Best 3D Modeling Software
3D modeling software refers to programs that design basic three-dimensional models of objects or characters. To flesh out the models with realistic details, the tools include supplemental features, like 3D painting features to add textures, lighting, and color. Once the software has completed the models, they can come to “life" using 3D rendering and 3D animation tools.
More and more often, industries such as television and film, gaming, marketing, and virtual reality turn to the best 3D modeling software to create their work. These programs are used by industries including television and motion picture, video game, marketing, and virtual reality. After they are created using 3D modeling software, Graphic designers can utilize crude 3D models without rendering for use on websites and media stills. Tools with 3D capabilities that are specifically for building design and architecture, civil engineering design, or other CAD-related functions, are not included in the 3D Modeling category.
To qualify for inclusion in the 3D Modeling category, a product must:
Best 3D Modeling Software At A Glance
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- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SketchUp helps architects and designers turn their ideas into reality with simple, powerful 3D modeling software. Whether your design is massive or miniature, we'll be with you every step of the way.
- Architect
- Designer
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 75% Small-Business
- 18% Mid-Market
11,679 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Blender is an open source 3D creation suite that supports the 3D pipeline, modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, video editing, and game creation.
- Software Engineer
- Animation
- Computer Games
- 75% Small-Business
- 12% Mid-Market
85,635 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
NVIDIA Omniverse™ is an easily extensible, open platform built for virtual collaboration and real-time physically accurate simulation. Creators, designers, researchers, and engineers can connect major
- 50% Small-Business
- 31% Mid-Market
2,363,899 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Creo helps you deliver your best designs in less time with numerous productivity and usability enhancements. Manufacturers rely on PTC to deliver innovative CAD tools for designing composites, conduct
- Design Engineer
- Mechanical Design Engineer
- Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
- Automotive
- 38% Enterprise
- 35% Mid-Market
38,200 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Bring your imagination to life with Maya® 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software. Maya helps artists tell their story with one fast, creative toolset.
- 3D Artist
- Director
- Animation
- Computer Games
- 60% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Coohom, a leading global cloud-based, all-in-one 3D design platform, that provides software and services to empowers designers and businesses to effortlesssly bring ideas to life, streamline processes
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 90% Small-Business
- 9% Mid-Market
849 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3ds Max Design software is a comprehensive 3D design, modeling, animation, and rendering solution for architects, designers, civil engineers, and visualization specialists.
- Interior Designer
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 62% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Use ReCap reality capture software to convert reality into a 3D model or 2D drawing that's ready for further design.
- Construction
- Architecture & Planning
- 61% Mid-Market
- 29% Small-Business
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Unity is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, RT3D content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects,and automotive designers to filmmakers and mor
- Unity Developer
- Game Developer
- Computer Games
- Computer Software
- 74% Small-Business
- 18% Mid-Market
107,689 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Adobe Dimension CC makes it easy for graphic designers to create high-quality, photorealistic 3D images.It composites 2D and 3D assets to build product shots, scene visualizations, and abstract art.
- Graphic Design
- Design
- 65% Small-Business
- 19% Mid-Market
972,898 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Born in the fashion industry and trusted by over 1000 apparel brands and manufacturers worldwide, Browzwear has transformed tedious physical processes into efficient, collaborative digital workflows.
- Apparel & Fashion
- Design
- 59% Small-Business
- 29% Enterprise
889 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
PV Elite® is a complete solution for vessel and heat exchanger design, analysis and evaluation. The program is easy to learn and use so it is perfect for users requiring fast start-up and confidence i
- Oil & Energy
- 38% Mid-Market
- 33% Enterprise
12,584 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cinema 4D Studio is the very best that MAXON has to offer for professional 3D artists. If you want to create advanced 3D graphics but need a helping hand to ensure you create jaw-dropping graphics qui
- Creative Director
- Design
- Animation
- 72% Small-Business
- 15% Mid-Market
60 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Arcadium is a free online 3D house design tool. Its key differentiation is its speed and ease-of-use when creating 3D architectural modeling and virtual walkthroughs. Being online, is also a huge adva
- Design
- Architecture & Planning
- 88% Small-Business
- 13% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Craft a specific catalog of materials from real-world references, or simply experiment to until you find results you love – in all cases, Alchemist brings phenomenal speed and ease of use to your work
- Animation
- 68% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
972,898 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
cmBuilder democratizes 4D construction site logistics with fast & easy cloud-based workflows, powerful sequencing simulation capabilities, and unparalleled real-time collaboration.
- Construction
- 50% Mid-Market
- 28% Small-Business
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Repurpose your 3D engineering models for creating graphical content to explain processes and procedures in technical communications, such as manufacturing assembly instructions, product manuals, insta
- Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
- Automotive
- 55% Small-Business
- 27% Mid-Market
181,928 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Ansys SpaceClaim modeling software allows you to quickly create, modify and repair geometry for rapid editing of designs. Additionally, you can optimize designs for simulation or many manufacturing m
- Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
- Automotive
- 55% Small-Business
- 31% Mid-Market
30,190 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Build complex scenes and render beautiful final frames with 3D animation software
- 46% Mid-Market
- 38% Small-Business
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SmartPlant Review is the complete visualization environment for interactively reviewing and analyzing large, complex 3D models of process and power plants. Used by many companies around the world, the
- Oil & Energy
- Construction
- 45% Enterprise
- 42% Mid-Market
12,584 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Substance Designer is a node-based non-destructive application for creating materials. Edit complete texture sets fast with the non-linear workflow and see your changes apply simultaneously to all you
- 3D Artist
- Computer Games
- Animation
- 71% Small-Business
- 25% Mid-Market
972,898 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
ArcGIS 3D Analyst for Server helps you to share your 3D Analyst tools and models on desktop, mobile, and web applications. ArcGIS 3D Analyst for Server is included only with ArcGIS Enterprise Advanced
- 45% Mid-Market
- 34% Small-Business
190,000 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Amazon Sumerian lets you create and run virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D applications quickly and easily without requiring any specialized programming or 3D graphics expertise.
- Computer Software
- 67% Small-Business
- 22% Mid-Market
2,229,471 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Chief Architect Premier is professional drafting, design, and building modeling software for residential and light commercial design. Chief Architect software brings home design projects to life. Aut
- Architecture & Planning
- 89% Small-Business
- 6% Mid-Market
2,288 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Integrated BIM tools for building design, civil infrastructure, and construction. Get access to a set of integrated tools that equip you to meet any project challenge – now and in the future. Use pow
- Architecture & Planning
- 32% Mid-Market
- 29% Enterprise
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SideFX develops Houdini, a 3D animation and visual effects software for use in film, commercials and video games.
- Motion Pictures and Film
- Animation
- 64% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
49,200 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that has revolutionized the 3D industry with its powerful features and intuitive workflows. Built within an elegant interface, ZBrush offers the worl
- 3D Artist
- Computer Games
- Animation
- 69% Small-Business
- 21% Mid-Market
60 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Create and modify high-quality 3D geometry and textures with intuitive digital sculpting and painting tools.
- Animation
- 55% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
282,821 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SynthEyes is a program for 3-D camera tracking, also known as match-moving.
- 80% Small-Business
- 20% Enterprise
1,008 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Built to exemplify your skill and creativity, Vectorworks Spotlight is the market-leading solution allowing you to design, document, previsualize, and produce shows and events. With extensive drawing,
- Entertainment
- Events Services
- 58% Small-Business
- 25% Enterprise
11,081 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
PDS is a comprehensive, intelligent computer-aided design/engineering (CAD/CAE) application for plant design, construction, and operations
- Oil & Energy
- 47% Mid-Market
- 40% Enterprise
12,584 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Design better, faster IronCAD is an intuitive 3D and 2D design solution that empowers engineers, increases productivity, and facilitates collaboration throughout the enterprise. IRONCAD 3D modeling
- Furniture
- 74% Small-Business
- 14% Enterprise
871 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Model. Render. Animate. Online. Clara.io is a full-featured cloud-based 3D modeling, animation and rendering software tool that runs in your web browser. With Clara.io you can make complex 3D model
- 55% Small-Business
- 36% Mid-Market
1,022 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Realflow is a fluid and dynamics simulation tool for the 3D and visual effects industry.
- Animation
- 72% Small-Business
- 22% Mid-Market
4,676 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D-Coat is the one application that has all the tools you need to take your 3D idea from a block of digital clay all the way to a production ready, fully textured organic or hard surface model.
- 90% Small-Business
- 5% Mid-Market
4,079 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Modo’s powerful and flexible 3D modeling, texturing and rendering toolset empowers artists to explore and develop ideas without jumping through technical hoops. Modo® is your starting point for creati
- Design
- Computer Games
- 76% Small-Business
- 17% Mid-Market
59,643 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The easiest way to create in 3D... and the most fun!
- 79% Small-Business
- 14% Enterprise
727 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools.
- Animation
- 76% Small-Business
- 14% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D design software combined with touch-based haptic devices that transforms traditional handcraftsmanship into organic, digital design for custom manufacturing.
- 49% Small-Business
- 27% Enterprise
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The Digital Artist’s Secret for Creating 3D Character Animation and Illustration Design, pose and animate human figures in 3D quickly and easily. Poser’s unique interface unlocks the secrets of worki
- 92% Small-Business
- 8% Mid-Market
2,087 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
form·Z's ability to combine solid and surface modeling has made it a favorite in multiple design fields that engage in the articulation of 3D forms and spaces. Available for the Mac and Windows, it ad
- Architecture & Planning
- 91% Small-Business
- 5% Enterprise
127 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Silo is a focused and lightning-fast standalone 3D modeler. Its deep modeling and UV mapping toolset has made it a favorite of pros for making game assets, movie characters, and objects for 3D printin
- 80% Small-Business
- 20% Mid-Market
501 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Sculpt equips you with virtual clay to take the intimidation out of making something from nothing. Mold, modify or mash-up an original design or import and adapt an existing model with ease. Sculpt is
- 67% Small-Business
- 25% Mid-Market
11,741 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D spatial narratives are revolutionizing the landscape of online shopping; 6 out of 10 shoppers prefer to buy from retailers who integrate 3D in their digital stores. Avataar offers an efficient, pl
- 90% Small-Business
- 5% Enterprise
502 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Hexagon delivers all the tools a graphic artist needs to create detailed 3D models ready for final render.
- 43% Small-Business
- 36% Mid-Market
20,744 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D characters editor, free, open source.
- 64% Small-Business
- 27% Enterprise
2 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Chief Architect Interiors is a home design software for kitchen, bath and interior home design; specifically for interior design professionals.
- 80% Small-Business
- 20% Mid-Market
2,288 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cheetah3D is a powerful and easy to learn 3D modeling, rendering and animation application which was developed from the ground up for Mac OS X.
- 92% Small-Business
- 8% Mid-Market
449 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Pool Studio is 3D pool design software made easy for everyone, whether you live and breathe AutoCAD or you don’t even like turning on your computer, this professional landscape design software is for
- 77% Small-Business
- 8% Enterprise
1,390 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Fieldscale SENSE is the first simulation software dedicated to touch sensor design. SENSE enables integrated-circuit (IC) makers and touch screen manufacturers ship faster and reduce product developme
- Staffing and Recruiting
- 36% Mid-Market
- 36% Small-Business
632 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Whether you're looking to create whole three dimensional worlds or have a two dimensional project in mind, Hash Animation:Master is the 3D software you need to design and render amazing imagery a
- 67% Small-Business
- 17% Enterprise
3,230 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Doodle3D is an open source 3d animation software, for 3D design and printing. It is available for Android, iOS, and desktop.
- 56% Small-Business
- 44% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Intergraph Smart® 3D – a next generation, data-centric, and rule-driven solution – is specifically designed to deliver mission-critical requirements. Breaking through barriers imposed by traditional t
- Oil & Energy
- 78% Enterprise
- 11% Small-Business
12,584 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Ultimate Unwrap 3D is a standalone UV mapping software for unfolding and unwrapping 3D models. It includes an easy-to-use UV coordinate editor, a standard set of UV mapping projections such as planar,
- 70% Small-Business
- 30% Enterprise
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Vectary platform streamlines the entire 3D workflow, enabling seamless CAD-to-link sharing, centralized asset storage, real-time collaboration and a one-click AR viewing. Designers, product manager
- 88% Small-Business
- 13% Enterprise
3,363 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
CLO Virtual Fashion is committed to innovating the way we communicate fashion through our true-to-life 3D garment simulation technology. Our virtual garment solutions and services connect all teams i
- 100% Small-Business
2,336 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Esri CityEngine is 3D modeling software for quickly creating large urban environments. The environments you choose to create can be based on real-world data or can be completely conceptual. CityEngine
- 168% Mid-Market
- 64% Enterprise
190,000 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Perfect your garments before cutting or sewing the first piece of fabric, for faster cycles and products that better fit your customer's needs, with the only solution that combines powerful 2D design
- 40% Small-Business
- 40% Enterprise
1,987 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Manta's unified lineage platform helps businesses around the world fix the damage done by poor data management and the manual processes surrounding it. Manta can construct lineage from report defi
- 50% Small-Business
- 30% Mid-Market
709,764 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Omniverse aims for universal interoperability across different applications and 3D ecosystem vendors. It provides efficient real-time scene updates and is based on open-standards and protocols. The Om
- 75% Small-Business
- 25% Enterprise
2,363,899 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application that helps you draw the plan of your house, arrange furniture on it and visit the results in 3D.
- 83% Small-Business
- 17% Enterprise
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Trendspek is a cloud-based 3D modelling and analysis platform that converts photogrammety data of built assets into interactive 3D models that can be accessed securely via web browser. Conduct visual
- 71% Small-Business
- 29% Mid-Market
24 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
UVLayout is an application for the creation and editing of UV texture coordinates for 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces.
- 75% Small-Business
- 25% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Blocks makes creating 3D models easy, powerful, and fun
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
32,750,646 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Aartform Curvy 3D is an easy and fast sculpting program for Windows.
- 100% Small-Business
446 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
KitBash3D provides various 3D assets for many industries like video games. All assets are accessible through its Cargo application or bought through the website.
- 100% Small-Business
7,449 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
MilkShape 3D is a low-polygon modeler, which was initially designed for Half-Life. By and by many file formats and features have been added.
- 75% Small-Business
- 25% Enterprise
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Movmi uses AI technology to transform YOUR live action 3D media (video) body movements into 3D animation by utilizing their video capture, or text-to-3D pose, creator tools. What's Our Goal? Movmi w
- 67% Mid-Market
- 33% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Oculus Medium is an immersive VR experience that lets you sculpt, model, paint, and create tangible objects in a VR environment.
- 100% Small-Business
13,563,890 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Quixel Suite is the easiest to use texturing toolset to date, enable to vastly speed up pipeline and traditional workflow.
- 75% Small-Business
- 25% Mid-Market
61,277 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
RealityMAX is the AI-powered 3D collaboration and product visualization tool designed by 3D professionals for 3D professionals.
- 67% Mid-Market
- 33% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Strata Design 3D CX is a professional-level 3D modeling and animation software for Mac that delivers end-to-end power for the entire 3D design workflow.
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
803 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler.
- 100% Small-Business
268 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
A comprehensive and integrated 3D rendering engine.
- 100% Mid-Market
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Artflow lets users generate visual content with the help of AI. We strongly believe in the liberating act of creativity and want to allow anyone to make and share their creations with the world, e
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. Many of its capabilities rival those found in commercial programs. Highlights include subdivision surface based modelling tool
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
BlocksCAD is a free online platform designed to help students learn coding and CAD, and create using a blocksbased interface.
- 100% Enterprise
1,332 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Boxshot is your virtual photo studio for 3d models. It helps you visualizing books, boxes, packaging, display stands, cans, bottles — anything. Boxshot comes with 50+ built-in shapes than can be deco
- 50% Mid-Market
- 50% Small-Business
87 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D modeling, animation, photorealistic rendering, photorealistic VR content creation, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, laser-cutting and much more!
- 50% Enterprise
- 50% Small-Business
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D reverse engineering software that enables you to create digital parametric CAD models from physical parts.
- 50% Small-Business
- 50% Enterprise
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Origami is a dieline making software with popular vector editors integration. It lets you make dielines, check them for errors, and convert them to 3D models.
- 50% Small-Business
87 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Ready Player Me is a cross-game avatar platform for the metaverse. It lets you create a 3D avatar with a selfie and use it in 600+ compatible apps and games. You can explore virtual worlds in VRChat,
- 50% Mid-Market
- 50% Small-Business
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
The latest full-featured 3D modeling, rendering and animation software package from Realsoft.
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Shapelab is a highly efficient 3D sculpting application optimized for virtual reality devices. The software takes advantage of VR technology to provide an immersive and intuitive interface that allows
- 100% Mid-Market
543 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Shark CAD Pro is a 3D modeling and design software that helps to assist architects and other professionals in their drawing and drafting needs.
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
VREE Labs has successfully created an AI solution that transforms existing 2D images into high quality 3D models, by harnessing the power of cutting-edge deep-learning techniques drawn from the comput
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Enterprise
57 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3D Crafter is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling.
- 100% Small-Business
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
HYPERVSN is a cutting-edge holographic platform that delivers highly engaging and immersive experiences for global brands. Designed for impactful digital signage, dynamic out-of-home media, engaging b
- 67% Small-Business
- 33% Mid-Market
2,971 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3DKumo is a 3D asset marketing and monetization solution for brands, museums, game developers.
- 100% Small-Business
1,487 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3DReshaper is a software solution designed for point cloud processing, 3D inspection, 3D meshing and other functions.
- 100% Mid-Market
12,584 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
AC3D, create models with our easy to use 3D software for: games, virtual reality and flight simulation, scientific, medical and general data visualisation, rapid prototypes of 3D designs, 3D printing,
- 100% Mid-Market
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Altia provides state-of-the-art GUI development and code generation tools for embedded displays. Altia’s software allows designers to involve customers in the design process, collaborate with other de
- 100% Enterprise
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
3DCrafter is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling.
- 100% Mid-Market
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Ansys Discovery is the first simulation-driven design tool to combine instant physics simulation, proven Ansys high-fidelity simulation and interactive geometry modeling in a single user experience.
- 36% Mid-Market
- 36% Enterprise
30,190 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 33% Small-Business
- 33% Enterprise
30,190 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- 50% Mid-Market
- 50% Small-Business
3,338 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
ArtisGL 3D Publisher provides smart and easy solutions for publishing interactive 3D content or 360 panoramas on any website.
- 100% Small-Business
221 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
AutoQ3D CAD workspace helps you to make drawing and designs easier and faster. The tools are arranged and available for easy access.
- 100% Small-Business
32 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
BRL-CAD is a powerful open source cross-platform solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, a system performan
- 100% Enterprise
- 100% Small-Business
297 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
From basic to detailed and production design – CADMATIC Hull creates 3D models and automatically extracts accurate production data for construction parts of any complexity. Hull Basic Design CADMATIC
- 100% Small-Business
189 Twitter followers
Learn More About 3D Modeling Software
What is 3D Modeling Software?
3D modeling completely transforms the way creative teams approach product design projects. While 2D still serves a purpose for floor plans and schematics, 3D modeling gives people a more realistic view of a final design. With 3D rendering capabilities, creators can even place their designs in real-life environments to demonstrate how their products might interact in the real world. For animators and game designers, these tools are invaluable to their artistic vision, while product designers and marketers are able to rely on 3D software to design a product that meets consumer needs.
3D modeling software has many computer-aided design (CAD) software capabilities, but it serves a different set of industries. CAD software is used to create industrial or mechanical designs, but 3D modeling is more common in animation, game design, and 3D printable models. 3D modeling software gives users direct input into each vertex and manipulates shapes that look more organic. It allows users to play with geometry in a way that creates hyper-accurate models.
Features of 3D modeling software
A base product for 3D modeling software often has limited features, but plugins can offer additional functionality.
- UV mapping is the 3D modeling process of projecting a 2D image onto a 3D model’s surface for the purpose of texture mapping. Most 3D modeling software comes with UV editing features that let users move, scale, and generally modify the UV topology for a surface.
- Sculpting features allow users to form virtual 3D surfaces as if they were made of clay. This feature allows more free-form editing and creates complex models with tools such as pushing, pulling, smoothing, and pinching the digital object. Sculpting is beneficial across various industries, such as game design, character animation, and product design.
- Rendering puts the final touches on 3D models. It involves adding texture, color, and light to make them appear authentic. Most 3D modeling software offers features to help render, but other platforms are specifically dedicated to this process and might be a better fit if rendering is your focus.
- Animation is probably an obvious feature of 3D modeling software. Some tools provide users with options that bring characters and objects to life. This can include adding expressions and realistic motion to characters. It’s mostly used by animators and video game designers.
- Simulations help give a deeper, realistic representation of objects. Simulation features allow users to produce effects such as rain, fire, or wind.
- Component libraries are provided by most 3D modeling software platforms. This includes pre-made geometric shapes so users don’t have to model from scratch.
- Collaboration features allow multiple users to work on a model simultaneously. Users can leave notes, annotations, and edits. Having multiple team members on a design can speed up the process and eliminate the need for more reworks.
Benefits of 3D modeling software
- Prototyping: 3D modeling is one of the easiest ways to show stakeholders what a final product will look like. 3D modeling can make virtual prototypes, allowing for testing and validation before building physical prototypes.
- Simulation: 3D modeling software is a powerful tool for engineers that helps simulate the behavior of structures, mechanisms, or fluid dynamics, enabling creators to optimize designs for performance and efficiency.
- Productivity and cost: There’s no longer a need to manufacture prototypes if you use 3D modeling software because all of the creation happens on the computer and the printer. Unnecessary labor and associated costs with manufacturing are eliminated and design issues with the model can also be identified, which prevents nonessential reworks down the line.
- Collaboration: The software often supports collaborative features so multiple users can work on the same project. This is especially valuable for remote teams working on complex projects.
Types of 3D modeling
The choice of 3D modeling software depends on a project's specific requirements, the industry, and the desired level of detail and precision. Many 3D artists and designers use a combination of these techniques according to the task at hand.
- Wireframe modeling represents 3D objects using lines and curves to define the shape. Wireframing focuses on the underlying structure of the object without considering surface details.
- Surface modeling defines the outer shape of an object and its surfaces. It is often used in industrial and automotive designs to create smooth and aesthetically pleasing surfaces.
- Solid modeling creates realistic 3D objects with volume. It's widely used in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing to represent physical objects precisely.
- Polygonal modeling is common in video games, virtual reality, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) for movies. Objects are represented by a mesh of polygons (typically triangles or quadrangles).
- Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) modeling represents 3D geometry using mathematical curves. It's commonly applied in automotive design and animation industries to make smooth and precise surfaces.
- Parametric modeling involves defining 3D objects using parameters or mathematical equations. Changes to one part of the model can then automatically update related components. It's often used in engineering and product design.
- Procedural modeling involves creating 3D models through algorithms and rules rather than manual manipulation. It's useful for generating complex and detailed environments, such as landscapes and cityscapes.
- CAD modeling is widely used in engineering and architecture to make technical drawings and models. It involves parametric and solid modeling techniques.
Who uses 3D modeling software?
The animation, gaming, and industrial design industries have embraced 3D modeling software. However, it is also used by marketers, architects, and hobbyists. For example, marketers can use 3D modeling software to demo their products for advertising, and architects turn to 3D modeling software to visually develop their projects. Hobbyists who want to play around with 3D creation also find much use for the tool.
- Product designers in a variety of different fields utilize 3D modeling software to bring models from conceptualization to completion. It helps them identify any issues before the model is put into production, saving companies time and money on reworks.
- Animators are some of the most prevalent users nowadays. Many of the top animation studios use 3D modeling software to create characters, objects, digital sculpting, and a variety of other models that they use in their shows and films.
- Game designers can find all their desired features with 3D modeling software, including character creation tools, body simulation, texturing, and motion graphics.
- Architectural planners use 3D modeling for architectural drawing, as it allows viewers to experience an entire structure and its surroundings.
What does 3D modeling software cost?
The pricing of 3D modeling software ranges from free to more than $500, with paid versions having more functionality and support than free versions. This encompasses one-off fees, annual fees, or monthly fees.
Return on investment (ROI)
Below is the breakdown of the estimated time to ROI according to the 3D modeling product review data on G2 as of July 2021:
- 50% of buyers see an ROI in 6 months or fewer
- 26% of buyers see an ROI in 7-12 months
- 15% of buyers see an ROI in 13-24 months
- 1% of buyers see an ROI from 24-36 months
- 1% of buyers see an ROI from 36-48 months
- 3% of buyers see an ROI in 48+ months
- 3% of buyers haven’t realized a full payback yet
What are the alternatives to 3D modeling software?
Alternatives to 3D modeling software that can replace this type of software, either partially or completely:
- Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software is specifically meant to aid in building design and construction. Architects, contractors, and engineers use it to visualize, design, and coordinate construction from beginning to end. While there is some overlap with 3D modeling programs, BIM 3D modeling tools are less robust and flexible. BIM tools may have a library of doors, windows, stairways, and other objects to make the process of designing and improving workflow.
- CAD software is primarily used by various engineering fields to design parts, tools, or entire projects, such as bridges or auditoriums. CAD software is also used to create designs for 3D printing, make objects in 3D, create 2D schematics, and edit the design.
3D modeling software trends
- VR modeling: More and more tools let users model in a VR environment. They can now walk around and view their 3D designs in a fully realized world. Some VR 3D modeling features even provide collaboration features so multiple users can collaborate at the same time.
- More vertical industries: An increasing number of industries will begin to explore 3D modeling software as they notice the benefits. Businesses such as clothing stores or jewelry departments can turn to 3D modeling software to avoid post-production model costs associated with making a physical model. These companies can provide software features that let customers try on designs to understand better how they’ll look. The same concept can be applied to other industries, including furniture, landscape design, and automobile makers.
