3D modeling software can help turn some ideas into beautiful models and prototypes that can later be used for a variety of purposes. These tools allow you to create models from scratch, regardless of the level of your preparation. Some 3D editors are fairly simple, so even a beginner will master them in a short time. Today, 3D models are used in various fields: cinema, computer games, interior design, architecture, and much more.
Choosing the best modeling software is often difficult, as it is not easy to find a program that would have the entire set of necessary functionality. We offer to your attention 20 free pieces of software for 3D modeling.
WINGS 3D
Free 3D software
Wings 3D program is an advanced 3D modeling tool. Users are provided with many tools with which they can create very realistic models. Wings 3D has a customizable interface, an integrated AutoUV display tool, and can export ready-made files to most popular 3D formats. Despite all its advantages, such as virtual display support for symmetrical modeling, Wings 3D does not support animation.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
DAZ STUDIO
Free software for a 3D design
Daz Studio is powerful and completely free of charge software for three-dimensional modeling. This is not an easy-to-learn tool – beginners will have to study the possibilities of the program for a long time. The creators of the program took care of the user experience but the convenience of Daz Studio will not be immediately appreciated. One of the features of the program is the creation of 3D images with GPU acceleration during rendering, which makes it possible to create very realistic models. Also, Daz Studio supports creating scenes and functionality for the animation of models.
Available for: Windows | OS X
OPEN SCAD
3D modeling
Free software for 3D modeling Open SCAD is designed for serious design (industrial design, interiors, architecture). The creators of the program did not care too much about the artistic aspects. Unlike other programs of this kind, Open SCAD is not an interactive tool – it is a 3D compiler that displays project details in three dimensions.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
AUTODESK 123D
Free software for 3D modeling
AutoDesk 123D software is a large set of various tools for CAD and 3D modeling. With the help of the program, you can design, create, and visualize almost any 3D model. AutoDesk also supports a 3D printing function. The main site of AutoDesk 123D has several satellites where you can find a lot of interesting free 3D models with which you can experiment or simply use them for personal purposes.
Available for: Windows | OS X | IOS |
MESHMIXER 3.0
Meshmixer 3.0 allows you to design and visualize 3D designs by combining two or more models in just a few simple steps. There is a convenient function “cut and paste” in the program for this, that is, you can cut the necessary parts from the model and paste them into another model. The program even supports virtual modeling – the user can create a virtual sculpture, forming and refining the surface of it in the same way as if he or she sculpted a model from clay. And all this in real-time! The program supports 3D printing, ready-made models are fully optimized for sending to the printer.
Available for: Windows | OS X
3DRESHAPER
3DReshaper is an affordable and easy-to-use 3D modeling software. The program can be used in a variety of fields, such as art, mining, civil engineering, or shipbuilding. 3DReshaper comes with support for various scenarios and textures and has many useful tools and features that facilitate the process of three-dimensional modeling.
Available for: Windows
3DCRAFTER
3D Crafter is a free program designed for real-time 3D modeling and animation creation. The main feature of this editor is an intuitive “drag-and-drop” approach. Complex models can be built using simple forms. The program supports sculptural modeling and 3D printing. This is one of the most convenient tools for creating animations.
Available for: Windows
PTC CREO
PTC Creo is a comprehensive system designed specifically for engineers working in the field of mechanical engineering, as well as for designers and technologists. The program will also be useful for designers who create products using computer-aided design techniques. Direct modeling allows creating designs according to existing drawings or using the program to visualize new ideas. Changes in the geometry of the object can be made very quickly, which significantly speeds up the process of work. The program, unlike the previous ones, is paid; however, there is a 30-day trial period and a free version for teachers and students.
Available for: Windows
LEOCAD
The free LeoCAD software is a computer-aided design system for LEGO virtual models. There are versions for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. The program can be a good alternative to Lego Digital Designer (LDD), as it has a simple interface, supports keyframes, and works in animation mode. The animation support sets LeoCAD apart from other programs of a similar matter.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
VUE PIONEER
The VUE Pioneer program will help create a three-dimensional model for visualizing the landscape. The software can be useful for advanced users who are looking for convenient tools for rendering. Pioneer allows creating amazing 3D landscapes thanks to a large number of presets and provides direct access to Cornucopia 3D content. Using this program, one can create a variety of lighting effects.
Available for: Windows | OS X
NETFABB
Netfabb is not only a program for viewing interactive three-dimensional scenes but also it can be used to analyze, edit, and modify 3D models. The program supports 3D printing and is the easiest and simplest tool in terms of installation and use.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
NAROCAD
The free program NaroCad is a complete and extensible CAD system based on the OpenCascade technology and running on Windows and Linux platforms. The program has all the necessary functionality and support for basic and advanced operations of three-dimensional modeling. The functions of the program can be extended using plug-ins and software interfaces.
Available for: Windows | Linux
LEGO DIGITAL DESIGNER
LEGO Digital Designer allows building three-dimensional models using virtual building bricks (blocks) of the LEGO designer. The result can be exported to various formats and you can continue working in other 3D editors.
Available for: Windows | OS X
ZCAD
The free ZCAD program can be used to create 2D and 3D drawings. The editor supports various platforms and provides large viewing angles. The presence of many convenient tools allows solving most of the problems associated with the modeling of three-dimensional objects. The user interface is simple and intuitive, which greatly simplifies the process of drawing. The finished project can be saved in AutoCAD format and other popular 3D formats.
Available for: Windows | Linux
HOUDINI APPRENTICE
The free version of Houdini FX, Houdini Apprentice will be useful to students, artists, and amateurs, who create non-commercial projects of three-dimensional models. The program has a somewhat truncated, but at the same time, sufficiently broad functionality and a carefully thought-out user interface. The disadvantage of the free version is the watermark displayed on the 3D visualization.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
DESIGNSPARK
The application for creating working design sheets allows creating quite detailed 3D models. The creators of the program took care of the functions that allow eliminating problem areas through changes and additions to the existing design. Also, using DesignSpark, you can quickly change the concept of a 3D product. The program supports direct modeling techniques and 3D printing of models.
Available for: Windows
FREECAD
FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeler designed to create real objects of any size. The user can easily change the design using the model history and by changing individual parameters. The program is multiplatform, able to read and write various file formats. FreeCAD allows creating own modules to then use them in further work.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
SCULPTRIS
The free program Sculptris will open a window for users to the exciting world of 3D. The features of Sculptris are easy navigation and ease of use. Even a beginner who has no experience in digital art or three-dimensional modeling can easily master the program. The process is designed so that you can forget about the geometry and create a model simply, carefully spending the resources of your computer.
Available for: Windows | Linux
MESHMAGIC 3D
MeshMagic software can be used for 3D rendering of files, as well as for creating two-dimensional objects and their conversion into 3D. The software has an intuitive interface and can be used to solve various tasks. Currently, Mesh Magic only supports Windows. The result is stored in the popular STL format, which can be opened and edited with most online and offline 3D modeling tools.
Available for: Windows
OPEN CASCADE
Open Cascade is a software development kit for creating applications related to 3D CAD. It includes a special class library developed by the C++ community that can be used for modeling, visualizing, and exchanging data, as well as for the rapid development of applications.
Available for: Windows | OS X | Linux
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