If you’re a 3D artist, you might have a passion for creating amazing 3D models and animations. But did you know that you can turn that passion into a source of passive income?
By exploring passive income ideas, you can create a steady stream of revenue without putting in too much effort.
In this article, we’ll explore seven passive income ideas for beginner 3D artists that you can start implementing today.
1. Create and Sell Digital Products
One of the best passive income ideas for 3D artists is to create and sell digital products. You can create models, textures, and animations and sell them online. Websites like Blender Market, Turbosquid, CGTrader, and Unity Asset Store allow you to upload and sell your digital products. This way, you can earn a commission every time someone purchases your product.
TurboSquid is currently the biggest 3D marketplace, and while competition is fierce, it is still a great platform to sell your models and assets. Setting up an account and posting your models is free, but the platform takes a 40% royalty fee on your sales. However, you can reduce this fee to 20% by joining their affiliate programs and paying a membership.
CG Trader is another excellent platform for selling 3D models and art, with a growing audience and the benefit of 70%-80% royalties from the start. Additionally, the platform also offers freelance projects for artists looking for more earnings and exposure.
Selling your assets on Unity Asset Store can be a great way to earn passive income, especially if you have experience in 3D modeling, game development, or other related fields. To get started, you will need to create an account and submit your assets for review. Once approved, you can set your prices and receive a 70% royalty on each sale. Unity Asset Store also offers an affiliate program, where you can earn additional income by promoting other assets.
2. Create and Sell Material Packs
Another affordable passive income idea for intermediate 3D artists is selling material packs. 3D artists are always looking for new and creative ways to save time while creating their artwork, and procedural materials can do just that. By creating a pack of simple yet realistic textures, you can save other artists a lot of time. Also, generate some extra income each month.
The great thing about creating material packs is that they can continue to generate revenue without you having to do much else. Additionally, building a library of procedural materials can save you time in the long run since you will have a range of textures readily available whenever you need them.
While creating material packs may require some knowledge of nodes, particularly if you want to use Substance Designer, the competition in this area is still relatively low. The main challenge in creating material packs will be in marketing and reaching your target audience. You may need to invest time in creating demo videos or tutorials to help promote your product effectively.
Overall, selling material packs is an easy and affordable way for beginner 3D artists to generate passive income. By creating a range of high-quality textures and marketing them effectively, you can build a steady stream of revenue.
3. Sell Art Online to Earn Passive Income
If you’re a talented 3D artist, you can sell your art online. You can create digital art and sell it on websites like Etsy, Redbubble, ArtStation, or DeviantArt. This way, you can earn money every time someone purchases your art.
If you spend some time creating visually appealing compositions, you could sell them as digital downloads for people looking to update their home decor. Alternatively, you could print them out and ship them as limited edition prints.
One of the advantages of selling art prints online is that it allows you to express yourself creatively while also putting your work out there. Art prints can do wonders for your reputation, and they can be a lot of fun to make. Knowing that your artwork is on display in someone’s home is also a great feeling.
However, it’s worth noting that the market for selling art prints online is extremely saturated. To stand out, you will need to advertise your work creatively and effectively. One way to do this is by holding occasional giveaways and telling your friends about your new business.
To ensure that you get a steady stream of revenue from selling your art online, you will need to add new artwork to your store regularly. This will keep your store fresh and encourage customers to come back and see what’s new. It’s also worth considering partnering with other artists or participating in online art communities to help promote your work.
Overall, selling art prints online is a great way for beginner 3D artists to generate passive income. While it can be challenging to stand out in a saturated market, with the right approach and marketing strategy, you can build a successful online store and showcase your creative talents to a wider audience.
4. Generating Passive Income from NFTs
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a hot topic right now, and they offer a unique opportunity for 3D artists to make passive income. You can create 3D models and animations and turn them into NFTs. This way, you can sell your art to collectors and investors who are interested in owning unique digital assets.
Despite NFTs being somewhat controversial due to their environmental impact, there are new and improved solutions being developed to bring energy consumption down in this market.
Selling your artwork as NFTs can bring in extra income while contributing to a more transparent artistic community. Various NFT platforms are available, such as OpenSea, Rarible, and Foundation. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that the NFT market is still emerging and relatively volatile, although some artists are already making a considerable profit from selling their NFTs.
If you’re interested in selling your artwork as NFTs, there are several things to consider.
Firstly, it’s essential to gain familiarity with blockchain technology before venturing into this space.
You will need a cryptocurrency wallet, such as MetaMask, to sell your artwork, and posting your first NFTs for sale will require a small fee.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that while established artists can profit greatly from selling their NFTs, it may be challenging for artists without a significant online presence to gain traction early on.
5. Sell 3D Printing Models
Another way to make passive income as a 3D artist is by creating 3D models for 3D printing. You can create models of figurines, toys, and other objects and sell them on websites like Shapeways or MyMiniFactory. This way, you can earn passive income every time someone purchases your 3D model.
Creating 3D models for 3D printing is the process of designing a digital 3D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software, which can be used as a blueprint to create a physical object through 3D printing. The process involves designing the model in 3D, ensuring that it is optimized for 3D printing. And then slicing the design into layers, which can be used by the 3D printer to build the object layer by layer.
However, not all 3D models are suitable for 3D printing. Some models may have protruding or thin features that are difficult to print using molten plastic. Therefore, when creating 3D models for 3D printing, it is important to consider the limitations and possibilities of the printing process.
Some popular CAD software for 3D printing includes Blender, Tinkercad, Fusion 360, and SketchUp. It is important to note that each software has its learning curve and specific features. So, it is recommended to choose the software that best suits the needs and skill level of the designer.
6. Create a YouTube Channel
YouTube is the most popular platform for creators to make passive income online. As a 3D artist, you can create a YouTube channel and create videos that showcase your work. You can monetize your channel with ads or sponsored content, and earn passive income every time someone watches your videos.
The first step is to find your audience. You should identify who your target audience is, whether it is artists who want to learn new techniques or collectors who you want to sell.
Once you have identified your audience, you should tailor your content to cater to their specific needs.
The next step is to bring value to your audience. You should aim to solve problems for your audience and provide them with insights and benefits from watching your videos. You can do this by making tutorials or sharing your experiences.
Learning from your competition is another important step in generating passive income. You should research similar channels and analyze their content to identify what is working for them and what isn’t. This can help you refine your content and make it stand out from the competition.
Getting your audience’s attention is also crucial to generating passive income. You can do this through SEO, and suggested videos. SEO is particularly important, as it can help your videos rank higher in search results.
Defining your channel’s difference is another key factor in generating passive income. You should identify your unique selling point, whether it is your experience, language, presentation style, or a combination of these factors.
Finding your drive and staying committed to your goals is also crucial. You should follow your vision, identify your weaknesses, and commit to self-improvement. You should also plan for potential challenges and build a team to support you as your channel grows.
7. Sell 3D Models on Your Website
Finally, you can create your website and sell your 3D models directly to customers to generate passive income. This way, you can keep all the profits and have more control over how you sell your products. You can also use your website to promote your tutorials, courses, and other digital products.
social media marketing and email marketing are powerful tools that can be used to direct traffic to your website. Also you can use these platforms to promote your 3D modeling business.
Knowing which industries are in demand and what kind of 3D models they need is key to being successful in selling 3D models online.
For example, the automobile industry may require highly detailed and accurate 3D models of cars, while the jewelry industry may need intricate models of rings and necklaces. Similarly, the video gaming industry may require a wide range of 3D models for characters, environments, and props, while the product development industry may need models for prototypes and design visualization.
As a 3D artist looking to sell your work online, it’s important to research which industries and niches are in demand and focus on creating models that meet those needs. By specializing in certain areas and creating high-quality models that meet industry standards, you can increase your chances of attracting clients and making sales.
It’s also worth noting that some fields may pay more than others for 3D modeling work, and not all industries may require freelance 3D modelers. By doing your research and networking with professionals in your target industries, you can gain a better understanding of where to focus your efforts and how to best market your skills as a 3D artist.
Also Read : Top 10 Benefits Of Selling 3d Models Online
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many passive income ideas for beginner 3D artists that you can explore.
By creating digital products, selling art online, creating tutorials and courses, creating NFTs, creating 3D models for 3D printing, creating a YouTube channel, and selling 3D models on your website, you can make money with your art and turn your passion into a source of income.
With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can make passive income as a 3D artist and become a successful entrepreneur.