Sell Your 3D Models Online | 6 Great Sites | Useful Tips

[@SerMattzio]

I'm new, but 40% seems absurd in terms of commission. They're just a middleman, to take 60% of the profit is pretty insane.

[@seanfarrellsullivanhasemotions]

Yes, valid point... But for those of us who model professionally on a daily basis, uploading these models that we are already getting paid to make 9-5, we might as well generate passive income with the sales of our work. It's a bonus.

[@VisitBeforeHumanPollute]

They just thefting double the price from what we sell!

[@coinopanimator]

So you've got to add at least 70% to your model to turn a profit. Redonkulous!

[@dirge8032]

I'd love to see a video on how to prepare and finalize your models and textures for upload to one of these sort of sites for selling. for instance a shader node set up in Blender wont work well outside of it, so how do you make sure that the textures shipping with the model do all that is needed on there own before nodes are applied. How do you get a model to be ready for use immediately after download and what is expected of a high end model being sold on something like sketchfab? etc. loved this video though as it has some really great tips.

[@grabbitt]

I'll give it some thought and maybe come up with something

[@tanguydespat8714]

​@@grabbitt Hi, I'm sorry to ask here, 5 months later, but is there a video on the topic now ?

[@AnimaStudio88]

You can use cheap Steam version of SP for texturing and you don't need to sell your house or give it for rent to somebody and live in car.

[@mjeeli]

What I would do is import the models on various softwares, tweak them up so they'd look the same, then upload their specific formats. I'm afraid this is the only way. Otherwise your buyers just need to know that importing non native formats usually don't look the same.

[@turbomonkey80]

Really late to this video. But for anyone else that comes across it. I would suggest baking your PBR materials in Blender to upload with the model to be used in other formats.

[@journeytothedream6127]

I had a great hope about earning money in 3d modeling until I saw this...thanks that helps me a lot .........

[@grabbitt]

Glad to hear it helped :)

[@TV-bu8qv]

@Christian William i think yeah

[@DaBoogie049]

It's also "dirty" work, it's always the same and you would have to work 9 to 5 to stay in the race and just be able to make a living!

[@DamianC]

The way I see it is this... 1. Grant says it's hard as FUCK not always possible not many people succeed, but doesn't mean it's not worth a try. He says you won't make as much money in the sense that you will quit your job, but if you already have a job think of it as gas money at least. 2. This is a great way to practice and continue producing. 3. This is still a goal driven project to keep you doing what you love. 4. This also be used as a sort of portfolio per say. 5. There's a possibility of making money from it no matter how little doing something you love and find fun. 6. It's better that someone who is a established in the industry tell you the truth. Rather than keep your hopes up and you fall harder the higher you are. High expectations are a dangerous thing for anything and can be EXTREMELY demoralizing. Imagine for a second people wasting their time entertaining themselves and making absolutely no money from it. Think of gaming and people who watch Netflix all day... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Netflix or Gaming as I'm a avid gamer and Netflix watcher, but think of the comparison. Keep going, shit... maybe prove Grant wrong *shrugs*.

[@willlham1]

Grant has just told you want to expect here. You say you had a great hope about earning money selling models. Sounds like you enjoy doing it. Work your ass off, do the best work you can do, learn and grow doing what you enjoy and if you make money doing it, well great. If not you'll still have a badass portfolio to show for it which might land you a job doing it full time for a big company. Either way it'll pay off. If you're into making models for games learn an engine and make a 1 hour game with your models. Seriously Unreal Engine is so easy to learn how to get a basic game going. If you're making film assets then make a short movie with you and your creations. Don't be afraid of the trolls. Trolls put others down because they don't have any workable skills or talent. If a troll says your work sucks then what? Does it suck? You've made 1 model more than them. You're trying to better your life so go for it. I'm going into selling models and in the future possibly software or games. Imagine 3D software. It'll be the future. Maybe not, but I'm telling myself I'm gonna win. Winning is subjective. My win and your win will be completely different. Make your first win to sell 1 model. Done Next win sell 10 models. Done Next win make £100. Done Next win pay off a debt with my passive income. Makes small wins which lead you to your version of a win. To be a success you need to answer a problem. Research the market and if you notice that nobody is selling robotic animals and there's a demand for them then make some.

[@abhishek.chakraborty]

Thanks for that rather detailed overview of available 3D marketplaces, especially the % charged part, along with suggestions. Saves quite a bit of my research time :)

[@grabbitt]

Good to hear :)

[@hookflash699]

Bottom line: It's *extremely* difficult to earn a living online, not just for 3d artists, but for anyone. No matter how skilled you are, there's almost always going to be someone who can do a better job than you for far less money.

[@grabbitt]

true but it's not impossible just very hard :)

[@newtons4o114]

Grant Abbitt I like ur mindset B)

[@JadeDRail]

I can't hold a real job anyways so I might as well try.

[@jeffo8579]

I don't think if that's true working hard always paid off or u can Alway work in studios

[@rinapup9396]

Lol, i had i cheap laptop and started videoedtiting simple things, like cartoons for people to upload on youtube, it didnt take any skills. I paid for school, i live on my own and pay for myself and take care of two cats. Now i bought an expencive pc to work with 3d. Its not that hard, tou just have to try and have some patience, its actually a matter of luck witch will come 100%

[@TomCAT_Character_Art]

As a seller of rigged characters, I try to make models as easy for people to use. So 1/3 of time is spent on planning how to make the rigs easy for people and making video/pdf FAQ's. I also find that really good marketing material helps, so 1/3 of my time goes into 2d images, videos, and sketchfab/marmoset viewers. The last 1/3 is for making the model. For reference, I put one character up for sale, and maybe a year later I earned what I would charge if it if it was a freelance job. -- Great video, btw, I love learning insights from other professionals!

[@---Nikita--]

I am a beginner seller, but not a beginner in 3d. You say that the model should pay off in one year. Are these your stats? Do you know examples of a good model that pays off much earlier than one year?

[@GaboLeon75]

I love this kind of videos, as well as the videos about going as a freelancer!

[@grabbitt]

Good to hear 😃

[@bustermorley8318]

I used to make a few extra dollars selling renders. Just about every stock photo site will sell them. Also rendered stock footage can sell as well. You probably couldn't make a living from that, but if you have built the model for another purpose then you may as well just upload some high res renders of it as well. Every little bit counts.

[@ArfatXeon]

Thats great, where did you sell your renders?

[@Kavouhn]

This video came just in time

[@grabbitt]

Good to hear :)

[@artofapolo]

Hell yeah. Totaly agree with you

[@ChuckstaGaming]

I was thinking the same thing :) I absolutely love model making and have lots upon lots just sitting on drives and doing nothing, so I was thinking the other day, I'd might as well stick them online and see if I can make some pocket money :D

[@grabbitt]

@@ChuckstaGaming makes sense 😃

[@johnramhos]

Great video. It would be nice to do an updated one for 2024. Also if it would be a good idea if artists should start an LLC.

[@gaz0428]

Thanks for the info. My goal right now is to get good enough to make people and things from the stories I am writing. Something I can sell alongside my books. this was very helpful.

[@funnyanimalworld7579]

trying to sell models on these sites is same as trying to become popular on instagram or other social websites .It is hard in oversaturated markets.probably better way would be to contact people who need models and make custom ones just for them working as a freelancer.

[@Leo-lr2qx]

If you do a lot of clothing and accessories, you could also consider second life marketplace.

[@bagaskarahadjarputra6070]

Good God, this is totally useful. I've been looking for this thing. Thanks for the content :)

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@fernando3061]

I like your hair and sweater, they compliment each other well. Also very informative, thank you.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@thefpsguy9416]

thanks bro! I've been learning C4D, your video make me feel more energy to complete the class

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@stevenARTify]

I'm actually thinking about making the models, but selling them as 2D prints on merchandise. I already have online stores for 2D artwork.

[@animeleek]

the problem isn't the Website itself ...its mostly the'' Lowballer '' selling their assets lower than the competition ruining the whole value

[@openmoviererenders3678]

indeed usefull tips also theres another good way finding others to work with and collab with em on a model that also spreads the word about you

[@Solidsnek2024]

Thanks I've been following you a lot in practicing with Blender art

[@USBEN.]

Make an updated video please, what's changed or new stuff.

[@MichaelHurdleStudio]

Great advice man. Thank you.

[@warrenography]

That was very informative, thanks for investigating and reporting!

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@Lana-rm3tb]

Thank you for the video! Exactly what I was looking for.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks

[@user-em9su3dd9y]

Excellent tips, thanks Grant.

[@MagevoStudio]

And blendermarket.com?

[@grabbitt]

Yes no reason why not just not as big as the others 😃

[@grayter]

People do well there and Blender is pretty solid as far as community goes..

[@Royson12]

Thank you so much for doing this video, it was very useful, I really appreciate you are sharing all your knowledge.

[@grabbitt]

Glad to hear it helps

[@v.s.a3826]

4:01 OMG! You are selling that good and well quality chair for only $5! I think its not a fair price for this chair.

[@indianeinstein1978]

thanks very much. nice info. good research and good attitude in opening the info to public. thanks again. bro, your words rarely has some gaps btwn them.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@anjaneytripathi69]

Thanks alot for all of these videos man! your videos have helped me out alot as a newcomer One question, If i make models for practicing is it better to try and sell them or put them for free and wait till im more Better in modelling?

[@grabbitt]

Tricky to say. Both strategies could work

[@auri5226]

Is there a standard skeleton that's best to use when uploading characters? I was considering uploading mine unrigged, but would I be better off quickly rigging it to the mixamo skeleton and then uploading?

[@grabbitt]

yes look up rigify

[@MsMidnightStories]

Thanks a very good insight, much apreciated !

[@hubert2064]

don't you think it's good idea to sell your models on multiple sites at once?

[@Hyper5nic]

At least i'm going that path, but be sure the price indicates the value. So if you add for instance uv-maps (extra) or instead of a static image, a rigged version, you may up the price for that extra value.

[@grabbitt]

Yes that seems a good idea.😃

[@alomgir2975]

is it possible same model sell on multiple sites?

[@xaviermaster1]

@@alomgir2975 i think its possible, its like real shop some people only comfortable shop at shop A, some people Shop B and some people at shop C but if you can give your product to shop A B C you gain more. but then again it all come down to the rules of the website

[@xaviermaster1]

@Park Spark you mean if its easy or not? I haven't really tried it but what i read is kinda hard since there is many 3d modellers out there who sale their models. What i read is you need to know the market first and sell as many object as you can also make it good and poly efficient, because its hard to gain money if only sale 1 object

[@macropsialberto]

Hi, very useful the information, thank you very much. I have one curiosity, seeing the illustration on the wall, are you drawing also? Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia!

[@grabbitt]

They were competition entries

[@niemanickurwa]

On a slight tangent.... That Ian McShane model is outstanding. Really, very nice. 04:40

[@grabbitt]

indeed

[@DLK-bu9jg]

Your vedio give me a great idea about 3D market place.Thank you very much😊😊👍

[@peter486]

Turbosquid is a a scam. dont use it. Art station / scetchfab + go directly to the engines.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@impylse]

what do you mean thanks? :D @@grabbitt

[@grabbitt]

@@impylse thanks for the comment and info :)

[@miwwie1504]

Hot pfp

[@kutlubul]

hey grant, can you make a new video about this topic please? since there are new options like ue marketplace and with all the things happened in these couple of years the gaming industry skyrocketed surely there is more to say today.

[@GamingWithHasty]

Is it just me or I would never be able to sell anything made by myself because I think it will not be good enough to make money out of it. I do traditional portraits and people have asked me if I could draw them, but I always refuse for the same reason. Maybe I find my skills as an artist are not good enough, or maybe they really aren't.

[@wailfulcrab]

Anxiety gets everyone. I'd say, take your trusted friend and get him/her to pick in their opinion your best work and put it for sale for few bucks. It won't hurt and if it will get sold at least 3 times then it's an indicator that someone liked your work enough to buy it.

[@Y2Kvids]

imposter syndrome...

[@grabbitt]

Yes indeed the best thing to do is try and see

[@almarma]

We tend to be too critic with ourselves. More than with others. And the only way to find out the answer is by asking others. Robert Prus idea is a great one. I had the same feeling as you for a long time and now I'm 43 and getting rid of all my imposter syndrome and fears. I read an article about a guy some months ago and he said a fantastic phrase that hopefully helps you too: "You don't need to be the best of the World to do a job. You have to be better than your client". People will pay you for things they can't do or they don't have time to do. So fight that feeling and get out there.

[@GamingWithHasty]

That is true, but if I get into the perspective of the client, I would look for the best worker to do the job I want. If I am going to buy a pieceof art, I don't want a mediocre one, I want something good, from a talented artist, that's why I won't ever sell anything because I think my art is not good enough to be worth money.

[@jenchristensen66]

Thank you for a very informative video. How does it work regarding creating furniture models designed by a brand. Do you have to get their permission?

[@grabbitt]

good question. I imagine if its a very obvious version of a very specific brand then yes

[@tigret]

@@grabbitt They have to catch you first

[@steppenwolfthex-creaturesp9777]

You can't really get 80% royalties on ts, only 60 max if you join the squidguild. They lie about the 80%

[@grabbitt]

It did sound suspicious :)

[@steppenwolfthex-creaturesp9777]

@@grabbitt its super shady...technically you can get 80% but you'll have to be in the squidguild (sell exclusivly on TS) and get a sale through an affiliate link, which will never happen

[@Profgamer-x5f]

So which website can I sell my models 😢

[@ranransun8795]

thanks a lot as always :) are those platforms listed by audience size?

[@grabbitt]

I think that's how I went about it :)

[@eonacademy5036]

Great video, thanks! 😺

[@DamonWarlick]

I feel like even if you are not making too much right now, then possibly the future is heading in your direction? It seems like the future is headed increasingly toward VR and virtual environments and worlds, and it seems like the demand for your skills would only increase? I hope so anyway, some of you artists are unbelievable. Anyway I am pretty new to this 3d creation stuff and I feel like it would take me 20 years to reach a high level of skill, and I have no dellusions of making $ but still really enjoy learning it and I don't know why.

[@grabbitt]

YEs it's a very fast growing industry :)

[@fernwehmind]

Thanks for tips. I wonder what do you think about selling renders ?

[@grabbitt]

Yes it's a good plan if you can manage it 😃

[@ignaciobarthelemiez5369]

Great Video amigo !!

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@saeedporfekr2584]

Thank you ,that was helpful

[@blendergomo2354]

Thank you , good info

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@LanceC09]

Theres no link in description for the video as mentioned at 0:46. Unless the video was removed, thanks for the video anyway.

[@grabbitt]

i'll take a look thanks :)

[@WOOFYT]

Stupid question... What do people use these models for? .. I have seen the prices on many of these models and I mean wow.. Now as a arties, bring me the money LOLOL.. On a honest note. I have watched many of your KZbin videos, all of them are very educational as far as being a 3D artites and I like the personal touch where you describe your personal experinces and points view .. Thank you

[@grabbitt]

3d printing. Film. Games... Yes it's surprising how much they sell for

[@RobertoStrikers]

Why not sell it on all of them?

[@grabbitt]

YEah it just takes time to upload :)

[@tatedido]

hello thank you so much - quite new to 3d. I am using nomad sculpt - do my models need any additional rendering/work in other programs etc ? thank you so much once again

[@grabbitt]

they most likely do but i'm not familiar with nomad export options

[@tatedido]

@@grabbitt from what i see its glTF / OBJ / STL / FBX. Thank you :)

[@fuenteabierta]

Very Useful!

[@Quick5Picks]

Character + Woman + fantasy = stonkkk📈

[@tadjou_btr2084]

i'm new and i have a question what they use this models for

[@grabbitt]

games, printing, virtual worlds, film backgrounds...

[@petrohands2406]

if I learned blender and substance painer and made good 3d models ………...would that be enough to have good money ??

[@grabbitt]

Interesting question. You have to make excellent models and its not well paid is just OK. If you rig your models as well and they have reasonable topology maybe

[@gameswithhistory]

If you have 3-5 years of dedication, maybe

[@DamonWarlick]

@@gameswithhistory looking at some of the better artwork I would have figured much much longer. I'm kind of new to this stuff and I feel like i'm 20 years behind most of these people.

[@owenrichards1418]

Shapeways product support is a complete shambles. I was receiving communications intended for the customer and there was no direct way to try and fix this.

[@dhruvrajsinhjadeja-vfxarti3085]

Thank you very so much for this video sir :)

[@ChaosWolfNinja]

Thanks for this!

[@NongNong]

thank you so much sir !!!

[@badrina_2462]

ya thanks for the info bro

[@2021j-y4q]

Thanks, I was find the sites but I am late my laptop was stop working

[@grabbitt]

😃

[@Soulscare6]

Where's the video mentioned at 0:45?

[@grabbitt]

Sorry can't remember

[@Daniel-xv5tu]

the demand of 3d model is high?

[@grabbitt]

Yes but supply is also high

[@kingislam535]

Thank you sir , it's really helpful vedio for me

[@Bugulab]

0:47 you're talking about another video where someone is talking about his selling experience, could you share the link please?

[@grabbitt]

I think the video was taken down at some point

[@Bugulab]

@@grabbitt Ok, thank you!

[@o5tusk804]

Great tips. Any help how to properly set and export .blend file from blender 2.8 to .3ds, .fbx, .obj with textures? On all mentioned sites are selling files with mostly other then .blend files. Thanks

[@grabbitt]

I think the only way is with vertex colours

[@o5tusk804]

@@grabbitt There are so many models but not as many .blend files and blender community is growing so how they export .blend files to all other files from blender 2.8?

[@slobodankostadinovic8860]

So, how much time is needed to make detailed, game - ready models (like that horse from TurboSquid, for example) ?

[@grabbitt]

depends on your skill level but it can take a good few days

[@slobodankostadinovic8860]

@@grabbitt I was thinking about someone with high skill level, how much time he needs; Thank you for the quick reply!

[@freddya9987]

Where can I purchase that grey anatomical figure on your desk?

[@grabbitt]

its called an ecorche

[@khayyamal9207]

How about unreal marketplace?? Does it worth it?

[@grabbitt]

I don't actually know anything about the unreal market place :)

[@mehrankhan7871]

you have a great voice man.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@mehrankhan7871]

@@grabbitt and yes the bit about what cg trader and ts charge is really useful as well. Thanks for that.

[@TwistedSisterHaratiofales]

Very good advise. Good Video.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks :)

[@rubhan94]

I really like 3D modelling, sculpting, uv mapping, texture painting, and to some degree rigging and animation. But I’m not good at planning out a path, so there goes the motivation, and the idea of selling my models on any of these pages really fall flat by the end. I would like to find someone who would be willing to plan and help put up my models, sort of hiring me for creating models to sell I guess. 😜

[@thomas13RA]

Sounds like you would be perfect for music videos if that helps. I work with short promo stuff for indy and major labels. Its often little work for pretty good return. Often, in my experience, just teaming up with someone that takes care of the stuff you don't want to do...at the time...is better than stressing over it. then learn as you go. I tried to be a one man band, it's hard in every single aspect. Yeah, sounds like you just need to link up with some like minds and do some great work. But I'm not telling you how to do your business. I hope you work it out. I keep coming back to 3d after big breaks. I need to just jump in....again.

[@Midnightrundj]

Hi im also working with unreal engine 5 perhaps we can start a project together and also make a plan to earn money, I have few ideas. Do you have WhatsApp?

[@bayernmaik8583]

CGTrader is MVP! By a lot

[@Eren_Yeager_is_the_GOAT]

what about the unreal marketplace

[@frostknight1347]

Where's the link about the person selling 3d models as a living?

[@MrShadyMustafa]

i love you grant ! ^_^

[@Scarmanderg]

Can a beginner start selling their 3D models

[@grabbitt]

Yes

[@rexwinz]

Do you know, are they just modelling and selling or modelling plus rigging or animating? For example I want to sell my model project what shoul I do? Just modelling enough?

[@grabbitt]

Both

[@nkcre9417]

can you pls make a video on converting 3d model to obj/fbx in blender2.8 with out loosing the texture

[@grabbitt]

you cant you must recreate the textures

[@nkcre9417]

@@grabbitt ok.Thank u for the information

[@prabhanjanakumartripathy4140]

In these websites can I sell freecade models?

[@grabbitt]

not sure what freecade models are?

[@ParagonAnimationsStudio]

Would there be any downside to trying to upload to as many sites as possible?

[@grabbitt]

Not that I can see

[@mart7980]

How to publish 3d model with texture please we need video like this

[@grabbitt]

i will go through that at some point

[@ivanbossek6811]

I love all your video's

[@yarosyari3516]

can I use mixamo animations for selling in unreal and unity markets in my character, being downloaded separately, attached, then some little edited in maya human ik?

[@grabbitt]

good question but i dont know i think you will need to look at the mixamo license

[@yarosyari3516]

@@grabbitt it seems said ok, but market opinions are controversial

[@artianrika8329]

Which one shuold I use?

[@grabbitt]

I would personally say skecthfab because it's easy but look at some of the comments from people and make your mind up then :)

[@GreatZeus85]

0:46 Does anybody know what video he's referring to?

[@grabbitt]

Very good point I must have forgotten to put it in sorry. I cant now remember which video it was

[@addiengr1]

Thanks, but your volume audio is too small, appreciate your sharing

[@grabbitt]

Thanks i'll try and fix it in future

[@ParsaKhanlar]

Hello, I also work in the 3D field and I wanted to sell my models on the TurboSquid website, but I ran into a problem. When uploading, it says that there should be more than 5 photos with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, but the photos of my model are more than It is more than 5 and I upload it with the same resolution, but it still fails. Can you help me?😢

[@darktech1641]

i want to know on which website i should publish my 3d models

[@grabbitt]

Any

[@BeAmazedGuy]

can you teach me blender complete course? any video?

[@grabbitt]

check my website in the description:)

[@kangpaketglowing]

Hi. Is this allow for me to download free model from "A" website and then edit some shape of it before i sell on "B" website? Thanks

[@nishanthraj7443]

thanks man .

[@umair146]

Thank you soooo much

[@grabbitt]

Thanks 😃

[@benjoe999]

Hi! Can you sell one model on more websites at the same time?

[@grabbitt]

Yes

[@baronmarshland3357]

How do I "save" my model to reuse it? I don't want to sell it, but havn't found out how on any tutorial so far, thanks, just starting :)

[@grabbitt]

Export it

[@otto.m]

I have problems with payments cause i'm under 18 year old. I don't have paypal or online bank account.

[@grabbitt]

hmm not sure the best solution there. I thought in the UK it was 16 but i dont really know sorry

[@123456crazyapple]

You could also get one of those Visa cards from a 7-eleven. It doesn’t have fees and all u need is the min limit of the card

[@dynamitrex3975]

You haven't mentioned blender market why?

[@grabbitt]

not really used it