3D - Using Models from Sketchfab or CGTrader (Difficulty: 2)

CreatiCode

Key Topics Covered

Community models

Introduction

In a previous tutorial, you learned how to export GLB model files from Tinkercad and use them as community models in your scene.

In this tutorial, you will learn to export a GLB model file from 2 other popular websites with millions of models: Sketchfab and CGTrader. Once you get the GLB file, the remaining steps are the same.

Note that not all models are free on these 2 websites, but you will learn how to find free models below.

Download Sketchfab Models

Step 1 - Sign in to Sketchfab

First, please sign in to sketchfab.com. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for free using the “SIGN UP” button on the top right:

Step 2 - Search for a Model from the Gallery

Now please type in the search box at the top to search for a model you would like to use, such as “bike”. Please make sure you select “All Time” and “Downloadable”.

Step 3 - Look for Free Models

If you only want to use free models, you can easily identify them using the icon on the preview images:

If you see the download icon there, then it is a free model. If you see a dollar sign, then that model is not free.

Step 4 - View Model Details

You can click on any model to view it in detail. You can drag the mouse to turn the camera around the model, or use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom the camera in/out.

Step 5 - Download GLB File

If you are happy with the model, you can click the “Download 3D Model” link to open the download window, and then click the “Download” button in the “GLB” section.

You should check the file size before downloading the file. If the size is too big (e.g. > 5 MB), then it will take a long time to download or upload the model.

Note that you can copy the credits information at the same time, so that you can paste that information when you upload the model.

After you have downloaded the GLB file, you can upload and share this file as a community model.

Download CGTrader Models

Step 1 - Sign in to CGTrader

First, please sign in to cgtrader.com. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for free by clicking the “Log in” button on the top right, then selecting “Register”.

Step 2 - Search for a Model

Next, you can type the keywords in the search box, such as “table”. There are a few options for you to limit the search results:

Free: you can limit the result list to only include free models
Poly Count: this is how many polygons are used in the model. For smaller models, you should choose “up to 5K”.
Format: you can limit to “GLTF/GLB” format, which means there is a GLB version of this model available for download. If you don’t choose this option, you will see more results, but then you have to download the model in another format, such as an “FBX” file, then convert it to a GLB file.
License: you should exclude models with an “editorial license”

Step 3 - View Model Details

You can click on the “<” and “>” buttons to get different views of a model.

Step 4 - Download the Model File

Once you have decided on the model, you can click on the image to go to the model page. You will see the list of file formats available and the file sizes. If the file size is not too big, click on “Free Download”, and wait about 20 seconds for the download links to show up.