3-D modeling is the process of developing a 3-dimensional representation of a physical object or scene, by using special software and digital 3-D model. This can be done for many practical purposes, such as visualization, communication, and design exploration. It is widely known in the mechanical engineering industry which started by making drafts and drawings in 2D. 3-D modeling is now commonly used in almost every major industrial field such as architecture, medicine, construction and aerospace engineering.
In this post, I will present to you the best 3d modeling softwares that will come in handy.
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
Tinkercad
- File FormatsOBJ, SVG, STL, PART
- PlatformBrowser
- SpecializationDirect Modeling, OpenSCAD
- Use CasesEducation
With a simple, bright interface and plenty of educational resources, Tinkercad is specifically designed for those with no prior CAD experience. In addition to being one of the most accessible 3D modeling software around, it can also be used right in your browser.
Don’t let the colorful look fool you. The Tinkercad software from Autodesk is simple but powerful, allowing you to use primitive shapes, such as cubes, cylinders, and spheres, to realize your ideas in CAD by means of drag and drop. You can move, rotate, and scale each shape, and assign them to be a solid or “hole”. Grouping shapes allows you to create the intricate 3D model’s you’ll find in Tinkercad’s gallery.
There are plenty of tutorials from Tinkercad itself that are basic and slowly paced. If you find yourself frozen in most CAD interfaces, the Tinkercad learning page is the place to start. It features short, individual lessons for every aspect of the interface, and a list of lessons that walk you through a variety of simple models. For more involved lessons, the “projects” section will guide you through model-making in more detail. The tutorials are especially suitable for children.
Tinkercad also provides users with the ability to design, program, and simulate electronic assemblies, as well as a feature called Codeblocks, which uses lines of code to create 3D objects with OpenSCAD. It’s a great all-around tool for learning modern maker tech.
- What’s it good for? Entry-level students and people with no experience using 3D modeling software.
- Where can I get it? Tinkercad
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
Vectary
- File FormatsOBJ, DAE, USDZ, GLB, gITF, STL
- PlatformBrowser
- SpecializationMesh Modeling, Parametric Modeling
- Use CasesProduct Design, Graphic Design, Animation
Vectary is a browser-based mesh and parametric modeling software that claims to be the “easiest online 3D and AR design tool.” It certainly manages to include some great features in its simple and easy-to-learn interface.
The software has a focus on rendering as it’s targeted at graphic design, product design, and game design professionals, but can be used for any 2D or 3D modeling application.
Using Vectary’s simple tools requires just a basic knowledge of design concepts. Its UI is approachable, but it adds a lot compared to the simplest modelers like Tinkercad. Users can leverage an assortment of pre-rendered 3D typography, web headers, and other pre-made models. Be aware: many of these aren’t free.
You’ll be prompted to follow the program’s integrated video tutorials on launch, asking that you follow the “Getting Started” tutorial that covers 3D modeling basics. Other tutorials are around to help you learn how to use each of Vectary’s features, but past Getting Started, there aren’t a lot of guides for those just starting with 3D modeling.
Vectary comes with a very unique sharing and collaboration tool that could be appealing: you can create teams that make working together on projects much easier. The feature is locked in the free tier, however, and requires a $12 monthly subscription. The free tier is great, though, and aside from collaboration and project limits holds very little back.
- What’s it good for? Mesh and parametric modeling in the browser with more flexibility than simpler programs and integrated animation, AR, and rendering.
- Where can I get it? Vectary
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
Meshmixer
- File FormatsOBJ, STL, 3MF, AMF, DAE, PLY, WRL, SMESH
- PlatformWindows, MacOS
- SpecializationDirect Modeling, Sculpting, Optimization
- Use Cases3D Printing Optimization/ Repair
Meshmixer is a lightweight 3D modeling software developed by Autodesk that should be in every maker’s toolbox. As the software’s website puts it, it’s a “Swiss Army Knife” for 3D objects that allows you to manipulate, add to, splice, merge models, and more, with ease.
The program is mostly used to tweak, repair, or optimize existing 3D models, but also has sculpting and solid modeling tools built in. The tool selection is simple but offers enough variety to get you intimately familiar with the tools you’ll need for either form of 3D modeling.
Since Meshmixer is tailor-made for 3D printing, not only can you design and repair 3D models in the program but also add support structures, orient models, and use Meshmixer’s variety of unique optimization tools to prepare your design for printing.
There might be a slightly steeper learning curve with Meshmixer in some places compared to software made especially for beginners, but there’s a manual by Autodesk to learn any unfamiliar terminology and get your footing. The program is a little dated at this point and not being updated, but it’s completely free and will always come in handy – so you can’t really go wrong.
- What is it good for? Beginners who want a simple tool that will remain useful later on.
- Where can I get it? Meshmixer
Adobe Animate.
Adobe Animate is a vector and 2d animation software that’s designed for web and mobile app development.
You can animate vector graphics, create interactive content, add effects, and more. This software also has built-in templates that you can customize to your liking.
Best for:
Adobe Animate is designed for people who want to either animate vector graphics, create interactive content, add effects, and more. This software also has built-in templates that can be customized to your liking. Adobe Animate is best for people who want to create animations or interactive web pages.
Advanced Features:
- Use Adobe Animate to animate vector graphics.
- Create interactive content with Adobe Animate’s features.
- Create content with simple drag-and-drop actions.
- Add effects to your animations with Adobe Animate’s built-in templates, such as the color and tone effects, the temporal effect for video, and more.
Pros:
- Extensive support for animation of vector graphics
- Built-in templates for simple customizations and interactive content
- Color and tone effects, temporal effect on video, and more.
Pricing:
Here is a simple breakdown of Adobe Animate’s pricing:
Adobe Animate costs $20.99 per month for the personal version.
If you want to get access to all of Adobe’s products you can pay $52.99 per month and get access to all of their tools.
Either way Adobe Animate offers a free trial that you can try 100% risk-free.Try Adobe Animate
2. Maya.
Initially established in 1998, Maya is an Academy Award-winning (2003) 3D computer graphics and animation software. Currently owned by Autodesk, it is especially useful for the creation of interactive 3D applications like motion pictures, video games, TV series, special effects, and more.
It is, without any doubt, one of the best software tools on the market providing 3D animation, and has been acclaimed for its use in notable films like ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ‘Spiderman,’ ‘Star Wars,’ and ‘Ice Age.’
The best part is that it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Best for:
Maya is one of the best animation software tools for creating animation pictures, video games, and adding 3D effects in motion pictures. If you require high-quality visual effects, then Maya has you covered.
Advanced Features:
- Clip matching feature
- Bifrost liquid creation feature that creates simulations of photorealistic movies
- Excellent character animator
- Allows deep adaptive liquid simulations
- In-built accelerated modeling workflows
- Paint effect feature that allows you to make 3D shapes by freehand drawing tools and drawing software
- Enhanced viewport 2.0 and DX11Shader rendering engine (blur refFlections, shader effects, imparting translucency)
- Free-form approach to 3D modeling that allows you to add as many layers as you want
- Arnold integration – this RenderView feature can be used to view scene changes in real-time
- Create your own scripts and plugins for better customization (in Maya-embedded Language or python scripting)
- Voice-o-matic provides lip-syncing technology, motion capture, and walk cycles.
Pros:
- Complex hand-made animation tasks made extremely easy
- Efficient color management (useful Boolean operations on polygon geometry)
- Create realistic effects including explosions and cloth simulations
- Excellent rendering technology even for the most advanced projects
- Comes with a 30-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
Pricing:
Maya is easily the best 3D animation software on the market and comes in at a reasonable cost of $1,545/year (or pay $195/month). They also offer a 30-day free trial so you can test the software before making the purchase.
Maya is one of the best on the market and my #2 pick this year.
You can test out Maya for free with a 30-day free trial or purchase a yearly plan and save 33%.Try Maya
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
SculptGL
- File FormatsSGL, OBJ, PLY, STL
- PlatformBrowser, Windows
- SpecializationSculpting
- Use CasesDigital Art, Animation, Game Design
SculptGL is a freely accessible, open-source, browser-based sculpting program. Like most sculpting programs, it simply pops a lump of digital clay into your workspace and lets you mold it with a variety of tools called “brushes”.
It’s a very basic software that includes the sculpting bare essentials; brushes, texture imports, and rendering. If you want to do anything more, even so much as play with light on your rendering, you’ll need to step it up to another program. Still, SculptGL is great to get a feel for sculpting without any commitment whatsoever.
Since it’s so limited, SculptGL doesn’t have a lot of tutorials. There’s a small YouTube series covering the features and a community tutorial or two that choose it specifically for its approachability. It’s a good starting point to sate your curiosity for 3D sculpting.
You can also download a standalone version for offline use, but it’s exactly the same as the online one.
- What’s it good for? Curious experimenting with sculpting or quick practice with a lightweight browser program.
- Where can I get it? Stéphane Ginier’s website
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
ZBrushCoreMini
- File FormatsOBJ
- PlatformWindows, Mac
- SpecializationSculpting
- Use CasesDigital Art, Animation, Game Design
ZBrushCoreMini is a stripped down version of Pixologic’s ZBrush, a powerful and popular sculpting program among many advanced and professional designers. Don’t let that scare you off, though. CoreMini is made with beginners in mind, so it’s easy to learn for those with little 3D modeling experience.
Like many other sculpting programs, you’re given a lump of digital clay to edit using brushes. ZBrushCoreMini keeps things simple with a selection of eight basic brushes that add to, smoothen, subtract from, inflate, pinch, and polish your model. the program also includes four of Pixologic’s “Vector Displacement Meshes” (VDM). These are brushes that enable you to instantly create a complex shape on your model, and there’s a huge variety of shapes included. This gives you a very helpful foundation when you’re just getting used to sculpting. Having trouble making a decent ear? Just pop one in with the VDM and start customizing it.
It’s worth noting that CoreMini limits you in polygons and file types, doesn’t allow imports or renders (though includes live ambient occlusion), and restricts you in a few other ways. The great thing about getting started with it is that transitioning to the more advanced Zbrush software down the road will be easy once you’re ready. ZBrushCore, the next tier up from the free CoreMini software, is just $10 a month for a subscription, or $180 for a one-time purchase.
Pixologic offers a good variety of tutorial content with ZClassroom and you’ll be prompted to check it out upon installing ZBrushCoreMini. They have lessons for all the basics, but the top tutorials are for the full ZBrush program – so scroll down to the smaller ZBrushCore selection to see a more familiar interface in your lessons.
- What is it good for? Beginners interested in learning digital sculpting, especially those who want some help from VDM brushes.
- Where can I find it? Pixologic
BEST FREE 3D MODELING SOFTWARE FOR BEGINNERS
SketchUp Free
- File Formats3DS, DWG, DXF, FBX, KMZ, OBJ, VRML, XSI, SKP, PNG, STL
- PlatformBrowser
- SpecializationDirect Modeling
- Use CasesArchitecture, Product Design
SketchUp is a sketch and extrude CAD program considered one of the best professional software on the market. The free version, SketchUp for Web, is a great browser-based edition that’s easy for beginners.
Sketch and extrude programs like SketchUp are essentially direct modeling programs where you draw a 2D shape and then add depth to it with the “extrude” tool. Of course, that’s a simplification and SketchUp can get very exact, but it’s what you’ll see at the onset. Alongside parametric software, sketch and extrude programs like SketchUp are probably what most people think of when you say “CAD”.
The simplified web version has a selection of just the most common design tools and an approachable, user-friendly interface. There’s a handy integrated “instructor” that will tell you how to use each tool, and access the helpful SketchUp Warehouse where you can find pre-existing models to work with.
As such a professional mainstay, there are plenty of SketchUp tutorials available for new designers to check out. SketchUp Campus offers great, detailed courses for free, like SketchUp Fundamentals, and you can find anything they may not cover in the array of community tutorials on YouTube and various blogs.
If you’re interested in using SketchUp’s more advanced programs, this is definitely the place to start as you’ll be familiar with the software’s core tools and interface. SketchUp for Web comes with 10GB of cloud storage and no strings attached for use.
- What’s it good for? Beginners looking to hone their 3D modeling skills on a navigable interface without too many limitations.
- Where can I get it? SketchUp
Wings 3D
- File FormatsNDO, 3DS, BZW, DAE, GLB, EPS, SVG, JSCAD, IWO, IXO, OBJ, RWX, STL, WRL, X
- PlatformWindows, MacOS, Linux
- SpecializationMesh Modeling
- Use CasesArchitecture, Product Design
Wings 3D is an open-source subdivision modeler (AKA, a mesh modeler) that offers advanced tools without being so intimidating as to scare off new users.
Mesh modelers can feel like sculpting programs, but simply show users the “mesh”: polygonal flat faces that make up a CAD object.
The Wings 3D software uses a context-sensitive right-click menu that only shows relevant commands according to the user’s current selection. This unique feature makes the program incredibly approachable for beginners despite all the advanced options available in it. Going a step further, just hovering over commands will describe their function so you’ll never be at a loss as to what tools actually do.
Wings 3D is equipped with some surprisingly advanced, yet intuitive, features. AutoUV, for example, enables you to map images and textures onto a 3D model. You can find a full feature list on the Wings 3D website. Though the features it does have are excellent, it doesn’t give you a full suite. Rendering and animation are absent from Wings 3D and you’ll need another program to take care of that for you. But for 3D printing, you should be fine with Wings 3D alone.
As a project that’s been around since 2001, Wings 3D has a pretty large community that has developed in-depth tutorial content. You can find a list of some of the best on the website.
- What’s it good for? Beginning or advanced users looking for a large selection of tools with a clean interface that’s easy to navigate.
- Where can I get it? Wings 3D
Conclusion
3D Modelling Software free download. This free 3d modeling software for beginners is used to develop the ideas in 3d spaces. The best 3d modeling software for mac is used throughout all stages of creating a new product including conceptualization, product design, and marketing.