Budget is often the main constraint in 3D projects. Here is what a model costs on 3DView.ai and what to weigh when comparing it with a 3D artist.
What it costs on 3DView.ai
| What | Credits |
|---|---|
| AI model (from text, one photo or several photos) | 1 |
| Phone scan | 5 |
| Ready-made model from the shop, by size | 3 / 5 / 7 |
Credits come in one-time packs that never expire: Test (80 credits, $7), Standard (250 credits, $19) and Pro (750 credits, $49). Downloads and hosting are included, with no subscription. A generation usually takes a few minutes, and you may need more than one attempt to get the result you want; each attempt uses 10 credits.
What a 3D artist costs
Freelance prices vary widely with the country, the artist's experience and the complexity of the object: a simple prop and a detailed, dimensionally accurate product model are very different jobs. The most reliable way to compare is to send the same brief to a few artists and ask for quotes.
What you get for the money
- AI generation: fast and cheap, good for props, concepts and volume. Quality varies with the subject, dimensions are not exact, and the mesh is not prepared for animation.
- A 3D artist: exact dimensions, clean topology, revisions, a faithful replica of a real product, models ready for animation or manufacturing.
A practical split
Use AI for background props, early concepts and quick visualizations; pay an artist for hero assets, exact product replicas and anything that has to be manufactured.