3D printing has opened up a world of opportunities for creative designers and engineers alike, with one of its most important resources being G-Code files.
G-Code files will tell your 3D printer how to create your design. That’s why I wrote this article, to explore where to find the best free 3D printer G-Code files to help you get started.
Where Do You Find 3D Printer G-Code Files?
There are several ways to find 3D printer G-Code files online, including searching popular 3D printing websites, browsing through online forums, and using search engines.
Just be aware that G-Codes are tweaked to specific setups depending on the filament and bed type, as stated by one user. That means that you may need to edit your G-Code to get it printed properly on your setup.
Here are some of the best places to find 3D printer G-Code files:
Thingiverse
Thangs
MyMiniFactory
Cults3D
Yeggi
Thingiverse
Thingiverse is one of the most popular online communities for 3D printing enthusiasts. It is home to a huge collection of user-generated G-Code files that can be downloaded and printed on your 3D printer.
You can browse through the extensive library of models using various filters such as popularity, recently added, or remixes. To download a G-Code file from Thingiverse, first, find the model you want and click on it to open its page.
Scroll down to the “Thing Files” section, locate the G-Code file (which will have the extension “.gcode”), and click “Download.”
Save the file to your computer, open your slicing software, import the G-Code file, and configure the print settings.
Connect your 3D printer to your computer or transfer the G-Code file to an SD card, and then start printing.
Thangs
Thangs is an online platform for discovering and sharing 3D printing models. It hosts an extensive collection of G-Code files, making it an excellent resource for those who want to print objects.
Thangs has a user-friendly interface that allows you to search for files based on keywords or browse through different categories, such as art, education, and engineering.
To download a G-Code file from Thangs, first, find the model you want and click on it to open its page.
Look for the “Download” button and select the G-Code file option, which will have the extension “.gcode.”
After downloading the G-Code file, save it to your computer and open your preferred slicing software.
From there, import the G-Code file and configure the print settings. Next, connect your 3D printer to your computer or transfer the G-Code file to an SD card.
Finally, start the 3D printing process on your printer using the G-Code file you just downloaded.
MyMiniFactory
MyMiniFactory is another platform that offers a big collection of high-quality 3D printing models for enthusiasts to download and print.
The site prides itself on its user-friendly interface, where you can search for files based on keywords or browse through categories, such as art, jewelry, and home decor.
To download a G-Code file from MyMiniFactory, find the model you want and click on it to open its page.
Look for the “Objects Parts” section on the right side and select the G-Code file, which will have the extension “.gcode.” To download it, click on the arrow icon on the far right.
Save the file to your computer, open your slicing software, and import the G-Code file.
Configure the print settings, connect your 3D printer to your computer, or transfer the G-Code file to an SD card, and then you’ll be ready to start printing.
Cults3D
Cults3D is another option that offers a wide variety of 3D printing models for enthusiasts to download and print.
The site has an extensive collection of models, ranging from toys and figurines to home decor and fashion accessories. Be aware that not all models are free over at Cults3D, there are free files as well as paid ones.
If you want to download a G-Code file from Cults3D, start by finding the model you want and clicking on it to open its page. Check the description and title to see if the designer also made the G-Code available to download.
On the model page, you will see a “Download” button – select the G-Code file option, which will have the extension “.gcode,” and save the file to your computer.
Next, you need to open your slicing software, import the G-Code file, and configure the print settings.
Once you have done this, connect your 3D printer to your computer or transfer the G-Code file to an SD card, and then start to print using the G-Code file you downloaded.
Yeggi
Yeggi is a 3D model search engine that helps you find 3D printable models from a wide variety of websites, including Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, and Cults3D, among others.
With Yeggi, you can easily search for G-Code files using keywords, such as “keychain,” “robot,” or “plant pot,” and the site will display a list of related models.
To download a G-Code file from Yeggi, search for the model you want by entering a keyword into the search bar. You can also browse through the different categories to find a model that you like.
Once you have found the model you want, click on the link to go to the original website where the G-Code file is hosted.
Then, download the G-Code file from that website, save it to your computer, and use your preferred slicing software to prepare it for 3D printing.
A lot of users recommend both Thangs and Yeggi as they are aggregators and will search on other websites such as Thingiverse.
The most popular website to download both G-Code files and .stl files is still Thingiverse, which has over 2.5 million models uploaded.
Check out the video below for detailed instructions on how to properly print a downloaded G-Code.
Best Free 3D Printer G-Code Files
Now that you know where to find 3D printer G-Code files, let’s take a look at some of the best free files you can download:
Ender 3 Smart PLA and PETG Temp Tower
Ender 3 Bed Level
3DBenchy
Lego Skeleton Minifigure
Ender 3 Quicker Bed Leveling Calibration Procedure
Ender 3 Smart PLA and PETG Temp Tower
The Ender 3 Smart PLA and PETG Temp Tower G-Code available on Thingiverse is a fantastic tool for 3D printing enthusiasts looking to experiment with different materials.
This G-Code is designed specifically for the Ender 3 3D printer and offers a quick and straightforward method for testing the printer’s temperature settings using either PLA or PETG filament.
With this G-Code, you can easily create a temperature tower that tests a range of temperatures and ensures that you get the best print quality.
The Ender 3 Smart PLA and PETG Temp Tower file is available for free on Thingiverse, making it a great resource for anyone looking to optimize their 3D printing experience.
Ender 3 Bed Level
The Ender 3 Bed Level G-Code you can find on Thingiverse is a very useful tool for those who like 3D printing and want to get good results.
This G-Code is made especially for the Ender 3 3D printer, and it lets you level the printer’s bed in a simple way.
By using this G-Code, you can quickly level the printer’s bed so that it’s calibrated correctly. That way, you can get smoother prints with better adhesion.
The 3DBenchy is a popular 3D printing benchmark model used by enthusiasts to evaluate and optimize their 3D printers.
This model is designed to test a printer’s accuracy, overhangs, and bridging capabilities. With the 3DBenchy, you can easily spot any issues with your printer’s calibration and tune your settings to achieve better print quality.
The 3DBenchy model is available for free on many 3D printing platforms, including Thingiverse.
Lego Skeleton Minifigure
The Lego Skeleton Minifigure is a 3D printing model that is both entertaining and unique, ideal for those who love Lego.
This model is designed to imitate the well-known Lego Skeleton Minifigure, featuring all of its characteristics and details.
Using this 3D printing model, you can make your unique minifigure that suits your preferences using your 3D printer and your favorite filament.
Ender 3 Quicker Bed Leveling Calibration Procedure
The Ender 3 Quicker Bed Leveling Calibration Procedure G-Code available on Thingiverse is a valuable tool for 3D printing enthusiasts who want to improve their printing process.
This G-Code is specifically designed for the Ender 3 3D printer and offers a quicker and more straightforward method for calibrating the printer’s bed leveling than the traditional procedure.
Michael Dwamena is the founder of 3D Printerly, a platform dedicated to simplifying 3D printing for hobbyists and professionals alike. Owns over 20 3D printers (filament and resin) and has plenty experience 3D printing. Michael has authored over 900 articles, helping millions navigate the exciting world of 3D printing.
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