Not everyone is great at building 3D graphics from scratch. Maybe you can put together only very basic objects—simple signs, a light bulb, that kind of thing—but real projects usually need something far more involved, like characters, vehicles, or other detailed assets. If you are working on a game and need ready-made 3D resources, these five sites are especially useful places to look.
3DRT
Among the five, this one stands out the most. The biggest reason is the quality: it offers a large collection of highly professional models. Pricing is also fairly reasonable, especially since discounts show up from time to time. Nearly all of the models are animated, and they come with skins as well. There are multiple file formats available, and PSD files are included too, which makes it easier to create custom skins of your own.
Garage Games
Garage Games offers art packs at prices that can be quite appealing. Some of the packs are genuinely impressive, while others are more average, so the overall quality depends heavily on the individual artist behind the work. The site does not provide a wide range of formats, which is a limitation. On the plus side, it is not only about visual assets—you can also find some good sound resources there.
FPS Creator
This site includes a good selection of models and audio assets. Everything is skinned and animated. The assets are built around the FPS Creator format, and they can also be converted into the .X format for use elsewhere. One especially useful aspect is the range of FPS-specific models, including arms and firearms, along with a lot of strange creatures and enemies. Many of these feel close to ready for direct use in a game.
Realm Crafter Packs
The models here are more mid-range in quality. They are not the best of the bunch, but the lower price can make them attractive. Most of the models are animated and available in several formats, although some are static and do not include animation.
Tridinaut
If you need medieval weapons, this is a particularly good place to check. The quality is very strong, and the models are currently free. There is also a custom work option: for about $50–$100, they will create something specifically for you. That makes the site even more worthwhile if you need assets that are hard to find elsewhere.
For anyone building games and looking for useful 3D assets without making everything personally, these five sites are all worth keeping in mind.