VizWorld.com

NASA has released a large library of models for everything (realistically) space-oriented.  It contains astronauts, spacesuits, satellites, shuttles, and various bits of technology surrounding them.

These models are for anybody that uses a 3D software package. Most of the models are in the common .3ds format, which can be read by most 3D programs. Some models, however, are in their original .lwo, .fbx, or .obj formats to preserve details that would be lost in conversion.

I wonder how long before someone recreates the JSC Mission Control room in Second Life using this.

via NASA – 3D Models.

Graphics free, models, nasa

Next time you find yourself working with astronomical scenes, trying to model and texturemap planets, asteroids, satellites, or anything else up in the blackness of space, stop by Celestia Motherlode first where they have a huge collection of textures and models for the Celestia software.

The Celestia Motherlode is a repository for various addons like textures, models or celestial objects for Celestia. Celestia is a free, interactive (real-time), 3D astronomy program. It doesn't just show you the sky as it can be seen from earth as most planetarium software does, but allows you to move to and view the universe from any point between the planets and the stars. The Celestia Motherlode hosts over 10 GB of Celestia addons by various creators, which extend or change the way Celestia renders the universe.

While they say it’s for Celestia, the texture are in simple PNG format and many of the models are available in formats like 3DS or XYZ.

via The Celestia Motherlode: Home.

Graphics, Science astronomy, celestia, models, textures

DAZ3D, developer of 3D software and content, and Gizmoz, creators of 3D face detection and manipulation technology, and merged to form a new company that aims to deliver the highest-quality personalized 3D digital characters, accessories, and environments ever.

The combination of Gizmoz’s consumer-friendly, photo-realistic head reconstruction and online personalization service with DAZ 3D’s sophisticated full-figure content, desktop software tools and thriving community will provide creative professionals, gamers and consumers alike with a substantially more expansive virtual goods design center and marketplace. The merger will enhance distributive capabilities as well: the custom avatars can then be managed and seamlessly transported to any virtual environment or production pipeline. All characters and technologies can be used in PC and console games, social networks, video clips and mobile applications, as well as in professional modeling, animation and illustration projects.

DAZ 3D and Gizmoz Press Page.

Graphics daz3d, gizmoz, models

A new partnership between TurboSquid and Mixamo will create a new class of models in TurboSquid, “Mixamo-certified” models that are certified for use with Mixamo’s online animation service.  This is a great way for you to tap into the massive model collection that TurboSquid offers and combine that with the high-quality animation tools Mixamo provides.

“The combination of high-quality, certified TurboSquid models and Mixamo animations provides users with a powerful and easy way to develop first-rate characters in motion,” says Stefano Corazza, co-founder and CTO of Mixamo. “As the largest worldwide provider of 3D content across several industries including video games, design and architecture, and virtual worlds, TurboSquid aligns perfectly with Mixamo’s ongoing strategy to provide 3D professionals with the next evolution in character creation technologies.”

Currently only 10 3dsMax Biped system characters are available, but more models will come online regularly.  Full details in the press release after the break, and at the Mixamo site.

Read more…

Graphics mixamo, models, turbosquid

For the low price of $180, Dosch has just released a new model pack containing 20 detailed models related to airport operations.  The list includes:

• 3 Luggage loading vehicles
• 2 people moving systems, including a Maglev-train
• 2 ground luggage transport systems
• a pair of Access Stair Trucks
• various other specialty vehicles such as fire trucks, refueling trucks, tow trucks, etc

The models are completed textured and supplied in several formats for your convenience:  3DS, 3dsmax (version 4 and above), Lightwave (version 6.5 and above), OBJ, Maya (version 4 and above), VRML, SoftimageXSI, Cinema 4D (version 8.5 and above), Collada DAE and FBX.

See an example image and the full announcement after the break.

Read more…

Graphics airport, dosch, models

Autodesk and TurboSquid have gone together like PB&J for the last several years, and a new press release indicates that they’ve made it official as TurboSquid is now the exclusive source for user-generated 3D content in Autodesk Seek.

“The user-generated content available through TurboSquid has consistently demonstrated value to the design community,” stated Jeff Wright, Senior Director, Autodesk Content Network. “Naming TurboSquid as our exclusive marketplace provider for user-generated 3D content was the next logical step in our relationship.”

Of course, the press release completely avoids the issues raised by the recent changes to the terms of service.  So if you want your models publicly available via Autodesk Seek, looks like you’ll have to learn to live with TurboSquid.

via TurboSquid Named Autodesk Seek’s Exclusive Marketplace Provider for User-Generated 3D Content.

Graphics autodesk, models, turbosquid

skyphyr at Binary Iris posts a scathing review of the practises of TurboSquid, the largest online marketplace for 3d creators.

… For a long time good enough remained good enough. At least from our side. Unfortunately, that feeling is no longer reciprocated and apathetic support of a monopoly we helped create is soon to shift to being tantamount to endorsement of unethical behaviour.

This assertion is supported by some pretty solid math.

First, let’s look at the income impact for going along with the exclusivity. Off the bat you’re down to 70% of your previous income. But that 70% will go up a little due to the increase from 55% to 60%. To figure it out it’s (60/55) * 70. Which is 76.4%. So going with them you’re going to take a hit of 23.6% on your previous income.

… Now let’s look at their worst case scenario. Everybody declines exclusivity and takes the pay hit. Their 100% of before is the same, now it’s just boosted by taking the cash out of their vendors’ pockets. That is (60/45) * 100. It works out to 133.3%. Interesting, huh? Perhaps they did get these numbers and do their sums.

So it seems whichever way vendors turn, Turbosquid can look forward to a 30% increase in revenue from September 1st.

skyphyr isn’t alone in his/her assessment of TurboSquid’s terms.  Read more about what vendors refer to as the SquidGuild and their exclusivity program at the 3DStockTalk forums.

Also of interest, GameFlood is closed for business, citing the “[inability to] establish the commerce channels that would enable the sale of user-generated add-ons for existing titles.”

Graphics gameflood, models, turbosquid

A new tutorial from Vincent Rice shows the capabilities of modo401 for reformatting badly-tesellated CAD models.

modo 401 is an excellent tool for ‘re-toplogising’ 3D CAD data. That is, the re-purposing of hi-density mesh created on export from NURBS-based engineering programs into a form (subdivision surfaces) useful for high-quality stills and animation rendering. Here’s a simple tutorial to show how I usually approach this task.

via tutorials.

Graphics cad, models, modo, modo401, tutorial