Mastering the Best 3d modelling software free means you’ll be in high demand in the rapidly expanding 3D sector. Because of the popularity of streaming services, huge quantities of money have been invested in TV and movie material, creating an unprecedented demand for 3D artists, animators, and VFX artists. Because of the epidemic, there is uncertainty about how much actual filming can be done, therefore the demand for CG content is at an all-time high.
Whatever your skill level, now is an excellent moment to test out the best 3D modeling software. If you need more materials for your projects, check out our selection of the best free textures or 3D modeling software free online to test them out on. In addition, you’ll want to ensure that you have the best graphics cards to maximize the performance of your software.
List of The best 3D modelling software
When asked to name the best 3D modeling software, most 3D artists will say Autodesk Maya. Autodesk Maya is widely regarded as the industry standard for CG, with an unrivaled set of tools and features. This massively extendable app isn’t for the faint of heart: its toolset is enormously sophisticated and requires time to understand.
However, if you want to work in the animation or VFX sectors, you should utilize the same tools that ILM, Pixar, DNEG, and Framestore do.
Maya excels at modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering; its extensive feature set includes particles, hair, solid body mechanics, fabric simulations, and character animation. There’s a chance you’ll never use any of its features, so consider whether it’s genuinely excessive for your specific requirements.
This degree of power comes at a cost – a Maya subscription is not cheap. However, for those with the time, skill, and patience to learn it, Maya contains some of the Best free 3D modeling software available and is a wise investment.
Do you want to learn how to use Maya? Our collection of powerful Maya tutorials will guide you in the proper route.
ZBrush is a standalone sculpting and modeling tool that excels at creating organic forms — while subsequent upgrades have gradually enhanced its hard-surface capabilities. It operates in an unconventional manner, with a workflow and user interface that are first difficult to understand, so you must use it on a daily basis to become proficient.
However, ZBrush isn’t just for sculpting and modeling: it can also be used to produce UV maps and paint textures, allowing experienced artists to construct full figures with clothing and props that are ready for rendering. With tools specifically designed for 3D printing, ZBrush is a popular choice among artists who wish to 3D print toys and action figures.
Houdini by SideFX is ranked third in our list of the Best free 3D modeling software. Houdini’s node-based generative technique, widely utilized in the VFX industry for creating a variety of 3D visuals, gives digital artists an unprecedented amount of power, flexibility, and control. This nodal technique isn’t for everyone, but Houdini also has more traditional tools for interacting with polygons on the screen.
This degree of power and non-standard workflow, like Maya, might be difficult to grasp. Fortunately, SideFX provides Houdini Apprentice, a free version of Houdini FX that can be used for personal, non-commercial projects by students, artists, and hobbyists. The free edition gives you access to nearly all of the features of the award-winning Houdini FX, allowing you to practice and work on personal projects. The full-featured Houdini Indie is also a low-cost commercial solution for small studios.
Cinema 4D by Maxon has been around for a long time and is well-known in the realms of motion graphics, visualisation, and illustration. It’s a professional, complex piece of software that’s known for its overall stability and for having the simplest learning curve of any Best free 3D modeling software.
Cinema 4D has a strong community and a massive online library of tutorials and how-tos, not to mention the training site Cineversity, which you get free membership to when you buy the app or pay for the annual Maxon service agreement (MSA).
C4D’s parametric modeling toolset is generally extremely good, and you can extend its functionality with a variety of low-cost plugins. It also includes volumetric modeling, which is ideal if you don’t have the time or ability to build smooth solid forms.
Perpetual licenses are not inexpensive, but you may always start with Prime and gradually upgrade. Check out the trial version, which allows you to experiment for 14 days for free, as well as the free education version for students and instructors.
Autodesk’s 3ds Max is a PC-only 3D computer graphics tool used for TV and feature film production, as well as architectural and product visualization. 3ds Max, like its sister software Maya, has a sophisticated toolset for 3d modelling software free as well as fluid simulations, hair and fur, and character rigging and animation.
It employs both direct manipulation and procedural modeling techniques, and a large library of diverse modifiers simplifies the modeling process for new and intermediate 3D artists. 3ds Max has a professional tool set and, predictably, a professional price tag. Students, on the other hand, can obtain the software for free, and a trial version is also available for 30 days.
Modo evolved from a basic subdivision surface modeller to the fully-featured digital content production tool we know today, thanks to the development team behind LightWave 3D. Its features have been well-thought-out and executed, making it incredibly user-friendly, and when you combine that with a pretty robust rendering system, it’s easy to understand why Modo has risen in popularity.
Modo, with modeling at its core, is one of the greatest apps for creating polygonal forms using both direct tools and procedural techniques. The incorporation of the best-in-class MeshFusion Boolean system simply broadens its modeling capabilities. Although Modo lacks the high-end dynamics and simulation tools found in programs like Maya, it holds its own when it comes to creating attractive artwork, providing as good a 3D render as any other package currently available.
LightWave was formerly the go-to software for TV science-fiction shows, but after a botched attempt to build a modernized version, NewTek’s app sat dormant for several years. However, it has lately seen a revival, with an upgraded version released at the start of 2020.
Lightwave is divided into two apps: Modeler (for creating assets) and Layout (for texturing, lighting, animation, and rendering). Although much of the core technology is rather old (although many new features have been added in the last several years), it remains a solid digital content creation suite with many features and a fast interactive PBR renderer.
So disregard LightWave’s reputation: it’s a fantastic 3D modeling program for learning the fundamentals.
You may test it out for free for 30 days, and students can get a copy for $195.
The best free 3D modeling software
A license to utilize the Best free 3D modeling software on the market these days is not cheap. Fortunately, there are a lot of wonderful creatives all over the world who prefer to share the tools they’ve built, as well as some clever corporations offering free versions of paid-for applications.
To save you time and effort, we’ve compiled a list of the Best free 3D modeling software available for download right now. So, if you’re a 3D artist, save this page right now.
01. Blender
Blender, the free modeling, texturing, animation, and rendering app, is unrivaled in terms of free 3d modeling software for beginners
The open-source application has been around for a long time, and as a result, it has an army of artists, teachers, and aficionados working to keep it going. It has an outstanding collection of 3D modeling and sculpting tools and is regarded as a perfectly credible alternative to commercial modeling programs. Blender was formerly infamous for its non-standard manner of working, but many of these difficulties have already been resolved, and it will feel more familiar if you’re switching from another tool.
Blender is a terrific place to start if you want to see if 3D graphics are for you, and we have a plethora of fantastic Blender tutorials to get you started elsewhere on the site. Despite the lack of a price tag, it is capable of producing graphics and animation on par with almost any other 3D modeling software.
02. Daz Studio
Previously priced at $249, 3D software Daz 3D is now entirely free to download. It is a 3D figure customization, posing, and animation application that allows artists of all ability levels to make digital art using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, and environments.
03. SketchUp
SketchUp Free bills itself as “the simplest free 3d modeling software for beginners on the web With no strings attached,” and it definitely is. Its basic 3D modeller runs directly in your web browser and has 10GB of storage space, plus there are free user-generated and manufacturer-produced 3D models to incorporate into your projects. All of this, plus a free app for viewing your 3D models on mobile, adds up to a fantastic deal at no cost. Also, don’t forget to go through our collection of the best SketchUp textures.
04. Hexagon
If you have a Daz 3D Studio account, you need also download Hexagon, a free modeling tool. It was created by Eovia circa 2001, was acquired by Daz in 2006, and has been irregularly updated ever then. Hexagon is a simple subdivision surface modeller, and while Daz touts it as a tool to create garments and props for its figure, you may use it to create anything you want.
05. Fusion 360 (education version)
Fusion 360, Autodesk’s cloud-based modeling program, is designed for the CAD/CAM community, but it can be used to construct any solid object, from teapots to tanks. It normally costs £438 a year, however there is a free school version for Windows and Mac that can be used for non-commercial projects. The program includes a wide range of modeling techniques, such as freeform sculpting, polygon manipulation, and parametric modeling.
06. Houdini Apprentice
As previously said, Houdini is a 3D animation and visual effects application that is widely used in the media industry for cinema, TV, entertainment, and visualization. Its cheapest edition costs just under $2,000, although its developer SideFX provides a free ‘Apprentice’ version. Houdini Apprentice gives you access to all of the full version’s capabilities, allowing you to hone your skills in the software and work on personal projects. The program is solely for educational and non-commercial purposes.
07. Wings3D
Wings 3D, a pure modeling tool, is an open source project that has been in development since 2001 and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It, like all subdivision modellers, allows you to create an underlying form consisting of polygons and then make a smoothed shape by subdividing the mesh.
As far as modellers go, it’s really simple, and the interface is a little unique, but it’s extremely user-friendly and an excellent way to get a feel for poly modeling and see whether 3D is something you’d be interested in.
08. Rocket 3F
This Windows-only polygonal modeller bills itself as quick, enjoyable, and user-friendly. The professional-looking interface is totally customizable, and it includes a robust modeling toolkit that would be at home in apps costing hundreds of pounds. It is a pretty well-equipped program, containing sculpting, retopology tools, and non-linear subdivision edge creasing.
The free version does not allow you to customize the UI or apply your own hotkeys – for that, you must purchase the €99 Pro version – but Rocket 3F is a class act whether you’re creating models for illustration, VFX, or games.