10 Best Free 3D Software

I would like to present you with a list of 10 best free 3d software.

Each of these programs can be downloaded and used for free. This 10 best free 3d software list also has a link to each of these applications.

1. Blender

I think everyone heard about Blender. It is a powerful tool for 3d graphics with versatile capabilities. You may be a little scared about its interface, because it is completely different from all 3d packages, but it’s worth trying. In Blender you can model, animate, make FX and do everything like in paid 3D applications such as 3ds max, Maya or Cinema 4D. Additionally, thanks to the built-in Cycles rendering engine, the effects of your work will be photorealistic. More information about Blender – its features and possibilities you can read on our blog: Is Blender for Professionals?

Link: https://www.blender.org/

2. SketchUp Free

The free version of SketchUp is currently run in the browser. Thanks to this you do not have to worry about downloading and installing this application. SketchUp is a very intuitive modeling tool. It is mainly focused on architectural and practical objects so you will not find tools for modeling organic models. However, if you need to make a desing model, like for example a piece of furniture, it’s worth checking out.

Link: https://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-free

3. Sculptris

This application was made by Pixologic – creators of ZBrush. And it is also based on ZBrush. Thanks to Sculptric you will be able to create models in a similar way, but you will be more limited. It is great for it if you are just starting your journey with 3D sculpting and you want to learn something. You will need it especially if you do not have experience and modeling skills, and you would like to try sculpting and see what it is. Of course you can use it not only for learning. Actually, it has a simplyfied tools, but you can still do some nice things in it. It is not currently developed by Pixologic but it is still worth checking out.

Link: https://pixologic.com/sculptris/

4. Wings 3D

Another one best free 3d software list is Wings 3D. This is an advanced subdivision modeler based, just like Blender, on an open source license. Created in 2001, it is currently being developed by Dan Gudmundsson and Richard Jones. Wings 3D has a very user-friendly interface and many features that you need in modeling. In it you will find among others, standard tools (move, scale, rotate, extrude, cut, etc.), magnet masking, virutal mirror, edge loop, smooth preview, auto uv and many, many more.

Link: https://www.wings3d.com/

5. Daz Studio

Daz Studio is a tool for mainly animation. It is made for people who would like to make animations, but without modeling and texturing. Some of the features available in it are: 3d morphing, posing, GPU real-time rendering with photorealistic results, interactive tutorials and royalty free license. So if you would like to play with it and create an animation without worrying about modeling, then I recommend you test it.

Link: https://www.daz3d.com

6. Terragen

Next software – Terragen, is accually not free, but it was worth adding to the list of the best free 3d software. It is an application which, thanks to procedural methods of modeling, will allow you to make an amazing looking 3d environment. For example, the new animated logo of the Paramount film studio was created in Terragen. So if you would like to learn how to create advanced 3D environments, it’s worth starting from the free version of this program.

Actually, it is available in three versions: free, paid for $349 and paid for $699. The free version has certain limitations, for example the limit of resolution up to 1280×900 or certain maximum level of detail. Despite everything, I encourage you to download it and get to know its possibilities.

Link: https://planetside.co.uk/free-downloads/terragen-4-free-download/

7. Tinkercad

Autodesk Tinkercad is, like SketchUp Free, an online software tool which you run in browser. It is a CAD application addressed to people who are just starting to learn CAD. It has very intuitive tools, thanks to which it is possible to create models with basic primitive shapes. I recommend it to anyone who just starts and wants to learn what is 3d graphic at all.

Link: https://www.tinkercad.com

8. Open SCAD

It is a free software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. Open SCAD is available for Linux, Windows and macOS operating systems. It is significantly different from other CAD modelers. In contrast, it is not focused on the “artistic” aspects of 3d models. It can be especially useful when you need to design purely technical objects, such as, for example, engine components. It may seem it is the most complicated app on this best free 3d software list. This is also not an interactive modeler. To make a model you have to describe it in the appropriate script file.

Link: https://www.openscad.org/

9. Meshmixer

The application was created by Autodesk and it does what its name indicates. Meshmixer will allow you to combine meshes of different objects with each other. Thanks to this you can get really interesting and creative shapes. This application will be of particular interest to you if you work in 3D printing industry.

Link: https://www.meshmixer.com/

10. Houdini Apprentice

The last of the best free 3d software I would like to mention is Houdini Apprentice. This is the free version of Houdini FX, which is software for creating special effects used by the largest film studios. You can use Houdini Apprentice for non-commercial projects and learing. Also the rendered images will have a watermark and has some other limitations to its paid version. But it is always worth to learn the basics of the new software.

Link: https://www.sidefx.com/products/houdini-apprentice/

I hope that thanks to this article you got familiar with at least some new tools for 3d graphics. If you know any other free 3d apps, do not hesitate to write about them in the comment below.