Has the 3D Warehouse died or is it just me?
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It seems like the 3D warehouse hasn't grown much since I first started using sketchup like 7 years ago, or at least nearly as much as it used to. With the sheer number of sketchup users producing models the content of the 3d warehouse seems a little disproportionate. I'm always checking it for basic building materials and it seems like the selection is pitiful and I rarely find anything useful. Why do you think that is and can we make a push to expand it and remind people to share models?
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I'd imagine there are several reasons. I don't use the warehouse much personally to know if it's declined or not, but the times I have gone there have resulted in more frustration than satisfaction. Generally speaking, the sketchup community has more amateurs than it does professional model builders. There is no screening of models that I know of, but a rating system to try and put the better models to the top of the list. If people don't use the rating system however, then the weeding out process suffers. There is also a lot more leeching than there is seeding and people who tend to want everything free and prebuilt for their models can be assumed to be on the lazy or not as skilled side when it comes to building stuff to contribute. So, if everyone takes and no one gives, then over time there will be a decline in quality. It's also subject to the field which you work in and what you are looking for, as some fields have been using sketchup longer and so there is more content built up over a longer period of time. All in all, it's free, easy to use and open to anyone. You have to know that what you get from the warehouse will most likely need to be cleaned up and fixed before it is usable in a professional scenario. I would rather spend 10 or 15 minutes building something that I know is made properly and is unique to me and my project, than milling around for 20 minutes with another 5 or 10 minutes of cleanup and re-texturing. I think a lot of professionals probably feel the same way. If I do want to get a statue or something that will take me too long to build, I'll glance through the warehouse, but most likely end up at archibase or another free quality model site. You gotta figure too that sites like FormFonts can be successful for a reason. If the warehouse was full of fantastic, easy to find and well built models, they would probably not be as successful as they are. just my .02
The warehouse is great for finding specific manufacturers appliances and fixtures. But if you want plants or a table set, etc. it's hard to find professional level quality.
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I agree with Adam. More often than not, when I download something from the Warehouse, I have to spend more time cleaning it up and making it usable than I would spend drawing it myself from scratch.
As most of my work is done for paying clients, I'm not at liberty to put the things I draw in the warehouse. I did do some furniture for a high end manufacturer a few years ago. That stuff ended up in the warehouse but that was the intent for that product.
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Like I've said before, if Google pays me a salary (livable one) I'll take on the task of weeding out the warehouse, having one junk pile for unregistered users and a decent one for registered users.
Then maintaining, and rating them myself so we can have a rating system that is consistent, true and a good guide to finding the right model, the junk pile does not get a rating option.
Anything below 3 stars goes to junk pile.Just an idea....google call me.
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How about we just do it ourselves here?
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Rich has a great idea. I don't use the 3D outhouse that much for all the reasons stated above. For great models from great modelers. .. this would be the place. I'd love to glom off of you guys.
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@unknownuser said:
How about we just do it ourselves here?
huh!?
Take over fixing the 3DWH or creating our own?
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@unknownuser said:
creating our own
exactly a member driven library of optimized models. We could make it trade based/subscription based/whatever based. Main thing is it's only quality content
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Part of the issue would be creating a whole new format or site for such a thing. However, I think there are some options within the warehouse that allow for collaboration and grouping of models. Perhaps all it would take would be a group where any sketchucation member is invited to add models. I'm not sure how easy it is to search or organize just those models though so it could get messy.
-Brodie
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I agree with the thoughts about 3DWH in the first couple of posts and would like to add one more. SU has been around long enough for users to get some skill and experience, that means more effort and complexity us going into the models being made. Maybe the 10 MB limit prevents some from being uploaded, maybe some aren't as willing to share their hard work knowing they'll get nothing for it but leeches. I have a model up that was downloaded almost 8,000 times before it got a star rating.
As far as a SCF warehouse, that sound like a great idea. It would provide a resource for quality models and I suggest that it could generate money for the site. Charge downloaders a reasonable flat fee per model, don't panic yet my fellow underpaid... Allow contributors credits for uploading models, I.e share a model, get credited x model downloads in return. That way the site gets some monetary support, those of us without a lot of cash can get some nice models for a little work on our part and the warehouse would grow.
The trouble is policing it and verifying model quality.
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I use the WH, quite a bit in my business, and I agree with Pete (solo) it needs to be controlled and regulated, there is entirely too much CRAP on it.
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@patrickbateman said:
It seems like the 3D warehouse hasn't grown much
As far as I experienced, 3D Warehouse is almost exploding of models. It's hard to get numbers, but with some Google research you get at least 5 million unique models.
But it's true that most models are not useful for re-use, there are many beginner models, some good geo-models and too many Building Maker models, there are lots of children uploading every day several baublery models etc.
What we need is maybe a directory of quality models that are suitable for rendering and a set of criteria what models can be added to the directory. 3D Warehouse has unlimited storage (but 10MB per model) and a fast server infrastructure and search engine so it wouldn't make sense to create a competing site from scratch.
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The only 3DWH models I've actually used in projects have been appliances and than goodness I don't need them very often. The ones I've used have clearly be converted from 3D CAD or other files and are obese with unneeded hidden lines and internal "junk". I end up spending a lot of time cleaning them up but at least they are already the right size.
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I definitely like the idea of the Sketchucation Model Repository.
How about a ratio system. You need to maintain a certain give and take ratio in order to have downloading access to models. You have to give one for every two you take or something. Also a mandatory rating system. If you haven't rated your previous download, you temporarily lose downloading privileges until you add the rating. If a model gets more than 10 minimum ratings, then it's removed.
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we discussed this idea before... I like it... but the cost of offering that many downloads and uploads would cost a lot.
but if you guys wanna give it try I'm down to help. I have a few ideas on how to offset costs or even pay people per model.
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Cool, looks like a plan is coming together.
Just remember it has to be original content (we do not wanna deal with lawyers).
I'd also suggest having a section for materials, again only original stuff.
Maybe even, Vismats, visopts, Theamats, styles, etc.
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How about a system whereby you lease space on a server. The larger your collection the more it costs. But you keep 100% of the sale. You can raise/lower your size as needed. This would prevent you having unwanted models sitting there?
The main thing here is you control your pricing. You can offer services etc.
It could be invite based so we know the quality is kosher.
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i would be game for any system as long as it is not this. . .
Anybody got a good dishwasher model in here?? -
@earthmover said:
I definitely like the idea of the Sketchucation Model Repository.
How about a ratio system. You need to maintain a certain give and take ratio in order to have downloading access to models. You have to give one for every two you take or something. Also a mandatory rating system. If you haven't rated your previous download, you temporarily lose downloading privileges until you add the rating. If a model gets more than 10 minimum ratings, then it's removed.
I think giving a lot of requirements would be prohibitive. I think by nature that it would be from the sketchucation community would weed out most of the crap and encourage people to share. I don't think a ratio system or restrictions should be in place. Maybe have a one-time mandatory upload before you can download anything and get access? So every user would have to upload a quality model and have it get approved before gaining access to download anything.
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