Where to get 3D models, video and sound for AR (2026): free libraries, AI and licences

Most AR projects need the same four things: 3D models, pictures, video and sound. Start with the Sketchfab library and the AI generation built into the Web-AR.Studio editor. For more, the free libraries below cover most needs. Whatever you pick, check the licence before you publish.

Start inside the editor

Web-AR.Studio has two sources built in:

• Sketchfab library. Search 3D models from Sketchfab without leaving the editor.
• AI generation. Generate 3D models, images, short videos and text from a prompt (more below).

Your own files work too. The editor imports 3D models in GLB, GLTF and FBX, and takes images, video (including video with an alpha channel) and sound. In WAS Lite Studio templates you simply attach your files and fill in a few fields.

Licences in one minute

"Downloadable" does not mean "free to use in a commercial project". Read the licence on the item's page before you publish. The ones you will see most often:

Licence	What it means for you
CC0 (public domain)	use it anywhere, including commercial work; no credit needed
CC BY	use it anywhere, but credit the author
CC BY-NC	non-commercial only, so not for a client or a brand campaign
Royalty-free (paid)	pay once and use it within the store's terms

Keep a simple list of every file you used, with its source and licence. When a client asks, you have the answer in a minute.

3D models

Where	What you find	Licence
Sketchfab	a huge range, from scans to stylised props; searchable from the editor	set per model
Poly Haven	realistic models, plus textures and HDRIs	CC0
Kenney	game-ready kits, UI and sounds	CC0
Quaternius	low-poly characters, nature and buildings	CC0
CGTrader	a marketplace of free and paid models	set per model
Mixamo	rigged characters and animations; you sign in with an Adobe account	see Adobe's terms

Before you import

• Prefer GLB. A GLB file holds the model, its materials and its textures together, so nothing goes missing. If a model comes in another format, open it in Blender, which is free, and export GLB.
• Keep it light. People open your project on their phones, often on mobile data. A model made for a film render will make them wait. glTF Report shows what makes a GLB heavy, usually the textures.
• Check the scale and the pivot. Models from different sources come in different sizes. Look at each one next to your trigger before you build around it.

Textures and lighting

Poly Haven and ambientCG publish textures, materials and HDRIs under CC0. An HDRI is a panoramic photo of real lighting. It makes metal, glass and glossy plastic look real. In WAS 3D Configurator you can use a ready-made HDR map for the scene or add your own.

Images, icons and fonts

• Wikimedia Commons has photos, maps and illustrations. Each file has its own licence, shown on its page.
• Material Symbols and Lucide are open-source icon sets. Icons help visitors who don't share your language: a play symbol or an arrow needs no translation.
• Google Fonts has open-licence fonts for your own graphics.

One exception: the picture that starts your AR should be your own artwork, and it has to be detailed enough to track. See how to pick a picture that tracks well.

Video

• Coverr: stock clips for personal and commercial use, no credit needed.
• Mixkit: clips, music and sound effects under the Mixkit licence; read the terms for each type.
• Wikimedia Commons: archive and documentary footage, with a licence per file.

A tip that works every time: make the first frame of the video match the printed picture. When the video starts, the picture seems to come alive instead of being covered by something new.

Web-AR.Studio also plays video with an alpha channel. A person filmed against a plain background, cut out and exported with transparency, stands right on your print instead of inside a rectangle.

Sound and music

• Freesound: a huge library of sound effects under Creative Commons. Some sounds can't be used commercially, and many need a credit, so check each one.
• Mixkit and Kenney: free music and effects; Kenney's are CC0.
• AudioJungle and Storyblocks: paid music and effects, when a brand needs a clear licence.

Trim and level your files in Audacity, which is free. And remember that phone browsers usually don't play sound until the visitor taps the screen, so don't put anything important in the first seconds of audio.

Nothing fits? Generate it

Search first, then generate: something that already exists is quicker to check. When nothing fits, use the AI built into the Web-AR.Studio editor:

• 3D models from a text prompt or a reference image;
• images such as posters, backgrounds and interface art, with editing and background removal;
• short videos, including clips with an alpha channel;
• text for captions, descriptions and calls to action.

Each generation uses AI credits, and the editor shows the cost before you confirm. How many credits each plan includes is on the pricing page. Treat a generated asset like any other: check its size, its weight and how it looks on a phone.

Ready to fill a scene? Open WAS Design Studio and start a project. The basic features are free, with no time limit and no bank card.

FAQ

Can I use any Sketchfab model in a client project?

No. Every Sketchfab model has its own licence. Some allow commercial use with a credit, some don't allow it at all. Read the licence on the model's page.

Which 3D format is best for AR?

GLB. It keeps the model, materials and textures in one file. Web-AR.Studio also imports GLTF and FBX.

Do I have to credit CC0 authors?

No, CC0 needs no credit. It is still a nice thing to do, and it helps if someone asks where a file came from.

Is it safe to use YouTube videos in my project?

Not unless the owner gave you permission. A video being public doesn't make it free to reuse. Use stock libraries with a clear licence, or film your own.