenSCAD and Thingiverse, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Cults 3D - Cults is a marketplace that connects designers and people who want to 3D print some objects.

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

MyMiniFactory - MyMiniFactory is the world’s leading curated platform for 3D printable objects.

BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD: Open Source Solid Modeling

Thangs3D - Thangs3D is an online community for engineers and visual designers that provides unlimited downloads of 3D models and CAD designs.