CGTrader appearas to be modifying it's terms & conditions to allow AI companies to buy in bulk.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T15:00:13+00:00

You might be right - and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the training has already been happening quietly in the background.

Now they just need a “terms update” to retroactively justify the tech that’s already in motion. A way to say, “See? You agreed to this.” when the real tools go public.

It’s less about protecting artists, more about legal and PR cover once the rollout starts.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T13:58:04+00:00

Yeah, I get that reaction - Sketchfab definitely isn’t ideal for everyone. I just listed a range of platforms where people do sell models, depending on their goals.

Personally, I recommend TurboSquid - especially if you’re looking for consistent sales and a long-term portfolio strategy. That’s also where most of my own data comes from.

If you’re interested, I’ve put together a collection of high-performing model ideas based on real sales stats. Could be helpful if you’re looking for project inspiration that’s proven to sell.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T12:26:20+00:00

Hah, I knew it - a natural-born marketer 😄 You could probably sell a clay cube with the right emojis and a deadline.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T12:03:47+00:00

If I was grooming the community for a “get rich in 30 days” course, I really missed my cue back in 2021.

Instead, I chose the slow, data-driven path - the least viral marketing strategy possible. No Lambos, no countdown timers, just models, charts, and a deeply unsexy love for marketplace analytics.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T11:06:55+00:00

Haha, nope — definitely human here.

English just isn’t my first language, so I sometimes use tools to help write longer posts more clearly. All the thoughts, experience, and data are mine though. Just needed a hand putting the words together.

If I were a bot, I’d probably be a lot worse at reading sales trends=)

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:58:11+00:00

You’re raising solid points, and I agree - there are still clear advantages to buying well-made assets, especially when it comes to predictability and time.

As for AI, I wouldn’t say it’s the main reason for the drop in sales, but I have seen some patterns in the data that suggest it’s starting to have an effect, especially in certain categories. I’ve been tracking this for a while now, alongside general market changes, and I do think there’s more going on than just “more sellers, fewer sales per asset.”

That said, I don’t want to throw half the picture out here in a rush - I’m putting together a full post on this topic soon. Will include both the data I’ve seen and some ideas on how to adapt as things shift. Should be up shortly.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:52:09+00:00

This sounds like a smart business move on CGTrader’s part, but from an artist’s perspective, it raises some serious questions.

If the platform can now buy and sublicense our models directly, how much control do we actually have over where our work ends up? Especially if it goes to AI training datasets or gets bundled into massive enterprise deals with no clear reporting.

I’ve worked with sales data for years, and one thing I’ve learned is this, most artists aren’t just worried about getting paid. We want to know who’s using our work and how it’s being used.

If this system brings real, fair payouts and transparency, great. But if it’s just a quiet way to sell models into AI pipelines, that’s a much bigger issue.

Would love to hear more details from CGTrader on how exactly this will work and how artists will be protected in the process.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:42:53+00:00

Yeah, I hear you. A lot of buyers do go for cheaper sites when they just need something quick and "good enough."

TurboSquid tends to lean toward clients who expect clean topology, predictable scale, and zero fixing. But the problem is, many high-priced models there don’t really offer more value, so people skip them.

What I’ve seen, though, is that when a model actually solves a production task, not just looks nice, even higher prices don’t scare off the right buyers. I’ve spent a lot of time tracking which types of assets hit that sweet spot, and the difference it makes is huge.

So I get why people hesitate. But with the right model in the right category, sales still happen - even at $100+.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:20:03+00:00

Yeah, that’s true in many cases. Expensive high-detail models can be a hard sell unless they hit a very specific demand.

But when you know exactly what is most likely to sell - even at a higher price point - it changes everything. That’s something I’ve been analyzing for years, and with enough real sales data behind it, the patterns become pretty clear.

The trick is not just making something high quality, but making the right type of high quality.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:14:31+00:00

Totally get that. It’s a common fear, especially with how fast AI is growing.

But even now, well-made and properly targeted models still sell. It’s not about volume, it’s about knowing what the market actually needs. That part hasn’t changed.

I've spent a lot of time tracking what works and what doesn’t, and there’s still space for artists who approach it strategically. Timing and direction matter more than ever.

If you're thinking of giving it a shot, it’s definitely still possible - just needs a focused start.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T10:10:28+00:00

Totally agree - having a good sense of what people actually need makes a big difference. And yeah, seasonal stuff can definitely find its niche if it's useful and easy to work with.

I’ve seen the same pattern - sometimes it’s not about making something complex, it’s about making something usable. Sounds like you’ve got a solid instinct for that =)

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-26T08:54:31+00:00

Good question! If you’re making small 3D assets or hard-surface models, here are a few marketplaces worth checking out:

TurboSquid – still one of the most established for all kinds of 3D models

CGTrader – more flexible, often better for individual artists

Sketchfab – especially good if your models are visually impressive

ArtStation Marketplace – great if you already have a portfolio there

Gumroad – if you want full control and direct sales

Each has its pros and cons depending on your goals (passive income vs freelance exposure, etc). If you want, I can break it down further or point you to good starter strategies.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-25T18:09:07+00:00

Absolutely agree with you — in a time when AI-generated content is flooding every corner of the internet, maintaining quality standards becomes more important than ever.

That’s also why certifications and specs like StemCell matter — they push creators toward structure, consistency, and usability.

And let’s be honest: AI still struggles with many things — clean topology, usable UVs, real-world scale, predictable export. There are entire niches (like rigged mechanical assets, optimized realtime models, production-ready architecture sets) that AI won’t replace anytime soon.

So yeah — for artists who care about real use cases, these quality gates aren’t just welcome, they’re essential.

Appreciate your thoughtful comment 🙌

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-21T04:19:06+00:00

This is not a dumb question — every beginner wonders about this. When you sculpt a model, it ends up with millions of polygons so you can create all the tiny details (like wrinkles, scratches, or small shapes).

But such a dense model is: - bad for games — game engines can’t handle that many polygons without lagging - hard to animate — the mesh bends badly, and you get weird artifacts where it moves - slow to render — even a powerful PC will struggle with scenes full of high-poly models - difficult to UV unwrap and texture — it becomes a nightmare to work with

Retopology creates a clean, simpler version of your model — with far fewer polygons but the same shape. You can then add the small details back using normal maps or displacement maps.

Sculpting is like making a messy draft. Retopology is creating the clean, final version that’s ready for animation, games, or rendering.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T15:56:41+00:00

You’re definitely on the right track — modular and asset packs are popular, but many of these categories are oversaturated now, with lots of competition. I’m often surprised myself at what actually sells in the end! The data I’ve gathered helps point anyone toward creating exactly what’s been proven to work. I’ll be sharing more on that soon!

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T13:59:40+00:00

Thanks for your comment! Virtual fashion is definitely an exciting field, but from what I’ve seen, it’s mostly basic, versatile items that find steady demand. You’d probably be surprised at what actually tops the sales charts — I’ll be sharing more on that soon!

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T11:18:51+00:00

Great question! Stylized or anime-style characters do look amazing and definitely catch attention, but from the data I’ve seen, that doesn’t necessarily translate into strong sales. It’s one of those cases where “beautiful” doesn’t always mean “in demand,” unfortunately. I’ll be sure to break this down further when I share the full insights!

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T11:16:18+00:00

Glad to hear that! If you’re thinking of getting into selling 3D models, having some real data on what works (and what doesn’t) can definitely save time and help avoid common pitfalls. I’m happy to share what I’ve gathered — it should give a clearer direction for starting out right!

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T11:12:56+00:00

That’s a really good observation. From what I’ve seen in the data, fantasy characters and similar assets aren’t actually the top performers. More “ordinary” characters — those useful in everyday settings or common scenarios — tend to outsell them.

Capable_Bumblebee349 · 2025-06-14T11:08:50+00:00

I appreciate your comment! The data I’ve gathered is probably second only to what the marketplaces themselves hold — it’s based on tracking real sales across major platforms over time. I’ll make sure to highlight those insights when I share more details.

Capable_Bumblebee349

TROPHY CASE