Video Copilot Releases Free Pack of Star Wars 3D Models for ‘May the 4th’ Celebration

Although May the Fourth has already zipped past us like a Millennium Falcon in hyperdrive, that doesn’t mean the force of the unofficial holiday for the classic sci-fi film franchise Star Wars isn’t still resonating with the die-hard fans around the world. For those who consider themselves an enthusiast of both the Star Wars galaxy and 3D printing technology, there have been a number of projects to help build your favorite props and characters onto of your print bed. To celebrate May the Fourth/Star Wars Day, Video Copilot, a collaborative initiative for design tools and training resources, has recently unveiled their free Star Wars-inspired set of 3D models, the Star Pack.

These 3D models, which are designed to teach customers about creating their own visual effects using lighting, rigging, and animation, are highly detailed with 4K textures. The Star Wars 3D pack are built for quick rendering within Element 3D V2, the high performance plug-in for the Adobe After Effects software used for motion design and visual effects. The 3D models included in the pack come in .obj file format with DDS textures, equipped with nine different designs that range from lightsabers to spaceships. These models are inspired from the long-standing movie franchise, from the original 1977 Star Wars film to the most recent box office hit, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Here is a list of the 3D models included in Video Copilot’s free Star Wars model pack:

• Tie Fighter
• Imperial Corridor Pieces
• Luke Lightsaber
• Obi-Wan Lightsaber
• Darth Vader Lightsaber
• R2-D2
• BB-8
• X-Wing
• Tatooine Water Vaporator

Along with the free pack of Star Wars 3D models, Video Copilot has also recently released the new SABER plug-in for After Effects. The plug-in enables those interested in creating visual effects to create energy beams, lively lightsabers, lasers, and other energy-based effects on Adobe’s professional-grade software. Whether you’re looking to 3D print or animate this collection of 3D models, Video Copilot’s Star Wars models offer high-quality designs straight out of the film. Video Copilot has a vast set of 3D Packs on their website, ranging from Metropolitan 3D models to sets of commercial and military jets.

Star Wars has quickly become a staple influence within the 3D printing community, especially since the release of the critically acclaimed and box office record breaking film The Force Awakens. Over the past few months, we’ve published a handful of ‘Weekly Roundup’ articles covering the top downloadable models for 3D printable Star Wars gifts, props from The Force Awakens, and other 3D models inspired by Star Wars. There’s no denying that a bulk of the 3D printing community has strong ties with the world-renowned and generational movie franchise, I’ve seen enough 3D designs of Yoda on Thingiverse to think any differently. But even beyond 3D printed collectables and props, 3D printing technology has been melded with Star Wars in a number of ways.

For instance, the volunteer organization e-NABLE recently launched a competition calling on designers to create a Star Wars themed prosthetic device. At the Las Vegas-based 2016 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), a life-sized 3D printed Stormtrooper was the star of the event, while 3D printing technology was also heavily used for practical effects within The Force Awakens film. At this point, it seems safe to say that the 3D printing technology and the Star Wars movie franchise go together like peas in a Podracer. As for Video Copilot, they’re offering their customers the opportunity to 3D print and create their own special effects with these 3D models, bringing the force from one most beloved and successful film series of all-time directly into their hands.

And of course: May the Fourth be with you. Or the Force. Discuss in the Video Copilot 3D Models forum over at 3DPB.com.