Every 3D model on 3dsky is reviewed manually. Moderators check technical accuracy, file structure, previews, and overall quality. In this article, we answer 22 questions authors ask us every day and explain how moderation really works, what affects review time, and how to get models approved faster.
Hello! We’re the 3dsky team, and this is the first article in our moderation Q&A series.
Below are 22 real questions authors ask us most often, with clear, practical answers on how moderation works and what helps models get approved faster.
1. Why does moderation sometimes take so long?
Moderation on 3dsky is a fully manual process. Every model is reviewed by a real person.
Moderators check technical correctness, overall quality, file structure, previews, and compliance with platform requirements. This isn’t a quick scan. A full review can take from a few minutes up to 20–30 minutes, especially if the archive is large or complex.
Several factors affect review time:
- Queue load. During peak periods, such as before holidays, upload volume increases and waiting times grow.
- Author status. Trusted authors with a strong track record may be processed faster.
- Errors and revisions. If a model requires fixes, it’s sent back for revision and reviewed again afterward.
We understand how important timely feedback is. We do our best to keep moderation moving, but quality always comes first. It’s the foundation of buyer trust — both in the 3dsky and in authors.
2. What helps speed up moderation?
The most reliable way to speed up moderation is consistent, error-free uploads over time.
When moderators see that an author regularly:
- follows technical guidelines
- prepares clean, well-structured archives
- formats previews correctly
- and receives no complaints
the level of trust increases.
What happens next:
- The author moves into a priority manual review queue.
- With continued stable quality, they may receive Perfectionist status.
- After that, models are published automatically, without manual moderation.
Important: Perfectionist status can be lost if errors or complaints appear later. This is not a sanction, it simply means returning to manual moderation so issues can be corrected.
3. What preview background works best: white, gray, or black?
A white background is always the safest and most effective choice.
It provides maximum contrast on catalog pages, where many small thumbnails appear side by side. It also makes fine details easier to see, especially for light or transparent objects, and helps buyers assess geometry more clearly.
Artistic previews can look great, but the primary goal of the main preview is clarity. The model should remain readable even at thumbnail size.
4. Can I show multiple colors or close-ups on the main preview?
Rules for preview design are the same for everyone, but they are flexible and depend on the model’s shape and composition.
- For large or elongated models (such as sofas, chandeliers, or long objects), it’s acceptable to show two angles or parts of a set to better fill the frame and highlight details.
- For compact models, it’s usually better to show one object centered, with material variants displayed as spheres on the side. This is a common and approved approach.
The key rule to keep in mind: only the first three previews are used for image-based search.
That’s why they should be informative:
- the first preview shows the entire model,
- the second focuses on key elements
- the third highlights extra details or variations.
Avoid overloaded collages — cluttered previews make models harder to read. If previews follow these principles, moderation will not object.
5. Why doesn’t moderation check real-world proportions and scale?
Moderation on 3dsky is a technical check. We guarantee that buyers receive:
- correct files
- proper materials
- clean scenes without errors or unnecessary data
Real-world proportions and exact scale are primarily the author’s responsibility. While moderators may notice obvious mistakes, we don’t verify every model against real-life measurements.
That said, for models intended for architectural visualization or real-world scenes, correct scale is important. If you notice a clear issue in a published model, you can contact the author directly or report it to support, we’ll review the case.
6. Can I leave TurboSmooth enabled only for render, or does it need to be applied in the viewport as well?
Yes, TurboSmooth can be left render-only.
There’s no requirement to enable it in the viewport. Keeping TurboSmooth active only at render time is acceptable and commonly used, especially for heavier models.
7. Can I include several copies of the same object with different materials, or should I keep one object and show materials on spheres?
Both options are acceptable. The important factor here is archive size.
- If the object is heavy (high polycount), it’s better to use material spheres
- If the object is lightweight, you can include duplicates with different materials
If you choose material spheres, make sure to:
- give the spheres the same names as the materials
- explain in the description how to apply the material using the eyedropper
This keeps the archive lightweight and makes the model easier to use for buyers.
8. If a model is shown without decor on the first previews but includes decor on a later one, can I upload the archive without that decor?
No. All objects shown on previews must be present in the scene archive.
This rule has no exceptions. Even if the extra decor appears only on the fifth or tenth preview, it must be included in the file.
If decorative elements are not part of the model, they should not appear on any previews. Showing objects that are not included in the archive is a reason for the model to be sent back for revision. This rule exists to ensure consistency between previews and the actual content buyers receive.
9. If I update a model, can buyers who purchased it earlier still download the old version?
No. The old version is replaced. Buyers will download the updated model.
However, access is preserved. If the updated version is saved in a newer 3ds Max version than the buyer uses, they can open it via the export format.
That’s why providing an export format is a mandatory requirement, it ensures compatibility when models are updated.
10. What are the exact criteria for getting Perfectionist status?
Perfectionist status is not tied to how long an author has been on the 3dsky. Any author can receive it.
The key requirement is a series of consistently high-quality uploads — without errors, complaints, or moderator remarks.
Moderators look at:
- realism: correct geometry, materials, and logical proportions
- technical accuracy: full compliance with all requirements
- attention to detail: previews, descriptions, object naming, and overall presentation.
Once moderators see that an author consistently uploads flawless models, Perfectionist status is assigned automatically. This status allows models to be published without waiting for moderation.
Important: the status can be lost if quality drops. This is not a ban, it’s a temporary return to manual review to correct issues.
11. Why do Perfectionist authors seem to follow different rules when creating sets?
There are no special rules on 3dsky for Perfectionist authors.
What does happen is that rules on 3dsky are periodically updated, and not all authors notice these changes right away. Since Perfectionists upload models without prior moderation, they may accidentally break a new rule without realizing it.
If that happens, simply contact us, we’ll review the model and explain what needs to be adjusted.
Our advice:
- follow updates in the documentation and on the 3dsky blog
- and if you’re unsure about a specific case, ask before uploading to avoid unnecessary revisions
12. How can I report a low-quality or problematic model?
You can report a model using 🔗 this form.
All reports are reviewed. If necessary, we’ll contact the author or take appropriate action. This helps keep the 3dsky catalog consistent and reliable for buyers.
13. What can I add, remove, or adjust in my models to make moderation easier and faster?
Great question. Many small details can make moderation smoother and more efficient.
Model card and naming
Keep titles clean and readable. Avoid ALL CAPS and unnecessarily long names. If a model is called something like “Modern Scandinavian Armchair with Cushion and Wood Legs Beige”, but the scene contains a simple chair, this creates confusion. Be accurate and concise.
Form, color, and materials
Describe materials logically and honestly. For example, if a chair has a fabric seat, a leather back, and wooden legs, list those materials clearly. Using a generic label like “wood” makes the model harder to discover for users searching by material.
Tags
Tags are often filled incorrectly. Common mistakes include:
- using spaces or symbols
- combining multiple words into one long string
- adding adjectives like “beautiful” or “cool”
Each tag should be one word, without commas or special characters, and preferably a noun: chair, interior, cabinet.
When the model card is well-prepared, moderation becomes faster. The moderator can focus on the scene itself instead of metadata issues.
14. How much time do moderators spend reviewing one model?
On average, from 1 to 2.5 minutes per model.
Review time depends on:
- the complexity and detail level of the scene
- the number of potential issues
- how fast the file opens and imports
- whether previews, materials, or metadata require extra checks
A simple, clean model can be reviewed in about a minute. Complex models may take 5 minutes or more.
15. How do moderators stay motivated after years of reviewing models?
Motivation comes from understanding the purpose of the work.
Moderation helps keep 3dsky clean, reliable, and useful for both authors and buyers. It’s not an easy job, and it requires a genuine desire to be part of a team that supports industry standards.
There are difficult days: fatigue, workload, personal challenges, but moderators know that authors rely on them and trust their feedback. That sense of responsibility matters.
What really keeps motivation alive is feedback. When authors say thank you, mention that a recommendation helped, or simply acknowledge the work, it makes a real difference.
16. Can I upload architecture, environments, or city scenes not scaled in millimeters
Yes, that’s allowed. Many authors work in centimeters or inches, this is not considered an error on 3dsky.
The important part: If your scene is not scaled in millimeters, make sure to mention the units in the description. This helps users correctly import and work with the model.
Clear technical descriptions, including scale units, increase trust and reduce issues for buyers.
17. What are the criteria for the Polygon Master badge?
Polygon Master is not about having the highest polycount or only about visual quality. This badge reflects a competent and thoughtful modeling approach.
Moderators look for:
- clean topology
- simplicity where simplification is possible
- a well-organized scene
- no unnecessary vertices, folds, or hidden geometry
- properly saved files
- materials and textures set up logically
Sometimes two strong models are uploaded side by side. One may look impressive but be overloaded and inefficient. The other may be simpler, cleaner, and easier to work with.
The Polygon Master badge goes to authors who model smart, not just visually.
18. Are there rules for uploading textures separately?
Here are the key points.
Real-world scale vs tiling
Both approaches are acceptable. Some authors work in real-world scale, others use tiled textures. This is not an error. What matters is clarity specify in the description whether the texture is real-world scaled or tiled.
Geometry for textures
When uploading materials or textures, the geometry used to demonstrate them is not critical. Often this is a simple primitive meant only to show how the texture behaves.
Topology quality and mesh closure don’t matter here, and a wireframe preview is not required.
What is required
You must include a screenshot of the material editor showing the full structure: maps used, connections, and hierarchy. This helps moderators understand the material setup and significantly speeds up moderation.
19. Can I group an object instead of collapsing everything into a single mesh?
Yes and in many cases, this is the preferred approach.
For example, a chair can reasonably consist of separate parts: frame, seat, cushion. This makes the model more flexible and easier to use.
Collapsing everything into a single object is not required and often not recommended. A fully collapsed object can:
- increase file weight
- make viewport work less comfortable
- reduce usability for buyers
Reasonable separation of parts is perfectly acceptable and welcomed.
20. Can I leave the modifier stack open, including TurboSmooth
Yes, you can leave the modifier stack open, including TurboSmooth. We’ve already covered this earlier in the article, and the recommendation remains the same.
TurboSmooth can be kept:
- with viewport iterations
- with render-only iterations
- or fully adjustable in the stack
Collapsing is not required. In fact, leaving TurboSmooth in the stack is often more convenient for users. Some may want one level of smoothing, others two, depending on camera distance and hardware performance.
21. How should I choose the correct form factor? Do mistakes affect Perfectionist status?
When choosing a form factor, focus on the main structural part of the object.
Examples:
- for a table — the tabletop shape
- for a desk lamp — the body, not the lampshade
- for a door with a large oval glass insert — choosing “oval” is valid and can even improve search results
Mistakes in form factor selection do not affect Perfectionist status. Over time, authors usually learn to choose form factors correctly, and minor inconsistencies here are not considered critical.
22. How many models do I need to upload to get Perfectionist status? Is there a formula or rating system?
There’s no fixed number and no formula.
Authors don’t need to upload dozens of models to qualify. What matters is quality and consistency.
Moderators remember authors who regularly submit models without errors. Trust builds over time through stable quality.
When all moderators independently confirm that an author has no recurring quality issues, the author becomes a candidate for Perfectionist status.
If even one moderator raises a concern, the process pauses until there’s full agreement again. So it’s not about quantity, it’s about consistency and reliability.
Final note
Moderation on 3dsky exists to keep the catalog reliable and easy to use. Well-prepared models pass faster, reduce revisions, and help buyers trust what they download.
If something is unclear — 🔗 ask. Quality works best when authors and moderation move in the same direction.
