Freely available 3D graphics resources

Question

I'm primarily a programmer and always have the same issue when starting new projects: I have no artistic bone in my body. But you can't always afford an artist.

What resources can I use for graphics? I'm primarily looking for free 3D models in various file types. They don't have to be elaborate, but should work for rapid prototyping.

Answer 1

There's really no good answer that I know of here. You want models for now. Soon you'll want animations. Or different LODs. You'll find some resources around the net, but none will be in the same format, and you'll have a bunch of heterognous assets you have to write loaders for. My advice, if you don't mind being tied to Windows, is to look for resources in the XNA community. You can typically find a good quantity of resources in .x format. It goes without saying that most of that won't be free for anything commercial, and that some won't allow redistribution at all.

Answer 2

www.turbosquid.com

They have free and for pay content.

Answer 3

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

Answer 4

Have a look at:

• http://www.blendermodels.org/
• http://www.3dcafe.com/

Answer 5

Some years ago, for the GameDev.Net "Four Elements" contest, I compiled an extremely large list. I haven't revisited it in some time, so probably a fair few dead links, but I'm sure there's quite a lot of live and kicking links too. It starts off with a bunch of technology links, but just scroll down. There's plenty of models and textures links.

Answer 6

These are a few of the model resources I used to use when working with 3D in the past.

3D Links is a great resource for everything with 3d. It has a long list of links to sites offerering 3d objects.

• http://www.3dlinks.com/Free_3D_Objects.cfm

Another source I used a lot to get my interior models from is e-interiors. You have to do a search for 3D in the Cad Library Availablity. It has hundreds of free interior objects from chairs to sinks.

• http://www.e-interiors.net/

For smaller assemblies and parts like knobs an gears have a look at 3D content central

• http://www.3dcontentcentral.com

Exchange 3D also has a list of free models

• http://www.exchange3d.com/cubecart/free-3d-models/cat_35.html

If you want 3D diamond cuts for experiments try 3D Lapidary

• http://www.3dlapidary.com

KatsBits has a couple of low res md5 game models

• http://www.katsbits.com/htm/models.htm

Last I want to mention De Espona. This collection is not free (except for a few models, available here). It costs $395 for the downloadable version. But, if you're looking for an entire encyclopedia with models in various resolutions, I would recommend this one.

• http://www.deespona.com

Answer 7

If it helps, http://www.modwiki.net/wiki/MD5_(file_format) has information for converting many model formats (Maya, 3DS Max, Blendder, Lightwave, Softimage) into .MD5 format.

You could then take advantage of the many excellent resources mentioned in the other answers...