As a 3D artist, designer, or visualizer, you may have noticed a surge in demand for high-quality 3D models and rendered assets. In today’s booming digital economy, what was once a niche skill has evolved into a serious income opportunity. Whether you’re freelancing, working in game development, or creating architectural visuals, your 3D creations hold real market value.
Thanks to a growing number of online marketplaces,, you can now sell your 3D models and rendered assets online with ease, turning your creative output into a reliable stream of passive income. These platforms are designed to connect you with buyers looking for everything from character models and environments to product mockups and interior renders.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start selling your 3D assets online. We’ll cover what you can sell, where to sell it, and how to give yourself the best chance of success in the competitive world of digital marketplaces.
What Type of 3D Model can I Sell?
The beauty of selling 3D models is that there’s a market for just about every niche. From game-ready assets to high-poly architectural elements, your models can cater to a wide range of industries and applications. Here are some popular categories of 3D models that consistently perform well on marketplaces:
- Characters & Creatures
Ideal for video games, animation, and VR/AR. Humanoids, fantasy creatures, and stylized characters are always in demand. - Vehicles
From futuristic spaceships to real-world cars, vehicles are highly sought after for games, simulations, and film projects. - Architecture & Interiors
Furniture, lighting fixtures, buildings, and full room layouts are perfect for architects, real estate renders, and interior designers. - Product Mockups
Consumer goods like electronics, furniture, and fashion accessories are used by marketers and brands for promotional content. - Weapons & Props
Great for game developers working on action or fantasy titles. Think swords, guns, shields, and magical artifacts. - Environment Assets
Trees, rocks, terrain, modular kits, and background elements help build immersive scenes in games or visualizations. - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Elements
Futuristic tech, alien landscapes, magical items—these are staples in gaming and film. - Animals & Creatures
From realistic animals to stylized fantasy beasts, these models serve wildlife animations, games, and educational tools. - 3D Print Models
Printable models like figurines, miniatures, toys, and gadgets have their own niche audience on platforms like Cults3D and MyMiniFactory. - Textures & Materials
While not models, high-quality PBR textures and material packs often sell well and complement 3D assets.
To further expand your selling options, you can also explore other categories on various platforms such as Apparel Goods, Books, Courses, and Fonts.
Where can I sell 3D Model online?
With the rise of digital marketplaces, selling your 3D models has never been easier. Whether you’re a beginner looking to make your first sale or a seasoned artist aiming to scale your side hustle, there are plenty of platforms tailored to different types of 3D assets. Here are some of the most popular and trusted websites where you can showcase and sell your work:
1. TurboSquid
TurboSquid is one of the most established and reputable platforms for selling 3D models online. Trusted by professionals across the film, gaming, advertising, and architectural industries, it’s a go-to destination for clients seeking top-tier 3D assets. As a seller, you can list a wide variety of models—from realistic characters and vehicles to props, buildings, and interior elements. The platform is known for its strict quality standards, which helps maintain a high level of professionalism and attracts serious buyers with larger budgets.
One of TurboSquid’s standout features is its SquidGuild loyalty program, which allows exclusive contributors to earn royalties of up to 80%—a significant increase from the base rate of 40%. It also offers detailed analytics, buyer protection, and support for multiple file formats, making it easy for artists to manage and optimize their portfolio. While competition is high and quality control is strict, TurboSquid is an excellent choice for experienced 3D artists looking to turn their skills into a reliable income stream.
2. Shapeway
Shapeways is a platform that enables designers to sell their 3D-printed creations without the need to manage production or shipping. By opening a free shop on Shapeways, you can showcase your products with photos and descriptions, while Shapeways handles the manufacturing, transactions, and delivery to customers. However, it’s important to note that as of July 2024, the Shapeways marketplace has undergone significant changes and may no longer operate as it did previously.
3. RenderHub
RenderHub is a prominent online marketplace tailored for 3D artists aiming to sell their digital creations. It serves a diverse clientele across industries such as gaming, architecture, and visual effects.
- Create an Account: Sign up on RenderHub to begin your journey.
- Set Up Your Store: Customize your vendor profile to showcase your brand.
- Upload Your Products: List your 3D models, Daz Studio content, print-ready models, 3D scans, textures, and more.
Earnings & Incentives:
- Royalty Structure: Earn between 55% to 70% royalties, depending on the number of items in your store:
- 1–50 items: 55%
- 51–100 items: 60%
- 101–200 items: 65%
- 201+ items: 70%
- Bonus Offer: Upload 1,000 or more products to receive a $500 bonus.
- Non-Exclusive Listings: You’re free to sell your products on other platforms simultaneously.
Payment Options:
RenderHub offers multiple payment methods for your convenience:
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Payoneer
- Direct bank transfer (ACH)
- Mailed check
4. Rendorsity
Renderosity is a long-standing online community and marketplace tailored for digital artists, particularly those working with 2D and 3D content. Established in 1998, it has grown into one of the leading platforms for graphic artists, supporting users of many popular software applications used throughout the CG industry.
Key Features:
- Diverse Marketplace: Offers a vast array of digital products, including 3D models, textures, shaders, scripts, and plug-ins.
- Community Engagement: Provides forums, galleries, and contests, fostering interaction among artists.
- Vendor Opportunities: Artists can sell their creations in the marketplace, with the platform offering competitive industry rates and free advertising options.
- Learning Resources: Access to tutorials and training materials to enhance skills in 3D modeling, digital art, and animation.
Renderosity supports various 3D rendering software like Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Poser, and Daz Studio, making it a versatile platform for digital artists.
5. Pond5
Pond5 is a leading online marketplace specializing in royalty-free media assets, catering to a global community of creators. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York City, Pond5 offers an extensive library of over 44 million assets, including stock footage, music tracks, sound effects, images, 3D models, and Adobe After Effects templates.
Designed with storytellers in mind, Pond5 provides tools like Visual Search and integrations with major video editing software to streamline the creative process. The platform supports contributors by allowing them to set their own prices and offering a competitive revenue share, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for artists worldwide.
In 2022, Pond5 was acquired by Shutterstock, further expanding its reach and resources. Whether you’re a filmmaker, marketer, or digital artist, Pond5 serves as a valuable resource for high-quality, licensable content.
6. Envato
Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform offering unlimited downloads of over 21 million high-quality digital assets. These assets include stock videos, photos, music tracks, sound effects, graphic templates, fonts, 3D models, and more, all accessible for a fixed monthly or annual fee. The platform is designed to cater to the needs of designers, illustrators, video editors, and other creative professionals seeking a comprehensive resource for their projects.
Subscribers benefit from a lifetime commercial license for each asset downloaded during their subscription period, ensuring legal usage in various projects. Additionally, Envato Elements integrates AI-powered tools, such as AI ImageGen, to assist users in generating and editing creative content efficiently.
With its extensive library and user-friendly interface, Envato Elements serves as a valuable resource for creatives looking to streamline their workflow and access a diverse range of assets in one place.
7. Dribbble Marketplace
Dribbble is a popular online platform designed for creative professionals, particularly graphic designers, illustrators, and digital artists. It serves as a showcase where users can post their work, share design inspiration, and connect with potential clients or collaborators. Dribbble allows artists to display their portfolios, participate in design challenges, and explore job opportunities. It’s also a community-driven platform, making it a great space for networking and receiving feedback from other creatives. While Dribbble is primarily used for showcasing work, it also offers features for selling designs and finding freelance gigs.
Start selling on Dribbble Marketplace
8. DAZ 3D
Daz 3D is a comprehensive 3D creation platform that offers both free and premium tools for artists, designers, and animators. At its core is Daz Studio, a powerful yet user-friendly application that enables users to build and render 3D scenes, characters, and animations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, Daz Studio provides a versatile environment to bring your creative visions to life.
Key Features:
- Genesis Character System: A modular character creation system that allows for extensive customization, enabling the creation of diverse characters ranging from realistic humans to fantastical beings.
- dForce Physics Engine: Simulates realistic cloth and hair movements, enhancing the believability of your 3D scenes.
- Iray Render Engine: Offers high-quality, photorealistic rndering capabilities, ensuring your creations look their best.
- Smart Content Library: Provides a vast collection of pre-made assets, including characters, environments, props, and more, to kickstart your projects.
- Bridges to Other Software: Facilitates seamless integration with other 3D software like Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine, allowing for a streamlined workflow.
9. Cults
Cults3D is an independent digital marketplace and social platform dedicated to 3D printing enthusiasts, designers, and makers. Founded in 2014 in France by Hugo Fromont, Pierre Ayroles, and Sunny Ripert, Cults3D offers a vast collection of over 2 million 3D models, including both free and paid options, suitable for 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining.
The platform supports various file formats such as STL, OBJ, 3MF, and CAD, catering to a wide range of creative projects. Designers can earn revenue by selling their creations, receiving 80% of the net selling price through PayPal. Cults3D also fosters a vibrant community, encouraging users to share their work, participate in design challenges, and engage with fellow creators.
With its user-friendly interface and extensive library of models, Cults3D serves as a valuable resource for both novice and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts.
10. Cubebrush
Cubebrush is a digital marketplace designed for artists, designers, and developers to sell and purchase high-quality digital assets. It offers a platform for creators to monetize their work, including 3D models, game-ready assets, tutorials, brushes, and more.
Key Features:
- Diverse Product Range: Sellers can list various digital products such as 3D models, tools, ebooks, and video tutorials.
- User-Friendly Store Setup: Opening a store is straightforward, with no listing fees or approval processes, allowing for immediate product listings.
- Flexible Revenue Model: Cubebrush offers a hybrid revenue split, providing up to 95% earnings on direct sales through special links and 70% on marketplace-driven sales.
- Marketing Tools: Sellers have access to marketing features like creating sales, coupons, and sending custom messages to followers.
- Regular Payouts: Payments are processed on the 1st and 15th of each month via PayPal or wire transfer, provided the seller’s balance reaches $20.
Cubebrush caters to a global community of creators and buyers, making it a viable option for those looking to sell digital art and design assets online.
Start selling your 3D Models and Rendered Assets online
Creating and selling 3D models and rendered assets online is a great way to build passive income as a 3D artist or digital designer—but doing a bit of research beforehand can make all the difference. Begin by deciding what kind of assets you want to offer—this could include characters, environments, props, or architectural elements. Once your files are clean, optimized, and ready to go, upload them to a few of the marketplaces we mentioned that support non-exclusive licensing. It may take some time to build visibility, but by tracking your sales and listening to customer feedback, you’ll start to see which platforms and asset types perform best. With consistent effort and high-quality work, your 3D assets can become a steady and rewarding source of income
Sell more than just 3D Models and Rendered Assets online
There’s a whole world of digital products you can sell online beyond just 3D models and rendered assets. If you have a broad creative skillset, why not branch out and explore other product types to increase your earning potential? From textures and brushes to UI kits, animations, and visual effects, the possibilities are nearly endless. Take a look at our categories page to discover more digital assets you can start selling today and turn your creativity into multiple streams of passive income.