Models intended for use in VR can differ somewhat from other formats, like 3D models for interior design or standard animation. A key reason for this is that, since a VR atmosphere is meant to be viewed from a wide variety of angles, the models have to make visual sense from all these viewpoints.
There’s also the real-time interaction factor, so the models need to be rigged for believable movement without excessive rendering. That’s why it can be helpful to narrow down your search to sites that specifically cater to users looking to work within a VR environment, or at least have a particularly good selection of 3D models that work from multiple angles.
In this article, we’ll look at our top picks of sites where you can find quality VR models to work with; but before we jump into the list, let’s look at how we narrowed down the options.
Considerations
We’ve put together a solid list of sites that offer a wide range of 3D models that can work well for VR purposes, many of which come recommended by professionals working in the VR world, from gaming to product design. Many of the sites offer free or low-cost models for purchase. A few sites do have some more expensive models, in part due to the high quality and additional services offered along with the models. That way, both beginners and professionals may find something on this list.
Here’s how we narrowed down the list:
- Good selection: All the sites have either a very high selection of models or contain a smaller selection of especially high-quality models (or they share both attributes).
- User-friendliness: The sites are all intuitive and easy to navigate, with the possibility of narrowing down options through the categories or search words.
- Positive feedback: These sites are well-liked and well-rated by professionals or amateurs (or both) in the world of VR.
Sketchfab
Sketchfab is a popular website for VR models, offering a vast selection of VR-friendly 3D models for purchase. The site also allows users to sell their models via the platform, so it serves as a sort of general marketplace for models as well.
Sketchfab features highly searchable categories under relevant topics (like “Animals & Pets” or “Food & Drink”), as well as categories like PBR, low poly, and high poly models to help users zero in more specifically on what they’re looking for. You can narrow down your search even further by filtering the results by specific file types.
The site offers a large price range with models suitable for a variety of budgets, with some very inexpensive models and more costly items as well. You’ll see that Sketchfab is often recommended within the VR world for good reason.
Open3dModel
Open3D Model allows users to download 3D models for use in Blender, which can then be used for VR development once downloaded. A huge bonus to the site is that every model is free of charge, so you can build whole worlds with no cost.
The site features a wide range of models with easy, user-friendly search functions. One downside is that there are a lot of ads on Open3dModel, but they don’t pose a major issue with downloads, and it’s a reasonable price to pay for free assets. For those looking to work in VR via Blender, this site has a lot of nice options of models or scenery that can transfer well to VR.
- Model categories: Characters, furniture, vehicles, interior and exterior scenery, weapons, nature, anatomy, among others
- File types: OBJ, 3ds Max, Blend, STL, C4D, FBX, 3DM, Maya Ascii, Maya Binary
- Cost: Free
Hum3D
If you’re on the hunt for vehicles for your latest VR project, you’ve got to check out Hum3D. Hum3D offers high quality 3D models in a vast array of file types, so there’s really something for everyone available.
Hum3D can brag that they’re one of the largest repositories for 3D vehicle models out there. They also offer paid adjustments to the models (available per piece, specified in the piece descriptions). What’s particularly relevant for VR designers is that there are lots of VR/AR-specific models on the site that were developed specifically to be used in real-time VR.
There’s also a selection of free models, although they aren’t available in as many file formats as the purchasable designs are, and there are discount programs depending on what you’re aiming for.
- Model categories: Vehicles, electronics, weapons, food, nature, furniture, characters
- File types: OBJ, 3ds Max, Blend, STL, C4D, FBX, 3DM, PSD, Maya Binary, MXS, and more
- Cost: Starting at $17
TurboSquid
If you’ve worked anywhere in the world of 3D models, you’re likely to have come across the extremely popular TurboSquid, definitely worth a mention on this list when it comes to hunting down models for VR purposes.
The site’s very helpful search functions allow you to narrow down model type, price, file type, quality, poly count, and more, so you can easily zero in on what you’re seeking. TurboSquid boasts great customer service and guarantees when purchasing models.
Something especially noteworthy about TurboSquid is that you can find VR-ready models.
- Model categories: People, vehicles, food and drink, anatomy, furniture, nature, architecture
- File types: OBJ, 3ds Max, Blend, STL, C4D, FBX, 3DM, and more
- Cost: Some free models; purchasable models starting at $1
Gelato VFX
For those looking for some gorgeous realistic models, the Gelato VFX Scan Store offers a limited but absolutely stunning selection of certain kinds of 3D models, particularly food and fabric. It’s a UK-based shop, so prices are listed in pounds.
The site’s models are reasonably priced and are really well made; custom work and additions can be done if communicated to Gelato VFX, as they’re a smaller business.
The models’ excellent realism makes them a good option for VR work, and it can be worth a browse to see what else the company produces in the VR realm.
- Model categories: Fabric, food, masonry
- File types: OBJ
- Cost: Starting at $3.50 per piece
CadNav
If you’re only interested in free models, CAdNav offers a wide variety of free 3D models, many of which could work for VR endeavors.
Within the site, users can search by file type, Vray materials, textures, and model type categories, among other options. This makes it easy to pinpoint what you’re seeking. An added bonus with CadNav is that it also offers helpful software links that help users deal with the models.
- Model categories: Vehicles, furniture, people, animals, food & drink, architecture
- File types: OBJ, 3ds Max, Blend, STL, FBX, 3DM, Maya Ascii, Maya Binary, MXS, and more
- Cost: Free
Unity Asset Store
In the Unity Asset Store, users will find a large selection of Unity 3D models (as well as textures and VFX, among other things) with a wide range of topical categories. The price range is also highly varied with some very low-cost or free items, and others at a higher cost (such as bundles).
Unity is well known within the VR world for its VR assets. The site offers extremely detailed information about each model, from technical data to package content. Users can also post reviews of the items, so you can assess if what you’ve set eyes on is worth purchasing. Even better? A search narrows down the options to those that are VR ready.
- Model categories: Characters, vehicles, animals, vegetation, robots, and many more
- File types: Unity asset files
- Cost: Some free models; purchasable models starting at $2
Mixamo
Mixamo, operated by Adobe, features fully textured and rigged 3D characters and skeletal rigs that can be customized and brought to “life” with animation.
The site’s characters are frequently used as avatars for VR work within the VR community and there are many available free tutorials and YouTube videos for those looking to get into the Mixamo world. Users can select from a wide variety of character types as well as animations on the site.
- Model categories: People, animations, sci-fi
- File types: OBJ, FBX
- Cost: Free with Adobe ID
Bonus: PlanetVR
PlanetVR is a VR-specific model website with a gallery to check out for further inspiration. The collection includes high-quality avatars and vegetation. The website features PBR rendering for all models, and each one is designed specifically for VR, so you know that all of your searches will be relevant.
What makes PlanetVR different is that all models live on the Ethereum blockchain and are sold as NFTs. Accordingly, you’ll need a crypto wallet to access these assets. Purchases are conducted on OpenSea, with prices starting from 0.25 ETH or available for you to make an offer.
- Model categories: Avatars, plants
- File types: GLB
- Cost: Starting at 0.25 ETH; most models have an option to make a purchase offer
License: The text of "VR Models: The Best Sites" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.