A comparison of 3D asset management software for game art

3D asset management software helps you organize your assets by providing thumbnail generation for each model and texture, quick search by tag or name, versioning of your files, and can be integrated into your pipeline if you use a specific engine or tool.

Why do I need an asset manager, a so-called DAM?

Imagine you have dozens, hundreds of assets on your hard drives, but because they were created over a long period of time, they were not properly organized and now they are hard to find and identify. With a 3D asset management software you can easily do this, especially with the presence of thumbnails and fast search.

For example, I had hundreds of small models for a game I had developed over the years. Some were old versions, some were new, and while they had some structure, with 3D asset management software I was able to organize all the assets into two main folders in half an hour, so I could focus on development and not spend time looking for a model I created two years ago.

Now think about working in a team where you cannot monitor what your team members have created. You need a proper folder structure or a tool that makes it easier to keep track of all the assets in your project.

Can’t I just use Dropbox, Google Drive, Git LFS or Perforce Helix Core for managing assets?

There is a vertical and horizontal method of organizing assets. Vertical is the file versioning, like a linear history per file and then based on the iteration you can organize working iterations. Horizontal is the other method of organizing assets by placing assets in specific folders, by tagging them with specific tags and by using asset search. 

Asset managers work both ways, while version control tools can usually only help you organize your iterations vertically.

• Dropbox, Google Drive can distribute files over the cloud, but don't have extensive versioning or organization (tagging, etc.) capabilities.
• Perforce Helix Core or Git LFS have versioning capabilities but are limited in organization features (tagging, thumbnails, etc.).

How to categorize 3D asset management tools?

Version control tools vs library tools

Version control tools are used for working files where you do a lot of iteration, such as your props, characters, and any active assets you work on for your game.

Library tools are used to organize asset packs, assets from previous projects, basically anything that sits on the shelf and will be reused later.

Web Browser based vs Desktop based

Web browser based tools make it easier to share your files with stakeholders such as marketing or external clients.

Desktop applications can work with your local files, making it easy to batch upload/download and manage file versions.

Solutions

Although we are the developers of Anchorpoint, we will also provide you below Pros and Cons comparison of other similar software you might like.

1) Anchorpoint

Anchorpoint is an accessible version control solution for creative people. Used in game development, animation, and any other real-time project.

•  Pros
  
  • Git-based version control, including file locking and committing to Git repositories
  • Allows existing folder structures
  • Works with Dropbox, Google Drive, or any shared storage
  • Thumbnails
  • Tagging, commenting, and searching
    
• Cons
  
  • No web version available
  • No dedicated cloud hosting solution, requires you to store your files
    
• Target group
  
  • Game developers, especially those already using Git for their game engine projects
  • Architectural visualization and product design

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2) Das element

Das element is a 3d management software that helps you to manage and organize your VFX asset library, a good tool to manage your visual effects elements.

•  Pros
  
  • Allows existing folder structures
  • Transcoding tools for video proxy files
  • Thumbnails
  • Tagging and searching
  • Works with Dropbox, Google Drive, or any shared storage
• Cons
  
  • No web version available
  • No own cloud hosting solution, requires you to store your files
    
• Target group
  
  • VFX studios looking to reuse content
  • Animation studios

3) Perforce Helix DAM

Helix DAM gives artists and designers an easy way to store, review, and track the progress of all their creative assets, including 2D, 3D, audio, and video files, in one secure location.

•  Pros
  
  • Integrates well with Perforce Helix Core
  • Web version
  • Thumbnails
  • Tagging and searching
  • Detailed access controls
    
• Cons
  
  • Requires an additional license in addition to Helix Core
  • No desktop application. You must use the P4V client to batch upload files
    
• Target group
  
  • Game developers, especially those already using Perforce for their game engine projects.

4) Echo 3D

Echo 3D is a 3D-focused cloud platform and API for storing, securing and sharing 3D models and scans in real time across organizations.

•  Pros
  
  • Thumbnails
  • Tagging and searching
  • Onboard 3D optimization tools
  • Detailed access controls
    
• Cons
  
  • No desktop application available
  • Cannot use your own storage solution
    
• Target group
  
  • E-Commerce, Assets storage

5) Eagle (eagle.cool)

With Eagle, you can collect, search, and organize your images and design files all in one place.

•  Pros
  
  • Perpetual license model
  • Thumbnails
  • Tagging and searching
  • Works with Dropbox, Google Drive, or any shared storage

• Cons‍
  
  • No web version available
  • Not suitable for team collaboration
    
• Target group
  
  • Designers who want to organize their references, moods and inspirations

Frequently asked questions

Why is version control important?

Version control is the practice of monitoring and managing changes made to software code. This enables multiple team members to collaborate on a project without the risk of overwriting one another's contributions. Additionally, version control keeps a full record of all changes, making it simple for developers to revert to earlier versions when necessary.

Can an asset manager track my tasks?

Some can, but only to a limited extent. In this case, it's worth looking at a dedicated project management application such as Jira, Codex or Notion.

Is a 3D asset manager also a backup solution?

Not really. An asset manager can be integrated with backup solutions such as Backblaze. If you're using Perforce, Git or Dropbox to host your files online, you more or less have a backup built in, but in general it's good practice to use an extra layer of security with dedicated backup software.