It seems that there are a large number of sites featuring free 3D models. However, this seems suspicious and makes me question the legitimacy of the models. Is there are way to tell if a model is ripped? Or perhaps a white list of all the sites featuring original 3D models or a black list of popular free 3D model sites to avoid?
Also, I can across this list of free 3D asset websites. Would it be safe to assume that because the links are originating from Unity Forums, that the free websites featured on the list contain original models, or would they have a mix or even a majority of ripped models?
Definitely. Excessive musuclar details is a very obvious feature of ripped graphics
There is no such page, no whitelist or blacklist to sort out the scammers and thieves. Its normally the job of the original artist to take care about scammers that abuses his graphics. Thats a question of law and time though. And not every scam can be catched.
I know about Tin eye, with which you can compare if an image already exists. http://www.tineye.com/ . But this one just works at images. Never found something like that for 3D graphics.
Where you should keep your hands away are special sprite/resources pages where you can find obviously ripped material. A Megaman or a Supermario character is definitely under copyright. And so they are very obviously ripped. Fanpages and fangames are a special chapter though. The useage of ripped graphics are in most cases tolerated for non commercial fan projects. But beware, just tolerated. Not legal. Once you earn a dime with it … dang!
That said, you can never be absolutely sure if graphics on the net are ripped or not. Even when you hire a paid artist you may stumble across a scammer.
But i would say the linked list is safe to use. Unity wouldn`t do itself a favour when it would link scam. They do business. And the linked pages are very known and valid sources from what i can see. Nothing to worry about.
Just in case, my graphics are safe to use too /propagandamode off
Easiest way to know your 3D model is legit? Do it yourself.
Second best way? PAY someone to do it for you off provided concept art.
No money? Pray?
I would avoid at all costs making a commercial product off free assets you get anywhere. It’s too risky. I’d say the best place to buy anything (as long as you don’t need to go through refunds process, where it SUCKS) is to buy off the Asset Store. Mind you, more than once there have been leaks of pirated assets showing up for sale, so a second tip there if you are paranoid (like me) is to just look at assets that have been in the store for a long long time. Does not make it certain, but chances of them being for sale for a long time without anyone bringing it up can be lower.
Adding to the what was said in the above post.
Third best way - If you are buying from sites like turbosquid, make sure that the artist in question has a lot of sales to his credit already. People like that have a reputation to maintain and are less likely to be selling stolen assets. the downside to this is that such kind of artists will charge higher prices
It’s a double entendre, meaning the word can be taken one of two ways. Larvantholos was making a joke about how the word “ripped” could mean either taken from a commercial game (what iProgramGames means) or very fit and muscular.
