Whether you work in virtual reality (VR), normal videogame design, industrial design, or any other creative process that requires a 3D model of some sort there’s a strong likelihood that you’ve come across Sketchfab at some point. VRFocus has covered the 3D model library fairly extensively and today is no different, with Sketchfab announcing the official launch of its online marketplace.
Originally launched in beta earlier this year the Sketchfab Store will allow the platform’s community of 1.5 million creative professionals and hobbyists to monetize their work.
One of the big features customers will have access to is the “Model Inspector” which allows every aspect of a 3D model, including textures and topology, to be reviewed in real-time. From animation and visual effects to videogames, 3D printing, virtual reality, augmented reality and architectural renderings, designers will have the opportunity to view then purchase tens of thousands of 3D models and textures. And as an added bonus the Sketchfab viewer also supports VR and AR out of the box.
“We’re extremely excited to launch the Sketchfab store after a successful open beta,” said Alban Denoyel, Co-founder and CEO of Sketchfab in a statement. “The store allows our extraordinarily talented community to easily monetize their work on a single platform, while the model inspector takes the guesswork out 3D model purchases. We cannot thank our early adopter buyers and sellers enough for sharing their thoughtful feedback and making the official store as strong as possible!”
Used by brands such as Oath, Sony, HTC, Amazon and others, Sketchfab has grown since its founding in 2012 to be one of the go-to destinations for buyers needing 3D resources. In addition the the store Sketchfab also recently announced content partnerships with Facebook at F8, integrating their AR studio platform, and with Apple at WWDC.
“Sketchfab’s store is a great place to buy assets because customers can inspect models from all angles instead of browsing through cherry-picked presentation images,” says Matthias Andre, Co-founder and Art Director of Bitgem, a team that creates 3D models and textures for game developers, “For sellers, it’s hassle-free as there is no need to create extensive presentation material. It’s easy to create great looking 3D previews and even showcase animations.”
As Sketchfab continues to grow and expand its presence, VRFocus will keep you updated on the latest announcements.