3D Challenge: Botanical Designs
CGTrader is announcing the Botanical Designs 3D Challenge, inviting 3D artists from around the world to bring nature to life through 3D art.
We’re celebrating the beauty and diversity of plants – from realistic trees and flowers to creative botanical concepts. Whether you create detailed natural models, science-inspired designs, or stylized art, this challenge is your opportunity to showcase your technical skill and creativity.
Prize Pool
The total reward is $1,800 in cash prizes, split between the top entries:
- 1st place – $600
- 2nd place – $400
- 3rd place – $300
- 4th place – $200
- 5th place – $100
- Community Favorite – $200
Timeline
- Challenge open: November 3 –
December 31Extended until February 1, 2026 - Winners announced: February 5, 2026
How to Enter
- Upload your original plant-themed 3D model to CGTrader.
- Tag your submission with botanical-challenge to officially join.
- Submit your model in .glb and .fbx formats.
- Include PBR textures for full material detail.
- Ensure your model meets the CGTrader Standard (100%) and is submitted under the Royalty Free license.
What You Can Create
You can submit any plant-themed 3D model, including but not limited to:
- Full plants (trees, flowers, bushes, vines, grasses, herbs)
- Plant parts (leaves, stems, roots, seeds, fruit, blossoms)
- Plant systems (root systems, cross-sections, growth stages)
- Stylized or fantasy plants (imaginary flora, alien vegetation, magical plants)
- Scientific and educational models (plant anatomy, molecules, biological structures)
- Nature environments with vegetation (garden scenes, forest assets, indoor plant setups)
The wider the variety, the better – we welcome all creative approaches that connect to the botanical world.
Terms
- Entries must be original 3D designs created by the participant.
- Submissions must reflect the botanical theme, whether realistic, stylized, or conceptual.
- Each model must have .glb and .fbx formats, include PBR textures, comply with the CGTrader Standard (100%), and be available under the Royalty Free license.
- You may submit multiple entries, provided each meets all challenge requirements.
- If a previously uploaded model did not meet the CGTrader Standard, it can be resubmitted once it reaches 100%.
- Winners will be judged based on artistic quality, originality, technical execution, texture and material quality, overall presentation, and adherence to the theme.
- The Community Favorite will be chosen by public votes (hearts on the model page).
Showcase Your Work
Share your creations on social media with #CGTraderBotanicalChallenge to reach a wider audience and inspire other 3D artists.
The best 3D models will be featured on CGTrader’s blog and social media channels, showcasing outstanding creativity and craftsmanship from our community.
Entries
Below are the top quality models that were participating in this challenge.
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Awards & Prizes
The total reward is $1,800 in cash prizes, split between the top entries:
- 1st place – $600
- 2nd place – $400
- 3rd place – $300
- 4th place – $200
- 5th place – $100
- Community Favorite – $200
Winners announced: February 5, 2026
Terms & Conditions
In order to qualify for the prize winnings, you must agree to terms & conditions.
- The Botanical Designs 3D Challenge runs from November 3 to February 1, 2026.
- Winners will be announced on February 5, 2026.
Entries must include:
- An original plant-themed 3D model created by the participant.
- Submission in both .glb and .fbx formats.
- PBR textures for full material detail.
- Models that meet the CGTrader Standard (100%) quality requirements.
- Upload under a Royalty Free license.
- The botanical-challenge tag added when uploading your model.
- Submissions must reflect the botanical theme – realistic, stylized, or conceptual.
- Only models uploaded during the contest period and tagged botanical-challenge (November 3 – December 31, 2025) will be treated as valid entries.
- Previously uploaded models may also be entered if updated to meet the CGTrader Standard (100%) quality requirements.
- Adult content or explicit material is not eligible.
- You may submit multiple entries, provided each meets all requirements.
- Non-compliant submissions (e.g., not plant-themed, previously uploaded without updates, missing formats, or not meeting quality standards) may be removed without notice.
Participation:
- The challenge is free to enter and open worldwide.
- Participants must have a CGTrader account, accept the CGTrader Terms & Conditions, and complete standard KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to receive prize payouts.
- Teams and legal entities may participate.
- Employees and relatives of CGTrader are not allowed to participate.
General:
- By joining this challenge, you agree that your submission images may be used by CGTrader for marketing purposes, including social media and promotional materials.
- All entries must be original creations and must not infringe on any third-party rights.
- Participating in the challenge and uploading 3D models to CGTrader is free of charge.
- CGTrader reserves the right to disqualify entries that violate the rules or contain inappropriate content
Judging
The judging of the challenge is supervised by CGTrader staff. Winners will be chosen following the requirements below:
Our panel of judges is comprised of experienced 3D professionals from CGTrader.
Judging Criteria
- Theme Fit. Originality, creativity and how well the design represents the plant theme.
- Technical Quality. Geometry, topology and texture detail.
- Presentation. Quality of renders, descriptions and tagging.
- Compliance with the challenge requirements: submission in .glb and .fbx formats, inclusion of PBR textures and meeting the CGTrader Standard (100%), and be offered under the Royalty Free license.
The Community Favorite award ($200) will go to the model that receives the most hearts from the CGTrader community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please go through these questions before contacting us
1. Do I need to upload model files or just renders?
You must upload a complete 3D model in both .glb and .fbx formats, including PBR textures. Renders are optional but recommended for presentation.
2. Are renderings required?
No, renderings are optional, but clear, well-presented renders can help your model stand out in the gallery and during judging.
3. Can I submit models I’ve already uploaded to CGTrader?
Yes. Previously uploaded models can be submitted if they have been updated to meet the CGTrader Standard (100%) quality requirements.
4. What if I simply tag one of my old models with “botanical-challenge”?
That alone won’t count. Only models uploaded or updated to meet the CGTrader Standard (100%) during the contest period (November 3 - February 1, 2026) are considered valid entries.
5. Do free models qualify?
Yes. Both free and paid models are eligible to participate and judged equally.
6. Can I enter multiple models?
Absolutely. You can submit as many entries as you like, provided each meets all challenge requirements.
7. Do I keep the copyright to my model?
Yes. You retain full ownership of your work. Uploading under a Royalty Free license only specifies how others may use your model through CGTrader.
8. Can I enter with models that have participated in contests elsewhere?
Yes, as long as the model is original and complies with all CGTrader quality and licensing requirements.
9. Can I delete an older model and re-upload it to qualify?
No. Only new uploads or legitimately updated models that meet the CGTrader Standard during the challenge period are eligible. Re-uploading older, unchanged models will not qualify.
10. Do I need to complete verification to receive prizes?
Yes. All winners must complete CGTrader’s standard KYC (Know Your Customer) verification before prize payouts.
11. What is the Community Favorite award and how is it chosen?
The Community Favorite award ($200) goes to the entry that receives the most hearts (likes) from the CGTrader community on the model page.
12. How can I participate in the challenge?
- Create or log in to your CGTrader account.
- Accept the Terms & Conditions.
- Upload your original plant-themed 3D model in .glb and .fbx formats with PBR textures.
- Tag it with botanical-challenge when uploading.
- Ensure it meets the CGTrader Standard (100%) and is uploaded under a Royalty Free license.
13. Can I resubmit a model that didn’t meet the CGTrader Standard before?
Yes. If your model was previously uploaded but didn’t meet the standard, you can update and resubmit it once it meets the CGTrader Standard (100%) and the challenge requirements.
