What 3D Content Should I Buy?

If you’re in the market for 3D content for a project, but you’re not sure where to start looking, or if you’re not quite sure what to look for then this is your section.

3D varies extensively and can come i many different formats and styles, so it's not as simple as buying a flat image. This section of B3DM will attempt to give you a rundown of what to expect when buying 3D and what you should be looking for certain projects.

What Should I expect to Recieve when Buying 3D?

When buying 3D content from an off-the-shelf source then you need to know what to expect to receive when you download/receive the file from the seller. The first thing to mention is that when buying 3D you aren’t buying an image. Although some products may come with renders of the 3D content, this is not what you have purchased. You are purchasing a file which contains within it a complicated series of maths to form a mesh, or 3D object. This can then be rendered from any angle or projection, like a real life object. This is important to mention as you will require the correct software to open the files. 3D content can be created, edited or repackaged in several different file formats, here is a brief list of the most popular formats and their related software:

.3ds - This is a 'universal' format that can be opened by many 3D packages and supporting software.
.obj - This is a 'universal' format that can be opened by many 3D packages and supporting software.
.max - This can be opened by 3D Studio Max (version dependant).
.ma / .mb - These formats can be opened by Maya (version dependant).
.lwo - This format can be opened by Lightwave (version dependant).
.xsi - This format can be opened by Softimage XSI (version dependant).
.dxf - This is a 'universal' CAD format.

So if you are restricted to one 3D package, be sure to purchase the right format.

What type of 3D should I be looking at?

There are different types of 3D on the market. Depending on the intended use of the 3D alters how it is made, the workflow used and the complexity of the model. There are a few main types of 3D to come across, here is a list of some:

Real-Time - Real-time or game models are normally 'low-poly', meaning that less data is held by the model and therefore the model is of a simpler design with less modelled geometry (detail). A polygon in computing terms is normally a 3 or 4 sided shape, these shapes are used to construct 3D objects. Ideal for game or virtual reality (VR) environments.

Pre-Render - Pre-render refers to 3d objects or scenes which require rendering before viewing; such as CG in films, 3d animations and visualisation. These models are normally very detailed and contain a lot of data. This results in a larger file size and more polygons. It also means more computing power is needed to utilise these models. You would use this kind of 3D in most visual media.

Architectural Visualisation - Models which label themselves as suitable for Architectural Visualisation or Arc-Viz, are models that have generally been constructed in real units and are accurate to either blueprints or a real building or construction. They will also be of high detail.