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PC
Development
Game Development
3D
Graphic Design
3D Modeling
What is the best free 3D modeling software?
10
Options
Considered
65
User
Recs.
Aug 30, 2023
Last
Updated
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9
Options
Considered
Best free 3D modeling software
Price
3D
Platforms
67
Blender
-
Yes
Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD
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Wings 3D
-
Yes
-
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VECTARY
Free
-
-
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FreeCAD
Free
-
Windows, macOS, Unix-like
--
Makers Empire 3D
Free / paid
-
-
See Full List
67
Blender
My Rec
ommendation
for
Blender
My Recommendation for
Blender
All
22
Experiences
1
Pros
17
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Difficult learning curve
Blender is not a very intuitive 3D modeling software. It has its own ways of doing things, and it is often hard to guess how to achieve simple tasks.
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Top
Pro
•••
Keyboard shortcuts
Good keyboard shortcuts for everything. Keep your left hand on the keyboard and your right hand on the mouse.
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Gerhard Eichhorn's Experience
Free and powerful
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Specs
3D:
Yes
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD
Technology:
C, Python
2D:
Yes (as of 2.8)
See All Specs
Top
Con
•••
Poor particle system
The Blender particle system can at times be a little limiting and finicky (and buggy) to get working. Even if it can get most straight forward jobs done, it is far from the most advanced system, and could benefit largely from advancements.
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Top
Pro
•••
Supports both low-poly and hi-poly modeling
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Top
Con
•••
The physics engine is a bit lagging behind, especially the destruction physics
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Top
Pro
•••
Sculpting and 3D painting features
Although Blender's 3d painting and sculpting tools (mostly painting) are not at par with specialized software like Substance Painter, ZBrush, or Mari, it is more than capable of getting most jobs done if the user takes the time to learn and understand it.
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Top
Pro
•••
Has a good rendering engine
Blender runs the Cycles path tracing engine under the hood. Cycles is a very powerful rendering engine capable of full path tracing (light fall off, caustics, volumetrics). It is mostly compatible with OpenCL and CUDA rendering, and is implementing mycropolygon displacement features.
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Top
Pro
•••
Free and open source
Blender is licensed under the GPL.
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Top
Pro
•••
Powerful animation suite
Blender provides a full rigging system, and automates animation by interpolating between keyframe positions.
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Top
Pro
•••
It has sculpting and 3D painting features
Although blenders 3d painting and sculpting tools (mostly painting) are not at par with specialized software like Substance painter, z brush, or mari; it is more than capable of getting most jobs done if the user takes the time to learn and understand it.
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Top
Pro
•••
Wide import and export format support
Support lots of modern 3D formats including DAE and FBX - ideal for game developers.
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Top
Pro
•••
Node based modeling support
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Top
Pro
•••
Very useful for a freelancer
It offers a round solution (it covers many areas and professional fields) for a freelancer, for free, constantly updated, very polished, and allowing high quality results that clients do require. After some learning, it becomes very useful for professional work.
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Top
Pro
•••
Regular release schedule
Releases are made every ~3 months.
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Top
Pro
•••
Python extensibility
Blender embeds Python 3, which can be used to write add-ons, tools, extend the interface, rig characters and automate tasks.
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Top
Pro
•••
Includes video editing & compositing tools
Blender's node-based compositor has comprehensive video sequencing and post-processing features.
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Top
Pro
•••
Has a powerful rendering engine
Blender runs the Cycles path tracing engine under the hood. Cycles is a very powerful rendering engine capable of full path tracing (light fall off, caustics, volumetrics). It is mostly compatible with OpenCL and CUDA rendering, and is implementing mycropolygon displacement features. The upcoming release has a viewport engine called EEVEE whereby you can see and interact with your work in render mode in real time!
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Top
Pro
•••
Coherent and streamlined workflow / internal use logic
The trick with Blender is to get used to its usage philosophy, as it keeps consistent through all the application. Once you get it, every feature or addition is learnt naturally, almost effortlessly.
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Top
Pro
•••
Includes a complete game engine
Version 2.79 and below has a game engine. Version 2.80 and beyond does not have a game engine
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Top
Pro
•••
Has a large community
There's a huge community to help you get started immediately.
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Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
22
--
Wings 3D
My Rec
ommendation
for
Wings 3D
My Recommendation for
Wings 3D
All
4
Pros
2
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Free, open source & cross-platform
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Top
Con
•••
No longer active
Website shows the latest release is from 2016. Trying to download results in an error. "Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/project-web/wings/htdocs/release_tags.php:3) in /home/project-web/wings/htdocs/redirect_download.php on line 28"
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Specs
3D:
Yes
Dev platforms:
Windows, macOS, Linux
Top
Pro
•••
Fast and easy
Making models is quick and intuitive. Standard mesh operations like Extrude, Bevel, Cut, Inset and more give you great control over model you trying to make - both organic and not.
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Hide
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Get it
here
Recommend
10
--
VECTARY
My Rec
ommendation
for
VECTARY
My Recommendation for
VECTARY
All
13
Pros
10
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Nice and simple user interface
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Top
Con
•••
Can't demo it without creating an account
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Specs
Supported platforms:
Windows, Mac, Unix, Chrome OS
Service integrations:
Figma, Sketch
Exports:
More than 60 file formats, including USDZ, GLTF, FBX
Import:
3D and 2D formats
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Visually stunning
The feel of this app is really good and the beautiful design helps the overall experience.
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Top
Con
•••
You have to be online
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Easy-to-learn
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Simple UI
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Online: No install
See More
Top
Pro
•••
3D printing ready
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Fast-evolving
This tool is progressing very nicely and often brings out new cool features.
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Top
Pro
•••
Browser based -
No install required.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Free
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Great support
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Hide
See All
Free
Recommend
4
--
FreeCAD
My Rec
ommendation
for
FreeCAD
My Recommendation for
FreeCAD
All
3
Pros
2
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Powerful free open source parametric cad
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, macOS, Unix-like
Technology:
C++, Python, Qt
License:
LGPL
Top
Pro
•••
History based parametric modeling, stable, free solidworks alternative
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Hide
See All
Free
Recommend
4
--
Makers Empire 3D
My Rec
ommendation
for
Makers Empire 3D
My Recommendation for
Makers Empire 3D
All
9
Experiences
1
Pros
6
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use 3D modeling software
Designed for K-8 students. Free for individuals. Part of Makers Empire's paid 3D solutions for schools.
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Top
Con
•••
Limited exporting formats
You can only export files as STL.
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Jon Soong's Experience
Easy to use - great first step in 3D design
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Specs
Custom Solutions for education departments and districts:
Request quote
Makers Empire 3D software:
FREE for individuals
Makes Empire 3D Solutions for Schools:
Request quote
Top
Pro
•••
Works on many platforms
Supports iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
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Top
Pro
•••
Gamification
While only simple at this stage when you create and participate in sharing and commenting or even uploading you can unlock various, useful, purpose built items to create more detailed 3D printable models. The characters and avatars which you unlock are very cute like Japanese inspired anime.
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Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use with touch controls
It is touch optimized, making for an easy touch controlled experience.
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Top
Pro
•••
Exports to GLB and STL
GLB only via the website
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Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use navigation
Icons are easy to understand and so simple that children (as young as 4) can use it.
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Hide
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Free / paid
Recommend
4
--
Zbrush Core Mini
My Rec
ommendation
for
Zbrush Core Mini
My Recommendation for
Zbrush Core Mini
All
3
Pros
1
Cons
2
Top
Con
•••
Limited
It doesn't have all the features of Zbrush or Zbrush Core.
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Top
Pro
•••
Free
This is a free educational version of Zbrush Core. It allows you to get used to the Zbrush UI without paying for it. More or less, a transitional package to Zbrush or Zbrush Core.
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Top
Con
•••
For Non-Commercial use only
Cannot sell any products you make using this software. You'll have to upgrade your files to Zbrush Core or the standard Zbrush. Also will need License for either Zbrush Core or the Standard Zbrush depending on which one you upgrade to.
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Hide
See All
Free
Recommend
2
--
Fusion 360
My Rec
ommendation
for
Fusion 360
My Recommendation for
Fusion 360
All
8
Experiences
1
Pros
5
Cons
2
Top
Pro
•••
Free
This software is $495/yr, but it is free for startups and hobbyists. Contact Autodesk Support to get the hobbyist license.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Cloud
Just upload your secret models to the Autodesk server...
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TieDyeKatz's Experience
I think this product is very good because it is free, and it is easy to use. I am advanced, so it is easy for me. Fusion 360 runs on Windows and Mac (worse than Linux in my opinion) and in a browser on A360.
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Top
Pro
•••
Pro Student
See More
Top
Con
•••
Professional Grade
Hard for newbies and the tutorial doesn't help.
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Top
Pro
•••
Professional Grade
This software is great, but only if you can use it. OnShape (onshape.com) is free and has most of the same aspects as Fusion 360. The tutorial in this is easy, and you can use your OnShape knowledge in Fusion 360.
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Top
Pro
•••
Cloud
It connects seamlessly to your other devices, letting you work from anywhere.
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Top
Pro
•••
Intuitive
Very easy to use interface
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Hide
See All
$495.00 / YEAR
Recommend
5
--
Sculptris
My Rec
ommendation
for
Sculptris
My Recommendation for
Sculptris
All
4
Experiences
1
Pros
2
Cons
1
Top
Con
•••
No longer updating
Sculptris is no longer being updated by Pixologic, which can cause users with more up-to-date technology to be unable to use the software. In my experience, it crashes frequently, this occurs most often after you launch the software.
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Top
Pro
•••
Fast and easy introduction to digital sculpting
Sculptris is an easy way to get introduced to digital sculpting, and at the same time it's capable of production level results.
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RodDavis's Experience
No longer available from the Pixologic site
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Top
Pro
•••
Sculpting allows for easier creative expression
Sculptris has great editing tools that allow designers to concentrate on sculpting and completely immerse themselves into making models, forgetting about all the complex methods modelers usually have to use in their daily business.
See More
Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
1
4
--
Figuro
My Rec
ommendation
for
Figuro
My Recommendation for
Figuro
All
4
Experiences
1
Pros
2
Cons
1
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use for simple models
See More
Top
Con
•••
Only has basic modeling tools, not as advanced as Blender
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PoisedFengMeng's Experience
I could try this without creating an account. Found it easy to use.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Use without an account
See More
Hide
See All
Free
Recommend
3
Don't see your favorite option? Add it.
--
SelfCAD
My Rec
ommendation
for
SelfCAD
My Recommendation for
SelfCAD
$9.99
Recommend
5
1
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