There are so many 3d design software out there and yet, most people use only a limited number of those. I decided to compare the best 3d modeling software for beginners and professionals alike.
So, let me show the best free 3d graphic design software.
GIMP
A powerful raster graphics editor
Editors’ Rating (4/5)
Windows / Mac / Linux | Read GIMP ReviewUSE GIMP FOR FREEPros
- Vivid and modern UI
- Easy to use
- Has single windows usage
Cons
- Contains several bugs
Gimp graphic design software is well-thought-out and surprisingly free. It provides a versatile photo editor that can work on all main operating systems.
Gimp is for those who are looking for robust software to perform different manipulations with photos, create paintings or mock-ups.
The interface of this free graphics software is similar to Adobe Photoshop. A few tool icons are the same and the layer setup is not worse than in Photoshop.
The developers consider the requests of the users and do everything to enhance the functions of this software. One of such functions is saving and exporting files. It saves your working files in XCF format. But you will have to export other formats.
- Read more about GIMP vs Photoshop.
Easelly
Software for creating infographics automatically
Editors’ Rating (3/5)
WebPros
- Create all the diagrams online
- Instant upload a finished layout to your website, social network or computer
- To use additional functions of this resource, you have to pay just $3 a month
Cons
- No autosave
- Might not be useful for advanced users
The next option might seem too creative for those who haven’t worked with infographics yet. Especially, if you take into consideration a set of different icons in the form of moving people, various lines and diagrams.
This software allows you to create and edit different infographics and display it in PDF or JPG formats. The basic version is free but additional elements are available for a small fee. However, unlike many other data visualization tools, Easelly is way cheaper.
SVG-Edit
Best software for simple tasks
Editors’ Rating (3/5)
WebPros
- Simple, fast in use
- Open-source web code
Cons
- Node management is not ideal
SVG-edit is one of the free design programs that does exactly what its name implies. It edits SVG and creates its own. This is a free online program that is available in the majority of browsers.
A set of functions is standard. Here you can create shapes, draw with pencil, transform lines into paths, color and add images. The result can be exported to popular web formats, such as WMP, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and, of course, SVG.
The interface is quite simple and reminds me of drawing programs from the beginning of the 2000s – there is nothing special here.
Daz 3D
Best software for creating 3D graphics
Editors’ Rating (4/5)
Windows / MacUSE DAZ3D FOR FREEPros
- Characters look realistic
- Offers Morphing Tools, Facial Expressions, Movements
- Provides 3D Content Modeling, Animation, Rendering
- Has 3D Creation Tool
Cons
- Hasn’t had updates for a long time
- Requires powerful computer
This is the best free graphic design software for animators, illustrators and designers. It can be used for 3D animation, figure posing and rendering.
The software represents a combination of various graphic design platforms, solutions and additions, such as Hexagon, Genesis 8 and Daz Studio. They work together in order to create the possibilities of designing 3D rigged human models.
Also, using Daz 3D, you can create amazing digital locations, animations and illustrations. It’s a universal software that offers a lot of functions that help adjust scenes and characters and make masterpieces out of them. Daz 3D has a figure platform and character engine that enables the creation of detailed characters.
Blender
High-quality open-source software for 3D content and graphics
Editors’ Rating (4.5/5)
Mac / Linux / WindowsPros
- Free open-source software
- Possibility to export files to other formats
- Possibility to render with your GPU instead of CPU
Cons
- No appropriate support of motion capture
- Difficult animation management if you have more than 15 animations
- Complicated learning curve
Blender is one of the best graphics programs for creating 3D computer graphics. It is used for 3D modeling and visualization in different spheres. Also, Blender will be useful for creating outdoor advertising, print products and web-design.
It is often simpler and faster to model the object from the right angle than to search for it, select it or draw. The result looks more realistic as when visualizing the object, its physical features are taken into account.
If you need to include objects in your design that don’t exist in real life, you can only model them or draw. Since this program is a vector one, you will achieve qualitative images as a result. Even on banners, their quality will win compared to photos.
Krita
Free software for drawing
Editors’ Rating (3.5/5)
Mac / Linux / Windows | Read Krita reviewUSE KRITA FOR FREEPros
- Contains plenty of illustrations and examples
- Not difficult to follow
- Bright and interesting
- Shows both basic and advanced methods
Cons
- Plenty of memory is required
- Tools for text
Krita is the best free graphic design software with an open source for illustrators and concept artists. It will be most useful for comic book artists as it has a set of tools, such as halftones and ready-made templates, specifically for these tasks.
However, the software is suitable for other types of drawing as well. Krita offers a large set of drawing tools, including vanishing points, smooth shapes, layer masks and many more. Moreover, the program is often advertized as a great alternative to Adobe Ps, and there are mant Krita vs Photoshop reviews covering their similarities and differences.
Daz 3D: Daz Studio
- Price: Free, with extra downloadable premium assets
Daz 3D, creators of Daz Studio, offers some of the most fascinating and accessible innovations in the 3D software industry. Daz Studio is a powerful 3D creation and rendering tool that streamlines many of the medium’s more technical aspects, such as animating, posing, setting up lighting, and rendering.
They also host a massive online library full of Daz-ready content created by professional artists, allowing you to assemble amazing characters and scenes quickly. It’s helpful for hobbyists and professionals alike, and can be downloaded for free.
A few features that make Daz Studio stand out include:
Premier Characters and Content
Daz’s character range and toolset really stood out for us. Their Genesis 8.1 Male and Female characters take center stage for character design — high-definition 3D figures that can be posed, animated, dressed, and customized easily using Daz’s morphing system and modular system. You can morph your Genesis Character’s physical appearance in so many ways, by mixing, matching, and blending content to create unique characters ready for photo-realistic rendering.
Face Transfer and Morphing
Have you ever wanted to see what you’d look like if you were half hippo? Or how you’d look with crazy new hair? Daz 3D’s Face Transfer allows you to do all those things – and more.
Simply take a photo of yourself and upload it; the software will take care of all 3D rendering to create an accurate 3D model of your face, with all the intricacies of your face fully adjustable as you transfer. Your bone structure will adjust accurately as you morph your 3D model, no matter how outlandish your changes are. Once you’re satisfied with your half-hippo look, you can animate yourself and make your character dance!
You aren’t limited to just half-and-half morphs either. Feel free to customize and morph any two figures – for example an alien and a werewolf – and create something 80% one character, and 20% the other. The possibilities really are endless. Of course, you can also use this to create unique, lifelike characters as well.
While the FaceTransfer feature is limited to 3 free renders without any watermarks in Daz Studio, users can enjoy the freedom of character morphs, which are how you customize and tweak physical appearances in Studio.
3D SOFTWARE / EDITORS’ PICKS / RANKINGS
There are now hundreds of different free 3D modeling software tools for beginners looking to create their own 3D models. Users can export their models and either 3D print them, or post them online so others can download them.
These 3D software modeling tools range from being easily used by even the newest of beginners, to having learning curves that can take years to traverse. Therefore, we created our list of the best free 3D modeling software options out there to help you find the perfect choice for you.
Some free online 3D modeling software run completely in your browser, while some need to be downloaded, but all are at least free in the short term.
Vectr
FixThePhoto editors’ choice
Editors’ Rating (5/5)
Windows / Linux / Chrome OS / WebUSE VECTR FOR FREEPros
- Cross-platform and browser versions
- Intuitive, easy to use interface
- Easy project sharing
- WordPress integration
Cons
- Not found
This is a graphic design free software for creating different projects – from t-shirt prints to full-fledged graphics for websites. Vectr has a simple and intuitive interface, allows you to export created files in real-time.
Also, this software provides functionality for exchanging the information between different devices, which makes it convenient for team design.
Their website tells you several times that it’s not difficult to use and the developers can help you any time and with any question.
The Vectr’s learning curve is low. That’s why if you can’t afford to buy more expensive vector programs, this will be a great option for you to start.
It’s very simple to find various tutorials using Vectr software as there are about 30 of them on their website. You can use this software both online and via download. As for your work, it will be automatically saved and synched.
- Read more about the best Adobe Illustrator alternatives.
Canva
The best program for quick edits
Editors’ Rating (5/5)
Web / iOS / Android | Read Canva ReviewUSE CANVA FOR FREEPros
- Access from any computers and devices
- Thousands of templates
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires fast Internet
Canva has 10 million users and provides universal tools using which you can design anything you want, including email headers, presentations and infographics for blogs. The design of their website is very intuitive and beginner-friendly. It also has a drag-and-drop function and high-quality free graphic templates.
This software is a popular option for non-designers at a last resort because it works well with graphics. If you are going to work with simple graphics, this is the best free online graphic design software. It’s wonderful if you want to make something fast and do not have much time to acquire professional skills.
Conclusion
In our experience, Blender is the best free 3D modeling software. It provides a wealth of features that aren’t present in other free 3D design tools, and it has a dedicated community of users and developers who are constantly creating useful tutorials, add-ons and more. But there are lots of great options out there for beginners, including SketchUp Make and Tinkercad, so don’t be afraid to experiment with several programs before committing to one.