
Jan 27, 2026
Free and Open-Source 3D AI in 2026: A Verification-First Guide
Compare hosted trials, open-source image-to-3D models, and local workflows without invented rankings. Includes current TRELLIS.2 facts and a cost-per-accepted-asset test.
The 3D viewer is a keep-and-inspect tool. You can rotate, zoom, and check a finished mesh without spending credits.
After a successful generation, download the GLB from that job. The download is the output of work you already paid for with credits (or a signup trial). It is not a second paywall on an empty canvas.
Credits are spent when you start a new generation, not when you look at a finished model.
Typical flow:
If the balance is too low for the selected resolution, the generator opens pricing with the return path back to the tool. Do not expect a toast-only dead end.
"Keep" means: the file is yours to download after success. Extra 1024/1536 runs, retries with a new image, or another object each start a new billed job.
Paid credits are sized by resolution. A 512 evaluation uses 150 credits. They are not a monthly allowance unless you buy a subscription.
If you already have a mesh on screen, download it first. Buy more credits only when you need another generation.