What the hell is a Fab?
I can't be the only one confused, right?
Epic Launches Fab.com!
That’s the announcement flooding my feeds, and at first, I had questions. My initial thought was, “Did Epic just buy Fab.com? The design-centric e-commerce site that sold sleek furniture and well-designed products?” That site went offline back in 2022, so I was momentarily confused, imagining Epic resurrecting the site in some strange twist.
Then I realized we’ve reached a new era of the internet…where web names have a second life! It’s like in the 90s when a new restaurant opened in an old Taco Bell building, and no matter how good the food is, you still smell Crunchwrap Supreme.
So, if it’s not a taco-smelling bowl of Korean BBQ…what exactly is this new Fab? Let’s break it down.
What is Fab?
Fab, from Epic Games, is a unified marketplace designed to centralize digital assets like 3D models, textures, animations, sounds, and more. Instead of running separate platforms like the Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, Quixel, and the ArtStation Marketplace, Epic has combined them under one roof, aiming to streamline the search and purchasing process for creators. Whether you’re working on a game, a VR experience, or architectural visualization, Fab brings together high-quality assets in a single platform that’s easier to navigate.
Why Should You Care?
If you’re a game developer, 3D artist, or digital content creator, Fab could be a huge advantage. Instead of juggling multiple marketplaces to find the right assets, Fab consolidates everything in one place. Need a 3D model of a cityscape? A sound effect for a game? A realistic material texture? Fab’s got you covered.
It’s not just for game developers either. Fab’s assets are versatile enough to support industries beyond gaming—fashion, medical visualization, product design, virtual production, you name it. So, whether you’re in entertainment or branching out into other fields, Fab offers resources that could simplify your workflow and increase productivity.
Will Assets on Fab Still Be Free?
One of the key questions surrounding Fab’s launch has been about pricing, particularly for popular assets like Quixel Megascans. Here’s the short answer: yes, they’ll stay free…for now. Until the end of 2024, users can access the entire Quixel Megascans library for free across multiple engines, including Unreal Engine and Unity. This includes over 17,000 assets, along with some new packs released specifically for Fab’s launch.
However, in 2025, Epic plans to shift this model. While some assets will still be free, the majority of Megascans content will switch to a paid model. Prices will start at $0.99 for individual assets and increase for larger packs, allowing Epic to fund the continued development and expansion of the library. For creators relying heavily on Quixel’s free assets, this change means planning ahead. Studios and freelancers may need to adjust their budgets and project strategies once the free offerings are reduced.
Key Features of Fab
All-in-One Marketplace: By consolidating platforms like Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, and Quixel, Fab becomes a one-stop shop for digital assets.
Creator-Centric: Fab isn’t just a marketplace to buy assets; it’s also a platform where creators can sell their work and build a recurring income stream. For 3D artists, modelers, and texture designers, this opens up a new avenue to monetize their skills.
Revenue Sharing: Epic retains its favorable revenue split of 88/12, where creators keep 88% of their earnings—a substantial advantage over some other platforms.
Seamless Integration: If you’re already working in Unreal Engine, Fab’s assets can be directly integrated, with drag-and-drop functionality. This feature saves time and can make the creative workflow smoother and faster.
Why Now?
The demand for digital assets is expanding quickly, with industries from gaming to fashion and education increasingly reliant on virtual content. With the growth of VR, AR, and the metaverse, Epic’s Fab aims to be the go-to source for high-quality 3D assets needed to build these immersive worlds. Fab lowers the barrier to entry, especially for smaller studios or independent creators, by democratizing access to assets that would otherwise take extensive resources to create from scratch.
Are Users Happy with Fab?
Since its launch, Fab has received mixed reactions from its user base. While many creators are excited about the unified marketplace that consolidates platforms like Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, Quixel, and ArtStation, not everyone is thrilled with the transition.
One significant area of frustration revolves around the shift in pricing for Quixel Megascans (as mentioned above). Beyond the pricing changes, some technical issues have also been reported. Users have encountered problems with logging in, integration with Unreal Engine, and complications when uploading content to the Fab marketplace. For example, listings can get stuck if file names contain non-Latin characters, and users have reported difficulties with displaying product ratings until certain thresholds are met. Although Epic has been actively addressing these problems through updates and bug fixes, the initial rollout has frustrated some users.
For many, the platform's potential outweighs these early setbacks, but it's clear that the launch hasn't been entirely smooth, and there’s still work to be done to optimize the experience. There are even some great deals like a huge library of KitBash 3D assets on the site and an offer for a free version of Substance 3D Modeler and Painter when you publish a listing or make a purchase of $25 or more.
Conclusion
Epic Games’ launch of Fab introduces a powerful new tool for creators across industries, centralizing digital assets into one cohesive marketplace. It brings together platforms like Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, and Quixel, making it easier for game developers, 3D artists, and other creators to access and sell assets in a streamlined way. With features like easy integration with Unreal Engine, creator-friendly revenue sharing, and a broad range of resources, Fab offers creators a versatile toolkit to enhance their work.
It stinks that fewer assets will be free, but that’s the way it goes. I’m all for creatives getting paid for their creations but it is a bummer that many new users won’t be able to access these assets for free anymore.
As the digital world continues to grow with the expansion of the metaverse, VR, and AR, Fab positions itself as a key resource for the future of 3D creation. Whether you’re working in gaming, architecture, or virtual production, Fab’s unified marketplace could significantly simplify your workflow and offer new opportunities for monetizing your creative output.
The 3D Artist Community Updates
This week’s AMA is with Tuba Yelcin. With experience at industry giants like ILM, MPC, and DNeg, Tuba is a 3D & VFX Workflow Expert. She recently shifted from entertainment to tech, serving as a 3DVFX/Pro Workflow Expert at Apple.
3D News of the Week
Fab is now live! - Quixel
Marmoset Toolbag 5 Is Out Now - 80.lv
Midjourney launches AI image editor: how to use it - Venture Beat
Twitter/X Will Use Your Posts For AI Training And There's No Opting Out - 80.lv
Free Nuke plugin Flow Warp bends images round custom paths - CG Channel
3D Merch is here and we have a new hoodie!
3D Tutorials
3D Job Spreadsheet
Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)
Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The 3D Artist Community on Skool and this newsletter.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel
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