8 3D Printed Tabletops to Download and 3D Print
A tabletop model is a physical model of an object, location, or scenario that is the perfect size to fit on a tabletop or a surface similar to a tabletop. These models are often associated with tabletop gaming, which involves intricately designed worlds and models that fit on a tabletop. Tabletop models can be made from different objects, and different methods can be used to create these models.
You could carve it out of wood or use a CNC machine to cut it out of a metal surface; you could use clay, plaster, or thermocol to form the desired shapes. However, 3D printing makes the process more challenging. 3D printing helps you make models faster, you can create your designs using any CAD software, and you can print that design faster than using clay or thermocol to make those models by hand.
What Are the Best Options for 3D-printed Tabletop Models?
It's not just the website that matters when looking for 3D-printed tabletop models. But the right keyword selection, various techniques, and browsing abilities matter. Just be sure to use the proper keywords while looking for models online, and you'll find what you're looking for.
1. Thingiverse
The website features a wide range of design styles, including tabletop models that were 3D printed. Gaming models have their very own area in the repository. The corporation makes sure to list its models in categories that are connected to them. For instance, you can select "Toys & Games" from a list of possibilities. Some of the best models you can find here are:
1. AT-ST Conversion kit for Star Wars Miniatures game
Star Wars X-wing: AT-ST and conversion kit being modified in SelfCAD
This two-player game created by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) lets you pilot some of the galaxy's most cutting-edge starfighters and pilots! You assume the squad leader position in the X-Wing Miniatures Game and guide a group of ruthless Imperial or fearless Rebel pilots in intense ship-to-ship space warfare. However, this game does not let you play with ground troops. This design on Thingiverse enables you to add AT-ST walkers onto the boards and control those ground units as well to help you give a better, more immersive game experience.
There are a total of 6 different leg positions available. The fact that the head is a distinct piece that must be glued on enables you to construct each slightly differently. If you're very ambitious, you can file the neck a little bit to change the direction that the head is facing. Jabberwock created this model, which is popular, with 11 recorded makes.
You can find the link to this model on: Thingiverse.
2. NPCs for Tabletop Games
NPCs being modified in SelfCAD
This model is for those of you looking for more NPC characters for your fantasy board games; this model comes with over twenty character designs and supports for these characters. This popular design has 9 makes, 17 remixes, and 28 comments. This was designed by mz4250.
3. Shipping Container Props for Gaslands
Shipping containers being modified in SelfCAD
This one is for the post-apocalyptic carnage game called Gaslands. It is made to be played with toy vehicles and has quick, cinematic rules that let players slam, skid, and race their way through the charred remains of a burned-out Earth. Shipping containers make a great addition to the terrain featured on Gaslands. The half-length containers featured in this design have been modeled after real shipping containers.
The designer has added logos to make them look realistic. This set was designed by Sablebadger, and it has 13 makes, seven remixes, and 25 comments.
Youmagine
While having fewer options than other online repositories, YouMagine offers its consumers some of the most incredible tabletop models. For instance, the website makes several of these 3D files readily available, including Tabletop Statue Plinth, Lion for Tabletop Gaming, and many others. With YouMagine, you may browse the designs and select the various categories to narrow your search results down to specific models. Yet, when navigating the YouMagine website, consumers occasionally find it a bit challenging to look through the selections.
4. Killer Whale for Tabletop Gaming
Killer Whale Being Modified in SelfCAD
This is a model of an Orca whale that you can use in tabletop games. Miguel Zavala designed it. It has 37 likes and has been downloaded 3812 times.
5. Tabletop Statue Plinth
Tabletop Statue Plinth Being Modified in SelfCAD
This statue plinth designed by Beavertank is meant to look like brick or stone, depending on how you paint it up and is scaled for 28-32mm figures. For a post-apocalyptic or besieged city setting, you could either place leftover pieces or rubble nearby, or you could place that one model you hardly ever use on top to create a lovely monument. With appropriate x/y scaling, it can also perform as a highly serious and heavy-duty pylon or column or as a little lighter-duty pylon or column. But be careful with scaling because when it comes to the mortar lines, you'll start hitting nozzle resolution restrictions rather quickly.
The model is made to be completely supported-free when printed.
Printables
This is another repository with tabletop models. Searching for Tabletop Miniatures on Printables will show you close to 2300 options, including Character models, vehicles, props, and Terrains.
6. Elastic Football
Elastic Football Being Modified in SelfCAD
The goal of the tabletop game "elastic football," which replaces standard "foosball" rods with rubber bands, is the same. To win, you must score five goals by kicking the ball into your opponent's goal while defending your own. A few of the game's components that were 3D printed are the base, the goalposts, and the players.
For best results, the designer suggests printing the player parts with 100% infill and the field with a brim to prevent warping. With over 1,500 downloads, 480 likes, and 14 makes, this board game is well-liked on Printables.
MyMiniFactory
The website is simple to use and hosts many tabletop designs. The company contains distinct categories, including a section just for games with various subsections for a highly specialized search experience. The company has a whole area dedicated to 3D-printed tabletop models, which is the coolest part. The link to the tabletop designs may be directly underneath the explore option. There are many lovely and fascinating 3D files available. Most common alternatives are available here, whether you choose terrains or miniatures.
7. Mutant Asylum
This model by Tabletop Terrain is part of a campaign and comes with two pledges, one for personal use and another for commercial use. The 3D printable.STL files for Mutant Asylum are included with the commercial use pledge. Professionally supported files, unsupported files, lychee files, and campaign media are all included in each file collection. This reward level is registered for commercial use and comes with a license to sell prints of the files.
8. Grand Fleet Admiral
A set of distinctive Civilian ships that can be employed in some of the game's scenarios, six completely supported unique factions, and a few space stations frequently utilized as objectives in Grand Fleet Admiral; also, a bag of asteroids for additional landscape! You may anticipate at least ten different ships in each faction, ranging in size from huge Carriers and Battleships to smaller Corvettes and Patrol + Strike craft. +Game bases and tokens are included!
It's worth pledging to receive everything before it's released later on for the full price because the entire cost of everything included, not counting the stretch goals, will be roughly $200+ on the store.
Level up Your Tabletop Game With a Touch of 3D Wizardry!
A tabletop model is a real-world representation of an item, setting, or situation that is precisely scaled to fit on a tabletop or other surface that resembles a tabletop. Tabletop gaming, which features finely detailed worlds and models that fit on a tabletop, is sometimes linked to these models. Tabletop models can be constructed from a variety of materials and with a variety of techniques. You could use clay, plaster, or even thermocol to construct the desired shapes, carve it out of wood or use a CNC machine to cut it out of a metal surface. Yet nothing simplifies the procedure as much as 3D printing.
You can get models that range from Characters to entire scenarios from STL repositories like Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or Printables. Or you can create your own designs using any 3D modeling software like SelfCAD.
SelfCAD is an easy and affordable option with the added advantage of an interactive tutorial option. The interactive tutorials are the fastest and easiest ways to learn 3D designing if you are new to the process of 3D designing. You can use the software to create both simple and complex tabletops designs without taking much time. After designing, the software also comes with its own in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your designs and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.