Good source for low-poly 3D models?

[ice9]

I have been looking online for free 3D models to use for prototyping a space combat game. What I'm looking for are spacecraft-type models (ranging from fighters up to captial-ship sizes).

The only thing I'm finding are high poly models which aren't practical to use in the engine.

I'm looking for content that will drop right into an Irrlicht-based project (meaning I won't need to convert them).

[JP]

I don't really know any websites that can provide low poly stuff but couldn't you just use really basic shapes if you're just prototyping? you could use a cube scene node or the pyramid shape from the custom scene node example.

[rogerborg]

I have been looking online for free 3D models to use for prototyping a space combat game.

You and everyone else. Turbosquid is the usual first port of call.

Billboards can be used effectively during your prototyping, unless your goal is actually to showcase the visuals.

[fretmunky]

In my opinion, it's probably less time and effort to learn how to make your own. Free models you find on the internet tend to be riddled with problems and other inconveniences.

[Mel]

Turbo Squid has a fair amount of lowpoly models, though not much of them about space ships, and such, and of course, even less which are free and are good

http://www.turbosquid.com/
http://www.the3dstudio.com/
http://www.top3d.net/

And then, about modelling and texturing:
http://www.3dtotal.com/
http://www.evermotion.org/

But, as people have suggested, billboarding stuff is also another way, then, when you have your prototype done, you can throw in all you want

[rogerborg]

In my opinion, it's probably less time and effort to learn how to make your own. Free models you find on the internet tend to be riddled with problems and other inconveniences.

And cooties.

[ice9]

Thanks for the replies.

I can fall back to using simple shapes (cubes, etc). I would prefer to use something more representative or the actual planned models, but it sounds like that won't easy to do (for free).

[rogerborg]

Do you really need solid meshes?

For my last prototype, I just swiped^W borrowed some images of spaceships and used them as billboard textures. Google and a dab of paintshop: job's a good 'un.

[ice9]

I want to get collisions working, and I rather do that with solid meshes rather than a throw-away system using billboards.

I am planning to use Havok for phyiscs/collision detection, which is freely available.

[rogerborg]

Fair enough. If you do find a good source for low poly models, please do let us know.

[JP]

I should mention this section of my website (the 'free models' page is a collection of (crummy) models that i've made and the 'links' page is a selection of useful websites) which i've been trying to build up with useful sources of free game resources, might be something in there but don't hold your breath!

[lostclimategames]

if you can just find some crappy scifi textures and apply them crappily to the primitives, a couple of modified rectangles stuck together

[christianclavet]

Perhaps you can ask BMF to take the ships I've created for his game DIVUS ARMADA?

Here are some shots:





Download link here: http://bmf.veloren.com/files/DivusArmada.rar

[jontan6]

Thanks for the replies.

I can fall back to using simple shapes (cubes, etc). I would prefer to use something more representative or the actual planned models, but it sounds like that won't easy to do (for free).

maybe just create combination of basic shapes to approximate the shape/size of your ship, for logic/collision purposes, as placeholder