3DVIA has 120 groups (at last count) that users have created! They are a great place to easily find a bunch of models that get your motor running and to meet like-minded 3D modelers to talk about what your special interests. Each of the 24 images in this post are direct links to existing groups. Just hover your mouse over the image and you’ll see the group topic. (Some are more obvious than others.)

This post is a quick intro to 3DVIA Groups and how to find them.

We’ll also be doing regular spotlight blogs on specific groups to help show them off and attract new members who may not have known about the treasures they hold.

How do I find 3DVIA Groups? It’s as simple as 1, 2 or maybe 3…

This image shows just the top of the home page. Go to each numbered section below to see where it takes you and to find out more about 3DVIA Groups. Each of you will find your own best way to get to your favorite groups!

The fastest way to find find what you’re looking for is to type a keyword into the search box and then change the drop-down list to “Groups” and then click on “OK”. This is what you’ll see if you type in “trucks”:

You can see that each Group snapshot shows how many models, how many members and how many discussions there are in that group.

Another fast way to get to 3DVIA Groups is to simply click on the “groups” link in the main “Search, Upload & Share in 3D!” box. This will take you to the Groups page where you’ll find the whole list in alphabetical order. You can use the “Group Search” box to narrow your search further using names or tags by themselves.

Yet another way will take two clicks; 1- click on the “Community” tab, which will take you to the main Community page:

Then 2 – click on the “Groups” sub-tab and you’ll be at the “Groups home” page.

Here, you can also “Browse by categories” for yet another way to find what you’re looking for. The “Last updated groups” feature can be reached in options 1 and 2 too. Just look for “Recent Group Activity” to see what’s been going on.

So, now you know how to find Groups and , hopefully, you’ll find something that blows your hair back or you’ll start your own group. Improvements to features and capabilities are in the development schedule, so feel free to make suggestions too.

The best models you upload every week are spotlighted with their own Top 10 post, including an additional 5 Honorable Mentions.

You even have the chance to win valuable prizes in our frequent 3DVIA Challenges!

So, thanks to everyone; hard-core gamers, down-to-the-tenths CAD folks and anyone who just plain enjoys 3D modeling for becoming part of the fun here at 3DVIA!

You’ve added a lot of great models too - almost 5000! And that doesn’t even include the thousands more private models that have also been uploaded.

You’re also creating Groups at a growing rate – 88 special collections of models with related discussions! There’s something for everyone and anyone can start their own group.

There’s also a new weekly post recognizing the Top 10 models from the previous week. So, there’s always something new to find and get involved in at 3DVIA.com. Come on in, the water’s fine!

We are also currently up over 2,400 free 3D models in the public warehouse and thousands more stored in private collections. 

Have you read Juan’s 3D Tutorials yet or seen our latest series by Don covering user m2morgan64 efforts to create a game starting with our own free 3D modeling application 3DVIA Shape?

We also passed 2,000 public 3D models at the same time (there are an additional 4,000+ private models being hosted on 3DVIA).  Check out new user smike, who has an amazing collection of spaceship 3D models, and the Earth Alliance “Ivanovas” SA-23E 3D model that he uploaded recently. 

Click the play button to examine the model up close.

You can find out more from smike on his website…Smikes World!

Let’s keep it going! Search for free 3D models now.