3D Modeling Software

Submit additions and corrections to the 3D Printing Directory

Commercial 3D Modeling Software

3d Tin

An online 3D modeling program with an intuitive interface. All models saved in the cloud, and can be exported to standard file formats such as STL, DAE and OBJ.

3ds Max

Autodesk 3ds Max Design is a 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing software product for architects, designers, civil engineers, and visualization specialists.

AC3D

3D software for games, virtual reality and flight simulation, scientific, medical and general data visualization, rapid prototypes of 3D designs, high resolution 3D renderings, Google Earth, Second Life and more.

AutoCAD

Audtodesk AutoCAD is an industry leader in 3D CAD design, drafting, modeling, architectural drawing, and engineering software and a best-in-class customizable and extendable CAD application.

Cheetah3D

Cheetah3D is a 3D modeling, rendering and animation software for Mac OS X. It offers native support for importing and exporting STL files (ASCII and Binary).

Inventor 3D

Autodesk Inventor 3D is a mechanical design and 3D CAD software product that has tools for product simulation, tooling creation, and design communication.

Maya

Autodesk® Maya® 3D animation software delivers an end-to-end creative workflow with comprehensive tools for animation, modeling, simulation, visual effects, rendering, matchmoving, and compositing on a highly extensible production platform.

Rhino

Rhinoceros (Rhino) is a NURBS-based 3-D modeling tool used for industrial design, architecture, marine design, jewelry design, automotive design, CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering as well as the multimedia and graphic design industries.

Solidworks

Dassault Systèmes’ SolidWorks a leading 3D CAD product design engineering software with more than 1,400,000 users at over 136,800 locations around the world

Zbrush

ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that has revolutionized the 3D industry with its powerful features and intuitive workflows.

Free 3D Modeling Software

Autodesk 123D

Autodesk 123D, by Autodesk, is free 3D modeling software integrated with content and fabrication services. Windows only.

Art of Illusion

Free, open source 3D modeling and rendering studio. Highlights include subdivision surface based modelling tools, skeleton based animation, and a graphical language for designing procedural textures and materials. Despite shortcomings it may be the most widely used program in the RepRap community.

Blender

Blender is the most popular, free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems. It’s very powerful, and takes some time to learn. Intimidating at first, but hang in there.

BRL-CAD

BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis. The BRL-CAD runs on BSD, Irix, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and Windows.

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a general purpose feature-based, parametric 3D modeler for CAD, MCAD, CAx, CAE and PLM, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits a wider range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties.

K-3D

K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It combines flexible plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture, making K-3D a versatile and powerful tool for artists.

MakeHuman

Free program, that specializes in human body 3D designs and lets you play with all body and face details. But it’s only an alpha release and doesn’t yet let the figure be posed.

MeshLab

MeshLab, well known in the more technical fields of 3D development and data handling, is aimed to help the processing of the typical not-so-small unstructured models arising in 3D scanning, providing a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering and converting this kind of meshes.

MeshMixer

From their site: “meshmixer is a free tool for making crazy-ass 3D stuff without too much hassle. Or boring stuff too.”

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a scripted 3D modeling program which produces CSG files, specifically used for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X.

Sculptris

Sculptris is 3D sculpting software, in which users can pull, push, pinch, twist, and do just about anything that they could do with a regular piece of modeling clay. It is geared for character sculpting and “organic” models.

SketchUp

Google SketchUp is a free, innovate and intuitive 3D modeling program that is used by both beginners and advanced user alike. Easy to learn, but doesn’t have he advanced features of some other programs.

TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD is a web app so you don’t need to download any software. You simply get on, open a session and start creating with intuitive tools. The end result is an .STL file. There’s a community of other Tinkerers online for you to work and share with. UPDATE: Tinkercad is shutting down.

Wings3D

Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use. The website has a forum as well.