Useful for staying current with 3D printing news and articles
Learn 3D Printing: All3DP and Blender
If you are learning 3D printing, the choice often comes down to two different starting points: reading news and guides to understand the field, or using a modeling tool to create your own printable files. All3DP publishes 3D printing news and articles, while Blender is a free, open source 3D creation suite. This guide explains which one fits your immediate goal and how to check that your Blender exports are ready for a slicer.
Resource Guide2 picks
All3DP's homepage shows a stream of sponsored content and news items, such as updates about Anker's eufyMake E1, research on C-shaped joints in PLA prints, and Prusa's move into pellet 3D printing. If your goal is to follow what is changing in desktop 3D printing and read short articles about materials, hardware, and techniques, this kind of site gives you a current overview without requiring you to install anything.
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite licensed under the GNU GPL, coordinated by the Blender Foundation and funded primarily by donations. Its official manual documents modeling modes and file import/export. For 3D printing, the STL format is the common bridge: the manual notes that STL is useful for CAD software and is commonly used for loading into 3D printing software. Blender's STL exporter includes settings for Forward/Up axis, Scale, and Apply Modifiers, which matter if you want your model to arrive in the slicer at the right size and orientation.
A concrete example: if you want to design a custom phone stand, you would model it in Blender, then export an STL with the correct axis and scale, and open that STL in your slicer. If instead you want to understand which filament types are gaining attention or how a new printer feature works, reading an article on All3DP is the faster path. The trade-off is that Blender requires learning its interface and modeling concepts, while a news site does not teach you to model. Neither replaces the other for every task, but each supports a different part of the learning process.
Recommended resources 2
Two starting points for learning 3D printing, each with a different role.
Suitable for creating and exporting printable 3D models
Blender
How these resources fit different learning goals
These picks are based on official descriptions and documentation, not on hands-on testing.
Do you need to create your own models?
If your goal is to design a custom part, you need a modeling tool. If you only want to understand the field, a news and guide site is enough.
Are you ready to learn a full 3D suite?
Blender's manual documents multiple modeling modes and a broad toolset. Consider whether you want that depth or a narrower tool.
Do you need a free and open source license?
Blender is free software under the GNU GPL. If license terms matter for your use, check the official license page.
Before you commit
A short check to confirm your Blender export works with your slicer.
Model a simple test cube
Create a basic cube in Blender and note its dimensions.
Export an STL with axis and scale settings
Use File ‣ Import/Export ‣ Stl. Set Forward/Up axis to match your slicer's expectation (Blender uses Y forward, Z up). Check the Scale value and enable Apply Modifiers if you used modifiers.
Open the STL in your slicer
Import the exported STL and confirm the size and orientation match your intent. If the model is rotated or scaled incorrectly, adjust the Forward/Up axis or Scale value and export again.