General questions.
So there is:
MakerWorld - Babmbu
Thingiverse
Printables
I am sure there are others but in general do most people have accounts on all 3d model websites or generally what you find on one you are able to find on the other?
is there a point to scrolling through all these sites.
I have files on Printables and Makerworld, but Makerworld has certain incentives the give on models that can only be exclusive to Makerworld. Anything with this logo on Makerworld:
is exclusive to Makerworld and can not be hosted anywhere else.
I donāt know if Printables has a similar program.
It depends on the maker. But there are a different things on different websites, but also a lot of the same things. but the exclusive models can (Or at least should) only be able to be found on makerworld.
If one is looking for dungeons and dragons, MyMiniFactory is the place to go.
Another platform is Thangs. I have not taken a close look into it.
Also paid models on other sites are unlikely on MakerWorld or Thingiverse (this could change soon).
Those are the top 3 FREE model sites. Cults is another that host almost all paid. Also myminifactory has lots of stuff too, paid modelsā¦..
There are substantial number of free models on Cults3D. In an interview about 2 years ago, a founder seemed to suggest a 60/40 percentage split between paid and free models. Not sure if that percentage split is still true today though.
What would be the difference in a paid model site vs a free.
I havenāt scrolled through much other then MakerWorld so far, but are the paid for models that much better? is it more āover engineeredā models or its purely someone took the time to make a headphone stand and feels the need to get paid for it (not that there is anything wrong with that) just that there is 400 different type available already for free.
In general, paid models are better in quality (they better are because buyers can request refund 
) People pay because they want them and canāt find the same or alternative among the free models.
My daughter has bought a few paid models for me to print for her. They have been very good models.
Here is a link to a forum that lists several and tells a little about them.
I mainly use Thingiverse, MakerWorld, Printables as they cover the vast majority of everything.
Iāve also used www.freelancer.com or similar sites to locate people to create a model for me. Iām a beginner at 3D design software and when I need something beyond my skill set I outsource it or check with a friend. They have a range of costs for various budgets.
When you buy a model, do you get to edit it ? print it a different size, add text or modify it any way you see fit, or your buying what the person made and its some how locked?
The models my daughter have bought have just been .stl files and instructions on assembly if it was a multi-part model. They can be used like any other .stl file in the slicer.
Iād say it depends. There is quite a bit of overlap between repositories but as others have said makerworld indicates exclusive models only available there.
Personally I originally started with thingiverse until I got my P2S. Now Iām primarily makerworld especially due to the integration with Bambu Studio. Itās just too easy.
My biggest frustration is discovering models. Yes there are ācategoriesā and you can sort by newest, most popular, most made, most downloaded etc. Some sites have sub-categories as well. However, I find that it doesnt take long before you are seeing the same models over and over. I wish there was a better search / sort.
I enjoy printing models that I have to assemble and/ or function in some mechanical way. So I love puzzle boxes, props, costumets, etc..
One resource for scenery for D&D I received from a friend of mine is Printable Scenery. Oh and there is Gambody as well. Both of these are premium pay for model sites.
