Getting Started as a New TurboSquid Artist

Welcome to TurboSquid!
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Whether you're an experienced 3D artist or you're just starting to build your portfolio, selling your work on TurboSquid is a great way to get your models in front of customers around the world.

Not sure where to begin? This guide will walk you through the basics of setting up your artist account, publishing your first products, and deciding what to create.

Before you can publish your first model, you'll need to create your TurboSquid account and complete your artist and payment information.

Once your account is ready, you'll be able to access My Products, where you can upload and manage the models you want to sell.

You'll also want to become familiar with Squid.io, your dashboard for managing your TurboSquid artist account and products.

One of the biggest questions new artists have is:

What should I model?

A good place to start is by thinking about what a customer might need for a project.

Customers use 3D models for advertising, games, films, visualization, design, education, and many other types of creative work. Instead of only asking, "What do I want to model?" also ask:

"What could someone use this model for?"

Here are a few places to look for inspiration:

Pay attention to current events, seasons, holidays, technology, design trends, entertainment, sports, and other topics people are talking about.

Think about the kinds of visuals designers and creative teams may need to tell those stories.

Just remember that recognizable brands, logos, characters, and other intellectual property may have licensing restrictions. Creating an original version of a useful object or concept is often a better approach.

Animals can be useful across many different types of projects.

Consider creating:

Don't feel like you always have to create something exotic. A well-made model of an everyday subject can be extremely useful to a customer.

Look around you for inspiration. Furniture, appliances, tools, kitchen objects, office equipment, electronics, outdoor objects, and other everyday items can all become useful 3D assets.

Try thinking in terms of a scene.

If someone were building a kitchen, office, hospital, classroom, workshop, airport, or backyard scene, what individual objects would they need? Each one could be an opportunity for a model.

New technology and changing industries can also provide inspiration.

Think about subjects connected to areas such as robotics, renewable energy, transportation, science, manufacturing, healthcare, communications, and other evolving industries.

The goal isn't necessarily to recreate a particular branded product. Think about the larger concept and the objects a customer might need to illustrate it.

If you find a subject you enjoy creating, don't stop after one model. For example, if you create a great houseplant, you might create several different plants. If you create a piece of gym equipment, consider building out the rest of the gym.

Collections can help you build a stronger portfolio while giving customers multiple related assets to choose from.

Before publishing, look at your model from the customer's point of view.

Ask yourself:

If I purchased this model, would I have everything I need to start using it?

Make sure your files are organized and that the information you provide about the model is accurate.

You'll also need strong preview imagery. Customers can't open your model before purchasing it, so your product images are an important part of showing them exactly what they're getting.

Show the model clearly, include useful angles and details, and make sure your preview images accurately represent the product.

Creating a great model is only part of the process. Customers also need to be able to find it.

Use a title that accurately describes what you're selling. Instead of a vague or creative name, think about what a customer would type into search when looking for your model.

Tell customers what they're getting. Include useful details about the model, its files, materials or textures, and anything else someone would want to know before purchasing.

Tags help connect your product with customer searches.

Use words that genuinely describe your model. Adding unrelated keywords may put your product in front of the wrong customers rather than helping it sell.

When your model and product information are ready, it's time to publish!

Go to My Products and select Create New Product to begin uploading your model.

You'll add your model files, product information, specifications, pricing, categories, preview images, and other required information before publishing.

For the complete step-by-step publishing process and current image requirements, see:

How do I publish products?

Your first model doesn't have to be your masterpiece.

Start with something you know you can create well, learn the publishing process, and keep building from there.

As you grow your portfolio:

Building a successful portfolio takes time. Every new model gives customers another opportunity to discover your work.
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Please keep in mind AI is not allowed at all! For more info please see this article:
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​​TurboSquid’s Policy on Publishing AI-generated Content

Ready to get started? Create your artist account, choose your first idea, and start building!