15 Best Tools for 3D Modeling Software
Discover and get started with creating 3D models
This post contains sponsored content by Tornado Studios, a 3D company and developer of photorealistic 3D models. Opinions expressed here are my own.
Looking for a tool to make that set of low poly Pokémon for your office desk? If so, you’ve probably also wondered about trying out a new 3D modeling tool. As daunting as it can be to work through figuring out a new tool, working in 3D can be incredibly rewarding and fun to explore as a medium.
Here’s a list of tools to help get you on your way!
Tinkercad — free, web-based, easy and intuitive
3D Slash — free, easy to understand, simple
Voxel Builder — free, web-based, easy and intuitive, voxel only
MagicaVoxel — free, more powerful than Voxel Builder, voxel only
Autodesk 123d —free, much more powerful than Tinkercad, has a cool app that let’s you create 3D scans of objects
Sculptris — free, a more beginner friendly tool for sculpting, by creators of ZBrush
Sketchup — free, more known as an architectural drawing tool
Onshape — free, cloud powered CAD system that’s also collaborative
Fusion360 — cloud powered CAD tool, interesting versioning controls
Solidworks — full featured tool typically used for modelling of mechanical parts, plots and renders
Blender — free, open source, great for asset creation, popular with indie game community
Cinema 4D — modeling, animation, motion graphic and rendering application; connectivity to After Effects
Maya — modeling, rendering, simulation, texturing; customizable with MEL/Python scripts
3ds Max — modeling, animation, rendering…pretty similar to Maya with a slightly more user friendly set of modeling tools
ZBrush — used for creating high-resolution models for games, models, and animation
Bonus
If you want to channel your newfound knowledge into 3D printing, check out these links for inspiration:
Thingiverse — a design community for discovering, making, and sharing 3D printable things
Shapeways — 3d products made by a community of artists
Cults — a marketplace that connects designers and people interested in 3D printing
As you explore different options for 3D software (or 3D modeling programs) available online, one factor to consider is your industry type — whether the software caters primarily to 3D designers, Video Game Developers, Animators, Architectural Visualization, Product Design & Production experts etc. While there are plenty of excellent free 3D modeling software options to use for beginners, it may be helpful to refer to the most popular paid and free software below:
