3D modeling is popular in diverse fields like engineering, architecture, entertainment, commercial advertising, and medicine. 3D models take digital production to the next level by recreating real-world like entities and experiences.

It is possible to create blueprints for a planned structure or an artistic entity. All this is possible using 3D Modeling software that suits your industry requirements.

What is 3D Modeling Software?

3D modeling software enables the creation of objects in a three-dimensional space. It is programmed to arrange objects based on the mathematical representation of their designs. Thus, 3D modeling software adopts three virtual dimensions: height/depth, length, and breadth.

To create 3D models, you can either use the hard surface modeling technique based on 3D polygon shapes and vertices or digital sculpting with the help of virtual clay. The hard surface is preferred for modeling things like buildings and cars, whereas digital sculpting is suited for organic structures such as characters and animals.

List of Paid and Free 3D Modelling Software

Blender
MakeHuman
SketchUp
ZBrushCoreMini
Daz Studio 3D
Hexagon
Wings3D
TinkerCAD
Autodesk 3DS Max
Rhino
Autodesk Maya
Lightwave 3D
Fusion 360
SolidWorks
Lumion 3D

Here is a list of the best 3D modeling programs, both free and paid to help you make the right decision.

Best Free 3D Modeling Software of 2024

Blender

Blender 3D modeling software is a free and open-source solution used by animators, VFX experts, modelers, game developers, and more. The focus is on the entire 3D pipeline, including modeling, rigging, simulation, animation, rendering, video editing, compositing and motion tracking, and 2D animation pipeline.

It fastens the mask creation by providing loose parts (geometry islands) or face sets. You can use Spreadsheet Editor to inspect your mesh, instances, and point clouds.

Blender 3D Software Features

Custom bone shapes for fast input
Envelope, skeleton, and automatic skinning
Layers & colors for stroke and fill
Combine 2D with 3D in the viewport
Sound synchronization
Integration with multiple pipeline tools
Create your tools and add-ons

Price to Upgrade: Blender Cloud monthly subscription is available at INR 856.36 with an automatic renewal option. If you find the pricing too high consider looking into the best Blender alternatives.

Subscription Model: You can get a subscription to this 3D designing software that can be renewed every month/ 3 months/ 6 months/ yearly. For manual renewal, you do not get 6 months option.

Supported OS: Windows 8.1 and 10, MacOS 10.13 Intel/ 11.0 Apple Silicon, Linux.

MakeHuman

MakeHuman | best free 3d modeling software

MakeHuman is a free 3D modeling software for the creation of 3-Dimensional humanoid characters. MakeHuman started as a plugin for Blender with additional rigging features for game development and computer animation.

It is great for intermediate users who want to generate 3D models quickly. With this 3D modeling solution, you can create a mesh that can be further refined in sculpting tools like ZBrush.

MakeHuman Features

Readymade models
Proxies and topologies
Hairstyle and clothing options
Gender plugin
Quick and advanced rendering options
Auto-zoom, panning, rotation, grid using an orbital camera
Progress bar to show the progress of an operation
Various export formats like .dae, .fbx, .obj, lightmaps, UV maps

Price to Upgrade: It is a completely free and open-source 3D modeling software, you can support the community through your contributions.

Subscription Model: None

Supported OS: Windows (64-bit), OSX, Linux Debian derivatives

SketchUp Free

SketchUp 3D modeling software is popular among graphic designers, PreViz designers, and 3D printing enthusiasts. It supports 3D printing, and there are many free extensions to increase its capabilities.

This 3D designing software is great for visualization and planning in architectural, urban planning, interior designing, construction, and other similar projects. Several 3D models, SketchUp tools like Rotate and Circle features, are used to ‘pre-lock’ an inference direction or drawing plane.

SketchUp Features

3D warehouse for user-generated and manufacturer-produced models
Customize your 3D workspace
Collaboration and sharing
10 GB of Trimble Connect cloud storage
View 3D models on the mobile app
Import/ Export SKP, PNG, and other file types

Price to Upgrade: The annual cost of SketchUp Shop is INR 8861.45. You can also upgrade to SketchUp Pro or Studio version. There is a 30-day trial for premium versions. For personal use, it is free. You can also get SketchUp free version for educational use if you are eligible.

Subscription Model: Annual subscription.

Supported OS: SketchUp free 3D design software is web-based. However, the upgraded versions offer desktop support.

ZBrushCoreMini

ZBrushCoreMini is a digital sculpting tool used by beginners and professional artists who want to focus on digital sculpting (artistic/ organic) instead of traditional 3D CAD modeling. You can simply start with a sphere or stone block and then use brushes from ZBrush to design whatever you want.

There are options to add, subtract, pinch, inflate, smoothen, or polish the organic model. You can export the model for 3D printing or share it with others in iMage3D format.

ZBrushCoreMini Features

12 brushes including Standard, ChiselOrganic, SnakeHook, Inflate
Symmetry button for evenness on both sides
Materials/ Color options including RGB
Preview AO (Ambient Occlusion) feature
Viewer mode to preview
Turntable movie rendering
iMage3D GIF and iMage3D PNG formats that appear 2D except when you open them in the software
Supports 7 languages

Price to Upgrade: You need to register to get the free license for non-commercial use. You can upgrade to ZBrush Core and then ZBrush. The monthly subscription of ZBrush core costs INR 741.78, and the perpetual license costs INR 13415.36.

Subscription Model: Monthly subscription and perpetual license.

Supported OS: Windows 7 or above (64-bit), Mac OSX: 10.11 or above.

Daz Studio 3D

Daz Studio is a 3D art creation software used by beginners and professionals to create high-definition 3D art. With a simple UI, it makes animation and rendering simple. It has a smart content library to quickly build custom scenes and characters.

You can export images and videos that you want. Whatever you create is owned by you, royalty-free, and you have the option to sell it.

Daz Studio Features

Face Transfer to create a 3D version of a person with one image
RTX ray tracing for creating high-definition renders
dForce and dForce Mesh in animation
Quick character setup
Materials and Shaders
Detailed skin textures
Autofit for dressing characters
Active Pose tool for 3D models

Price to Upgrade: It is a free 3D rendering software, but certain utilities like exclusive contents and characters are available with paid version only. Daz Studio membership plan starts at INR 434.78 per month, billed annually.

Subscription Model: Quarterly or annual subscription.

Supported OS: MacOS X 10.6 or above (32-bit)/ MacOS X 10.7 or above (64-bit), Windows 10, 8, 7, & Vista.

Hexagon

Hexagon is a free subdivision-type 3D modeler that contains all the tools to create detailed and unique 3D models, which can be later imported into Daz Studio for rendering.

It has an intuitive interface and can be used for tasks like posing, modeling, morphing, animating 3D content when used with Daz 3D. You simply create a Daz Studio account to get started. It is a great option for graphic artists.

Hexagon Features

Freehand modeling brushes
UV-mapping modules
Advanced 3D paint
Instant ambient occlusion
DAZ Studio Bridge
Sculpted primitives
Micro-displacement modeling tools
Export files (STF, DWG, DXF, etc.)

Price to Upgrade: It is free but generally used in conjunction with Daz Studio. You can get a subscription starting at INR 434.78 per month annually or INR 596.60 per month quarterly for store discounts.

Subscription Model: Annual or quarterly.

Supported OS: Windows 7 or newer, Mac OS X 10.2+

Wings3D

Wings 3D | best 3d modeling software for 3d printing

Wings3D is an open-source, easy-to-use advanced subdivision modeler written in Erlang. It has a customizable UI, support for lights and materials, and a wide range of modeling tools.

You can easily build an underlying form from polygons and generate a smoothed shape by subdividing the mesh. There are different viewing modes like smoothed preview, orthographic, wireframe, and perspective.

Wings3D Features

Standard/ advanced selection and mesh tools like rotate, sweep, etc.
Magnets and Magnet Masking
Virtual Mirror for symmetrical modeling
Tweak and Sculpt
Edge Loop and Edge Ring selection and navigation tools
AutoUV option to add textures
Configurable interface and hotkeys
Exports to common 3d file formats like .obj
UV mapper, Vertex Colors, Materials, and Lights

Price to Upgrade: It is an open-source and completely free 3D rendering software for use in both personal and commercial projects.

Subscription Model: None.

Supported OS: Windows 10 or later, Mac OS X Mohave or Catalina, Linux Ubuntu 18.04, Other Unix (build from source).

TinkerCAD

If you are looking for 3D design software for beginners, TinkerCAD is one of the best options because of its simple interface. Just by combining primitive shapes like solids and holes, new shapes can be created.

You can access Custom Shape Generators if you want more options. It has options to design structures using Lego bricks. It can also be used for electronics and coding. It has become popular as a 3D printing software among teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to create models.

TinkerCAD Features

Smart Duplicat
3D annotations for documentation
Program circuits using Codeblocks or C++
Circuit simulation
Create GIFs to share design code
Import shapes in STL, OBJ for 3D, and 2D SVG
Export models in STL or OBJ formats for 3D printing
Support for 3D printers that accept standard STL file formats

Price to Upgrade: This free 3D modeling software provides all features without any need to upgrade.

Subscription Model: None

Supported OS: Web-based

Top 3D Modeling Software Picks with Free Trial

Autodesk 3DS Max

Autodesk 3DS Max is a 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software used for modeling interiors and objects, animating characters, creating game assets, visualizing architectural renderings, and so on.

It offers a user-friendly experience and intuitive controls. You can scale your workflow with automation and focus more on the creative aspect. This 3D drawing software has an extensive plugin system for adding third-party modules.

Autodesk 3DS Max Features

Mesh and surface modeling
Material, texture, and color editor
Enhanced spline tools
Preview and adjust animation paths
Import data from anywhere
Powerful scene modeling
Customizable pipeline integration with support for Python 3

Pricing: The annual subscription is priced at INR 96,760. It offers a 30-day free trial.

Subscription Model: You can get a monthly subscription, yearly subscription, or a subscription paid every 3 years.

Supported OS: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) supports the latest version of Autodesk 3DS Max. You can still install and run the software on macOS, but Autodesk will not offer technical support or troubleshooting help.

Suggested Read: 20 Best Free 3D Animation Software

Rhino

Rhino started to help marine designers build computer models for driving digitally controlled fabrication equipment in shipyards. Today, it is great for prototyping mechanical parts and creating concept designs for turning them into physical items using 3D printing.

In addition, it can be used for sculpting objects, performing LIDAR scans to capture 3D data, rendering scenes using raytracing, and so on.

Rhino Features

Free-form 3D modeling tools
Read and repair meshes and IGES files
Development platform for specialty 3D products
Graphical algorithm editor Grasshopper
Converting NURBS to meshes
SubD tools for organic shapes
Support for 3D digitizing hardware
Compatibility with Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and more

Pricing: For a single user, the software is priced at INR 14520.87 for academic purposes and INR 74093.67 for commercial usage. There is a trial of 90 days for the full version.

Subscription Model: It offers a permanent license that includes support and service releases for your buy version.

Supported OS: The latest version works with Windows 10 or 8.1, macOS 11.3 (Big Sur), macOS 10.15.7 (Catalina), macOS 10.14.6 (Mojave).

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is a 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software. You can use it to give a realistic look to characters via animation tools, create effects like sandstorms and explosions, shape 3D objects and scenes via modeling tools, and more.

Bifrost enables the creation of physically accurate and detailed simulations. Maya modeling is a popular name in the industry and used in commercial productions like Avengers: Infinity War and Stranger Things.

Autodesk Maya Features

Lightweight previews of USD scene structure
Time, Graph, Ghosting Editors for 3D animation edits
Polygon, NURBS modeling
Sculpting toolset for models
UV editing and toolkit
Arnold Render View to view scene changes in real-time
Adobe After Effects Live link
Open source and fully customizable Maya USD plug-in

Pricing: The annual subscription is priced at ₹96,760. It also has a 30-day free trial option.

Subscription Model: You can pay monthly, annually, or every 3 years to use the software.

Supported OS: Microsoft Windows 10, macOS 11.x, 10.15.x, 10.14.x, 10.13.x, Linux Red Hat Enterprise 8.2, 7.6-7.9 WS OS, Linux CentOS 8.2, 7.6-7.9 OS.

Lightwave 3D

Lightwave 3D is a 3D modeling software that works as a Modeler for creating assets and Layout for adding texture, animation, lighting, and rendering. In addition, you can create smoothing groups to have more control over regional contours on your model.

It is easy to learn and is used in films, television, product design, motion graphics, video game development, architectural visualizations, music videos, advertising, etc. In addition, it is well suited for independent artists.

Lightwave 3D Features

Modeler to work on a group of items at once
Pixel Filter for tone mapping
Enhanced environment light
OpenVDB toolset
Pipeline support
Scene Editor to manage complex and layered scenes
Monitor render progress on mobile

Pricing: The latest version is available at INR 74177.75 for commercial use. It offers a 30-day free trial.

Subscription Model: Perpetual license

Supported OS: Windows 7 through 10 (64-bit), Sierra 10.12 or better

Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD modeling software integrated with CAM, CAE, and PCB tooling capabilities to connect the product design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing processes. It can be used to create any solid form, be it basic or complex.

In addition, simulation and generative design tools ease the process of making changes. This online 3D drawing software is popular among industrial designers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, machinists, and hobbyists.

Fusion 360 Features

Freeform sculpting
Parametric modeling
Direct modeling with non-native file formats
Polygon manipulation
PCB Design Integration
Assemble designs and analyze assembly motion
Compare Results of 4 different iterations in one view
Public/Private Design Sharing

Pricing: The annual subscription is available at ₹15,694/year. You can also get a monthly or 3-year subscription. A free trial of 30 days is available. It is free for hobbyists, non-commercial use, and qualifying startups.

Subscription Model: Monthly/ Annual/ 3-year subscription

Supported OS: It’s a cloud-based 3D rendering software accessible on all devices.

SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a CAE and CAD modeling software commonly used in aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical, architecture, and energy sectors. This 3D rendering & drawing software covers the entire workflow from product design to validation. It is preferred to Autocad 3D modeling for CAD 3D models and simulations.

You can automate part, assembly, and drawing generation in the design process. Apart from advanced assembly and drawing capabilities, the software offers robust simulation, electrical routing, and streamlined data management.

Solidworks Features

3D solid modeling
Create complex solid and surface geometry
Zoom and pan for massive drawings
Environmental impact tools
Detailing Mode tool
Part and mold filling analysis
Weldments to quickly design welded structures
Automated BOMs
Integration with 3DExperience platform

Pricing: The student edition is available at ₹8,240.86 for 1 year. Pricing is available on request for commercial purposes. It also offers product trials to create 3D models.

Subscription Model: Limited-time license

Supported OS: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) for older versions; browser-based during product trial.

Lumion 3D

Lumion software makes the process of 3D rendering simpler and easier. In addition, it helps designers and illustrators add life to any rendering project. For example, you can add different animation and photo effects to videos and 36o degree panoramic images.

Lumion 3D rendering software is popularly used for residential and commercial projects, urban landscapes, and home interiors.

Lumion 3D Features

Vast Lumion content library with 1200 plus materials and 6k plus models
Stunning collection of 60 plus photo & video effects
Animated phasing
Photo matching
Nature items with rich, natural details
Maps for open streets
PureGlass function

Pricing: The latest version Lumion 11.5, is available for a 14-days free trial. The Lumion Standard version is available at Rs 1,32,237.28 for the lifetime.

Subscription Model: Lumion 3D software is available as a perpetual floating license, where multiple users across different computers can use a single Lumion license.

Supported OS: Windows

Conclusion

3D modeling software opens an imaginary world with endless possibilities. If you are a beginner, go for the easy to learn option or the one that you plan on working on in the future.