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The best 3D modelling software in 2021
Mastering the best 3D modelling software means you will be in great demand in the fast-growing 3D industry. The popularity of streaming services means increasing sums of money has been invested in TV and movie content so the need for 3D artists, animators and VFX artists is at an all-time high. Due to the pandemic, there has been uncertainty over how much actual filming can be done meaning appetite for CG content is at an all-time high.
This is a fantastic time to try out the best 3D modelling software, whatever your skill level. If you'd like more resources to use in your projects, head over to our pick of the best free textures or free 3D models to test them out on. As well as that, you'll want to make sure you've got the best graphics cards to maximise the performance of your software.
- Jump to the best free 3D modelling software
The best 3D modelling software: paid-for options
Industrial-strength 3D modelling software, with a price to match.
Specifications
Cost: £246/$215 per month, £1,968/$4590 per year
Pricing model: Subscription
OS: Windows 10; Apple macOS 10.13.x and above; Linux Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 and 7.5; Linux CentOS 7.3 and 7.5
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly powerful +Comprehensive toolset
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive -Difficult to learn
- Download a free trial of Maya
Ask any 3D artist to name the best 3D modelling software, and most will choose Autodesk Maya. Largely seen as the industry standard for CG, Autodesk Maya boasts an unrivalled 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 modelling, 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 overkill 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.
Market-leading sculpting software that's ideal for 3D printing.
Specifications
Cost: £769.20/$895 for perpetual licence or $39.95 a month
Pricing model: Perpetual and subscription
OS: Windows Vista and above; macOS: 10.10 and above
Reasons to buy
+Incredible sculpting toolset +Handles millions of polys with ease
Reasons to avoid
-Difficult to learn -Non-standard menus and UI -Needs a graphics tablet for best results
- Download a free trial of ZBrush
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 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.
03. Houdini
3D modelling software used in today's movie and TV VFX.
Specifications
Cost: $4,495/yr (Houdini FX), $1,995/yr (Core), $269/yr (Indie), Free learning edition
Pricing model: Perpetual and rental
OS: Windows 8 SP1 and above; macOS 10.13 and above; Linux Ubuntu 16.04+; Linux Debian 9.0+; Linux CentOS 7+; Linux Open SUSE 15.0+; Linux mint 17.3+; Linux Fedora 25+
Reasons to buy
+Industry-leading +Incredible VFX simulations +Free version
Reasons to avoid
-Complex workflow
- Download Houdini Apprentice (free version)
Coming in second place in our guide to the best 3D modelling software is Houdini by SideFX. Widely used in the VFX industry for creating a range of 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.
04. Cinema 4D
Brilliant 3D modelling software for beginners and pros alike.
Specifications
Cost: £3,300/$3495 (perpetual licence) or £55.99-£94.80/$59.81-$94 per month
Pricing model: Perpetual and rental
OS: Windows 10; macOS 10.12.6 or 10.14.6 and above
Reasons to buy
+Shallow learning curve +Hugely extensible with plugins
Reasons to avoid
-Limited features in free version -Expensive
- Download a free trial of Cinema 4D
Maxon's Cinema 4D has been around for many years and is highly regarded in the worlds of motion graphics, visualisation and illustration. It's a professional, complex piece of software, known for its overall stability and for being the 3D modelling software 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 modelling toolset is generally very good, and you can add even more functionality with a range of inexpensive plugins. It also boasts volumetric modelling, which is perfect if you don't have the time or skillset to create smooth solid forms.
Perpetual licenses don't come cheap, but you can always start with Prime and upgrade over time. Check out the trial version, which gives you 14 days to experiment for free, and the free education version for students and teachers.
05. Autodesk 3ds Max
The best 3D modelling software for Windows users.
Specifications
Cost: £1968/$1700 per year £246/$215 per month
Pricing model: Subscription
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 Professional operating system
Reasons to buy
+Easier to learn than Maya +Substantial feature set
Reasons to avoid
-Windows only
- Download a free trial of 3ds Max
3ds Max is Autodesk's PC-only 3D computer graphics program, used for TV and feature film production and for architectural and product visualisation. Like its sister software Maya, 3ds Max boasts a very robust toolset for 3D modelling, not to mention fluid simulations, hair and fur, plus character rigging and animation.
It uses both direct manipulation and procedural modelling techniques, and a huge library of different modifiers makes the modelling 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.
06. Modo
3D modelling, texturing and rendering software.
Specifications
Cost: £1,596/$1,596 permanent license, £377/$377 per year
Pricing model: Perpetual and subscription
OS: macOS 10.13.x and above; Windows 10 and above; Linux RHEL and CentOS 7.6+
Reasons to buy
+Excellent modeller +Impressive workflow
Reasons to avoid
-Some tools feel underdeveloped
- Download a free trial of Modo
Borne out of the development team behind LightWave 3D, Modo has grown from a basic subdivision surface modeller 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 modelling 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 modelling 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.
07. Lightwave 3D
Fully-featured, production-proven 3D modelling software.
Specifications
Cost: £843.60/$995
Pricing model: Perpetual
OS: Windows 7 and above; macOS 10.12 and above
Reasons to buy
+Easy to get to grips with +Works as two separate apps
Reasons to avoid
-Better alternatives
- Download a free trial of LightWave
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.
The best free 3D modelling software
A licence 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 modelling software around for you to download today. So if you're a 3D artist, bookmark this page now.
01. Blender
- Download the latest version of Blender
If you're looking for free 3D modelling software, it doesn't get any better than Blender, the free modelling, texturing, animation and rendering app. 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 once notorious for its non-standard way of working, but a lot of these issues have now been solved, 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 are on a par with just about any other 3D modelling software.
02. Daz Studio
- Download Daz 3D
Previously 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.
03. SketchUp
- Download SketchUp
SketchUp Free advertises itself as "the simplest free 3D modeling software on the web — no strings attached", and it's certainly very easy to use. Its core 3D modeller runs right in your web browser, and offers 10GB of storage, plus there are also user-generated and manufacturer-produced 3D models available for free to import into your projects. All this plus a free app to view your 3D models on mobile adds up to a great package at zero cost. Oh, and don't forget to check out our selection of the best SketchUp textures.
04. Hexagon
- Download Hexagon (for free)
If you've got a Daz 3D Studio account, 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.
If you don't have an account, you can buy Hexagon for £19.95 here.
05. Fusion 360 (education version)
- Download Fusion 360
Autodesk's cloud-based modelling app Fusion 360 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 education version for Windows and Mac that you can use for non-commercial projects. The app features all sorts of modelling techniques, including freeform sculpting, polygon manipulation and parametric modelling.
06. Houdini Apprentice
- Download Houdini Apprentice
As we mentioned above, 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 its maker SideFX offers an 'Apprentice' version for free. Houdini Apprentice allows you to 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.
07. Wings3D
- Download 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.
08. Rocket 3F
- Download 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 €99 Pro version – but whether you're making models for illustration, VFX or games, Rocket 3F is a class act.
Related articles:
- Best laptops for 3D modelling: Make sure your machine is powerful enough
- 3D art: Incredible examples to inspire you
- How to sell your 3D assets online
Steve Jarratt has been interested in CG for many years. He's a regular contributor to 3D World and edited the magazine for two years.
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