The provided source material details a range of online venues where creators can find free 3D assets for use in Daz Studio and Poser. These resources include a comprehensive wiki listing, forum discussions on new venues for previously hosted content, and specific links to freebie sections on various platforms. The information is compiled from community-maintained sources and focuses on the location of free content, rather than promotional offers or consumer product samples. The following article synthesises this data to guide users towards available free 3D models, props, and textures.
Overview of Free Content Venues
A significant portion of the available information is sourced from a wiki dedicated to cataloguing freebie sites. This wiki lists numerous websites, some of which are active, while others are noted as being archived or having limited functionality. The list is extensive, covering sites with content in various languages, including German and Japanese. Many of the listed sites are legacy platforms, with the wiki acknowledging that some links may be incomplete or non-functional, stating that "an incomplete set of freebies is better than no freebies at all." The primary categories of sites include dedicated freebie repositories, artist personal pages, and marketplaces with free sections.
Key venues mentioned in the source material include:
- 3D Shards: A site that offers a product tag for free content, providing a searchable collection of assets.
- Renderosity: A major platform that hosts a "Free Stuff" section. It is noted that this section contains both items hosted directly on Renderosity and redirects to other sites. The wiki policy advises listing actual download-page links rather than redirects.
- ShareCG: A historically significant repository with a vast collection of over 90,000 pages, though not all are 3D resources or free. The source material indicates that ShareCG is being taken offline, prompting a community effort to find new venues for its free content.
- DeviantArt: A large platform where freebies are scattered across individual creator pages. The wiki suggests indexing these individually rather than attempting a single list.
- CGTrader: A marketplace that offers a substantial number of free models in Poser and OBJ formats.
- RenderHub: A forum and marketplace that has introduced a searchable Poser content section.
Community-Led Efforts for Relocating Content
With the closure or instability of certain platforms, such as ShareCG, the community has been actively documenting new locations for free content. A forum thread titled "New Venues for ShareCG Free Content" serves as a centralised list for creators who have moved their work. This list is continuously updated as artists establish new homes for their freebies.
The forum post provides specific links to the freebie sections of various artists who have relocated from ShareCG. These links point directly to the creators' profiles on platforms like DeviantArt and Renderosity, ensuring users can find the content directly from the source. Examples include:
- MysticArtDesign: Has a gallery on DeviantArt and a freestuff section on Renderosity under the name BonnyB1234.
- Shreddder, Terrymcg, Mooncraft, Ghastly, Spacebones, Modern Wizard, and Bionic Rooster: All have dedicated freestuff sections on Renderosity.
- Chohole: Has a site archived in the Wayback Machine, though some downloads may be non-functional.
This community-driven approach is crucial for preserving access to free resources, especially when original hosting sites become inaccessible. The forum thread acts as a living document, updated by users who share information about where creators have moved their content.
Navigating the Catalogued Freebie Sites
The wiki provides a detailed, alphabetised list of hundreds of sites offering free content. This list is a valuable resource for discovering both well-known and niche sources of free 3D assets. The sites vary widely in terms of content type, language, and accessibility.
Categories of Freebie Sites
The sites can be broadly categorised based on their focus and structure:
- Dedicated Freebie Hubs: Sites that primarily or exclusively host free content. Examples include Most Digital Creations Freestuff, which is noted for having over 1400 props, poses, and morphs, all created by Adam Thwaites. Another is Mapps Poser Downloads, whose pages are available in the Wayback Machine.
- Artist Personal Pages: Many creators maintain personal websites where they offer their free work. These can range from simple galleries to more organised collections. Examples include Ladyfyre Graphics (for Daz Studio and Poser freebies) and Leilana’s Grafikpage (though noted as being in German and partially missing in the archive).
- Marketplace Free Sections: Larger platforms that include a free section alongside paid content. CGTrader is a prime example, offering nearly 2200 free models. Renderosity also falls into this category.
- Archived and Legacy Sites: The wiki frequently notes when a site's last valid version is stored in the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine). This is the case for sites like Lovely Lady, Atomic Knights, and Shadowcat Studios. For these, users may need to use the Wayback Machine to access the archived content.
- Specialised or Niche Sites: Some sites focus on specific types of content, such as Free Motion Capture Data or Fuel3D - Sample Scans. Others are region or language-specific, like german-3d or Japanese sites such as MAKOTO's HomePage Poser and MANKAHOO Freestuff.
Important Considerations When Using Listed Sites
When exploring the listed venues, users should be aware of several factors highlighted in the source material:
- Functionality and Availability: Not all links are active. The wiki explicitly states that some sites are "not always available" and that downloads on certain sites may be nonfunctional. For archived sites, content may be incomplete, as noted for Leilana’s Grafikpage where "most but not all of the free resources are missing."
- Content Usability: Not all free models are immediately usable in Daz Studio or Poser. For instance, the DMI Car 3D models site is listed with the caveat that "hundreds of models, not all usable in Daz Studio or Poser."
- Language Barriers: Several sites are in languages other than English, primarily German and Japanese. The wiki notes this where known, such as for klopfholz (German) and Poser Nightmare (Japanese).
- Site Policies and Ethics: The wiki includes a reminder to remove any warez sites from the list if identified, emphasising the importance of using legitimate free content sources.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Free Content
Based on the information provided, a systematic approach to locating free 3D content can be followed:
- Consult the Wiki List: Start with the comprehensive wiki list of freebie sites. Browse the alphabetical categories (A-B-C-D-E, F-G-H-I-J, etc.) to find sites that match your interests or needs. Pay attention to the descriptions, which may indicate language, content type, or archive status.
- Check Major Platforms: Visit the free sections of major platforms like Renderosity and CGTrader. These sites often have a large volume of content and are likely to be stable and well-organised.
- Use Community Resources for Relocated Content: If you are looking for content previously on ShareCG, consult the "New Venues for ShareCG Free Content" forum thread. This is the most direct way to find where specific artists have moved their work.
- Explore DeviantArt: Search DeviantArt for artists who offer freebies. The wiki suggests that individual creator pages are the best way to find this content, as a single list is impractical.
- Utilise Search Functions: On platforms like 3D Shards and the new RenderHub Poser section, use the available search or filter functions (e.g., "freebie" or "free" tags) to narrow down results.
- Archive Recovery: For sites listed as archived, use the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine to access historical versions of the pages. Be prepared that some assets or links may no longer function.
- Verify Before Use: Always check the terms of use for any free content you download. While the sources provided focus on availability, it is a standard practice to verify that the content is free for your intended use (e.g., personal, commercial).
Conclusion
The ecosystem for free 3D content in Daz Studio and Poser is vast and community-driven, but also fragmented and subject to change. The provided source material offers a detailed map of this ecosystem, highlighting key venues, community efforts to preserve content, and important considerations for users. By leveraging the wiki list, major platform free sections, and community forums, creators can access a wealth of free assets. However, they must navigate challenges such as broken links, language barriers, and varying content usability. The ongoing work of archiving and documenting these resources, as seen in the wiki and forum posts, is essential for maintaining access to this valuable creative material.