I’m starting to understand jME3 a lot more now and would like to experiement with a variety of models so I can visualize the menchnics of my logic/programming. So wheres the best place for free models?
http://hub.jmonkeyengine.org/groups/free-announcements/forum/topic/new-model-site-plenty-of-free-models/
http://www.blendswap.com/ can be good, although a lot of the models aren’t game ready, and not really suited for jME either, but it can give you ideas
Absolutely free models you can find ie there PSIONIC GAMES & RETRO VANDAL ART you can even use these on commercial applications. (some models looks familiar, ie ninja 
)
And if download somewhere highpoly model, check license and optimize it (with 3dsmax) or “Decimate” with blender (to lower polys)
What kind of models are you looking for? There are models in the asset packs as well. If you use jMP you can preview and/or import them.
In my opinion you should learn and create your own models. You won’t find any ‘perfect’ models for your games and having them made is expensive.
Time consuming thing is that 3d-modelling, still very interesting. Couple of programs that I use myself:
blender (I use new blender but I used so much older, Im not familiar that new layout yet, maybe someday)
3dsmax (good for animating)
sculptris (http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/ this is free and awesome software to create anything (lots of polys but export to .obj and import to your favourite 3d-software and optimise it)
and for 2d graphics: paint.net, Artweaver Free 3.0, gimp
(only really expencive software is 3dsmax but its demo is free)
hopefully got some time programming too, time to time, when using these softwares, days flies
Licensing terms are quite odd to me, ie if graphics/3d model is licended under GPL, if I use it, do it mean I must release all code to public too (like when using GPL code/libraries, then code publising is must).
I dont like GPL, but well, GPL is good for linux.
@larda said:
Licensing terms are quite odd to me, ie if graphics/3d model is licended under GPL, if I use it, do it mean I must release all code to public too (like when using GPL code/libraries, then code publising is must).
I dont like GPL, but well, GPL is good for linux.
I'm no lawyer or anything but as far as my understanding goes I think if you use models under the GPL lisence you are required to release your changes upon request in source forum. So if you use a blender model thats is released under GPL you have to release teh model with your changes to it when anyone requests it. The GPL is actually quite convient it just seems scary look up GPL myths to find the light.!
@memonick said:
In my opinion you should learn and create your own models. You won't find any 'perfect' models for your games and having them made is expensive.
Well I'm mostly just looking for re-presentations for my programming logic as I would like to learn how to program video games and spawning boxes, spheres and pyramids make it really hard to visualize the game in pactical terms....
Thanks everyone for your replies ! They all helped