Like many people, I have been preparing files for 3D printing using 3D modeling programs or downloading them from 3D model ...

A 3D printer turns digital designs into physical objects using a variety of substances, from plastic to ceramic to something that kind of looks like wood. Before you even touch a printer, you'll need ...

Why Is 3D printing great for printing on demand? Being able to print 3D products on demand dramatically increases the range of products you’re able to create.

Autodesk's Tinkercad is a free Web-based design tool that enables you to create 3D objects, then download those creations in a printer-friendly format. Here's how to get started.

As we mentioned earlier, these render files must be saved to your computer and uploaded to a 3D printer before the 3D printer can actually print a physical version.

If you don't have a 3D printer, you can have the 3D parts printed for a fee at Shapeways. You don't need 3D software to make a mini classic Mac unless you want to open and edit the 3D file.

3D printing can be a fun and productive hobby and skill, but there can be a lot of confusion around the files involved. Here are some you should know about.