Welcome to our guide for the best 3D modeling software. These quality programs won’t automatically make you a better artist – you’ll still need to hone those 3D skills. But when it comes to creating incredible artwork and animation, having the right 3D modeling software for your style, skill level, and budget certainly help.
Of course, what’s right for you as a beginner or pro might not suit another artist. But whether you’re a 2D artist looking to up-skill, or a seasoned 3D pro looking to upgrade your existing tools, there’s a program out there to suit you – and you’ll find it right here.
How to choose the best 3D modeling software
So how do you choose the right 3D modeling software for you? Well, there are some key considerations to bear in mind. Firstly, as a general rule, any kind of 3D work will require around 16GB RAM or more. Most of the 3D software applications here need roughly 5GB of disc space to install, but you need to take rendering into account too.
Also, if you’re taking your digital art seriously, then investing in one of the best graphics cards, with a fast processor and a lot of memory is highly recommended. That way, you’re much less likely to experience a lag when displaying complex 3D scenes.
We’ve got the best paid-for options, as well as the best free 3D software for those on a budget. You can help kick-start your creativity by downloading some free textures or free 3D models. Read on for the best 3D modeling software packages the market has to offer…
The best 3D modeling software: paid-for options
01. Maya
An industrial-strength powerhouse, with a price to match
Cost: £222/month, £1,782/year | Pricing model: Subscription | OS: Window 7 & 10; Apple macOS 10.11.x and above; Linux Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 and 7.5; Linux CentOS 7.3 and 7.5
Ask any 3D artist to name the best 3D modeling software, and most will choose Autodesk Maya. Largely seen as the industry standard for CG, Autodesk Maya boasts an unrivaled range of tools and features. This hugely extensible app isn’t for the faint-hearted: its toolset is hugely complex and takes time to learn. However, if you’re aiming to get a job in the animation or VFX industries, you’d be wise to use the same software that the likes of ILM, Pixar, DNEG, and Framestore use.
Maya is great at modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering – its vast feature set includes particles, hair, solid body physics, cloth, fluid simulations, and character animation. There’s a chance you may never touch some of its functionality, so you need to decide if it’s actually overkilled for your specific needs.
This level of power also comes at a price – a subscription to Maya doesn’t come cheap. But for those who have the time, skill, and patience to master it, Maya has some of the best 3D tools around and is a sound investment.
Want to get started with Maya? Our selection of mighty Maya tutorials will help you take a step in the right direction.
02. Houdini 17.5
The procedural power behind today’s movie and TV VFX
Cost: $4,495/yr (Houdini FX), $1995/yr (Core), $269/yr (Indie) | Pricing model: Perpetual and rental | OS: Windows 7 SP1 and above; macOS 10.11 and above; Linux Ubuntu 14.04+; Linux Debian 8.0+; Linux CentOS 7+; Linux Open SUSE 13.2+; Linux mint 17.3+; Linux Fedora 21+
Coming in second place in our guide to the best 3D modeling software is Houdini by SideFX. Widely used in the VFX industry for creating a range of amazing 3D imagery, Houdini’s node-based procedural approach provides digital artists with an unprecedented level of power, flexibility and control. This nodal workflow isn’t to everyone’s liking, but Houdini also has more traditional tools for directly interacting with polygons on screen.
Like Maya, this level of power and non-standard workflow can be tricky to get to grips with. Fortunately, SideFX offers Houdini Apprentice, a free version of Houdini FX, which can be used by students, artists, and hobbyists for personal non-commercial projects. The free version gives you access to virtually all of the features of the award-winning Houdini FX to develop your skills and for working on personal projects. The full-featured Houdini Indie also provides an affordable commercial option for small studios. See our review of Houdini 17 Banshee for more info.
03. Cinema 4D R20
Brilliant 3D modeling software for beginners and pros alike
Cost: Prime £670, Broadcast £1,235, Visualize £1,520, Studio £2,850 | Pricing model: Perpetual and rental | OS: Windows 7 SP1 and above; macOS 10.11.6 or 10.12.4 and above
Maxon’s Cinema 4D has been around for many years and is highly regarded in the worlds of motion graphics, visualization, and illustration. It’s a professional, complex piece of software, known for its overall stability and for being the CG app with the easiest learning curve.
Cinema 4D enjoys a thriving community with a huge online library of tutorials and how-tos – not to mention training site Cineversity, to which you get free membership when you buy the app or pay for the annual Maxon service agreement (MSA).
C4D’s parametric modeling toolset is generally very good, and you can add even more functionality with a range of inexpensive plugins. The latest release also introduced volumetric modeling, which is perfect if you don’t have the time or skillset to create smooth solid forms.
Perpetual licenses for C4D don’t come cheap, but you can always start with Prime and upgrade over time. Check out the trial version, which gives you 42 days to experiment for free. Maxon also offers short-term and student licenses at a reduced cost.
04. Autodesk 3ds Max
The best 3D modeling software for Windows users
Cost: £222/mo, £1,782/yr | Pricing model: Subscription | OS: Microsoft Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 Professional operating system
3ds Max is Autodesk’s PC-only 3D computer graphics program, used for TV and feature film production and for architectural and product visualization. Like its sister software Maya, 3ds Max boasts a very robust toolset for 3D modeling, not to mention fluid simulations, hair, and fur, plus character rigging and animation.
It uses both direct manipulation and procedural modeling techniques, and a huge library of different modifiers makes the modeling process easier for new or intermediate 3D artists.
3ds Max offers a professional toolset and, unsurprisingly, comes with a professional price tag. However, students can get the software for free and a trial version is also available for 30 days.
05. Modo
A powerful and flexible 3D modeling, texturing and rendering toolset
Cost: $1,799 permanent license, $599/year | Pricing model: Perpetual and subscription | OS: macOS 10.12.x and above; Windows 7 and above; Linux RHEL and CentOS 7+
Borne out of the development team behind LightWave 3D, Modo has grown from a basic subdivision surface modeler to the fully-featured digital content creation app we know today. Its tools have been well thought through and implemented, making it very user-friendly, and when you throw in a really solid rendering system, it’s easy to see why Modo has grown in popularity.
With modeling at its core, Modo is one of the best apps out there for the creation of polygonal forms, using both direct tools and procedural techniques. The addition of the best-in-breed MeshFusion Boolean system simply extends its modeling repertoire.
Modo might lack the high-end dynamics and simulation tools you might find in a program like Maya, but it holds its own when it comes to creating stunning artwork, producing as good a 3D render as any other package currently available.
06. Blender 2.82a
A free, open-source CG app software with professional-grade features
Cost: Free | OS: Windows Vista and above; macOS 10.12 and above; Linux
For CG artists on a budget, it doesn’t get any better than Blender, the free modeling, texturing, animation and rendering app. Version 2.82a provides a modern, more consistent interface, plus high-quality viewport, real-time interactive rendering, and tons of fixes and features.
The open-source program has been around for a long time now, and subsequently has an army of artists, teachers and enthusiasts behind its continued development. It boasts a highly impressive 3D modelling and sculpting toolset, and is considered a completely viable alternative to paid modelling programs. Blender was notorious for its non-standard way of working, but 2.82a solves a lot of these issues, and so it will feel more familiar if you’re moving from an existing app.
Blender is a brilliant starting point to see if 3D graphics are for you – and we have a host of fantastic Blender tutorials to get started with elsewhere on the site. Despite the non-existent price tag, it’s capable of producing images and animation that on a par with just about any other 3D modelling software on the market.
07. Lightwave 3D
Fully-featured and production-proven
Cost: $995 | Pricing model: Perpetual | OS: Windows 7 and above; macOS 10.11 and above.10.8 or above
LightWave was once the go-to app for TV sci-fi shows, but after a failed attempt to produce a modernised version, NewTek’s app lay fallow for several years. However it’s recently enjoyed something of a renaissance, and an updated version was introduced at the start of 2020.
Lightwave operates as two apps, Modeler – for building assets – and Layout for texturing, lighting, animation and rendering. A lot of the underlying toolset is quite old (although it’s had a lot of new features added in the last few years) but that doesn’t stop it from being a solid digital content creation suite, with lots of features and a fast interactive PBR renderer.
So ignore LightWave’s reputation: it’s a great 3D modelling app for learning the basics. You can try it for yourself with the 30-day free trial, while students can pick up a copy for just $195.
08. ZBrush 2020
Market-leading sculpting software that’s ideal for 3D printing
Cost: $795 | Pricing model: License | OS: Windows Vista and above; macOS: 10.10 and above
ZBrush is a standalone sculpting and modelling app that is best suited to the creation of organic forms – although recent updates have gradually improved its hard-surface abilities. It works in a non-standard fashion, with a workflow and user interface that’s initially very hard to learn, so you really need to get ZBrush and use it every day to become proficient.
However, ZBrush isn’t only for sculpting and modelling: it can also be used to create UV maps and paint textures, enabling seasoned artists to craft entire figures, with clothing and props, ready for rendering. ZBrush is a popular choice among artists wanting to 3D print toys and action figures, too, with tools specifically aimed at 3D printing.
The best free 3D software
A license to use the best 3D modelling software currently on the market doesn’t come cheap these days. Thankfully, there’s a bunch of generous creatives around the world who like to share the tools they’ve created, as well as some canny companies offering free versions of paid-for tools.
To save you time and effort, we’ve rounded up the best free 3D software around for you to download today. So if you’re a 3D artist, bookmark this page now.
01. Blender
If you’re serious about 3D but struggling to afford software, then you’re in luck. Blender is a free, open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems.
Started by Blender Foundation founder Ton Roosendaal back in 2002, Blender is now largest open source tool for 3D creation. Its makers are constantly working on its development, but you can pretty much do anything 3D related with this software, from modelling, texturing and animation to rendering and compositing. It even includes tools for creating hand drawn 2D animation.
02. Daz Studio
Normally retailing at $249, 3D software Daz 3D is currently available to download completely free of charge. It’s a 3D figure customisation, posing and animation tool that enables artists of all skill levels to create digital art using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories and environments.
With Daz Studio, you can create custom 3D characters and avatars, design virtual environments, produce graphic design elements and much more. The latest version, Daz Studio 4.5, normally retails at $249 but is currently available to download free of charge.
03. Hexagon
While you’re on Daz 3D’s site, you may as well download the free modelling app, Hexagon. Developed by Eovia back in around 2001, it was acquired by Daz in 2006 and has been – very sporadically – updated ever since. Hexagon is simple subdivision surface modeller, and while Daz promotes it as a way of building clothes and props for its figure, you can use Hexagon to make anything you like.
04. Fusion 360
Autodesk’s cloud-based modelling app is a professional piece of software for the CAD/CAM crowd, but can be used to create any solid form, from teapots to tanks. Ordinarily it cost £438 per year, but there’s a free version for Windows and Mac that you can use for non-commercial projects.
The app features all sorts of modelling techniques, with freeform sculpting, polygon manipulation and parametric modelling so you can work they that suits you best.
05. Houdini Apprentice
Houdini is a 3D animation and visual effects tool used widely throughout the media industry for film, broadcast, entertainment and visualisation. Its cheapest version costs just a little under $2,000, but the maker of the programme – SideFX – offers an ‘Apprentice’ version for free. With this you can access all of the features of the full version in order to develop your skills in the software and work on personal projects. The program is purely for non-commercial use and learning purposes.
06. Wings3D
A pure modelling app, Wings 3D is an open source project available for Windows, macOS and Linux, which has been in development since 2001. Like all subdivision modellers, it enables you build an underlying form made of polygons and then generate a smoothed shape by subdividing the mesh.
It’s pretty basic as modellers go, and the interface is a bit unusual, but it’s fairly user-friendly and an ideal way to get a feel for poly modelling, and to see if 3D might be something you could get into.
07. Rocket 3F
This Windows-only polygonal modeller promotes itself as fast, fun and friendly. The professional-looking interface is fully customisable and it boasts an extensive modelling toolset that wouldn’t look out of place in apps costing hundreds of pounds. Indeed, with sculpting, retopology tools and non-linear subdivision edge creasing, it’s a very well equipped program.
The free version doesn’t allow you to change the UI or assign your own hotkeys – for that you need to buy the €79 Pro version – but whether you’re making models for illustration, VFX or games, Rocket 3F is a class act.
08. Sculptris
If you’re interested in the art of digital sculpting, check out 3D software Sculptris. It has been depreciated by Pixelogic, so won’t be developed further, but is still available at the moment. The software is a great starting point for users new to the discipline, and more experienced CG artists will find the software a quick and easy way to realise concepts.
Sculptris is based on Pixologic’s ZBrush, the most widely-used digital sculpting application in today’s market. So, when you’re ready to move on to the next level of detailing, skills learned in Sculptris can be directly translated into ZBrush.
