Graphic design software is used by many professionals. There are many different types of graphic design software available, but the best graphic design software is not always free. Your first step when looking for graphic design software is to decide what you will be using it for.
Here are the best free Apple graphic design softwares.
Meshmixer
Mesmixer is a program developed by Autodesk, it is free for Windows and Mac. Meshmixer has a lot of amazing tools allowing drag-and-drop mesh mixing.
This software is particularly great if you want to create 3D models for 3D printing. You can use it to create branching support structures, you can also use its great thickness analysis which is particularly useful to control the wall thickness of your future parts, ensuring that they are actually 3D printable and won’t break during the printing process.
Do you need a little help to prepare your 3D models? Take a look at our Meshmixer tutorial.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an accessible and flexible open-source parametric 3D modeler. This program reads and writes to many file formats which makes it a convenient program to integrate into your workflow. From product design to mechanical engineering, FreeCAD will help you to create your best 3D projects. It can really suit all CAD users using Mac!
If you are looking for the best free 3D program, check out our last blog post we made a top of the best free 3D CAD software!
Foyr Neo
Foyr Neo is the best all-in-one software that covers Interior Designers’ workflow from floor planning to rendering. Apart from a vast inbuilt catalog of over 50,000 render-ready models, a newly launched Foyr Shapes module allows users to create their own 3D models using industry-standard features like drawing tools, push/pull, offset tools and follow me.
- Foyr Shapes, the 3D modeling module built within Neo allows users to create 3D models using a powerful yet intuitive interface.
- Foyr Neo boasts of industry-leading features like Render Preview, Auto Lighting, and Auto Docking which enable powerful and simple workflows
- It is completely web-based, saving costs on multiple licenses and high-end workstations.
- Foyr Neo has a substantial 14-day free trial. Paid subscriptions start at $49/mo
SelfCAD
SelfCAD packages the complete design-to-print workflow under one umbrella and is an excellent robust 3D modelling application. Users can create intricate designs and 3D printable objects.
- The software has an intuitive GUI with a level of simplicity that matches TinkerCAD. Users can upload even a flat image and work on it to create 3D models.
- Its best ability happens to be a platform that allows for a simple transition to 3D printing of houses and cutting short the requirements for slicing and piping the g-code directly to your computer.
- A number of pre-installed RepRap 3D printers are available from a drop-down which expertly stores every detail, edge, mesh and design.
- All this is available from a web browser through the SelfCAD website.
- SelfCAD costs 39$ per year but offer a free trial to students and teachers specifically.
Image credits: pinterest.co.kr
Autodesk Maya
Another one by Autodesk Maya is a 3D computer graphics application. It is a paid software and a costlier one at that. Despite of that, it is one of the most preferred choices among animation or VFX industries.
- Best known for its visual effects and does an amazing job at texturing.
- It comes with the most elaborate variety of tools and features.
- Toolset assists the user in focusing minutely on character animation, clothing, and bodily details.
- Autodesk Maya costs about 1620$ on a yearly subscription.
Image credits: fotolia.com
ZBrush
ZBrush is a paid digital sculpting tool. It is often considered to be a bit difficult to learn and requires constant use and engagement. However, once the user becomes proficient in its workings, the resulting models can be wondrous.
- An advanced 3D sculpting software is known for its ability to generate remarkable resemblance to the traditional clay sculpting in the virtual space.
- Pixologic technology helps in creating a real-time environment.
- With the recent introduction of dynamics along with controlled cloth sculpting and snapshot3d additions in the software, ZBrush has turned out to be an ace in the field.
- Its clientele includes Epic Games, Weta Digital, ILM, and Electronic Arts.
- The cost of ZBrush is 895$ for a single-user license.
Image credits: cadblocksdownload.com
Cinema 4D
Whether you want to build, animate, render, model or texture, you can do it all with Cinema 4D. The software gives the space to render unique and distinctive 3D creations.
- Cinema 4D is hailed for its easiest learning curve.
- It is the most popular tool for 3D animation and motion graphics.
- It comes with an efficient toolset of its own and also offers a range of add-on plugins which are not very expensive.
- Cinema 4D comes with a monthly subscription of about 95$. It also has a free version reserved for educational purposes.
Image credits: carwirringdiagram.herokuapp.com
3DS Max
3DS Max is a PC-only 3D computer graphics program developed by Autodesk. It is mostly used in the production of video games and TV and feature films.
- 3DS Max is known for building remarkable architectural visualisation studios.
- The built-in Arnold renderer feature of 3DS Max helps in handling the complex characters and scenes of the virtual world.
- 3DS Max requires one to spend as much as 1620$ on a yearly subscription. However, it has a free version reserved for educational purposes.
Image credits: americanlisted.com
Mudbox
Mudbox is a famous 3D sculpting and painting tool. It allows its users to create 3D layers to store multiple levels of details.
- The multiple layers feature of Mudbox allows users to make changes in the different levels without affecting the entire model altogether.
- Its toolset includes brushes, stencils ad stamps that allow the sculpting of the models created by 3D modeling tools.
- Mudbox is available for 85$ per year.
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is one of the earliest CAD software in the industry.
- Believed to be more appropriate for 2D drafting.
- It is not very convenient to use as a 3D modeling program unless the user is efficient in programming models algorithmically.
- Paid software charging about 1470 $ per year. However, a free version of AutoCAD is also available for students and faculty.
Modo
Modo is a polygon and surface division modeling software used in animation, 3D painting and sculpting. Modo is preferred by both artists and designers for its fast speed and efficient results.
- Is easier to use causing a minimal struggle with technical hoops.
- It comes with distinctive features such as n-gons and edge weighting.
- For a customized experience, users can create a toolset of their own using Modo.
- Paid software that charges 359$ for a yearly subscription.
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is another cloud-based CAD software that assists in making 3D models.
- Allows multiple teams to collaborate on a complex projects with the use of cloud computing.
- Fusion 360 is known for its ability to store the entire trajectory and history of the model up till its completion.
- And offers multiple design options such as freeform, solid, and mesh modeling.
- Suitable for multiple platforms allows its user to access the information as per their will and convenience.
- It comes in both paid and unpaid versions with the unpaid version reserved for educational purposes.
TinkerCAD
A computer-aided design software, TinkerCAD allows the user to combine simple shapes much like what toddlers do. But it’s much more than that.
- By using basic modeling operations, TinkerCAD helps users to join the shapes and create intricate models.
- After mastering the platform, even new users can create masterful designs like Raspberry Pi cases in no time.
- It supports a number of file types including 123dx, 3ds, c4d, mb, obj, svg, stl and serves as a great starting point for new modelers in home remodeling and renovation.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open-source free 3D modeling software with basic, easy to use cases and features. It displays only 2D views(causing it to be lightweight software) but can be adjusted to support 3D file types.
- It can display isometric views and unlike other CAD platforms, the user interface isn’t too sluggish or tough to get around.
- LibreCAD’s UI is heavily uncluttered, allowing for easier navigation.
- Supported file types include dxf, dwg and many common extensions.
- Available for all commonly used operating systems and comparison with 3D model and mesh.
3D Slash
If you’ve ever played Minecraft and ever wondered about its potentials in modeling, then 3D Slash is the answer to that question. It is a free software serving all types of 3D modeling where models are created using simple building-block concepts like those in Minecraft. Conventional features like extrusion, revolution, or sweeps are not in-built, and the program instead uses cuboid centred modelling with a solid block that can be subdivided into smaller blocks of identical size.
- By working around the cuboid with tools such as a hammer, trowel, chisel, pulpwood, and drill, the design is thus created.
- The software can also be used for importing and modifying existing 3D designs. By default, the tools will result in pixelated prints.
- It also has 3D desktop printer options along with STL options.
- Common file types include 3dslash, obj, stl etc.
Conclusion
So, we have covered a lot of tips in this article and hopefully, we have convinced you that using one of the best graphic design software can actually make life easier for you. In the end, it comes down to preference, but you should at least know your options before making that decision.