Hey, animators!! Grab a drink and chill because your job will be easy after completing this article! Although finding 3d assets could be difficult, especially the free ones, especially if you’re just starting with animation, we’ve got your back! Below is a list of handpicked top 5 resources for obtaining 3d assets for free !😉
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best online sources of 3D assets and resources for animators.
Sketchfab
Sketchfab is one of the most popular and largest platforms for 3D content on the web. It allows you to upload, view, share, and download 3D models, scenes, and animations in various formats and quality levels. You can also embed and interact with 3D content on any website or social media platform.
Sketchfab has a vast and growing library of over 4 million 3D assets and resources created by a community of over 5 million artists. You can browse and search for assets by category, tag, license, price, and more.
Here’s the kicker: you can upload your creations and snag some sweet recognition (and maybe even a commission or two!). Think of it as your 3D portfolio meets a mood board. You can filter by staff picks, popular, recent, or featured assets.
Sketchfab offers free and paid assets and a subscription service called Sketchfab Plus that gives you more features and benefits, such as unlimited uploads, higher quality, and ad-free browsing. Furthermore, Sketchfab supports VR and AR applications, seamlessly integrating with software like Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and more.
Obscure detail: Sketchfab has a thriving community of artists who often host challenges and contests. Participate, and you might win exclusive premium models or even cash prizes!
TurboSquid
TurboSquid is another leading platform for 3D content, with over 1 million 3D models, textures, materials, and more. It’s not the biggest free library, but the quality is generally high, making it worth a quick browse.
TurboSquid caters to various industries and use cases, such as games, film, TV, architecture, advertising, education, and more.
TurboSquid has a curated collection of high-quality 3D assets created by a network of over 100,000 artists and professionals. You can also preview and inspect the assets before downloading them. It’s not the biggest free library, but the quality is generally high, making it worth a quick browse.
TurboSquid offers free and paid assets and a membership program called SquidGuild that gives you discounts, rewards, and exclusive access to new content. It also has a quality assurance program called StemCell that ensures the compatibility and consistency of the assets across different formats and platforms.
TurboSquid offers a free “Starter Pack” with a handful of curated assets, perfect for getting your feet wet with their platform. Plus, they have regular sales and discounts so you might snag a premium model for a steal!
CGTrader
CGTrader is a platform that connects 3D modelers and buyers with over 1.3 million 3D models, textures, materials, and more. It is a marketplace where you can buy and sell 3D content and request custom 3D models and services.
CGTrader has a diverse and dynamic library of 3D assets and resources created by a community of over 3.9 million users, including 3D artists, designers, studios, and brands. You can also view and rate the assets and contact the sellers directly.
CGTrader offers free and paid assets and a loyalty program called CGTrader Credits that gives you discounts, bonuses, and freebies. CGTrader has a “Free for Non-Commercial Use” filter, which opens up even more options for hobbyists and student animators. So, even if you’re not making money, you can still find some amazing assets for your projects. CGTrader also has a quality guarantee program called CGTrader ARsenal that ensures the optimization and realism of the assets for AR and VR applications.
Free3D
Free3D is a platform that provides free 3D models, textures, materials, and more. It is a simple and easy-to-use website that lets you download and use 3D content for personal and commercial purposes.
Free3D has a modest but useful library of over 75,000 3D assets and resources created by a community of over 200,000 users. You can also view and comment on the assets and request new models.
It offers only free assets, but you can donate to the creators to support their work. Free3D also has a blog that features tutorials, tips, and news about 3D modeling and animation.
Free3D has a hidden gem – a section dedicated to models specifically optimized for game engines like Unity and Unreal. So if you’re a game dev on a budget, this is your goldmine.
Polyhaven
Polyhaven is a platform that provides free and open-source 3D assets and resources, such as models, textures, HDRIs, and sounds. It is a non-profit organization that aims to create and share high-quality 3D content for everyone.
It has a small but growing library of 3D assets and resources created by a team of volunteers and contributors.You can also view and download the assets in various formats and quality levels.
Polyhaven offers only free and open-source assets, but you can also support the project by becoming a patron, sponsor, or donor. With additional features, Polyhaven offers a forum for discussions, content requests, and a blog detailing the project’s progress.
Supersaga: A User-Friendly Approach to 3D Animation
Explore Supersaga, a user-friendly 3D animation application tailored for those desiring animation creation without extensive knowledge of 3D software. With an extensive asset library encompassing customizable characters, scenes, and props, Supersaga simplifies the animation process through its intelligent engine. Enhance your creative projects by seamlessly incorporating sound effects, music, and voice-overs for a complete cinematic experience.
To further support users, the app’s website and blogs serve as valuable repositories of additional resources and information.
As a testament to their commitment to user involvement, Supersaga provides an Alpha playtest version, downloadable from their Discord channel. This initiative ensures accessibility, allowing users to explore and engage with the app, facilitating the creation of stunning 3D animations. With Supersaga, the fusion of user-friendly design, robust features, and accessible resources propels the world of 3D animation into a realm of creativity and limitless possibilities.
Additional Platforms
Besides the top 5 free platforms exclusively for 3D animation, some additional platforms have paid assets and resources for animators. These platforms are not necessarily focused on 3D animation, but they offer a variety of content and tools that can be useful for your projects. Here are some of them:
Unity Asset Store: As a hub for game development, the Unity Asset Store offers assets and tools, including models, animations, scripts, shaders, sounds, and more. Integrated with Unity, the Asset Store ensures a smooth transition, enabling asset compatibility across various platforms and software.
Blender Market: A platform that provides assets and tools for Blender, a free and open-source 3D software that can be used for modeling, animation, rendering, and more. Blender Market offers models, textures, materials, add-ons, scripts, and more created by a community of Blender users and professionals.
Mixamo: A platform that provides 3D characters and animations for games and other applications. Empowering creativity, Mixamo lets you create, customize, and download 3D characters while providing access to a library of over 4,000 motions for animations.. It is compatible with various software and platforms like Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, etc.
ArtStation Marketplace: A platform that provides assets and resources for artists and creatives, such as models, textures, brushes, tutorials, courses, and more. As an extension of ArtStation, the Marketplace seamlessly integrates social networking, portfolio showcasing, and art sales for artists and designers.
Conclusion
Animation is a fun and rewarding field requiring much creativity and resources. In this article, we have introduced you to some of the best platforms that offer 3D assets and resources for animators, both free and paid. These platforms can help you find and use the content and tools you need for your projects and inspire you to create your own.
