Poliigon is a leading CG texture library offering over 1000 PBR materials, seamless ultra-sharp textures up to 24K resolution, and unique overlays for photorealistic results. Its texture creation system employs photogrammetry for high-quality outputs.
For those exploring options beyond Poliigon, alternatives encompass Quixel, Substance, and Megascans.
Quixel
Established in 2010, Quixel is a Swedish company known for establishing new paradigms in 3D art creation. It was brought to life by Teddy Bergsman, Waqar Azim. Renowned for developing tools such as Megascans, Bridge, and Mixer, its goal is to accelerate the pace of digital environment creation.
Quixel Top Features
Enormous library of 3D building blocks, enabling swift construction and easy manipulation.
Products like Bforartists and Forger built for intuitive usage, enhancing user productivity.
Exclusive access to Megascans via Bridge for Unreal Engine license holders.
Assets creation based on instant requirements, promoting unique and creative designs.
Comprehensive range of tools and features promoting augmented reality adoption.
Extensive Megascans collection consisting of 2D, 3D, textures, brushes.
Feature
Description
Megascans
An extensive library of scanned 2D and 3D assets, textures, and brushes. Quality assured for commercial use.
Forger
A tool designed to enhance 3D model creation in filmmaking and game development with an intuitive multi-touch interface.
Bforartists
An innovative fork of open-source 3D software, Blender. It emphasizes on a user-friendly graphical UI.
Quixel Limitations
Licensing can be complex and requires a paid subscription when used as a final destination point in Unreal Engine.
Working models static renders only in Blender.
Quixel Pricing
With pricing beginning at just $19 per month, Quixel also offers a limited-functionality Free version to its users. It provides value-packed plans catering to varying needs and budget constraints.
Quixel Use Cases
Use case 1: AAA, VFX studios
Quixel’s tools and resources, featuring an abundant library of assets, have been leveraged by leading AAA and VFX studios to produce high-quality digital environments in their projects.
Use case 2: Game Developers
Quixel’s Forger offers an optimal toolset for game developers desiring to create immersive 3D models, while also facilitating efficient augmented reality usage.
Use case 3: Filmmakers
Contributing to digital filmmaking, Quixel offers a versatile platform. Utilizing its impeccable collection of assets and user-friendly Bforartists, filmmakers can craft engaging scenes with ease.
Substance
Substance is a cutting-edge 3D modeling software suite pioneered by Adobe, leveraging procedural modeling and smart materials for sophisticated 3D design tasks.
Substance Top Features
Substance 3D Designer emphasizing robust procedural modeling capabilities.
Substance 3D Painter providing smart materials/masks and automated UV unwrapping.
Environment lighting setup tools complimenting Substance 3D Sampler.
Substance 3D Stager, an intuitive tool designed for scene layout, lighting, and rendering.
Seamless integration with Adobe Bridge and access to a vast 3D asset library.
Product
Features
Substance 3D Texturing
Integrated bakers and real-time viewports, targeted at artists and developers for 3D model texturing.
Substance Modeler VR
A sculpting app currently in private beta, aimed at creating an immersive 3D modeling experience.
Substance Limitations
Subscriptions are expensive for indie developers, attracting criticism for its pricing scheme.
Potential restrictions on non-commercial versions that limit comprehensive application.
Lack of a valued pricing model for multi-product suites, i.e., Substance Designer and Painter combined.
Substance Pricing
Substance 3D Texturing is priced at $19.99/month or $219.88/year while the full Substance 3D Collection costs $49.99/month or $549.88/year.
Substance Use Cases
Use Case 1: Game Development
Substance tools are critical in game development, as seen in popular titles like Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn and Apex Legends.
Use Case 2: Motion Graphic Design
For motion graphic designers, Substance provides an extensive array of tools, facilitating the creation of industry-standard materials, lights, and patterns.
Use Case 3: Visual Effects
Substance Designer and Painter have been used in high-grossing movies and TV series, indicating its proficiency and dependability in the visual effects industry.
Megascans
Meet Megascans, the rising star in the augmented reality universe. Boasting the distinction of being the largest, fastest-growing 3D scan library, Megascans isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill 3D asset library. It’s a playground for all from game developers to visual effects whiz kids making work more of a delightful romp than a dreary chore. Oh, did we mention it’s rendered in Unreal Engine 5? Talk about getting an unreal experience, literally!
Best Features Of Megascans
Stunning array of benchmarks: From gaming to VFX and beyond, it’s your all-access 3D pass. And yes, even ArchViz is on the guest list!
Standardized assets: Megascans’ assets have optimized topology, consistent scale, resolution, and are real-world PBR calibrated.
Adaptable resolutions: It doesn’t matter whether you’re a 2D or 3D aficionado; there’s something for every pixel-minded individual.
Quality: Simply put, it’s Oscar-winning. Yep, studios like MPC Film swear by Megascans when it comes to creating breathtaking sceneries.
Assets in Play
Surfaces, vegetation, imperfections, and decals are all at your design disposal.
Refresh Rate
Hundreds of shiny, new 3D assets scanned in every week to kindle your creativity.
Access to the Twimotion library
Free access to an ocean of Megascans assets – just log in with your Epic Account!
Megascans Limitations
Limited resolution: Your exploration in the Twimotion world of Megascans is unfortunately restricted to 2K resolution.
Licensing confusion: Some users have been left scratching their heads over the licensing and use of Megascans.
Non-gamer woes: Non-gaming developers may find few reservations in using Megascans in static renders and model sales.
Megascans Use Cases
Game Development
If your playground is the world of gaming development, Megascans delivers an armory of stunning 3D assets, optimized topology and LODs- a gamut of tools perfect for creating immersive, award-winning games.
Visual Effects
For the visual effects maestros, Megascans’ Oscar-wooing collection of unique textures, surfaces, and vegetation assets provide the magic touch for that insta-worthy visual masterpiece.
Mobile, VR, AR applications
Building the next big Mobile, VR, or AR application? Megascans comes loaded with assets meticulously scanned and scaled for a seamless, consistent experience in your next generation application.
Patrick Daugherty
Content writer @ Aircada. Merging AR expertise with a love for late-night gaming sessions.
