SketchUP 3d Warehouse

[irohakowalski]

Okay so, I keep getting the typical answer of "ask a lawyer" which I think is kind of ridiculous that people even have to do so especially because it's not like anyone can just afford to ask a lawyer (unless you're friends with one?) Anyway, does anyone for sure know if the sketchup 3d warehouse is free to use in comics & commercial use? Even if you use them mostly as reference or change things about them so they don't resemble the original? I think I and most people find the terms of use to be pretty vague and don't clarify a lot of things pertaining more towards artists (their rules usually seem to be more targeted to people who make models or disassemble models). If anyone has definite knowledge on this please let me know because I was hoping to use the models for reference in my comic but I don't want to end up with legal issues.

[joannekwan]

Even if you use them mostly as reference

That's perfectly fine

change things about them so they don't resemble the original

That you will be safe with too if you add/alter enough details.
A long time ago in one of my art classes, we were taught if 80% of the thing we directly used was changed with our own hand, it's safe. Like say for instance you use a staircase model. You can change the style of banister, add a carpet runner up them, add some detailing on the boards, etc to make it your own design.

[seasa]

basically it's like joannekwan said, you can either use it (1) as a reference or (2) as a combined work that contains models but not as a stand-alone, but this probably only works for sketchupPro so (3) adding or altering enough details may be the safest option

though, sometime ago there was a creator in my country that used mugenjohncel's 3dmodel in a webtoon called Trickster and credited it at the end of the episode and I don't think the creator ever got into any trouble? but this is probably not the best example (i tried this before for my short story as well but my comic is a free project)

[silverraven0]

If you ask me, I would say, "Email them".

That's pretty much it. Save you a lot of trouble if they did answer you back.

[irohakowalski]

Oof I would if I knew where to find their emails on their profiles.

[fluffybonezz]

3D Warehouse is a GODSEND when it comes to references for buildings. Saves a lot of time.

If you're worried, you can credit/link to the models you used. Though if you're just using them for reference and aren't copying/tracing them note for note, that's a bit of a grey area.