Dioramas are a creative way to depict and display your favorite scenes, whether it’s a detailed recreation of your favorite movie or TV show, or a portrayal of a beautiful landscape. There’s a large community of hobbyists with 3D printers that use their machines for just that: creating dioramas! You can draw up and design your own diorama in CAD software to your liking, and they’re even easier to 3D print, put together, and paint.
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the coolest dioramas on the internet. They feature a variety of scenes inspired by movies, TV shows, cities, and more.
If you find a design (or two) that’s just perfect for you but your 3D printer isn’t cooperating, check out Craftcloud by All3DP. In a few simple steps you can have your 3D printed diorama delivered to your doorstep.
Now, let’s dive into our list!
Rivendell
Rivendell is a location in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, the setting for both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This breathtaking model is modeled after Rivendell in the movies, and it recreates specific details like the waterfalls, bridges, and buildings. If you’re looking to spice it up even more, the creator hollowed out the insides of the buildings to allow you to install your own lighting.
The designer states that, since the model is so detailed, it can take upwards of 30 hours to print on an FDM printer. Many reported printing the model successfully with no supports, which is a big plus, as removing them from this diorama would be a pain!
- Who designed it? Kijai
- How printable/popular is it? This seems to be a model growing in popularity, with more than 1,000 downloads, over 350 likes, and 8 shared makes so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
Super Mario
This diorama, modeled after the popular Super Mario video game, really takes us back to the good old days. The diorama features a dirt hill, mound, flag, and even the castle at the end of the level. These details are arranged into a box with a border that mimics the look of the small TV the game would be played on.
Keep in mind that you may need to use supports underneath Mario and the flag.
- Who designed it? ksprelude01
- How printable/popular is it? With over 3,000 downloads and 5 posted makes, this fun model is definitely printable.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Merry Christmas
This diorama is a perfect addition to your lineup of decorations for the Christmas season. Like some other dioramas on this list, there’s space to incorporate lighting to add some extra holiday spirit. It has a built-in electronics bay that allows for easy access when lighting up the model.
The creator of this diorama printed it with no supports at 0.18-mm layer height and 20% infill in white PLA.
- Who designed it? shermluge
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 7,500 downloads, 7 makes, and 2 remixes so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
MTA Subway
Modeled after the Times Square subway station in New York City, this diorama is an authentic depiction of the real underground subway environment. It features a bench, trash can, and that iconic yellow border line.
The print should be fairly straightforward, as supports aren’t required for any of the parts. However, there are a few different variations for the pillar design to choose from. The creator says to pick one and print it twice to complete the diorama.
- Who designed it? Dsk001
- How printable/popular is it? This diorama has around 400 downloads from both sites and has a shared make on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is filled with all sorts of magical elements that have inspired readers and movie-goers alike. This awesome diorama allows you to display a little piece of Harry Potter’s universe on your desk or bookshelf. Specifically, it features a scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Hermione threatens Malfoy when he’s rude about Buckbeak the hippogriff.
Keep in mind that the entire diorama consists of 20 parts that need to be arranged and put together. Although the 3D printed models can stand on their own, they arguably look much cooler inside the Ikea Begåvning glass bell piece.
- Who designed it? Timo77
- How printable/popular is it? This Harry Potter-inspired diorama has almost 3,000 views and over 130 downloads. Will you be the first to post your make?
- Where to find it? Printables
The Mummy
As one of the spookier items on this list, this mummy diorama depicts a mummy emerging from its sarcophagus in a tomb littered with various hieroglyphs and collapsed pillars. For the best results, the creator recommends printing the wall lying flat on its back, and the wall glyphs with the glyphs facing up. Additionally, the top column piece should be printed standing upright with the top flush with the build plate.
It’s recommended to print everything at 0.1-mm layer height due to the small details, but the wall can be printed at any layer height as it will be covered by the glyphs.
- Who designed it? The3Dprinting
- How printable/popular is it? This mummy diorama has almost 100 downloads and 630 views, and counting.
- Where to find it? Printables
Crashed Star Destroyer
This epic diorama portrays a decaying Star Destroyer wreck lodged in the unforgiving sands of whatever planet got in the way! Many who printed this chose to paint the diorama to add a realistic touch, as the sand actually appears to flow over the starship.
This model will need to be printed with supports in some places, so the creator recommends using a small pair of pliers or tweezers to gently remove them. Also, some makers decided to sand the model for a smoother finish.
- Who designed it? jq910
- How printable/popular is it? With around 400 downloads and 2 community makes, this diorama is getting plenty of love.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Small Live
They say plants can really inject some life into a space. Incorporating live plants into your diorama will add even more life! This diorama features a small house perched atop a rocky hill, overlooking the plant growing in the soil. This makes for a neat desk ornament and is definitely a great conversation starter.
It’s worth noting that you’ll need a hot glue gun to assemble the full diorama. The legs need to be attached to the planter and the rocks need to be glued to the house.
- Who designed it? SmileyFace28
- How printable/popular is it? This model has around 50 downloads across both sites.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Cults
City
Cities can be fun environments to turn into dioramas, as you are able to set up a plethora of unique scenes with different characters. The creator of this diorama included large figurines in the midst of a heated battle, leaving massive potholes in the road as they fight. There are printable versions with and without steps, so you can shape your own city.
The diorama only needs a few supports to print, and the creator recommends printing slowly for the best results.
- Who designed it? KCOrtiz
- How printable/popular is it? This creative diorama has over 180 downloads and more than 35 likes so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
Frankenstein's Creature
It’s alive! This detailed diorama depicts the moment Dr. Frankenstein brings the creature to life. It’s incredibly detailed, even capturing the striations of the creature’s chest muscles. It prints in a few different parts, including the base, the creature and the chair, and the doctor.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to use supports to print this model successfully. In addition, to capture all that detail, use a layer height of around 0.08 mm.
- Who designed it? mickeymousejr
- How printable/popular is it? This Frankenstein-inspired diorama has around 2,000 downloads and 1 shared make.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "3D Printed Diorama: 10 Incredible Scenes to 3D Print" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.