Explore 7 Top ArtStation Marketplace Alternatives for 2024

Sketchfab

Famed for its prowess in cloud hosting 3D assets and AR/VR experiences, Sketchfab stands as a collaborative platform for creators and artists.

Sketchfab Top Features

• Enables showcasing products via advanced 3D/AR technology.
• Promotes optimization of existing 3D content derived from manufacturing processes.
• Tracks complexity-based costing for 3D models, aiding budget management.
• Provides access to a directory for locating appropriate content creators.

Function	Details
Collaboration with partners	Works with partners like InVRsion for advanced photogrammetry and model creation techniques.
Estimation of hours	Allocates estimations for model creation based on complexity: simple(>2 hrs), medium(>15 hrs), high(>40 hrs), very high(>50 hrs).
Artist’s Level	Model complexity influences the artist’s level, ranging from junior to senior 3D artists.

Sketchfab Limitations

• It is not a 3D creation tool.
• Variation in model costs due to factors like complexity, creation method, and collaboration.
• Very complex models can cost a few thousand dollars.

Sketchfab Pricing

Simple models cost between $40-$200. Complexity hikes the price to between $200-$1000 and in extreme cases, thousands. Partner InVRsion assists in cost estimates.

Sketchfab Use Cases

Use case 1: Product Showcasing

With 3D/AR technology, Sketchfab excels at product rendering and virtual showcasing.

Use case 2: Content Monetization

By setting a price based on complexity and creation method, 3D content creators earn through the platform.

Use case 3: Model Optimization

Sketchfab promotes the reuse of existing 3D content, optimizing efficiency and cost.

CGTrader

Based in Lithuania, CGTrader is an international 3D model marketplace which has carved a unique niche for itself in the field of digital archives. This platform specializes in historical 3D models and supports various artistic endeavors such as animation, game design, and VR/AR programs.

CGTrader Top Features

• Diverse collections: CGTrader offers models that cater to a wide range of historical themes, including ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Aztec cultures.
• Multiple formats: To increase accessibility, CGTrader provides 3D models in various file formats like FBX, OBJ, MAX, 3DS, and C4D.
• Quality and variety: From rigged, animated, low-poly models to those solely meant for 3D printing, the platform boasts of an impressive inventory.

Category	Examples	Price Range
Historical Architecture	Ancient Egypt Pharaohs Buildings, Ancient Rome Building	$10 – $40
Figurines/Statues	Greek Man Statue – Bronze, Roman Centurion Evocatus model	$9 – $49
Accessories	Egyptian gods – Hathor and Anubis suitable for jewelry, Assyrian winged bull pendant	$11 – $45

CGTrader Limitations

• While the digital marketplace caters extensively to historical 3D models, it may not offer as much breadth in more modern, contemporary themes.
• The cost of models can be high for independent creators or small studios.

CGTrader Pricing

CGTrader doesn’t have a fixed subscription cost. Instead, each 3D model is priced individually, ranging from a few dollars to over $50, depending on the complexity and exclusivity of the model.

CGTrader Use Cases

Use case 1: Educational Platforms

For educational platforms specializing in history, CGTrader offers a rich archive of historical models that can bring lessons to life, providing a more immersive educational experience.

Use case 2: Game Designers & Developers

Game designers developing games with a historical backdrop will find an enormous variety of pre-existing 3D models suitable for their projects, which can save significant time and effort in design stages.

Use case 3: Animation Studios

Animation studios crafting stories around historical periods could leverage the high-quality, accurate models to more easily create detailed and authentic environments and scenarios.

TurboSquid

Have you ever felt the need for a digital marine animal as a component in your creation? Well, luckily there’s TurboSquid to the rescue, providing royalty-free 3D models for multiple purposes, from games and corporate use to 3D printing or even the next revolutionary news broadcast.

TurboSquid Top Features

• 3D Models eligible for multiple projects after single purchase.
• Highly versatile, usable in games, corporate activities, academia, and product design.
• Extended distribution permitted in larger creations and closed formats.
• Distribution license checking in the form of refund within seven days of purchase.
• Permits model sharing with multiple trusted clients, the more, the merrier!

Feature	Description
Editable 3D Models	Here’s your chance to be creative! Models are editable but certain license rules do apply. So be sure to read the manual before revamping!
Models for 3D Printing	Personalize your space with models under the max rule of 5 prints. Who needs sculptures when you can 3D print?
Ultimate Download Risk	Feeling like a hero? TurboSquid line up potential download risks, including computer virus damage. Your sacrifice, your glory!

TurboSquid Limitations

• Models are not pot of gold! Not permitted to be used in business logos or trademarks.
• Not usable as part of design templates, After Effects templates, stock photography, or clip art.
• Usage of models for defamatory, harassing, or let’s say, not-so-innocent purposes, strictly a no-no.
• Unauthorized use of models might incur the wrath of TurboSquid and lead to license termination.

TurboSquid Pricing

A suspense thriller in itself, TurboSquid likes to keep its pricing a secret within the company summary. As curiosity revs your engines, we recommend a detour to the TurboSquid website for more detailed information.

TurboSquid Use Cases

Use case 1: Gaming Industry

TurboSquid offers 3D models you can use in your digital realm. Whether you are creating closed MMOs/Virtual Worlds or browser-based games, TurboSquid is here as your 3D guru.

Use case 2: Corporate Needs

Need a 3D twist in your corporate narratives? TurboSquid supports corporate use. Imagine the next presentation with a 3D boss who isn’t real but still gets your attention!

Use case 3: Education

Technology in academia? Why not! Use TurboSquid’s models in your scholastic pursuits and add that digital touch to your teaching methods, just remember, photocopying them for every student is a no-go-zone!

PixelSquid

Introducing PixelSquid, an innovative service that revolutionizes the realm of digital design by bringing the power of 3D into the hands of 2D graphic designers. Established by TurboSquid, a leading player in the 3D model market, PixelSquid aims to democratize access to 3D models and expand the creative possibilities for artists and designers alike.

PixelSquid Top Features

• Offers a vast selection of over 43,000 3D objects, with new models being added each month.
• Total flexibility with downloads available in 2D PNG or PSD format.
• Exclusive PSD files function with an array of powerful layers to offer precise control in 2D design.
• Enables seamless integration into Adobe Photoshop, boosting design efficiency.
• Produces high-resolution images accessible from 225 different angles per object, enhancing the depth of your designs.
• Allows designers to apply 3D aspects without requiring 3D experience or applications.
• Affords re-download at no extra cost, enhancing the value proposition.

Feature	Benefit
Compatible with various design tools	Greater versatility and adaptability for designers
3D to 2D conversion ability	Enables designers to harness the essence of 3D models in 2D designs
PixelSquid plugin	Brings PixelSquid search functionality directly into Photoshop

PixelSquid Downsides

• While PixelSquid promotes accessibility, its focus on 2D designers may restrict its application for those seeking to create their own 3D models.
• Despite offering a large collection of models, the content may not cover every niche or specific design requirement.

PixelSquid Pricing

PixelSquid offers its services at $99/year with a monthly plan available at $20/month. The PixelSquid plugin for Photoshop comes free with 100 trial objects.

PixelSquid Use Cases

Use case 1: 2D Graphic Designers

PixelSquid allows 2D graphic designers to elevate their creativities. With its diverse library of 3D models, it can provide a fresh perspective on conventional 2D designs.

Use case 2: Photo Editors

With its integration into Adobe Photoshop, photo editors can incorporate realistic 3D items into their compositions, enhancing realism and creative possibilities.

Use case 3: Content Creators

The library of 3D models can help content creators diversify their visible assets and create more engaging content for digital platforms.

Blender

A 3D computer graphics software that ascends among the elite due to its free and open-source nature, Blender is appreciated by professionals for creating animated films, visual effects, VR applications, 3D printed models, and more. Synthesized by the Dutch animation studio NeoGeo and released in 1994, Blender runs on myriad operating systems such as Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.

Blender Top Features

• 3D Modelling: Facilitates creation and modification of 3D objects.
• UV Mapping and Texturing: Provides intricate controls to create ultra-realistic surfaces.
• Digital Drawing: Bridges the 2D and 3D worlds with precision and artistic comfort.
• Raster graphics editing: Offers robust editing functionalities for bitmap images.
• Sculpting: Lets artists shape 3D models with virtual clay.

Motion Graphics	Efficient tools for designing stunning animations and moving graphics.
Video Editing	Complete suite to edit, composite, and fine-tune videos.
Eevee Renderer	Allows real-time rendering, replacing Blender Internal from 2.80 release.

Blender Disadvantages

• Blender Game Engine: Canceled with the 2.8 release. Reduction of VR game development capabilities.
• Complex Interface: The learning curve may be steep for beginners.

Blender Pricing

Fueled by a community-centric spirit, Blender is free to use. Being open source, it allows unparalleled flexibility and adaptability-nurturing listener creativity.

Blender Use Cases

Use case 1: Animated Films

Blender is a high utility tool for digital artists to produce animated films with professional grade capabilities.

Use case 2: VR Applications

This platform alone can cover the entire VR development pipeline, from conception to completion, making it the ideal choice for VR content creators.

Use case 3: 3D Printing

With its 3D-modeling prowess, Blender provides a reliable foundation for designing 3D-printed models, boosting efficiency for 3D print designers.

SketchUp

A brainchild of Trimble Inc., SketchUp is an ingenious 3D modeling computer-aided design (CAD) program. Leveraged in the field of architecture, industrial design, and video game development, its versatility knows no bounds. With SketchUp Pro heralded for its intuitive interface, both beginners and professionals find common ground.

Top SketchUp Features

• Smart Drawing Tools: Enhance architectural design to interior modeling and product visualization.
• Extensive 3D Warehouse: An eclectic reservoir of 3D models shared by SketchUp users.
• Real-time Collaboration: Revitalize team coordination via instant project sharing
• Impressive Rendering Options: Compatible with V-Ray for high-quality photorealistic renders.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES	DESCRIPTION
Plugins and Extensions	Expand functionality with myriad extensions available in Trimble Extension Warehouse.
Global Illumination & Material Editor	Enhance your design’s realism with Chaos Enscape’s comprehensive toolset.
Wide File Format Support	Supports 3D modeling formats: .3DS, .DAE, .DEM, .DDF, .DXF, .DWG, .IFC (.IFCZIP), .KMZ, .STL, PDF(Mac Only).

SketchUp Limitations

• Web-based SketchUp Free doesn’t support extensions.
• Business model transitioned to subscription-based, potentially affecting user feasibility.

SketchUp Pricing

SketchUp offers a free web-based version and three paid subscriptions with varying functionalities: SketchUp Shop, SketchUp Pro, and SketchUp Studio.

SketchUp Use Cases

Use case 1: Architecture & Engineering

With precision intricacies of Rhino 3D, and robust modeling, SketchUp fosters architectural and engineering design innovation.

Use case 2: Industrial Design

Features like Smart Drawing Tools and extensive 3D Warehouse propel creative genius in industrial design.

Use Case 3: Game Development

With advanced rendering capabilities and resourceful 3D Warehouse, SketchUp has carved a niche in video game development.

Three.js

Imbued with the enchantment of JavaScript and dressed in hues of GLSL, Three.js brings your wildest 3D animation concepts to life, right within your web browser! Thanks to the innovative savvy of Ricardo Cabello (aka Mr.doob) and an army of over 1700 contributors on Github, your web browser becomes the canvas upon which you can unleash your creative expressions without the need for pesky plugins! Yes, you heard that right: no plugins, just unadulterated artistic freedom!

Three.js Top Features

• Cross-browser JavaScript library and API
• Creates, displays animated 3D computer graphics
• Utilizes WebGL for enhanced graphical rendering
• Provides GPU-accelerated 3D animations
• High-level libraries to streamline the creation of complex animations

Materials, Shaders, Post-processing	Major contributions by Branislav Uličný for enchanting materials, miraculous shaders, and exquisite post-processing.
Geometry Generation	Under the spell of WebGL 1.0, Joshua Koo joined to contribute to geometry generation, creating a new dimension in three-dimensional designs.
Virtual and Augmented Reality support	Thrusting you into the future, Three.js supports both VR and AR via WebXR: immersive storytelling just got an upgrade!

Three.js Disadvantages

• Requires knowledge of JavaScript. Non-technical artists may face difficulty in mastering this.
• Though WebGL is widely supported, compatibility issues may arise on some older browsers.

Three.js Pricing

Here’s some electrifying news: fully open-sourced under the MIT license, Three.js is your key to 3D rendering freedom free of charge! Yes, it’s as unbeatable as it sounds!

Three.js Use Cases

Use case 1

Developers and artists seeking to create interactive 3D stories within their web applications can harness the power of Three.js for astonishing results.

Use case 2

Three.js is a gamechanger for web game developers, turning imagination into pixel-perfect reality, and casual browsing into exciting adventures!

Use case 3

Great news for the creators of edutainment apps: With Three.js, education meets entertainment in an enchanting 3D virtual world, guaranteed to captivate young learners!