November 2, 2026
Scientific 3D models of proteins, anatomical structures, viruses, and more are important visual tools for research, education, and training. However, generating, sharing, and reusing them can require specialized 3D modeling skills.
NIH 3D is a free, community-sourced library of more than 15,000 3D-printable and viewable biomedical models and visualization tools that help address this. The platform’s workflows generate models directly from research and medical imaging data. Researchers, clinicians, educators, and the public can browse and download existing models or submit their own data to generate new ones — without needing specialized software or 3D modeling experience.
These 3D models can be rotated and explored to teach spatial relationships that are hard to convey in flat images, printed for classroom demonstrations, teaching aids, or device prototypes, or used in scientific figures and publications. Contributors can request a DOI for entries, which makes it easy to cite and reuse shared models.
And now, NIH 3D’s upgraded workflows make it easier to create 3D models from a wider range of scientific data and medical imaging file formats. Viewing models is easier too; the 3D viewer has new customization options and an updated WebXR viewer to explore models in virtual reality.
If you’re interested in learning more about NIH 3D, please join the monthly NIH Data Science Trainers Meeting Group on November 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET, for a presentation about the resource. (Contact amy.stonelake@nih.gov for meeting information.)
To explore the library, generate a model, or learn more about the visualization tools, visit NIH 3D.
-Kristen Browne, MSc, MScBMC
NIH 3D Product Owner
This topic spotlight was authored on Nov 2, 2026 and reflects the information available at that time. As content may evolve, please contact us at ncibtep@nih.gov to obtain the most current information.