There are a number of ways to make money in the metaverse by participating in play-to-earn games, purchasing virtual real estate, or creating 3D assets on metaverse platforms such as Roblox, AltspaceVR, and VRChat. A South Korean software developer for 3D modeling called Triangle allows metaverse creators to create their own 3D assets using the Unity plugins.
“Making 3D modeling is no longer just for experts or software developers,” said Jae-sik Hwang, CEO of Tryipolgon, in an interview with businesstraverse.com.
The Seoul-based startup recently raised a $5.2 million (KRW 6.5 billion) round to accelerate its growth. The Series A funding brings the total amount raised to $5.7 million and values the company at about $25 million, Hwang said.
Tripolygon was founded in 2018 by Hwang, who previously worked as a senior engineer at Crytek, a German video game developer.
The 3D modeling software is like a set of tools to create 3D assets, Hwang explained, adding that users can create all kinds of 3D assets such as buildings, props, items and avatars using the 3D modeling software tools. Tripolygon offers 3D modeling software (UModeler), plugins (UModeler X) and more as a subscription service for the metaverse creators.
If users install Tripolygon’s UModeler in Unity, the 3D modeling tools are added to the Unity, Hwang noted.
Most Unity engine users, such as programmers, game designers, and visual effects (VFX) artists, need to create 3D assets. Still, it is not easy for them to learn 3D modeling software programs like 3ds Max, Maya and blender developed for 3D modeling experts and professional software developers. According to Hwang, Tryipolygon’s service would allow them to create 3D assets with the familiar UX/UI in Unity without having to learn complicated software programs.
The startup’s main customers are Unity developers who use the UModeler in the Unity Asset Store, Hwang said. To date, about 17,000 Unity developers are using the UModeler, and the monthly active users are close to 2K, he noted.
Last October, Tripolygon partnered with Unity to be a Unity verified solution partner. The product UModeler, a real-time plugin for the production of 3D models, has confirmed by Unity that the software development kit is optimized for Unity editor and developers.
The latest funding was led by KB Investment and We Ventures, with the participation of Naver Z and Strong Ventures.
