By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) – Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ 🙂 Corp said Tuesday that it will provide software free of charge to creators and artists who build virtual worlds. The company also announced technology agreements with many marketplaces that allow artists to sell three-dimensional content.

The metaverse, a loosely defined term which can refer to virtual realms made more human-like using augmented or virtual reality headsets, relies heavily upon graphics computing technology like Nvidia’s flagship semiconductors.

Nvidia plans to convert its leadership position in computing hardware supply for the metaverse in to a suite of software tools for selling and creating content in virtual realms. A business opportunity which has more than doubled Nvidia’s value in the past year.

Nvidia announced Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas that they plan to give away a free copy of their “Omniverse,” software to create virtual worlds. Nvidia stated in November that it will charge corporate customers prices beginning at $9,000 per annum.

Artists can create 3D content for virtual worlds that they are able to sell on multiple marketplaces or content libraries.

Nvidia announced Tuesday that it has reached agreements with four marketplaces, TurboSquid and Xerox. Shutterstock (NYSE.) CGTrader. Sketchfab. Twinbru. This will allow marketplace content to be included in Nvidia Omniverse’s software suite. Nvidia also said that marketplaces Reallusion’s ActorCore, Daz3D and e-on software’s PlantCatalog will soon release their own Omniverse-ready assets.

Nvidia didn’t disclose its financial arrangements with content marketplaces and libraries. Companies that offer large platforms for technology often pay commissions and other fees to the creators of their products.