Starting January 2025, Quixel’s Megascans will no longer offer free access to its vast library of 3D assets. Artists must adapt their workflows and budgets accordingly.

Quixel has announced that its popular Megascans asset library will shift from free to a paid model beginning January 1, 2025. The news marks a significant change for artists who have been using the assets cost-free in Unreal Engine, but now must consider subscription plans. This development impacts VFX professionals, game designers, and 3D artists who rely on Megascans for high-quality photogrammetry-based assets.

The Shift in Access and Pricing

For years, Megascans has been a go-to resource for professionals seeking realistic textures, 3D models, and vegetation. Its integration with Unreal Engine allowed free access to all assets, streamlining workflows in film, VFX, game production, and more. From 2025 onwards, the free model is set to be discontinued. Artists working with other engines or custom workflows will need to evaluate new pricing plans, as Megascans will introduce paid subscriptions to continue accessing the library.

It’s important to emphasize that Quixel’s assets have been critical for streamlining asset creation in VFX and game design, reducing the need for custom model generation or expensive photo shoots. While Unreal Engine users have enjoyed seamless integration, non-UE users will now need to assess the financial implications of Megascans becoming a paid service.

For those interested in keeping their current assets, Quixel recommends downloading and saving assets directly to their local accounts before the switch. The option to save all Megascans assets directly can be found in the Quixel Bridge tool, which connects users to their library of assets. More details on the process can be found here on 80lvl. Give the script a try!

PSA: I used a script made by JaimePhan on GitHub to add ALL current 18,876 MegaScan assets to my account so I can keep the forever.

Took me 5 minutes from start to finish, super easy, see my purchased account below.

Share to let others know!

Link: https://t.co/c5qbx3HXcc https://t.co/i8vA8mhCAK pic.twitter.com/ybWv3w5K1w

— Tyson Butler-Boschma (@TJATOMICA) September 18, 2024

New Pricing Model

Quixel has yet to officially release the full details on subscription costs. However, the pricing will likely follow a tiered model based on asset usage or the number of downloads, similar to other industry-standard asset libraries. While some pricing options may cater to smaller studios or individual artists, larger VFX studios and game development teams will need to budget accordingly. Until final pricing is announced, it’s advisable to stay updated by regularly checking the official Megascans documentation.

Conclusion

As of 2025, Quixel’s Megascans library will no longer offer free access, impacting artists and studios who depend on its vast library of 3D assets. Details about pricing remain sparse, but users are advised to stay informed and download assets prior to the shift. Evaluate all new pricing plans carefully to ensure seamless workflow integration.

For more information on Quixel’s Megascans, visit the official Quixel website. More details on asset saving can be found in the documentation.

The post Quixel’s Megascans No Longer Free After 2024 first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.