The popular 3D content hosting service p3d.in has been updated in a big way - they now support multimaterials, bump maps, new material selectors and more. Check out the release log for the full update.
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About the Author
Bart Veldhuizen
I have a LONG history with Blender - I wrote some of the earliest Blender tutorials, worked for Not a Number and helped run the crowdfunding campaign that open sourced Blender (the first one on the internet!). I founded BlenderNation in 2006 and have been editing it every single day since then ;-) I also run the Blender Artists forum and I'm Head of Community at Sketchfab.
12 Comments
Cool! :)
What I have to say more? :)
I'm sure someday it will become a hobbyist online animation editor for those who doesn't want to learn major 3d editors.
Sketchfab these people are getting serious! I love it. P3d just gets better and better. How will we choose between them!? Its impossible. Plus blendswap? Where are you in this? Wait youre ok blendswap. You serve a greater purpose. You're the blender user library of history. But seriously rant aside. Its great these sites are getting better and better implementation. The more readily available high quality 3d content can be delivered. The further Blender's name will reach into the hearts of the people.
Looks good, but most of the coolest features are only available on a PLUS account, and I'm not about to fork out $10 a month to put my models there when I can upload a turntable video of a model onto youtube for free!
Assuming, of course, that a rendered turntable, which might take you anywhere from hours to days to render, equates to a live 3D preview that will take a few minutes to setup and send the link ;)
A lone model turntable will usually take a few hours, or less. to render, unless its very high poly and/or with a background, and its probably something I want to do with my models anyways. And on youtube it will get a lot more views, as the common person will probably never have heard of p3d.in!
There's no doubt its a great site, and the upgrades are impressive, its just not for me. I don't use blend swap either, as I prefer to make my own models, but it too is a great site, and I'm glad these sites are out there.
There is at least one advantage that a site like p3d.in has that a YouTube video doesn't--standing out from the crowd to clients if you're a freelancing professional, who'd much rather preview your models in real-time than watch a polished video which where can benefit from post-production to hide their flaws.
While a YouTube is certainly fine for the job (and certainly, it's plenty useful, and, as you've said, it's free), in the competitive business of freelancing, generally you want to do something that will help you stand out more from the crowd. Though, it's not necessary, sporting 3D model previews on your portfolio can help you gain a competitive edge. There's something attractive about seeing someone's work in true real-time display.
For business purposes the cost is definitely warranted, but for a hobbyist perhaps not.
Out of interest which are the features you consider you need, but not enough to pay for?
We have tried hard to strike a balance where the free version is still very useful for most people.
- pjoe (p3d)
I guess the biggest one would be the bump maps, as thats what really makes many textures come to life, and alpha would also rank up there. But don't get me wrong, I understand money is a factor in any business, and to maintain a site of that caliber. And I did open an account! I guess what got me was being impressed by the video, then going to the site and finding out that the things that impressed me were only going to be available for payment. But what you are providing for free is greatly appreciated! For simply showing modeling skills, it quite adequate!
Thanks!
Thanks for replying.
FWIW: We do support normal maps in the free version.
-pjoe
Jee, I'm very sorry, I must be blind, I uploaded two models and failed to see the normal button there at the bottom. Please excuse me for that mistake. I'm going to re-examine the site and texturing procedures, as perhaps I've missed more details there, again sorry,,,you guys appear to have done a very good job.