Ben Dansie released a lite version of Sintel's character file under a CC license for educational and fan fiction purposes.

The original files along with all the PNG textures was over 1GB large, so it was all simplified: textures were condensed, materials that don't affect the look much were removed etc.

The model was updated to open in Blender 2.56a which is somewhat different from the "render" branch (in which Sintel was rendered). Unfortunately grouping is currently broken for importing the file into new scenes. Nathan also updated rigging scripts.

Download options:

• http://www.blendswap.com/3D-models/characters/sintel-lite/
• http://www.filefactory.com/file/b55h1hf/n/sintel_lite_v2_1.7z (6.2 Mb)
• http://www.filefactory.com/file/b55h262/n/sintel_lite_v2_1.zip (11.6 Mb)

More on this topic:

• Interview with Thomas Krijnen on IfcOpenShell, Blender and architecture
• Interview with Sintel's art director David Revoy
• 3Delight exporter for Blender updated to feature new global illumination method
• Customized MyPaint gains animation for a new open movie project
• Recast & Detour project getting ready for Blender 2.60