3DPRO™ “Where the best in the business go.”
We are proud to announce that SideFX has stepped forward as 3DPRO’s Founding Underwriting Partner.
This is a milestone moment. It represents a commitment from one of the industry’s most respected companies to secure the stability, independence, and long-term growth of one of the industry’s most esteemed communities.
What is 3DPRO™?
Founded in 1998, 3DPRO™ is a highly esteemed, invite-only(*) community uniting industry veterans and rising talent across 3D, CG, VFX, and Gaming.
Proudly member-supported and free of corporate influence, we are one of the longest-running, continuously operated communities of its kind.
Our longevity isn’t by accident.
Did you receive a “free” invite to 3DPRO?
No you didn’t. It may have been gifted to you, but it wasn’t free.
3DPRO™ is a Who's Who of Industry Experts
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.
(But let’s be clear, you don’t need a fancy award or title to be considered amongst the best in the business.)
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…
Adobe
AMD
Animal Logic
Apple
Aardman Animations
Autodesk
Blender
Blizzard Entertainment
Blur
Chaos Group
Digic Pictures
Digital Domain
Disney Animation
DNEG
Dreamworks/PDI
Electronic Arts
Embassy FX
Epic Games
Framestore
Google
Hydraulx
ILM
Important Looking Pirates
Isotropix
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
LEGO Systems
LucasFilm
Marvel
Maxon
Mikros Image
MPC
Method Studios
Microsoft
Milk VFX
Naughty Dog
Netflix
NVIDIA
Oats Studios
Pixar
Rigging Dojo
Rising Sun Pictures
Rockstar Games
Rovio Entertainment
Scanline VFX
Side Effects Software
Soho VFX
Sony Imageworks
The Foundry
The Mill
Unity Technologies
Valve
Walt Disney Animation
Weta Digital
Wild Brain Studios
*Inclusion in this list does not in any way represent endorsement by any of the companies mentioned or any of their employees. All member’s opinions are their own and not the views of their employer.
Adobe
AMD
Animal Logic
Apple
Aardman Animations
Autodesk
Blender
Blizzard Entertainment
Blur
Chaos Group
Digic Pictures
Digital Domain
Disney Animation
DNEG
Dreamworks/PDI
Electronic Arts
Embassy FX
Epic Games
Framestore
Google
Hydraulx
ILM
Important Looking Pirates
Isotropix
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
LEGO Systems
LucasFilm
Marvel
Maxon
Mikros Image
MPC
Method Studios
Microsoft
Milk VFX
Naughty Dog
Netflix
NVIDIA
Oats Studios
Pixar
Rigging Dojo
Rising Sun Pictures
Rockstar Games
Rovio Entertainment
Scanline VFX
Side Effects Software
Soho VFX
Sony Imageworks
The Foundry
The Mill
Unity Technologies
Valve
Walt Disney Animation
Weta Digital
Wild Brain Studios
*Inclusion in this list does not in any way represent endorsement by any of the companies mentioned or any of their employees. All member’s opinions are their own and not the views of their employer.
3DPRO™ is many members' primary place to engage online
Welcome to the 3DPRO Renaissance! (The Best Got Even Better)
3DPRO™ now offers total flexibility.
Email is optional now. Yes, you can still engage with 3DPRO using the classic email discussion list features we’re famous for, but now you can also use any browser—or best of all, try our powerful new modern mobile app—for total convenience.
Are you an industry veteran interested in 3DPRO? You may be eligible for a discount.
Foundational members of the VFX and Gaming industries are often eligible for special rates. Please inquire with Zero Dean on LinkedIn.
✨Coming soon…
20+ years of browsable 3DPRO archives. See what’s been discussed regardless of when you joined and get a first-hand look at what industry veterans had to say at key points in 3D/VFX history.
3DPRO™ is a Sanctuary for the Best in the Business
3DPRO™ is not just highly valued for what we do offer, but also for what we don’t.
No bots. No ads. No algorithms. No spam. No anonymous members. No tracking. No data sharing. No corporate influence. No investors. And no jerks.
“I jump at the chance to pay so little for something so valuable. It’s an act of defiance against the pressures that drive many beautiful things into the arms of the advertising-and-surveillance business model.”
3DPRO Is Different By Design—And That’s a Good Thing
The very nature of how 3DPRO™ was formed as a private invite-only community almost 30 years ago makes it unique. The foundation of 3DPRO™—and its traditions—existed before the internet had finished settling, and years before social media.
This is the internet like it used to be — friendly and helpful with a real sense of community.
“I have not found anything like this forum anywhere else. To me, this forum is the spirit of early days of the internet and how I thought the whole internet would be a vast sharing of knowledge with very little noise.”
💎Carefully Curated
Every member is vetted (Real Name, Professional Bio, Mandatory Introduction). We practice Active Stewardship to maintain a high-signal environment where members control the conversation stream.
Expert Audience
Our members include Academy Award winners, industry directors, key personnel, and technical leaders from dozens of the world’s most renowned visual effects, animation, and gaming studios.
Just Imagine
Imagine a community of people who are not just knowledgeable about a particular subject or field, but who may have had a hand in steering its direction. Imagine asking a question about a format or a piece of software and getting an answer from the person who helped create it.
That’s 3DPRO™.
“Absolutely agree with the wealth of contacts and information you get from the list, for a ridiculously low price…. I’ve only been on the list for a short while and have been mostly lurking, but there’s something quite reassuring to know that there’s a whole community of talented people out there for support and sharing ideas, especially when you’re working remotely, on your own project, or are between gigs.”
Some Things Are Definitely Worth Paying For
The Value Is Real
We’ve been a member-supported community since 2019, and most members made the jump without hesitation. People don’t pay for or stay for something that doesn’t deliver.
While “free” platforms actively extract your data and attention, we protect them. In a noise-filled industry, that clarity is worth far more than the price of admission.
You Are Not the Product
Even our gifted memberships are paid for.
Every seat in this community is paid for—whether through a personal subscription, a Lifetime Membership, or a Sponsored Membership (funded by the community or our Underwriting Partners).
Bulding On Nearly 30 Years of Trust, Culture & Shared History
Impossible to Duplicate
No new platform could start today and recreate the nearly 30 years of trust, culture, and shared history that define 3DPRO. 28 years of continuous operation as a private community is incredibly rare. Most communities from that era either died out, got acquired, or fundamentally changed. Our longevity itself is proof that being different works and what we offer is unique and valuable.
It Just Works
Our carefully curated, invite-only structure means the people here were invited by someone who thought they’d contribute something valuable (as well as get something of value from this community). That’s a fundamentally different starting point than open registration or algorithmic recommendations.
And it works. We’ve been doing this since 1998—longer than almost any other online community.
We’re Still Rocking It
While others have come and gone, been acquired, or lost their identity chasing growth, 3DPRO™ has remained true to its purpose. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because there’s genuine value in being different.
“I cherish this community and have learned so, so much from this group over the years. And huge welcome to all new members! IMO, 3DPRO is a taste of pre-enshittification internet!”
3DPRO Member
December 2025
The 3DPRO™ Ecosystem
⚙️ Technical Authority
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The Hive Mind: Instant access to a brain trust of top-tier professionals for troubleshooting software, hardware, and pipeline issues.
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Future Tech: Deep-dive discussions on AR, AI, and the evolving landscape of digital creation—before they hit the mainstream.
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Direct-to-Source: Solve critical production crises with input often coming directly from the developers and engineers themselves.
💼 Career & Industry
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The “Unlisted” Job Market: Access high-level openings posted directly by leads and supervisors—strictly no recruiters allowed.
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Market Intelligence: A venue where studios and developers stress-test ideas and gather feedback from the industry’s most informed professionals.
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Trusted Talent: A dedicated space for vetted professionals to signal availability to a network of decision-makers.
3DPRO™ offers a space for thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogue—where members connect on everything from industry trends to shared interests.
👥 Community & Culture
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The Virtual Water Cooler: A rare, private space for candid “war stories,” industry lore, and honest storytelling away from public noise.
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“White Hat” Promotion: Share personal wins, products, and tools in an environment that values contribution over spam.
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Lifelong Network: A home base for members to stay tuned in to the industry pulse, even as they move into leadership, other industries, or retirement.