Open Source 3D Project

When you're beginning work on a brand new project, one of the most difficult things to do is to create 3D models. You could purchase some 3D models but that will add to your budget. You want high quality 3D models but you can't afford to spend a fortune on them.

Three companies recently joined forces to create the Open Source 3D Project. The project presents free, high quality 3D models to all individuals. All you need to do is register at the Open Source 3D Project website and you will gain immediate access to their library of various 3D models. Sounds too good to be true? Then read on and learn more about the Open Source 3D Project.

DMN: What is the Open 3D Project? Why did you start it?
The Open Source 3D Project is an Open Source 3D community designed to expand the availability of quality models with license agreements catering to the expansion of creativity and innovation. The goals of the Project are to develop and maintain open 3D content and to provide this content to the public free of charge. By joining the Open3DProject you receive access to these royalty free models. Our only requirement is that you adhere to the license agreements for each of the models.

DMN: Since you are giving the 3D models away for free, how will you afford to manage and maintain the Open 3D Project?
Zygote, e Frontier and Sixus1 Media are funding the project and are willing to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We all have sufficient financial resources that we are not dependent on this for income. We are considering sponsorships and donations but currently don’t need those to continue this effort.

DMN: What format(s) are these 3D models in? What programs are supported?
The Zygote male and female figures are Wavefront obj files with UVs, texture maps and a variety of rigging coming. Maya and Poser rigs are already in development and will be available next month. The Project Human figures from Sixus1 Media already have Poser rigging.

DMN: How many 3D models do you hope to add to the Open 3D Project on a regular basis? Would you consider adding other design elements such as environmental textures to the library?
Eventually we hope there will be hundreds if not thousands of models, maps, and rigs available. Zygote is preparing some more models to contribute to the Open3DProject now and we’ve already been approached by third parties interested in making a contribution. Environmental textures, figure textures and almost anything 3D related will be considered.

DMN: Who is actually creating the 3D models for the Open 3D Project? Will you consider accepting outside contributions as long as they agree to your licensing agreem-*8ent? Would the Open 3D Project be open to 3D model requests?
Currently Zygote Media Group, e Frontier and Sixus1 Media are the contributors. We are encouraging other contributions as long they conform to the license agreement. The Zygote license agreement has an additional clause prohibiting its use in pornography. This is a choice of Zygote as a company and would not be required of other contributors. We would welcome requests for assets as we try to develop a resource that becomes more valuable to its members.

DMN: Currently, the website offers various shaped male and female models; will you consider releasing other types of objects as well such as animals, vehicles, furniture, props, etc?
Yes. Next week we’ll be releasing the next round of models, which will include a dragon, and several other models, all under the open source license. By the end of the year I think people will be able to find a variety of 3d assets at the Open3DProject that is under the open source license.

DMN: How do you view the Open 3D Project’s long-term future?
There’s clearly a need for this. Both hobbyists and professionals appreciate the flexibility of the license. These open source assets allow people to create their first product for sale or use in virtual reality simulations, software and games. Open source is here to stay in the software development world. We see the same strong demand in 3D . For example there’s a huge effort involved in digitally scanning a person and creating a model without superfluous geometry. We give people a starting point that stimulates innovation and creativity.

DMN: How do you see the open source market as having a large impact on the video game industry?
With massively multiplayer games becoming one of the dominant growth areas of games as well as the continued increase in realism in all types of games, the open source 3d assets will be a valuable contribution to the growth in the games sector. Most 3d assets for sale on model banks don’t allow the inclusion of geometry in software products. The Open 3D Project fills an unserved need in the marketplace. Now game developers can fill crowds in sports games with open source figures royalty free. It will allow all the developers to invest in things that make a difference in game play and polish rather than building all of their 3d assets from scratch.

About the Open 3D Project
The Open 3D Project is a way to offer free 3D models to the creative community. By following the usage agreement, users can use the 3D models for their projects free of charge. To become a member of the Open 3D Project, just sign up with a username and password at http://www.open3dproject.org.

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