PrintNexus

What is PrintNexus?

PrintNexus is a free site of 3D printing tools run by one maker, Paul Acosta. Next to its calculators, file viewers and converters, it has six generators that build a printable model in the browser: a parts tray, a screw-top container, a QR code tag, a bas relief from an image, a 3D map of a real place and a layered topographic map. There is no account, and the pages say your settings and files are processed on your device.

The parts tray takes the outer width, depth and height, wall and base thickness and an optional center divider. The screw-top container sets the inside diameter and height, wall, thread clearance and a ribbed, knurled or smooth grip, and renders the body and lid together or apart. The QR tool takes a URL, Wi-Fi network, contact card, calendar event and more, with a title, keychain hole, center icon, NFC and magnet pockets, and a batch mode of up to 40 tags. The bas relief tool turns a PNG, JPG or WebP into a plaque or a cutout with a frame, hanging hole and text line. The map makers draw an area in one of eight shapes and add buildings, roads, water and parks from OpenStreetMap, or stack the terrain into flat contour terraces in three color palettes, and can split a large map into printer-sized tiles.

Every generator downloads STL. The QR tool and both map makers also give a 3MF that keeps the colors as separate parts, and the bas relief tool adds OBJ, STEP, a 16-bit PNG heightmap and SVG contours. The tools are free; the site sells only printable shortcut guides. The terms say you may use, modify, share or sell what you generate, including in commercial projects, and the map pages ask you to keep the OpenStreetMap and terrain credits with files you share or sell. It suits makers who want several everyday generators on one free site.

What you can make

• Parts trays and screw-top containers
• QR code tags with NFC or magnet pockets
• Bas reliefs from a photo or logo
• 3D maps with buildings and roads
• Layered topographic maps

How to use PrintNexus

1. Open the tools page and pick a generator
2. Set the sizes, or add your image, QR content or map area
3. Generate the model and check the 3D preview
4. Download the STL, or the 3MF to keep the colors