Download 480+ free kitbash assets and materials with Cargo 3.0
Online asset store KitBash3D has released Cargo 3.0: the latest version of its free asset manager.
The app – for browsing assets and importing them 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya and Unreal Engine – gets a new USD-based architecture and Smart Search features.
Users with free accounts get access to over 480 models, materials, textures and HDRI from KitBash3D and Greyscalegorilla; users with paid accounts get access to the complete libraries.
An online library of kitbash assets for VFX, animation and game development
First released in 2023, Cargo streamlines the process of installing assets from KitBash3D’s digital building kits for concept art, VFX, animation and game development work.
Its online library, which now comprises over 30,000 models and materials, has been used on film franchises like Dr. Strange, TV shows like The Last of Us, and games like The Elder Scrolls.
Cargo makes it possible to browse assets from the library, with the option to filter by type, genre, or the asset kit from which they were taken.
The selected asset can then be downloaded and sent to linked DCC apps with a single click: plugins are available for 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya and Unreal Engine.
Cargo 3.0: now standardized around USD
Cargo 3.0 is a complete rework of the software, standardizing it around USD, which is now the default download format for kitbash assets.
That has the knock-on effect that Cargo no longer integrates with Unity.
In an email to users shared on the Unity forums, KitBash3D says that “Unity’s USD support hasn’t matured to the level we need”, although it hasn’t ruled out reinstating Unity support in future.
In addition, the 3ds Max plugin still uses the legacy workflow – and currently does not support the most recent versions of 3ds Max – although a USD-native version is planned.
New Smart Search and image search functionality
The update also introduces new search functionality, including the option to use natural-language descriptions like “dark industrial”, or to match the visual style of reference images.
It is also possible to show assets that are visually similar to the one currently selected – or to completely randomize the search results, in the hope of generating happy accidents.
And finally, since KitBash3D merged with Greyscalegorilla last year, GSG’s stock motion graphics and visualization assets are also now available via Cargo.
Access over 480 free 3D vehicles, building models, materials, textures and HDRIs
According to KitBash3D’s blog post, users with free accounts have access to a “curated selection” of assets from the two libraries, comprising 100+ free aseets.
It’s actually quite a conservative figure: by our count, you currently get 483 assets for free.
Of those, 245 are 3D models – mainly building and vehicle parts from the free Mission to Minerva and Secrets of the Luminara kits, but also semi-abstract biomorphic forms.
There are also 189 materials, most also from the free kits, plus fabric, brick and tile materials; and 44 textures: mainly geometric grids, but also Bokeh and dirt textures.
Finally, there are five free HDRIs, including studio lighting, interiors and exteriors.
Price and system requirements
Cargo 3.0 is available for Windows 10+ and macOS 11.0+. You can find a list of compatible versions of DCC software in the online documentation.
The software itself is a free download, and a free account provides access to the sample assets, licensed for personal use only, plus any commercial assets you have bought.
Commercial subscriptions cost $119/month or $708/year for KitBash3D and $79/month or $468/year for Greyscalegorilla. Joint subscriptions cost $159/month or $948/year.
Read more about the new features in Cargo 3.0 on KitBash3D’s blog
Download Cargo from KitBash3D’s website
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