One of the best things about 3D printing is that it helps express all your untapped creativity. But creativity means different things to different people. For some, it means discovering 3D-printed models that help show your individuality. For others, it means you get to design specific parts and objects that can help you solve real-world problems.
Then there is that rare breed of makers who look to 3D printing as a way to demonstrate their passion for design. These folks often make 3D models for the sheer joy and satisfaction it brings. Through this passion, these makers become respected pillars of the 3D-printing community.
Meet Make it Real Member, Plastic3D
One of those people is 24-year-old, Make it Real community member Cailin, AKA Plastic3D. Plastic is a Systems Engineer and Masters student who has a self-professed “huge passion for 3D printing.” With 30 Make it Real models to their name, Plastic3D has allowed that passion to blossom into recognition from both the AnkerMake staff and the Make it Real community.
If you're not familiar with Plastic's work, hopefully by the end of this post you will be. Today, we're highlighting one of our treasured community members and exploring the many magnificent models of member Plastic3D.
Phone Stands
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Phone Stand With Speaker Holes - This phone stand is already augmented with supports, so it's easy to print. The speaker holes offer a bit of sound reverberation and a touch of aesthetic interest.
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Xbox Series S Controller Stand - Downloaded 445 times and favorited by 287 Make it Real members, this Xbox Series S controller stand is a handsome way to keep your Xbox controllers from cluttering up your desk
Containers & Planters
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Threaded Deco Container with Thick Vertical Lines - The first of two Art Deco themed containers, this one features a screw-on lid, and thick vertical lines. Its wide mouth allows for storage of coins, mints, or anything else you feel like putting into it.
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Threaded Deco Container with Thin Vertical Lines - The second of Plastic's Art Deco containers, this one has much thinner vertical lines adorning the outer surface. Like its thick-lined sibling, it features a screw-on lid and storage for all manner of stuff.
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Wooden Textured Threaded Container- The wooden threaded container offers a similar shape as both the Art Deco containers, only this one foregoes the lined outer design in favor of a more rustic wooden look. You can also print different textured lids to match.
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Supportless Swirled Vases - The outside surface of these swirled vases is exceptionally unique. Not only does it look cool and come in three variations, this trifecta doesn't need any supports. That means you'll save filament and get a cool-looking model when it's completed.
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Wooden Planters/Vases - Tiny and cute, these planters are designed to be printed in wood-colored filament. Doing so allows them to retain their organic flavor while housing small succulents or micro cacti.
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Self-Watering Planter - The self-watering planter is a two-piece print consisting of a strainer portion and a reservoir portion. The strainer houses the plant, and the notched reservoir portion allows you to see how much water your plant has left.
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Ancient Column Planter - Channeling the Greek and Roman empires, this ancient column planter is perfect for people who love old, crumbly things. This column's hollow design allows you to put plants--or even pens--inside.
Architectural 3D Prints
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Ancient Column - Like the Ancient Column Planter, this print hearkens back to the impressive architecture of ancient times. With this model, however, Plastic3D lets you choose from full or damaged column variations. What can you put on or in a column like this? That's entirely up to you.
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Arc of Victory - A famous French monument, the Arc of Victory (Arc de Triomphe) was once the tallest triumphal arc, standing at an overall height of 50m (164 ft). While this print isn't nearly that tall, it still maintains the same majesty of the original. This one, however, should fit on your desk.
Animal & Pet 3D Prints
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Thermoforming Hanging Bat - Halloween may have ended recently, but it's never too early to start planning for next year. When you do, make sure you check out this thermoforming bat design that is both easy to hang, and will allow you to position its wings as you see fit.
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Cute Bat - If creepy isn't your jam, then check out this cute bat model. You can print the main model, eyes, belly, eyebrows, and even the tongue in different colors. So, feel free to experiment. When you're done, the result is going to look great!
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Thanksgiving Turkey - Perfect for the season, this Thanksgiving Turkey model could be the Cute Bat's long-lost cousin. With an adorable sitting posture, articulating legs, and a cute hat, you'll certainly want to have this turkey at your Thanksgiving table.
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Supportless Articulated Snake - What do you get when you cross a dragon with a snake? How about this articulated snake model that doesn't require any support? It's segmented and poseable with a downright creepy face.
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Articulated Bunny Keychain - Put a cartoon bunny on your keychain with this articulating model. It prints in place, and is small enough to carry around in your pocket. It's also extremely unique and charming.
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Gravity Pet Feeder with Lid - Tired of refilling your pet's bowl every few hours? Then look no further than Plastic3D's gravity pet feeder. This feeder boasts a space-saving design, a slider to adjust the flow of food, and a lid to keep your pet's vittles fresh.
Hooks & Holders
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Print-in-Place Headset Corner Mount - Give your gaming cans a permanent place to live on your PC or your desk. This ingenious hook prints in a single articulating shape and only requires a square of double-stick tape to attach it wherever you like. Keep your headphones in reach so they'll always be ready for your next gaming session.
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Cable Clip For Double-Sided Tape - Seriously, who couldn't use a few more cable management solutions? This cable clip offers options for hanging with either double-sided tape or with a single screw. It's great for apartment dwellers and homeowners who want to keep their cables tidy and out of harm's way.
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PTFE Cutting Jig - Most 3D printers know how important a square cut is for PTFE tubing. Especially if that tubing will be butted against a heat break. This PTFT cutting jig allows you to align your tubing, so you always get a square cut. It's also small, so you won't be waiting hours for it to print.
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TPU Cable Strap - Need to get your cables in order, but a wall hook won't do? Try Plastic3D's cable strap. This strap is printed in flexible TPU so that it can easily wrap around all manner of cabling. Print several and finally get that rat's nest under your desk cleaned up.
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Hex Cable Organizer (Modular) - So, you've managed to get your cable clutter under control, but you need a place to put some of the lesser used ones. Great! Plastic3D has a solution for you. This hexagonal cable organizer provides 8 spaces to tuck those wandering wires into. It also comes with screw holes if you'd like to mount it, or no screw holes if you wouldn't.
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iPhone 14 Pro Bumper Case - Plenty of people are still hanging on to their old iPhone 14 Pros. If you're one of those people, and you want to give that old device a little refresh, consider printing this iPhone 14 Pro bumper case. It'll gather some attention, for sure!
Tasteful Decor
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Stone Trays - These trays come in two variations, stone and wooden. Both set a standard for classy decor, and can be used as a catch-all for wallets, keys, EDC items, and other miscellaneous pocket clutter.
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Wooden Trays - Like the stone tray, only this one is for the wood lovers out there. The exterior design resembles knotty bark with a thick rustic texture. It's the perfect piece to accent your bedside table or to keep track of your keys and spare change.
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Wooden Coaster Set - If you'd like a few extra coasters to put under Plastic3D's wooden planters, or you just need to protect your coffee table from those dreaded water rings, look no further than this wooden coaster set. Each coaster comes in 2 sizes for both small and large beverages.
Just for Fun
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Jiggly 2023 & 2024 NYE Glasses - For those of us who love being the life of the party, these 2023 & 2024 NYE glasses offer a bit of nostalgia as we think back on the past couple of years. The only question is: will Plastic 3D continue this model trend for 2025 and beyond?
AnkerMake Specific
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M5C Screen (Side-Mount) - If the only thing missing from your M5C is a screen, then your dreams have just come true. This print enables users to create their own side-mount screen for their M5C printer. While you'll need to source your own electronic components, this print does provide the mount and the screen case for those pioneering printers who aren't afraid to undertake a more advanced project.
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M5C Time-lapse Mount and Guide - It's always mesmerizing to watch a time-lapse of your prints after they've finished. Like magic, they seem to grow from the print bed in seconds. If you've always wanted time-lapse capability on your M5C, Plastic3D has you covered. This print will provide a place for you to mount a time-lapse camera on the outer portion of your M5C gantry supports.
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AnkerMake PEI Plate Stand - If you're anything like us, you've probably got a few PEI plates hanging around. While you could prop them up in a bookshelf, or stuff them under your printer, doing so makes it difficult to access them. Especially if you need to do a quick switch. Plastic's PEI plate stand is the solution. With it, you can keep 3 spare PEI sheets close at hand.
AnkerMake Thanks Plastic3D
We're sure you'll agree that the time invested in designing, testing, and perfecting these prints is an almost supernatural feat. Moreover, for Plastic3D to release these designs to benefit others in the Make it Real community really shows how much they care about this hobby.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Plastic3D for all the time and energy they've expended to help our community flourish. It's people like Plastic3D, and the many others in our Make it Real community who continually push 3D printing to a level we would never have imagined.
Follow Plastic3D on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@plastic3d
Until next time, happy printing!
