FAQ

What is 3DPRO?

3DPRO was founded in 1998 as a private, invite-only email discussion list for professionals working in 3D, CG, VFX, Gaming, and adjacent fields.

While we still offer the email-only discussion list feature, 3DPRO is now accessible online via a web browser or web app. Our online interface (if you choose to use it) resembles a forum and is powered by open-source Discourse, which we moved to in November 2025.

What is 3DPRO’s purpose?

3DPRO was founded to facilitate conversations and knowledge sharing regarding 3D, CG, and VFX.

3DPRO offers a space for thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogue—where members connect on everything from industry trends to shared interests.

This includes: books, films, games, podcasts, tech, travel, wellness, and more. Generally, the sorts of things that artists and people into tech are into.

What makes 3DPRO special?

Our members.

3DPRO members include Academy Award® winners, Emmy® Winners, TED Talkers, Keynote Speakers, Authors, Presidents, VPs, CEOs, COOs, CCOs, CTOs…, industry directors, key personnel, and technical leaders from dozens of the world’s most renowned visual effects, animation, and gaming studios.

Our membership is comprised of employees from dozens of organizations around the world, from industry leaders to small independent studios.

• 3D/CG/VFX Studios
• Animation Studios
• Computer Gaming Companies
• Artists & Programmers
• Educators & Academics
• Directors & Filmmakers
• Software Companies
• Hardware Companies
• Plugin Developers

What makes 3DPRO different?

• No bots
• No ads
• No algorithms
• No spam
• No anonymous members
• No tracking
• No data sharing
• No corporate influence
• No investors
• And no jerks

It’s been run by one person with a single vision since 1998.

And we’re a private, invite-only community, not a public open one.

What is 3DPRO used for?

3DPRO™ offers a space for thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogue—where members connect on everything from industry trends to shared interests.

Is 3DPRO free?

No. It was free for 21 years, but in 2019, 3DPRO transitioned to being a member-supported (paid memberships) community.

However, in late 2025, we established a program that generates sponsored invitations. This program pays for memberships, which can then be gifted to others.

In 2026, we established an Underwriting Partnership program that allows companies to support 3DPRO by paying for new memberships.

This means that when we have an active Underwriting Partner, that partner will often pay for a certain number of new memberships or cover a specific period of time — essentially making them “free” for new members.

So if I’m gifted a membership, what do I have to pay for?

Nothing.

If you were gifted a membership, it wasn’t free, but your fees have been paid for by our community or an Underwriting Partner.

There are no hidden fees or future costs.

Nor are you the product, and there are no ads. Your value is your knowledge, input, and expertise (when applicable).

If I join, what are my obligations?

We do not allow anonymous members and all members are vetted.

New members are required to fill out a bio and introduce themselves to the rest of the community within 48 hours of joining. Instructions are provided in the 3DPRO welcome message you would receive upon joining.

Beyond that, we simply ask people to engage when they feel they have something worth sharing or input worth adding.

Where’s the “gotcha”?

If there’s a “gotcha”, it might be that many members — including people who have paid for membership — appreciate the community, the value they get from it, and the effort that goes into maintaining it so much that they voluntarily contribute to the support fund to show their support.

Or they eventually transition from being a “Sponsored Member” to a “Lifetime Member” by paying for their own membership. This, in turn, frees up their Sponsored Membership, allowing an invitation to be extended to someone else.

Functionally, they are the same, but Sponsored Memberships are gifted to people. Lifetime Memberships people pay for.

The goal of 3DPRO is to provide value to the people who make up the community as well as the industry at large, not wealth or world domination (the founder oversees all aspects of the community while living in a van down by the river).

I’m no expert or “award winner”, why was I invited?

If someone extended an invitation to you, it is likely they felt you would both derive value from the community as well as have something of value to add.

We are always appreciative of members who may have interesting viewpoints, backgrounds, or who ask great questions.

We are also actively seeking the next generation of the industry’s best talent and expanding the voices of those who are underrepresented.

What can I expect from 3DPRO?

Here’s what to expect and look forward to.

What do members think?

Members say the nicest things.

If it’s so great, and it’s been around so long, why have I never heard about it?

3DPRO has been a private, invite-only community since it was founded. We remained in “stealth mode” for over 20+ years (becoming a poorly kept secret during that time) and actively discouraged members from discussing it publicly.

In 2019, invite requirements were relaxed slightly to allow people to inquire about membership via LinkedIn as we’d be silly to turn away qualified individuals or industry veterans simply because they haven’t received a personal invitation.

Will I be able to see previous discussions?

Upon joining, you will be able to browse all discussions that have taken place since we moved to the new platform in November 2025.

This will include introductions from all members.

The 20+ years of 3DPRO archives from before that are available too. Access to discussions before November 2025 is a separate one-time purchase called “3DPRO Archives Access.” It’s an option, not a requirement.