Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit | tolgaarslan's comments login

Most 3D software has third-party library plugins, but I noticed Unreal Engine lacked something similar. So, I decided to create one using my own assets! The library will continue to grow over time, making it easier for developers to access high-quality materials directly within Unreal Engine 5.

The library will continue to grow over time because I still creating new assets for my library. Also I want to add some features like bookmarks, 3D model support (250 models).

I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for other features to add. What would make this tool even more useful for you?


Hello HN,

I’m Tolga, one of the creators behind ShareTextures. Since 2018, my wife and I, have been dedicating our time to creating and sharing high-quality PBR textures and 3D models for free. What started as a passion project has grown into a community-supported platform that has enabled countless artists, game developers, and 3D enthusiasts to bring their projects to life.

Why Free? We believe in the power of accessibility and sharing. Back in 2018, we noticed a lack of freely available, high-quality materials. Our mission has been to fill that gap, and thanks to our patrons, we’ve been able to continue this work. We’re proud to have provided resources that have made a difference for so many in the creative industry.

What We’ve Achieved: Over 5 years of continuous content creation. A growing community of supporters who share our vision. A wide range of assets, from high-quality textures to more specialized models, available to everyone.

What’s Next? We’re not stopping here. Our focus now is on expanding our library with even more scanned assets, improving the quality of our existing collections, and exploring new ways to support the community. We’re also open to collaborations and always eager to hear from fellow creators.

If you’re interested in joining us or have any ideas, feel free to drop by our Discord or connect with us through our website. Let’s keep the spirit of creativity and sharing alive!

Thank you for your support and for making this journey so rewarding. We’re excited about what the future holds and look forward to continuing this adventure with all of you.

Love & Respect


Thanks for the explanation. I don't need to add anything to this reply :)


That Virtual Room can easily created with Unreal Engine. I believe you can find some ready environments like this on Unreal Engine Marketplace.


Even Adobe has a free platform. That's all I wanted to say


Yeah, they also killing the market. Once they established themselves they just nuke it, so you will need to look out for another ladder to climb higher.


Polyhaven creates textures using only photogrammetry(scan). It's doubling their quality also, equipment, and human resources. I'm adding some scanned textures too but it's not my main focus.


Sorry to hear that. We don't have a developer on the team. Lennart (from AmbientCG) has great skills in development, and he perfected their website. We're hiring freelancers to update our website, but with limited resources. Still, we're always looking for ways to improve our website for our users.


Come to our discord and say hi. I'll love to discuss the idea


You can find our assets on BlenderKit.


My wife and I have been architects since 2013, and back in 2018, it was almost impossible to find high-quality free materials. Polyhaven (formerly Texture Haven) and AmbientCG (CC0Textures) mainly focused on more natural assets. We decided to give it a try, and within just two weeks, we reached 100 patrons. So, ShareTextures is funded by the patrons, and as a result of this support, we continue creating.

We have our website because we want to provide some advantages to our patrons. Additionally, it helps us promote our supporters, partners, etc.


Don't you have a feeling that your actions will break down the market and kills the revenue for those who depend on this kind of income? I mean, you people are architects, not some digital beggars. You should ask a minimal price for it, but should not offer it for free, as others have also pointed it out.


We understand your concern, but we believe in the power of sharing and accessibility. We aim to support the community by offering free materials and 3D models. Our creations are simply tools to aid talented artists in creating their main products.There are unlimited options to create a digital asset. (style, design, year, condition, etc.) We can't create all of them.


Much of open source software is given away free, as in beer. Would you rather that be paid for and possibly also closed source?


Yes, much open-source software is free, enabling more people to use and contribute to it. Paid options might offer extra perks. Personally, I appreciate the accessibility and collaborative spirit of open-source software. It fosters innovation and community involvement, which I value. For example, if you check ArtStation's or Unreal Engine's Learning sections, you will see free tutorials from real experts. This exemplifies the power of the internet.


And makes people vulnerable, since they will have only one option to get more income and that is from a company. Because this will be a race to the bottom. You provide something for free, while you are getting paid by some nefarious entities who pay for your work on patreon. Race to the bottom, because there is now way to compete with you. Either offer better work or offer your time and resources for free in exchange for some exposure.


> while you are getting paid by some nefarious entities who pay for your work on patreon.

Spooky Patreon supporters!

> because there is now way to compete with you

How about YOU offer better work?


Yes, how dare they give out their work for free. The audacity of these people!


Architects get paid for making models, so why is it not fathomable for the poster that they should pay for the textures they use? Or, why do some workers deserve to get paid and others not?

Edit: And reading the reply from the architects, you can almost smell the entitlement.


I don't get it. How is this any different from programmers who create open source software that they release for free?


What don't you get? DO not work for free, because it kills yout income stream. Open Source is the perfect example. Fuck, and these individuals even have a patreon where a few individuals pay for this. I mean, this is bonkers.


There is no difference. Programmers keep making open source software for free, and people making money on that software keep acting entitled to it.


I'm confused. Who do you think is not being paid here?


Here's their argument (which I disagree with, but I believe I understand what it is to the extent where I can explain it):

1. Person A starts creating work W and selling it as a profession

2. Person B also starts creating work W and giving it out for free (with some Patreon income, but that is not the point here)

3. Person A can no longer compete with person B, because free is free. Person A is no longer paid


I also want to add; It's not like selling a physical product. Digital products usually need to be edited to fit your design. Person A still paid because they will always have customers who like their style & creations. We are not creating and sharing "Kitbash or Evermotion" level assets. These works require thousands of work hours and it's impossible to live sharing them free.


Nope, you are killing an income stream for others. That's what you have to understand, but I think you know it, just want to ruin the ecosystem. FOSS has the same issues, and now you are making sure another area heads there.


Could you elaborate on why you think it's appropriate to dictate what others sell their work for, or whether they sell it at all?


If that's the case, I guess my confusion comes from how one can assume this position and in the next breath complain about people acting entitled to others' work?


We, who cheer on the people who give out stuff for free, are "entitled" when we think we "deserve" the free stuff?

I don't know, man.


If someone can create or reproduce the same kind of work that Person A produces, then that work effort (not the work product, the work) holds less value. Person A should do something to add more value.

A similar argument can be had for something that can be made cheaper than a more expensive option. If my company makes a widget that takes 100 people to make over the course of a year, and then someone comes along and finds a way to make it at substantially less cost (not labor costs) via technological improvement, then seems like OP would similarly be against this, which doesn't jive with nearly any definition of capitalism.


Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: