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Open source · Free resources

A helpful hand
and a lot of
open source,
for free.

Free STLs, a browser-playable education platform, guides, and code — the generosity layer of 3D3D. No paywalls, no email captures, nothing gated.

3D3D publishes functional FDM models, an open education platform, and code anyone can read, fork, and use. The free work is real work — the same design discipline and real-hardware testing that goes into paid parts. Technical people trust a shop that gives things away well.

The give-away layer

What does 3D3D give away for free?

Four categories, no strings. Each one is genuinely useful on its own — not a lead magnet, not a watered-down demo.

Models

Free STL files

Tested, functional FDM models — marine hardware, cable management, bracket clamps, winch accessories. Download from Printables with no account, no email gate, no catch.

Education

OpenKernel EDU

Operating-system and assembly concepts made playable in any browser. Free for classrooms, public libraries, and anyone curious about how computers actually work at the instruction level.

Code

Open-source on GitHub

Libraries, utilities, and tooling published under open licences at github.com/3d3dcanada. Pull requests and issues welcome. Nothing behind a login, nothing feature-locked.

Guides

Build guides + video

FDM setup walkthroughs, material selection guides, and print-to-production tutorials on YouTube. No paywalls, no memberships, no upsell in the middle of a how-to.

Free models

Where are the free STL files?

Every free model is on Printables. Download and print on any FDM printer — tested on a Prusa Core One L before publishing.

Printables · @KTK3D_3050116

Functional FDM models

Every model comes from a real need: something that broke, something that didn't exist, something that costs too much to buy. Winch cup holders. Hatch-seal brackets. Cable organisers designed for marine runs. Line stoppers that fit common cleats. All tested on a real boat or in a real installation before publishing.

  • Whereprintables.com/@KTK3D_3050116
  • LicenceCC BY 4.0 (most models)
  • Account requiredNo — download directly
  • PrinterAny FDM; tested on Prusa Core One L
Browse free models →

FDM first principles

What to expect from the files

Every published STL is print-ready: tolerances sized for FDM shrinkage, orientation notes in the description, and recommended material listed. No last-minute surprises in the slicer. If a print needs support material, the listing says so — and where to put it.

  • Print-ready tolerances, no hand-tuning
  • Tested material listed per file
  • Orientation and support notes in description
  • Marine-grade versions use ASA or PETG-CF
Free education

What is OpenKernel EDU?

A browser-playable operating-system and assembly simulator — free for classrooms, libraries, and anyone who wants to understand how computers work from the inside.

OpenKernel EDU makes the low-level parts of computer science tangible. You can step through assembly instructions, watch memory change, and see how an operating system schedules work — all in a browser, with nothing to install. It runs on a Chromebook, a library computer, or a ten-year-old laptop. There is no student cap, no data collection, and no licence to manage.

It is built for the classroom that does not have a budget for software, and for the self-taught programmer who wants to understand what happens between the code and the CPU. Curious adults are welcome too.

Technical facts

Access Any modern browser, no install
Cost Free — no licence, no subscription
Data collected None from students or teachers
Devices Desktop, laptop, Chromebook, tablet
Concepts covered Assembly, memory, OS scheduling
Target audience Classrooms, libraries, self-learners
Open source code

What source code does 3D3D publish?

Public repositories live at github.com/3d3dcanada. Licences stated per repo. Pull requests and issues welcome.

The GitHub account at github.com/3d3dcanada is where code goes when it is ready to be useful to others. That means it is documented, it has a licence, and there is a path for contributors. Projects in early development stay internal until they reach that bar.

If you find something that should be open and is not, or if you want to contribute to an existing repo, email [email protected] — we move faster on concrete requests than on broad interest signals.

3D3D on GitHub →

How to contribute

  1. 01 Open an issue describing what you want to fix or add.
  2. 02 Fork the repo and make your change on a named branch.
  3. 03 Open a pull request — link it to the issue.
  4. 04 Review and merge. No CLA, no lengthy process.
$0 Per STL download on Printables
Free OpenKernel EDU — any browser, any device
CC BY Licence on most published models
Open Repos at github.com/3d3dcanada
The reasoning

Why does 3D3D give things away for free?

A shop that publishes good free work earns technical trust that marketing cannot buy. When you download a model, run OpenKernel in your classroom, or read the source code before you decide to hire us — you have already seen the quality standard. There is nothing to oversell.

The free work also solves real problems for people who cannot afford the paid work. That is worth doing on its own. A student using OpenKernel in a library is not a lost sale — they are someone who might build something great, and we would rather be part of that than not.

Practically: free models train our slicer settings, expose edge cases in our file export pipeline, and generate honest reviews. They make the paid work better. The generosity is not separate from the business — it is part of how the business runs well.

Straight answers

Questions about the free resources.

How do I download the free STL files?
All free models are on Printables under the 3D3D account (@KTK3D_3050116). Download any file directly — no account required to access the download. A Printables login lets you like and save files, but is never required.
Is OpenKernel EDU really free to use in the classroom?
Yes. OpenKernel EDU runs in any modern browser at openkernel.3d3d.ca with no install, no licence fee, and no student cap. It is built specifically for classrooms, public libraries, and self-learners. Nothing is harvested from students.
Can I use the free STL files commercially?
Check the licence on each Printables listing — most are Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), which allows commercial use with attribution. If you need a different arrangement for a production run, email [email protected] and we will work it out.
What open-source repositories does 3D3D publish?
Public repositories live at github.com/3d3dcanada. Licences are stated in each repository's README. If you want to use something and the licence is unclear, email and we will clarify.
Do you accept contributions to the open-source projects?
Yes. Issues, pull requests, and documentation improvements are welcome. Each active repository has a CONTRIBUTING file that explains the process. If you are unsure where to start, open an issue first.
How do I support the free work financially?
Ko-fi (ko-fi.com/3d3dca) is the direct route — contributions fund filament, machine time, and hosting for the free tools. Sharing models, starring repos, and sending someone to OpenKernel also helps more than you'd expect.
Are the free resources available outside Canada?
Everything on Printables, GitHub, and openkernel.3d3d.ca is accessible worldwide. The STL files print on any FDM printer. If you want physical prints of a free model shipped to you, use the quote page.

Need a part that isn't free?

If you can't find what you need in the free files, send dimensions and a description. We quote within 24 hours, ship from New Brunswick, and print on real hardware. $18 minimum order.