As the digital content creation landscape evolves, significant changes are coming to how creators access and use Quixel Megascans. With the announcement of Epic Games' new Fab marketplace, there's been a flurry of questions and concerns in the community. Let's break down what we know so far and what it means for creators.

The Fab Marketplace: A New Era for Digital Content

Epic Games recently announced Fab, a unified marketplace set to launch in 2024. This platform will combine content from:

  • ArtStation Marketplace
  • Unreal Engine Marketplace
  • Sketchfab
  • Quixel Megascans

The goal is to create a single destination for discovering, sharing, buying, and selling digital assets, ranging from 3D models and environments to VFX, sound, digital humans, and animations.

What's Happening to Quixel Megascans?

  1. Integration into Fab: All Quixel content, including the Megascans library, will be moved to the Fab platform upon its launch.
  2. Current Access: Until Fab's full launch, users can continue accessing Quixel Bridge and the Megascans library on the web as usual.
  3. Subscription Changes: Quixel's current subscription system will be phased out. Quixel has promised to contact affected users about timelines and next steps.

Community Concerns and Questions

The announcement has raised several questions in the community:

  1. Asset Ownership: There's uncertainty about whether previously downloaded and deleted Megascans assets will still be owned by users after the transition.
  2. Future Accessibility: It's unclear if users will be able to download and use previously acquired assets for free after the update and transfer to Fab.
  3. Pricing Model: Questions remain about whether Quixel assets will become paid for all Unreal Engine games.

The Script Solution

In response to these uncertainties, software engineer Jamie Phan has developed a script to help creators secure their access to Quixel assets:

  • The script automates the process of adding all available Quixel items to a user's account.
  • It can add up to 18,876 items in about five minutes, as tested by Tyson Butler-Boschma.
  • However, it's important to note that it's still unclear whether ownership of assets in Megascans will transfer directly to Fab.

How to Use Jamie Phan's Script

If you decide to use this script to secure your Quixel assets, here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Get the Script:
  2. Prepare Your Browser:
  3. Run the Script:
    • Open your browser's developer tools (usually by pressing F12)
    • Go to the "Console" tab
    • Paste the script you copied from GitHub into the console
    • Press Enter to run the script
  4. Confirm and Wait:
    • A dialog will pop up asking for confirmation. Click "OK" to start the process.
    • The script will begin adding items to your account. This may take several minutes.
  5. Monitor Progress:
    • The script will log its progress in the console.
    • If you encounter any issues, refer to the "Common issues" section in Jamie's GitHub Gist for troubleshooting tips.
  6. Completion:
    • Once finished, the script will display a message showing how many items are now in your account.

Handling the Console Warning

When pasting the script into your browser's console, you may encounter the following warning:

Warning: Don't paste code into the DevTools Console that you don't understand or haven't reviewed yourself. This could allow attackers to steal your identity or take control of your computer. Please type 'allow pasting' below and hit Enter to allow pasting.

If you see this warning, follow these steps:

  1. Carefully review the script you're about to paste. Ensure you understand its purpose and trust its source.
  2. If you're comfortable proceeding, type allow pasting (without quotes) into the console.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Now you should be able to paste and run the script as intended.

Important: This warning is a security measure implemented by browsers to protect users from accidentally running potentially malicious code. Always exercise caution when pasting and running scripts from external sources in your browser's console.

Important Notes:

  • This script has only been tested on the latest version of Chrome. Results may vary with other browsers.
  • There's a chance you might hit rate limits if adding too many items too quickly. If this happens, wait 10-20 minutes before trying again.
  • Always be cautious when running scripts from the internet. While this script is intended to help, make sure you understand and trust its source before running it.

Looking Ahead

As we await more details about Fab and its implications for Quixel users, here are some key points to remember:

  • Fab's launch has been delayed to 2024 to ensure a smooth experience from day one.
  • Epic Games promises to share more news next year about creating Fab accounts.
  • The transition aims to make it easier for creators to build extraordinary digital worlds.
  • Quixel's mission to "scan the world" and democratize AAA-level artistry remains unchanged.

What Can Creators Do Now?

  1. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on official announcements from Epic Games and Quixel for the most up-to-date information.
  2. Secure Your Assets: Consider using Jamie Phan's script to add available Quixel items to your account while they're still freely accessible.
  3. Prepare for Change: Start thinking about how these changes might affect your workflow and budget for future projects.
  4. Explore Alternatives: While Quixel Megascans is an excellent resource, it might be wise to familiarize yourself with alternative asset sources as a contingency.

As the digital content creation landscape continues to evolve, adaptability will be key. We'll keep you updated on any new developments regarding Quixel Megascans and the Fab marketplace. Stay tuned to our blog for more insights and tips on navigating these changes in the world of CG and visualization.

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CG VIZ STUDIO