Embedded Files
Besides creating models in 3ds Max from the ground up, models can be downloaded from web repositories, or brought in from other modeling software using an interchange format.
Besides creating models in 3ds Max from the ground up, models can be downloaded from web repositories, or brought in from other modeling software using an interchange format.
Popular web repositories for 3D models are listed below. Models are available for free and for purchase:
Popular web repositories for 3D models are listed below. Models are available for free and for purchase:
- Turbosquid
- CGTrader
- Sketchfab
Model Format
Model Format
Many models are available in 3ds Max's native format (.max). When .max is not available and there are multiple options, FBX is generally going to be the better format to use.
Many models are available in 3ds Max's native format (.max). When .max is not available and there are multiple options, FBX is generally going to be the better format to use.
Model Criteria
Model Criteria
Turbosquid has the largest selection of models in the Max format. One of the issues using Turbosquid is that if a model has flaws, people won't include them in screenshots. It helps to limit search results to "checkmate" and "checkmate pro" certified models, since they're examined by staff and require following specific rules. You'll also want to favor models that include a turnaround video, as this allows a model to be inspected from all angles.
Turbosquid has the largest selection of models in the Max format. One of the issues using Turbosquid is that if a model has flaws, people won't include them in screenshots. It helps to limit search results to "checkmate" and "checkmate pro" certified models, since they're examined by staff and require following specific rules. You'll also want to favor models that include a turnaround video, as this allows a model to be inspected from all angles.
When on stock model sites, you're looking for models that are real time ready and fit the concept and style of your scene.
When on stock model sites, you're looking for models that are real time ready and fit the concept and style of your scene.
Real time ready models are models with:
Real time ready models are models with:
- Low polycount
- Textures and materials that are compatible with real time engines.
Low polycount is somewhat relative but ideally every polygon should have a purpose. While you could use a million polygons to render a phone in perfect detail, when used efficiently that's more than enough to build an entire environment. It matters more what things look like at a distance than up close - 95% of an environment on screen will be "across the room" at any given time.
Low polycount is somewhat relative but ideally every polygon should have a purpose. While you could use a million polygons to render a phone in perfect detail, when used efficiently that's more than enough to build an entire environment. It matters more what things look like at a distance than up close - 95% of an environment on screen will be "across the room" at any given time.
When talking about textures and materials, the main three to look for are Diffuse, Roughness, and Normals. These are usually enough on their own, and an artist can usually work with these to make anything else they need. The size should generally be 2048 x 2048 pixels or higher - it's trivial to reduce a texture to a smaller size, and much harder to try to increase detail.
When talking about textures and materials, the main three to look for are Diffuse, Roughness, and Normals. These are usually enough on their own, and an artist can usually work with these to make anything else they need. The size should generally be 2048 x 2048 pixels or higher - it's trivial to reduce a texture to a smaller size, and much harder to try to increase detail.
Model Cleanup
Model Cleanup
Cleaning up a model usually involves reducing the polycount of a model to fit the needs of the scene. Models for an environment containing an entire city block need to be optimized more than models for a single room.
Cleaning up a model usually involves reducing the polycount of a model to fit the needs of the scene. Models for an environment containing an entire city block need to be optimized more than models for a single room.
Models often have mistakes in scale or other details that can be fixed using reference material. The entire scene or individual objects within the scene maybe out of scale because they are modeled without using real world measurements. For example, it would not be unusual to see a 5 foot door in the same room with a normal sized table.
Models often have mistakes in scale or other details that can be fixed using reference material. The entire scene or individual objects within the scene maybe out of scale because they are modeled without using real world measurements. For example, it would not be unusual to see a 5 foot door in the same room with a normal sized table.
It's also common for a model to require additional texturing so that it will fit the scene. The geometry maybe what you are looking for but textures may be missing, need improvement, or require modifications to match other objects in the scene. Artists that sell content on Turbosquid will sometimes sell a model without textures for a cheaper price. If you're planning to completely re-texture a model anyways, the untextured version maybe the better option.
It's also common for a model to require additional texturing so that it will fit the scene. The geometry maybe what you are looking for but textures may be missing, need improvement, or require modifications to match other objects in the scene. Artists that sell content on Turbosquid will sometimes sell a model without textures for a cheaper price. If you're planning to completely re-texture a model anyways, the untextured version maybe the better option.
Cleanup can be a long process, sometimes as long as making a model from scratch. Before beginning to retrofit a stock model, it's a good idea to have some idea how long it will take and whether it's advantageous over creating a new one.
Cleanup can be a long process, sometimes as long as making a model from scratch. Before beginning to retrofit a stock model, it's a good idea to have some idea how long it will take and whether it's advantageous over creating a new one.
Getting Textures
Getting Textures
See the textures.com article for information on getting diffuse textures and other map types for your models.
See the textures.com article for information on getting diffuse textures and other map types for your models.
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